Which place is cheaper, Washington or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cairo or Washington?
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 Washington 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 Washington?
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.
Washington
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $17Washington $198
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in Washington is $198. 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 Washington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $9.36Washington $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $19Washington $226
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Washington
Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Washington? 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 Washington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $2.99Washington $47
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:
- From Private Day Trip to Luxor w/ Transfer & Flights: $659
- 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
- Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
- Cairo - Sharm El Sheikh: One-Way or Return Private Transfer: $290
- 2 Days and 2 Evenings Private Tour in Cairo include airport transfer and M&A: $280
- From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor: $275
- Private Transfer from El Cairo (CAI) Airport to Hurghada: $263
- Private Pickup Transfers From Cairo To Dahab: $260
- Private 3 Days in Giza Cairo and Alexandria including Free airport transfers: $250
- Cairo : Marvel the Camping in the White & Black Deserts & Cairo Private Transfer: $250
- Cairo To El Gouna Private Transfer: $248
- 2-Day Ancient Egypt and Old Cairo Highlights Tour with Free Airport Transfers: $240
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
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Metro Day Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer: National Airport DCA to Washington in Business Car: $140
- Arrival Transfer Dulles Airport IAD to Washington DC by Sedan: $106
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Baltimore Airport BWI in Luxury SUV: $187
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Baltimore Airport BWI in Luxury Van: $187
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Business Car: $127
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury SUV: $157
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to National Airport DCA in Business Car: $140
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to National Airport DCA in Luxury Car: $184
- Luxury Airport Transfer DCA to/from Washington DC: $120
- Private Airport Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Business Car: $127
- Private Departure Transfer to Baltimore Washington Airport BWI: $60
- Private Departure Transfer to Washington Dulles Airport IAD: $144
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Washington?
Prices for flights to both Washington 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 $4.75Washington $38
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.
- Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $12
- Cairo Night Dinner With Belly Dancer Show With Pickup & Drop Off: $13
- Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $16
- Super Safari Quad Bike Jeep Safari Buggy and Dinner in Hurghada: $18
- Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride : $18
- VIP tour Giza pyramids ,Sphinx, Quad bike ,Camel, Dinner cruise : $19
- Private Expert tour Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Nile Dinner Cruise & Belly Dancer: $19
- Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, Quad Bike, Night and Dinner Cruise on Nile: $19
- All inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & ATV &Dinner cruise : $20
- Private tour Giza pyramids and Nile dinner cruise from Giza and Cairo hotels: $23
- Food Tour in Local Cairo Life with Egyptian tea: $23
- Giza pyramids ,Sphinx ,Valley temple and Nile Dinner cruise tours: $24
Typical Food Prices in Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water$2.00
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Snacks on Monuments Tour$6.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Little Ethiopia Food Tour: $67
- Washington DC Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Washington DC: Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Spirit: $78
- Dupont Circle Food Tour: $80
- Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $97
- Washington, DC: African American History Tour with Dinner: $108
- Washington,DC: Union Market Private Food Tour: $125
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
- Washington DC:Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $140
- Washington DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $140
- Washington DC: Personalized & Private Food Tour with a Local: $151
- Washington DC Christmas Eve Plated Dinner Cruise: $206
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $5.75Washington $24
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:
- 2 Days 1 Nights Tour package to Saint-Catherine from Cairo : $300
- 2 Days in Cairo & Giza Private Tour : $80
- 2-Day Tour Ancient Egypt and Old Cairo Highlights Tour: $290
- 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
- 2-Days Tours at Cairo & Giza : $143
- 3-Day Cairo Top Attractions Exploration Tour: $180
- 3-Day Tour at Cairo & Giza : $200
- 3-Days Tour at Cairo (Customized Package): $229
- 3-Days Tour in Siwa Oasis from Cairo : $217
- 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
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- The Kennedy Homes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- The Kennedy Homes of Georgetown: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- DC's Presidents, Pubs, and Parties: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Washington, DC: Lincoln Assassination Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Washington D.C.’s Tidal Basin: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Scandals & Secrets on Embassy Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Washington DC: National Mall Self Guided App Walking Tour: $6.50
- Lincoln Memorial to the Cap Hill D.C. Smart Phone App/GPS Tour: $6.75
- Washington DC Outdoor Escape Game Tour: FBI vs. Bank Robbers: $7.06
- Washington, DC: National Air and Space Museum Audio Tour: $9.00
- The National Mall: Walking In App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- D.C: White House Museum & President's Park Audio Tour (EN): $9.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.17Washington $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:
- Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $59
Sample the Local Flavors in Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
- Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures: $35
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $59
- DC Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
- Private Washington DC Virginia Winery Wine Tasting Tour -Spirited: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Washington, we can see that Washington 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 Washington is in North America, 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 Washington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Washington 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 Washington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Washington?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Washington. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Washington, 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 Washington?
Washington 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 Washington in the Summer?
Both Washington and Cairo during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Washington for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Cairo is around the same temperature as Washington in the summer. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Washington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
In Washington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the summer, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Washington. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 278 hours of full sun.
Cairo usually gets less rain in July than Washington. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Washington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCairo 28°C (82°F)Washington 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Cairo or Washington in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Washington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Washington because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Cairo is much warmer than Washington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cairo in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Washington averages at about 60°F (15°C).
In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Washington during autumn. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Cairo usually receives less rain than Washington. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCairo 23°C (73°F)Washington 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Cairo or Washington in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Washington. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Washington this time of year.
It's quite cold in Washington in the winter. In January, Cairo is generally much warmer than Washington. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 14°C (57°F), and Washington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the winter, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Washington. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 139 hours of full sun.
Cairo usually gets less rain in January than Washington. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCairo 14°C (57°F)Washington 35°F (1°C)
Should I visit Cairo or Washington in the Spring?
Both Washington and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Washington for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Cairo is much warmer than Washington in the spring. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Washington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Washington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Washington during spring. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cairo usually receives less rain than Washington. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCairo 21°C (70°F)Washington 56°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Washington and Cairo
| Cairo | Washington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
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.