Which place is cheaper, Cairo or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dubai or Cairo?
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 Cairo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Cairo?
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.
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.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.
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Dubai Prices
UAE PricesCairo Prices
Egypt Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $289Cairo $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $289, while the average daily cost in Cairo is $30. 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 Cairo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Cairo $10
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Cairo $20
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Cairo
Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Cairo? 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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Cairo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Cairo $3.46
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1 Day 1 Park (Motiongate or Legoland) with Private Transfer: $185
- 1 Hour Self-Drive ATV Experience with Transfer Options: $90
- 20 Minute Jet Car Ride Near Burj Al Arab with Optional Transfers: $230
- A Japanese Business Lunch Experience in Dubai with Transfer: $119
- AYA Universe Dubai Entry with Optional Round Trip Hotel Transfers: $55
- AYA Universe Dubai Tickets with Transfer Option: $37
- AYA Universe Dubai with Transfer Option: $42
- AYA Universe Experience with Private Transfers: $73
- AYA Universe Light and Sound Park in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $65
- AYA Universe and Dubai Miracle Garden Private Tour With Transfer: $195
- Abu Dhabi City Tour transfer from Dubai Shared Bus: $52
- Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Tour with Hotel Transfer: $50
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$0.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- From Guided 4 Day Cairo & Red Sea Tour with Transfer: $1,440
- Private Day Trip to Luxor with Transfers and Flights: $791
- Cairo To Marsa Alam Private Transfer: $511
- From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor: $489
- 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
- 3-Days Private Guided Tour Package Covering all Cairo,Lunch and Airport Transfer: $300
- 1 Day Aswan Abu Simple Tour with Transfer Included: $300
- Private One-Way Transfer to/from Hurghada: $292
- Private One-Way Transfer to/from Sharm El-Sheikh: $292
- Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh: $290
- Private Transfer from El Cairo (CAI) Airport to Hurghada: $287
- Full-Day Private Trip to Fayoum from Cairo, with Transfer: $286
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Cairo?
Prices for flights to both Cairo 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
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Food Meals for one dayDubai $96Cairo $16
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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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:
- Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $15
- Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Creek with pickup drop option: $16
- Virtual Online Cooking Class - Cook Your Classic Curry with Chef Gomez: $16
- Self Drive Dubai Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner Camel Ride & Shows: $16
- VIP Dubai Desert Safari, Sandboarding Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner: $16
- Dubai Desert Safari with Dune Bashing, Camel Ride and BBQ dinner: $17
- DUBAI | Evening Desert Safari , Camel Ride & live BBQ Dinner: $17
- Dubai Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner: $17
- Vip Desert Safari Dubai with Pick/drop,Quad,Camel,BBQDinner&Shows: $18
- Dubai Premium Desert Safari – Red Dunes, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $18
- VIP Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari 4x4, Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner: $18
- Dubai Evening Desert Safari with Dune Bashing BBQ Dinner and Show: $18
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.
- Giza Pyramids Adventure with Camel ride & Dinner Cruise: $5.00
- Cairo dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $6.30
- 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $6.30
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $6.82
- Cairo Dinner Cruise in Nile River With Belly Dancer & Tanora show: $7.20
- Cairo Food Tour – Discover Hidden Downtown Gems: $7.20
- Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $7.20
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $7.20
- 5 Star Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo Night Tour: $8.10
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $8.10
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.10
- Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.10
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Cairo $8.27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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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's Hidden Gems: Self Guided City Tour: $3.55
- A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
- Dubai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Walking tour Dubai Old Town / Old City, Creek, Abra, Souks: $6.25
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Hidden Gems - Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.81
- Dubai Walking Tour 1h00 and 9 audio reviews: $7.26
- Global Village Dubai Ticket with optional transport: $9.00
- The Palm Monorail Ticket Dubai: $9.21
- Maze Mirror Inside Creek Park Entry Ticket: $9.77
- DUBAI MARINA Jet Ski Adventure: $10
- Dubai Global Village Entry Ticket with Optional Transport: $11
- Dubai Global Village Entry Ticket: $11
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$0.76
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$5.89
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Cairo Private Tour: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & GEM Museum”: $160
- "The Great Pyramids & Grand Museum: Luxury Private Day Tour": $60
- ( Stopover Tour Of Cairo ) Private All Inc.Pyramids,Camel Ride,Museum& Lunch: $180
- (Egypt jewel) Day Tour To Giza Pyramids, Museum, Mosque &Felucca: $55
- 1 Day Private Tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $100
- 1 Day Private Tour to Baron, Abdeen, and Manial Palaces in Cairo: $30
- 1 Day tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $30
- 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Private Tour around Giza Pyramids: $39
- 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
- 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
- 1 Hour adventure in the Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
- 1 Night 2 Days Bahariya Oasis Camp and Desert Tour in Cairo: $225
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Cairo $1.34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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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 Private Events & Birthdays: $126
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: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Cairo, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Cairo 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 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 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 Cairo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Cairo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Cairo?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Cairo, 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 Dubai or Cairo?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Dubai or Cairo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Cairo. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year.
Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season. Dubai usually gets more rain in July than Cairo. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Dubai. In the summer, Dubai is a little warmer than Cairo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dubai in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Cairo averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDubai 35°C (95°F)Cairo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Cairo in the Autumn?
Both Cairo and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Dubai usually receives more rain than Cairo. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Cairo. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 29°C (84°F), and Cairo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDubai 29°C (84°F)Cairo 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Cairo in the Winter?
Both Cairo and Dubai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round.
January to March is the rainy season in Dubai. Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Cairo. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Dubai is a little warmer than Cairo in the winter. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Cairo fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDubai 19°C (66°F)Cairo 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Cairo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Cairo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
June to August in Dubai is the dry season. In April, Dubai usually receives more rain than Cairo. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Dubai is a little warmer than Cairo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dubai in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Cairo averages at about 21°C (70°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDubai 26°C (79°F)Cairo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Cairo and Dubai
| Dubai | Cairo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.