A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Aswan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dubai or Aswan?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Aswan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dubai or Aswan?

Dubai

Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.

Aswan

Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Aswan or Dubai?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Aswan is $17. 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 Dubai and Aswan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubai $170
    Aswan $6.87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubai $340
    Aswan $14
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Aswan

Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Aswan? 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 Dubai


Hotels in Aswan


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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Aswan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubai $13
    Aswan $4.42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:


  • Taxi Ride
    $12
  • Airport Taxi
    $12
  • Sea Taxi
    $0.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai

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

  • Global Village entry tickets with transfer option: $9.21
  • Global Village Dubai Ticket with Optional transfer: $10
  • Global Village Dubai Tickets with Transfers Option: $11
  • Global Village Entry Ticket with Hotel Transfer: $14
  • Shared Transfers from Dubai Hotels to Aquaventure/Lost Chamber: $18
  • Dubai Airport Transfers from all terminals: $19
  • Dubai Global Village All Days Ticket With Shared Transfer: $20
  • Dubai Frame Ticket with Optional Private Transfer: $20
  • Dubai Frame Admission Ticket with Transfer Option: $20
  • Global Village Entry Ticket with Optional Transfers: $20
  • Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Dubai Airport (DXB): $20
  • Dubai Airport Private one way Arrival or Departure Transfer: $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • Private Transfer Round Trip To Abu Simbel From Aswan: $300
  • 3-Days Travel Into The History to Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor with all Transfers: $299
  • Abu Simbel from Aswan in Egypt - Private Tour (guide and transfers Included): $209
  • Hurghada: Private Transfer To/From Aswan: $200
  • Private Transfer To/From Hurghada: $200
  • Private Transfer From Aswan Airport or Hotel to Hurghada: $160
  • Private Transfer Aswan To Marsa-alam: $150
  • Transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $140
  • Transfer from Aswan To Luxor: $114
  • Full Day Tour to Luxor from Aswan with Transfers and Guide: $100
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $99
  • Private Transfer From Aswan To Hurghada: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Aswan?

Prices for flights to both Aswan and Dubai 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
    Dubai $56
    Aswan $5.84
Typical Food Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:


  • French bread
    $0.95
  • Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice
    $10
  • Lemon Mint Tea
    $4.36
  • Coffee & Cake
    $6.54
  • Smoothie
    $5.45
  • Shawarma
    $1.91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai

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

  • Deira Dhow Cruise Buffet Dinner with Entertainment: $14
  • Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $14
  • Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet in Dubai: $14
  • Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Deira Creek: $15
  • 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
  • Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
  • Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $16
  • Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $16
  • Best Dhow Cruise Buffet Dinner with Tenora show: $17
  • 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $17
  • Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner in Dubai Creek: $17
  • Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner in Deira Creek - Dubai: $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

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

  • Private Aswan Nubian Cooking Class and Market Tour: $30
  • Dinner at Soleih restaurant by vehicle: $33
  • Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
  • Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
  • Private 3-Hour Nubian Party with Dinner and Pickup in Aswan: $77
  • Your Grandmothers Cooking Class In Aswan : $90
  • Dinner In Nile Cruise in Aswan: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubai $19
    Aswan $6.23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Visit to the Dubai Museum
    $0.82

Tours and Activities in Dubai

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

  • Dubai Guided Old Town Tour, Abra Boat, Gold & Spice Souk: $4.63
  • A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
  • Global Village Entry Ticket: $6.13
  • Souqs, Old city & Abra boat tour with guide: $8.17
  • Dubai 4G Data Roaming for Tourist: $8.69
  • Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah: $8.99
  • Dubai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Walking Tour, Old Town, Abra, Souks & Street Food: $9.80
  • Tour of old Dubai by night. Tastings and history.: $10
  • Walking Tour with Gold & Spice Souks & Abra Boat Ride: $10
  • Guided Old Town Tour with Souks, Tastings & Boat Tour: $11
  • Dubai Fountain Show Boat Lake Ride or Bridge Walk Tickets options: $11

Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

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


  • Temple Kom Ombo for Two
    $1.29

Tours and Activities in Aswan

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

  • 2-DaysTour from Aswan Philae the High Dam the Unfinished Obelisk and Abu Simbel: $90
  • 3 Hour Private Tour, Ancient Wonders in Philae Temple Tour : $55
  • Abu Simbel Day tour from Aswan: $50
  • Abu Simbel Temples Full Day Tour From Aswan With Entry Tickets : $99
  • Aswan : Full Day Private Guided Tour to the Legend of Abu Simbel Temples: $125
  • Exploration of Philae Temple and High Dam in Aswan Private Tour: $45
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Aswan, Philae Temple and Obelisk: $95
  • Kalabsha Temple and Nubian Museum Tour: $89
  • Nubian Village Day Tour In Aswan: $25
  • Nubian Village Tour - Animalia : $84
  • Nubian Village and Philae Temple Private Guided Tour From Aswan: $30
  • Private Abu Simbel Temple tour : $123

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubai $23
    Aswan $1.27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:


  • A Couple Drinks
    $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $66
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67
  • Pub Crawl Private, Birthdays & Corporate Events: $110


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

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


Which is Bigger, Dubai or Aswan?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Aswan, 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.