Which place is cheaper, Alexandria or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Alexandria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Alexandria, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Ephesus or Alexandria?
Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).
Alexandria
There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, and The Best Budget Tours to Egypt.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $143Alexandria $17
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Alexandria 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 Ephesus and Alexandria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Alexandria $7.99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Alexandria $16
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Alexandria
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Alexandria? 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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Alexandria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Alexandria $2.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $164
- Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $115
- Ephesus Private Guided Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $80
- From-to Izmir AirPort to-from Kusadası Private Airport Transfer: $75
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $100
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Kusadasi Centrum (All hotels, home...) transfers: $65
- Kusadasi Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer: $40
- Kusadasi Buggy Car Safari With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $40
- Kusadasi Half Day Quad Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
- Kusadasi Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $169
- Kusadasi Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $93
- Kusadasi International Golf Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:
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Taxi to Train Station$0.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:
- From Private Transfer to Luxor: $251
- Private transfer from Luxor to Alexandria: $243
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $75
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $73
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $71
- Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
- Alexandria Airport to Alexandria - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
- Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $52
- Private Pickup Transfer From A Hotel In Alexandria To Borg Al Arab Airport: $50
- Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Alexandria?
Prices for flights to both Alexandria and Ephesus 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 dayEphesus $33Alexandria $6.46
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:
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Sandwiches$0.15
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Dessert$0.17
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Lunch at Beach (for 2)$0.59
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Snacks$0.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus
For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110
- Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village: $149
- Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $211
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $228
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.
- Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $35
- Alexandria Food Tour: $50
- From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ephesus $59Alexandria $3.50
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- For Cruisers: Skip-the-line Private Free Ephesus Tour : $0.05
- Self-guided Virtual Tour of The Highlights: $6.53
- Entry Free: Drive by Ephesus and Ancient Wonder Tour: $12
- Self-guided Virtual Tour of the ancient pearl of the Mediterranean: $17
- Kusadasi Traditional Turkish Bath Hamam Experience : $17
- SKIP THE LINE :Best Seller Ephesus Private Tour For Cruiser Guest: $19
- Private & Mini Group Classical Ephesus Tour For Cruisers: $19
- Skip the Line - Best of Ephesus: $19
- Time Travel in Affordable and Spectacular Experience: $20
- Best of Ephesus Guided Tour For Cruise Guest : $20
- Kusadasi Scuba Diving Tour By Local Experts: $20
- Kusadasi Quad Safari Adventure: $20
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour to Alamein and Alexandria: $169
- National Museum and Egyptian museum Private Tour in Egypt: $258
- Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria: $16
- 10-Hour Historical Pyramids Tour from Alexandria Port: $130
- 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $174
- 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $155
- 6-Hour Day Tour to Alexandria Attractions with Pickup Included: $78
- 6-Hour Private Day Tour to Rashid from Alexandria: $100
- 8 Days Ultra Luxury Cairo, Alexandria & Nile cruise: $4,190
- Alamein full day tour from Alexandria: $95
- Alexandria : Rosetta Day Tour from Alexandria: $117
- Alexandria : Tour to WadiElNatroun Monastery from Alexandria: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Alexandria $1.35
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:
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Beer$0.12
Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus
Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skip-the-line Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $53
- Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
- Ephesus&Sirince Village with Wine Tasting Shore Ex: $100
- Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $100
- Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House: $130
- Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $134
- Virgin Mary Bread and Wine Tour included Lunch: $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Alexandria, we can see that Ephesus is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ephesus is in Europe and Alexandria 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 Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Ephesus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ephesus than you might in Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Alexandria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Alexandria?
Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Alexandria, 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 Ephesus or Alexandria?
Ephesus has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Alexandria experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Ephesus or Alexandria in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Alexandria. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year.
In the summer, Ephesus is around the same temperature as Alexandria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ephesus in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Alexandria averages at about 26°C (79°F).
Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Alexandria. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Alexandria 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Alexandria in the Autumn?
Both Alexandria and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Alexandria because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Ephesus is generally cooler than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 19°C (66°F), and Alexandria fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In October, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Alexandria 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Alexandria in the Winter?
Both Alexandria and Ephesus during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round.
Ephesus is cooler than Alexandria in the winter. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Alexandria fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually gets more rain in January than Alexandria. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Alexandria 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Alexandria in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Alexandria. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Ephesus is cooler than Alexandria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ephesus in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Alexandria averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In April, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Alexandria 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Alexandria and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Alexandria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 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.