Which place is cheaper, Palermo or Dahab?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dahab or Palermo?
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 Palermo 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 Palermo?
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.
Palermo
Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDahab $13Palermo $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Dahab is $13, while the average daily cost in Palermo is $99. 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 Palermo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDahab $6.09Palermo $60
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDahab $12Palermo $120
Compare Hotels in Dahab and Palermo
Looking for a hotel in Dahab or Palermo? 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 Palermo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dahab $1.92Palermo $6.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab
Also for Dahab, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dahab Private Transfer To/From Sharm el sheikh ( One Way Transfer ): $30
- Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $38
- Private Transfer from Hotel in Dahab To Sharm el Sheikh Airport: $55
- Private Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH) Transfer: $71
- Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) Airport: $109
- Private Pickup Transfers from Dahab to Taba: $120
- Private Transfer From Dahab To Taba border group from 1 to 12: $220
- Private Pickup Transfers From Dahab To Cairo: $260
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:
-
Bus to Monreale$3.21
-
Bus From Airport$6.43
-
90 Minute Bus Pass$1.39
-
Short Taxi Ride$4.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:
- Transfers From / to Palermo Airport: $108
- Transfer from Palermo Airport to Verdura Resort: $214
- Transfer from Palermo Airport to Palermo: $131
- Quintocanto Hotel & Spa to Palermo Airport, Private Transfer: $37
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to ibis Styles hotel or vice versa: $37
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Verdura Resort Sciacca or vice versa: $233
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Palazzo Brunaccini or vice versa: $37
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to NH Palermo Hotel or vice versa: $42
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Marsala port or vice versa: $109
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Hotel Tonic or vice versa: $37
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Hotel Politeama or vice versa: $44
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Bio Hotel Palermo or vice versa: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Palermo?
Prices for flights to both Palermo 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 dayDahab $4.82Palermo $31
Typical Food Prices in Dahab
For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Seafood Dinner (for 2)$2.00
-
Juice$0.11
-
Breakfast for Two$0.63
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: $30
- Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $36
- Dahab Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner: $40
- Stargazer + Camel riding + Bedouin dinner from Dahab : $90
Typical Food Prices in Palermo
Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:
-
Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$34
-
Fast Food Lunch$5.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.
- Street Food Tour: $42
- Street Food Tour: $65
- Explore Palermo's with a Food Tour & Pizza Making Class: $68
- Small Group Night Street Food Tour: $68
- Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine: $74
- Palermo Traditional Food Tour: $74
- Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making: $75
- Night Street Food Tour of Palermo : $75
- Secret Food Tours Palermo: $85
- Street Food Tour in Ballarò and Vucciria Markets: $86
- Walking Street Food Tour with the Chef: $91
- Sicilian Cooking Class: $101
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dahab $4.60Palermo $18
Tours and Activities in Dahab
For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Saint Catherine's Monastery Half Day Tour From Dahab: $24
- From Three Pools Guided Snorkeling Tour with Lunch: $28
- Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $28
- Dahab Windsurfing Adventure in Red Sea Waves: $30
- Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
- Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour : $38
- 4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $39
- Three Pools snorkeling and Quad Bike full-day tour in Dahab: $40
- Full Day Climbing and Hiking Tour in Canyon with Pickup: $40
- luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
- Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $45
- Seascope Submarine Tour from Dahab: $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:
-
Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)$6.43
-
Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)$13
-
Theater Tickets (for Two)$53
Tours and Activities in Palermo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:
- 4 Hours Private Architectural Tour in Palermo: $165
- Agrigento - Private Tour to the Valley of the Temples from Palermo: $295
- Agrigento Valley of the Temples and Villa Romana del Casale Tour from Palermo: $133
- Ballaro 'street food market tour & Santa Rosalia Sanctuary: $208
- Cappella Palatina and Palazzo dei Normanni Tour: $91
- Captivating Agrigento Sunset Tour of Valle dei Templi: $43
- Capuchin Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral Private Tour: $192
- Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Palermo: $152
- Discover the Charm of A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour: $38
- Eating Street Food & Market Tour: $117
- English or Spanish tour to immersive museum + lunch: $37
- Entrance ticket to the Radici Piccolo Museo Della Natura: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDahab $2.63Palermo $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:
-
Beer$2.74
-
Bottle of Quality Wine$12
Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:
- Pub Crawl Palermo: $16
- Wine Tasting with Snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $41
- Natural Local Wine Tasting & Sicilian Tapas: $49
- Natural Wine Tasting with snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $53
- Eating Palermo Food & Wine Tour: $82
- 2-Hour Sicilian Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour: $128
- From Erice and Marsala Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $181
- Wine Tasting for Small Groups in the Palermo Countryside: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dahab and Palermo, we can see that Palermo is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dahab is in Africa and Palermo 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 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 Palermo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palermo 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 Palermo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dahab or Palermo?
Palermo has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Dahab and Palermo, 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.
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.