Which place is cheaper, Luxor or Heraklion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Heraklion or Luxor?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Heraklion and Luxor 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: Heraklion or Luxor?
Heraklion
The largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion on first glance is almost completely modern - a frenzy of traffic, concrete, and dust. Do not expect pristine beaches and glittering waves (those can be found on other parts of Crete). Heraklion is first and foremost a city. Once you get past its grittiness, you will find that there are some attractive features beneath first impressions. The antiquity of the place lies embedded in the modern and is presented in one of the best museums in Greece, the food is excellent, and the people are friendly and welcoming. And though the sea is not great for swimming, its presence along the Venetian port will take you to another time if you need a break from Heraklion's bustling center.
Luxor
Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.
The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.
Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, and The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHeraklion €158Luxor €16
The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €158, while the average daily cost in Luxor is €16. 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 Heraklion and Luxor in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHeraklion €81Luxor €7.14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHeraklion €162Luxor €14
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Luxor
Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Luxor? 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: Heraklion Hotel Prices and Luxor Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Heraklion €31Luxor €3.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion
Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Acqua Plus Water Park Admission with Optional Transfer: $32
- Crete Private Taxi Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Bali: $95
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Malia: $81
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Panormo: $103
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos: $122
- Crete Private Transfer from Heraklion to Hersonissos: $51
- Day Cruise from Heraklion with Catamaran & Transfer service: $123
- From Airport to Elounda Private Transfer: $107
- From Private Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands: $4,021
- Heraklion Airport (HER): Private Transfer to Heraklion Port: $105
- Heraklion Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Heraklion city: $137
- Heraklion Int Airport (HER): Transfer to Heraklion hotels: $137
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:
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Taxi Ride€0.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:
- private Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $110
- private Transfer From Luxor Hotel To The Airport Or Vice Versa : $7.00
- VIP Luxor to Hurghada Transfer Luxury and Style: $125
- VIP Luxor Airport Transfer: $15
- Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or to Nile Cruise: $7.00
- Transfer from luxor to marsa alam : $150
- Transfer from luxor to Aswan passing by Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples (Optional): $105
- Transfer from Luxor to Marsa alam: $99
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada, Gouna, Sahlhashesh, Makadi: $69
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $64
- Transfer from Luxor to Aswan: $65
- Transfer from Luxor airport to Luxor Hotel : $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Luxor?
Prices for flights to both Luxor and Heraklion 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 dayHeraklion €52Luxor €5.46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Troy Dinner-Show: $33
- Spectacular Dinner-Show: $44
- From Village Cretan Night, Live Dancers & dinner: $48
- Cretan Night with Dinner & Live Show: $49
- Crete: Olive Oil Festival, Farm Dinner, Live Show & Pickup: $59
- Cretan Farm with scenic view: Olive Mill Festival & dinner: $64
- Amazing Sunset Safari Route with Dinner: $84
- Cook with Locals | Cretan cooking Class at Archanes (transfer - lunch included): $86
- Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine: $90
- Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $97
- Food tour tasting walking tour: $123
- E-bike Food Tour Tasting in Heraklion : $125
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Luxor.
- Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing: $35
- Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
- Luxor Sunset Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner: $38
- Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $43
- Sunset Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner Luxor: $45
- Luxor Sunset Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner : $50
- Private Half Day Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner From Luxor: $52
- Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca : $64
- Luxor & Mummification Museums & City Tour by H. Carriage & Dinner: $70
- Enjoy Half Day Sunset Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner: $90
- Full day trip west Bank, Dandara and dinner on a boat.: $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Heraklion €38Luxor €6.31
Tours and Activities in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket: $8.56
- CRETAquarium Entrance Ticket in Crete: $8.73
- Mobile Self-Guided Audio Sightseeing Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Crete: Palace of Knossos E-Ticket and Optional Audio Guide: $11
- Herakleion: City Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- Heraklion Market & CretAquarium *Skip the line: $16
- Heraklion City Tour - Aquarium: $17
- Knossos Palace: E-ticket with Audio and Heraklion City Tour: $18
- Party Bike 1 hour Experience in Malia : $19
- Knossos Self-Guided Treasure Hunt & Tour KIDS: $21
- Minoan Day Experience: $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor
Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Ride (for 2)€0.53
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Temple Karnak for Two€2.57
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Camel Ride for Two€1.19
Tours and Activities in Luxor
Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 7 Hours Private Tour in Luxor with Lunch : $35
- City Tour, Hot Air Balloon, Kings Valley, Felucca in Luxor: $110
- Daily Tour at The East & West Bank of the Nile: $108
- Day Private Tour to Karnak and Luxor Temples: $90
- Day Tour to East and West Banks From Luxor: $24
- Day Tour to Hathor Temple at Dendera from Luxor by car: $72
- Day Tour to Madinet Habu Temple & the Workers Tombs: $54
- Day tour to Aswan from Luxo visit Edfu,Kom Ombo,Phila Temples & Aswan dam.: $276
- Dendera Temple Half Day Tour from Luxor: $29
- Dendera and Abydos Temples Day Tour from Luxor with Lunch: $75
- Dendera and Abydos Templs Full Day Tour: $170
- East Bank Tour in Luxor: $87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHeraklion €26Luxor €2.12
Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion
Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $95
- Ecobike Wine Tasting Tour in Heraklion: $115
- Ecobike Tour with Wine Tasting: $118
- Luxury Private Wine Tasting Experience in Haralabakis Winery: $119
- Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with wine Tastings: $125
- Half Day Semi Private Wine Tour with Tastings: $134
- Semi Private Heraklion Valley Wine Tour with Lunch: $159
- The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $180
- Private SUV Wine Tour with Lunch: $183
- Full Day Private Crete Wine Tour Experience from Heraklion : $190
- Full day Knossos Palace, Local Distillery, Lunch @ Archanes: $192
- Knossos, Olive Mill, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Luxor, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Heraklion is in Europe and Luxor 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 Luxor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luxor 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 Heraklion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heraklion than you might in Luxor.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Heraklion Expensive? and Is Luxor Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Luxor?
Luxor has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Luxor, 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 Heraklion or Luxor?
Heraklion has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Luxor experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Heraklion or Luxor in the Summer?
Both Luxor and Heraklion during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luxor year-round.
The heat can be very extreme in Luxor. Heraklion is cooler than Luxor in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Luxor fluctuates around 33°C (91°F).
Heraklion usually gets more rain in July than Luxor. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Luxor receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHeraklion 25°C (78°F)Luxor 33°C (91°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Luxor in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Luxor. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Luxor attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Heraklion is cooler than Luxor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Luxor averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In October, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Luxor. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Luxor receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHeraklion 20°C (68°F)Luxor 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Luxor in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Luxor. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luxor throughout the year.
In January, Heraklion is generally cooler than Luxor. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Luxor fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Luxor. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Luxor receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHeraklion 12°C (54°F)Luxor 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Luxor in the Spring?
Both Luxor and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Luxor because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Heraklion is much colder than Luxor in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Luxor fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In April, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Luxor. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Luxor receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHeraklion 16°C (61°F)Luxor 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Luxor and Heraklion
| Heraklion | Luxor | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 0 mm (0 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.