Should I Visit Dahab or Durban for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Dahab or Durban?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Dahab and Durban 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: Dahab or Durban?

Dahab

Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.

Durban

The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa.

Which place is cheaper, Durban or Dahab?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

Dahab Prices
Egypt Prices

Durban Prices
South Africa Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Dahab $16

Durban $63

The average daily cost (per person) in Dahab is $16, while the average daily cost in Durban is $63. 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 Dahab and Durban in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Dahab $5.72

Durban $24
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Dahab $11

Durban $48

Compare Hotels in Dahab and Durban

Looking for a hotel in Dahab or Durban? 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: Dahab Hotel Prices and Durban Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Dahab $1.80

Durban $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

Also for Dahab, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

Private Pickup Transfers From Dahab To Cairo: $260
Private Pickup Transfers from Dahab to Taba: $120
Private Transfer From Dahab To Taba border group from 1 to 4: $90
Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $108
Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $43
Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $46
Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
Durban airport to Durban city transfer: $39
Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $46
Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Business Car: $78
1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Durban?

Prices for flights to both Durban and Dahab 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

Dahab $7.84

Durban $27

Typical Food Prices in Dahab

For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:

Seafood Dinner (for 2)

$1.88
Juice

$0.10
Breakfast for Two

$0.59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab

For Dahab, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $36
Dahab Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner: $95

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Dahab $4.32

Durban $16

Tours and Activities in Dahab

For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $38
Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $50
Adventure Safari By Horse In Dahab At Laguna Beach: $65
Astronomy and Bedouin Culture group Tour in sharm with Pickup: $140
Blue Hole Snorkeling Adventure in Dahab: $195
Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $28
Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $49
Dahab Windsurfing Adventure in Red Sea Waves: $60
Dahab's Kept Secrets 5 Adventures in 1 Tour: $25
Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour : $37
Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41

Tours and Activities in Durban

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.

1 Day Safari Isimangaliso - Boat Cruise & Game Drive Fr Durban : $189
1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $122
1/2 Day Durban City Tour & Phezulu Tour: $165
1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Lion Park Tour From Durban: $176
1/2 Day Tour to Drakensberg Mountains & Hiking from Durban: $160
1/2 Tala Game Reserve & Phezulu Safari Park Tour: $176
5-Day Zululand Tour of Drakensberg, Hluhluwe & Isimangaliso: $1,595
A Full Day Safari Tour to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Game Reserve: $187
Battle of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift Battle Day Tour From Durban: $189
Battle of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift, 1 Day Tour from Durban: $191
Battle of Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift Full Day Tour from Durban : $180
Battlefield Tour, Duration : 14hrs, Cost : R4390pp -2/more trav.: $240

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Dahab $2.47

Durban $12

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dahab and Durban, we can see that Durban is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Durban would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Durban than you might in Dahab.

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

Which is Bigger, Dahab or Durban?

Durban has a larger population, and is about 390 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Dahab and Durban, 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.

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dahab vs. Durban for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dahab or Durban?

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

Where Should I go: Dahab or Durban?

Dahab

Durban

Which place is cheaper, Durban or Dahab?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Dahab and Durban

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Durban?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Dahab

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Dahab

Tours and Activities in Durban

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Dahab or Durban?

Related Articles for Dahab

Related Articles for Durban

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dahab vs. Durban for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dahab or Durban?

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

Where Should I go: Dahab or Durban?

Dahab

Durban

Which place is cheaper, Durban or Dahab?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Dahab and Durban

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Durban?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Dahab

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Dahab

Tours and Activities in Durban

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Dahab or Durban?

Related Articles for Dahab

Related Articles for Durban

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