Which place is cheaper, Cairo or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $248Cairo $17
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Cairo 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 Cairo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Cairo $9.27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Cairo $19
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 $2.96
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:
- Dubai Frame & La Perle Dragon Dubai (Bronze) With Transfer: $210
- Dubai Private Transfer to The Outlet Village: $92
- Ekart Zabeel Dubai With Transfer: $150
- Global Village Dubai With Private transfer: $85
- Inside Burj Al Arab Tour with Gold Cappuccino and Transfer: $190
- Wild Wadi Water Park with Round-Trip Transfers: $170
- 1 Day 1 Park (Motiongate or Legoland) with Private Transfer: $185
- 12 Minute Helicopter Ride in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $255
- 17 Minute Helicopter Dubai Tour with Transfers: $265
- 2 Dives for Certified Divers in Fujairah with lunch & transfer: $167
- 2 Hour View at The Palm Ticket and One Way Monorail with Transfer: $65
- 3D World Selfie Museum Dubai Ticket with a Private Transfer: $65
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$0.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
- Full-Day Private Trip to Fayoum from Cairo, with Transfer: $286
- Cairo : Marvel the Camping in the White & Black Deserts & Cairo Private Transfer: $250
- 2-Day Camping Tour in The Bahariya Oasis with Private Transfer: $250
- Overnight camping White Desert (Baharaya Oasis) & Cairo Private Transfers: $240
- 2-Day Ancient Egypt and Old Cairo Highlights Tour with Free Airport Transfers: $240
- Day Trip to Luxor East and West Bank from Cairo with private airport transfer and lunch included: $235
- Transfer from Hurghada to Cairo by van : $235
- Cairo Pyramids and Alexandria in 2 Days with airport transfers: $230
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada : $226
- 3-Days Private Guided Tour Package Covering all Cairo,Lunch and Airport Transfer: $225
- Private Transfer Cairo To Soma Bay: $225
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 $56Cairo $4.70
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$6.53
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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:
- DINNER +PARTY + CITY of old city Dubai : $6.00
- Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
- 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
- Dhow Cruise Dubai Creek Dinner with Sharing Transfer : $18
- Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner - Creek: $20
- Dubai Evening Desert safari & BBQ Dinner-Centralized pickup: $24
- Dubai Best Dhow Cruise Dinner Buffet (Multi Cusine): $25
- Dubai Best Dhow Cruise Dinner Canal Ocenan Queen: $25
- Dhow Cruise Dinner on Dubai Creek: $26
- Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $26
- Dubai Desert Safari with Quad Bike, BBQ Dinner & Shows: $26
- Extreme Desert Safari, Camel Ride, Show & BBQ Dinner: $27
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.
- Cairo Nile dinner cruise night show with belly dancer: $8.00
- Dinner Nile Cruise belly dancer open buffer tanora show sailing on Nile: $8.80
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $10
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $10
- Food Tour in Local Cairo Life with Egyptian tea: $11
- Dinner evening in the heart of the Nile for 3 hours: $11
- Dinner Cruise on the Nile River with Buffet belly dancer performance: $12
- Private Dinner Cruise on the Nile River in Cairo with Pickup: $12
- dance, sing and eat on Cairo Dinner Nile Cruise on Nile river: $12
- 5 Star Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo Night Tour : $13
- 2-hours night dinner cruise show : Eat , Dance and Sing : $13
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Cairo $5.69
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.
- A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Hidden Gems - Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.59
- Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah: $8.99
- Dubai Fountain Walk Bridge Ticket: $9.49
- Dubai Fountain Bridge Walk Tickets : $11
- Desert Safari Self Drive Tour: $12
- AL Shindagha Museum Admission Tickets: $13
- Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
- Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
- Dubai Fountain Show Boat Lake Ride or Bridge Walk Tickets: $13
- Snapshot Tour of Dubai includes photo stop at Atlantis & Madinath Jumeirah: $15
- Dubai Frame Ticket: $16
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$0.83
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$6.43
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days in Cairo & Giza Private Tour : $80
- 2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums: $253
- 2-Day Private Tour of Cairo with Accommodation and Entrance Fees: $165
- 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
- 2-Days Tours at Cairo & Giza : $143
- 3-Day Tour at Cairo & Giza : $200
- 3-Days Tour at Cairo (Customized Package): $229
- 3-Days Tour in Siwa Oasis from Cairo : $217
- 4-Day Tours at Cairo & Giza & Alexandria: $209
- 8 Hours Private Cairo Tour: A Journey Back in Time: $45
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Cairo $1.16
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
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.