A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cairo vs. San Sebastian for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cairo or San Sebastian?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and San Sebastian can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cairo or San Sebastian?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

San Sebastian

San Sebastián is a city in northern Spain very well known for its summertime fun in the sun. While the streets are cool and happening at night, they take on a different charm by day. Beautiful beaches line the city's edge, right next to elegant historic architecture and churches, topping charts as some of the best city beaches in Europe. The food, too, is said to be some of the best with traditional Basque cuisine as well as the popular pintxo (tapas) bites. San Sebastián is a place of lively culture, teeming with beauty, flavors, and colors.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, San Sebastian or Cairo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in San Sebastian is $96. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cairo and San Sebastian in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $9.36
    San Sebastian $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $19
    San Sebastian $86
Compare Hotels in Cairo and San Sebastian

Looking for a hotel in Cairo or San Sebastian? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cairo


Hotels in San Sebastian


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cairo Hotel Prices and San Sebastian Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $2.99
    San Sebastian $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Cairo or Giza Hotels to Cairo Airport: $5.00
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to the hotel in Cairo or Giza: $9.00
  • Private Transfer to Cairo and Giza from Cairo Airport: $9.00
  • Private Arrival or Departure Cairo Airport Transfer: $9.50
  • Pickup transfer from Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Windsor Hotel Cairo: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from Novotel Cairo El Borg to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from Cairo Pyramids Hotel to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from Osiris Hotel to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Hotel Royal: $9.60
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Cairo Paradise Hotel: $9.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Sebastian

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:

  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Pamplona city: $247
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Bilbao Airport: $268
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Pamplona Airport : $245
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Bilbao: $268
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Vitoria: $291
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to San Sebastian City: $84
  • San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer: $273

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or San Sebastian?

Prices for flights to both San Sebastian and Cairo change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cairo $4.75
    San Sebastian $33
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.

  • Cairo/Giza: Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show & Private Transfer : $9.63
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise, Belly Dancer Show With Pickup Service: $11
  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $12
  • Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $16
  • VIP tour Giza pyramids ,Sphinx, Quad bike ,Camel, Dinner cruise : $19
  • Private Expert tour Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Nile Dinner Cruise & Belly Dancer: $19
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $19
  • Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, Quad Bike, Night and Dinner Cruise on Nile: $19
  • Private Cairo Food Tour : $20
  • All inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & ATV &Dinner cruise : $20
  • Giza pyramids and Nile dinner cruise private tour from Cairo Giza hotels: $22
  • Private Cairo food tour and Egyptian tea: $22

Typical Food Prices in San Sebastian

Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:


  • Dinner for 2
    $59
  • Lunch for 2
    $11
  • Lunch for 2
    $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Sebastian

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Sebastian.

  • San Sebastian Walking and Food Tour: $104
  • Insider Best Culinary Gems Guided Food Tour in San Sebastian: $109
  • Basque Cuisine Cooking Class with Market Visit: $148
  • Full Day San Sebastian Food Tour : $150
  • I travel for Food Tour in San Sebastian: $152
  • Authentic Basque Cooking Class in the Old Town: $152
  • Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $158
  • Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $213
  • Food tour in San Sebastian and Visit to a Gastronomical Club: $224
  • History and flavors of San Sebastian for Dinner with Eskerne Falcón: $235

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $5.75
    San Sebastian $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.84
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.49

Tours and Activities in Cairo

Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Dahshur Pyramids Entry Tickets: $4.25
  • Baron Palace Entry Tickets : $4.60
  • Cairo Shopping tour Private Papyrus Essential oils Bazar Cotton : $4.70
  • Prince Mohamed Ali Palace Entry Ticket: $4.80
  • 3-Hour Private Tour of Papyrus and Perfumes in Ancient Egypt: $5.00
  • All Inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara: $5.00
  • New Grand Egyptian Museum Tour with optional the pyramids tour..: $5.00
  • Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hasan Entry Ticket: $5.10
  • Baron Empain Palace Entry Tickets: $5.15
  • Serapeum Of Saqqara Entry Tickets: $7.00
  • Cairo Shopping Tour.: $7.00
  • El Sultan Hassan Mosque Entry Ticket: $7.08

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Sebastian

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:


  • Valle de los Caídos Monument
    $6.43

Tours and Activities in San Sebastian

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Sebastian are as follows:

  • San Sebastian Walking Tour With Pintxo And Drink: $16
  • Guided tour of San Sebastián: $19
  • Walking Tour in San Sebastian: $43
  • Electric scooter city tour: $45
  • City tour, bike ride: $45
  • San Sebastian : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $49
  • City tour, by electric bicycle: $50
  • Private Walking Tour in San Sebastian with Pintxo and Drink: $54
  • San Sebastián City Bike tour : $54
  • Private Guided Sightseeing Bike Tour of San Sebastian: $60
  • Hondarribia, S.Juan & S.Pedro Small Group Tour from San Sebastian: $60
  • Small-Group Electric Bike Tour in San Sebastián : $61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.17
    San Sebastian $21

Sample the Local Flavors in San Sebastian

Also in San Sebastian, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening): $141
  • Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian: $148
  • Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian. : $191
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $240
  • Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $251
  • Full Rioja Wine Tour with Lunch from San Sebastian Private Tour: $298


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and San Sebastian, we can see that San Sebastian is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa and San Sebastian is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in San Sebastian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Sebastian than you might in Cairo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cairo or San Sebastian?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of San Sebastian. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and San Sebastian, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Cairo or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cairo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cairo or San Sebastian in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and San Sebastian. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cairo is a little warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Sebastian this time of the year. In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during summer. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    San Sebastian 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Cairo or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cairo as well as San Sebastian. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

In October, Cairo is generally a little warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 23°C (73°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the autumn, Cairo often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Cairo usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    San Sebastian 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Cairo or San Sebastian in the Winter?

Both San Sebastian and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cairo is much warmer than San Sebastian in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during winter. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    San Sebastian 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Cairo or San Sebastian in the Spring?

Both San Sebastian and Cairo during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Cairo is much warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairo in April average around 21°C (70°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the spring, Cairo often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cairo usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    San Sebastian 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for San Sebastian and Cairo

Cairo San Sebastian
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 8°C (47°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 147 mm (5.8 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 10°C (51°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 115 mm (4.5 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 155 mm (6.1 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 11°C (52°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 9°C (49°F) 184 mm (7.2 in)