Which place is cheaper, Varenna or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cairo or Varenna?
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 Varenna 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 Varenna?
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.
Varenna
A golden light cascades from the heavens, bathing the misty blue mountains in a honey haze. The shivering waters of Lake Como blend the gentle blues and yellows of the sky to a tea rose pink that sits under white sailboats. A quaint village hustled around lush gardens, Varenna, Italy is an attractive fishing village that dates back to the eleventh century. Founded in 769 AD by fisherman, the town was originally destroyed in 1126 AD by the rival town Como, only to be restored refugees from the Isola Comacina whose town was also destroyed. Located on the eastern shore of the lake in the province of Lecco, Varenna is filled with a romantic air from its old Italian fisherman houses to the picturesque lanes. Unlike the towns of Bellagio or Milan, Varenna holds a particular authenticity to Italian culture without the burdens of tourist-ridden streets and hotel-packed areas. As Lake Como works as the main attraction of Varenna, the village provides its visitors with a wide array of entertainment on its pebbly beaches. Besides this, Varenna is also known for its exquisite gardens of two villas, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Besides this, Varenna also has museums just waiting to be explored. Take a tranquil retreat to Varenna!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $17Varenna $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in Varenna is $176. 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 Varenna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $9.36Varenna $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $19Varenna $184
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Varenna
Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Varenna? 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.
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 Varenna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $2.99Varenna $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
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Metro Ride$0.08
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Taxi Ride$0.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- transfer from Cairo airport to the hotel in Cairo or Giza: $20
- private transfer from or to cairo international Airport: $15
- private tour to Abusimble transfer to Luxor and visiting Edfu : $175
- VIP Meet and Assist at Cairo Airport with Private Hotel Transfer: $35
- Two-Day Private City Tour of Cairo, Giza Pyramids and Saqqara+Airport Transfer: $220
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cairo HTL-APT (CAI): $33
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cairo APT-HTL (CAI): $33
- Transfer your private departure from your hotel to Cairo Airport: $20
- Transfer from Hurghada to Luxor (sharing ): $109
- Transfer from Hurghada to Cairo by van : $235
- Transfer from Cairo to Ain El Sokhna : $70
- Transfer from Cairo or Giza Hotels to Cairo Airport: $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varenna
Also for Varenna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varenna : Private transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $358
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Varenna?
Prices for flights to both Varenna 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
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Food Meals for one dayCairo $4.75Varenna $57
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
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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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varenna
For Varenna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $5.75Varenna $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:
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Entry to Camel Market for Two$0.84
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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:
- ( Stopover Tour Of Cairo ) Private All Inc.Pyramids,Camel Ride,Museum& Lunch: $180
- 2 Days 1 Nights Tour package to Saint-Catherine from Cairo : $300
- 2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums: $219
- 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
- 3-Day Private Tour in Cairo : $196
- 3-Day Tour at Cairo & Giza : $200
- 3-Days Tour at Cairo (Customized Package): $229
- 4-Day Tours at Cairo & Giza & Alexandria: $209
- 8-Hour Private Tour Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and local Bazaars: $26
- All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour to All Pyramids and Cairo and 2 evenings: $299
- All Inclusive Full-Day Tour to Pyramids, Museum, mosque and Felucca: $79
- All Inclusive day tour to Giza pyramids, Egyptian museum and Felucca : $88
Tours and Activities in Varenna
For Varenna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lake Como Shared Boat Tour: $32
- Lake Como Sightseeing Cruise (90 minutes): $43
- Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $112
- Sunset shared boat tour with aperitif from Varenna: $118
- Picnic Experience in the Italian Alps: $150
- Private Luxury Boat Tour of Lake Como with Stops & Drinks: $491
- Bellagio: Private Tour on Vintage Wooden Boat: $664
- Lake Como: Grand Private Tour 5 hours Invictus boat: $1,551
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.17Varenna $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Varenna
Also in Varenna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Castello di Vezio: $112
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Villa Monastero: $134
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Varenna, we can see that Varenna 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 Varenna 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 Varenna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varenna 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 Varenna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Varenna?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 9140 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Varenna, 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 Varenna?
Varenna 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 Varenna in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Varenna. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Varenna for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cairo is a little warmer than Varenna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Varenna averages at about 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Varenna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the summer, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Varenna. Cairo usually gets less rain in July than Varenna. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCairo 28°C (82°F)Varenna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Varenna in the Autumn?
Both Varenna and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Varenna in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Cairo is generally much warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 23°C (73°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during autumn. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Varenna. In October, Cairo usually receives less rain than Varenna. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCairo 23°C (73°F)Varenna 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Varenna in the Winter?
Both Varenna and Cairo during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Varenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Varenna can be very cold during winter. Cairo is much warmer than Varenna in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the winter, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun.
Cairo usually gets less rain in January than Varenna. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCairo 14°C (57°F)Varenna 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Varenna in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Varenna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Varenna because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Cairo is much warmer than Varenna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairo in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Varenna averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during spring. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
Varenna receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cairo usually receives less rain than Varenna. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCairo 21°C (70°F)Varenna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Varenna and Cairo
| Cairo | Varenna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.