A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hydra vs. Cairo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hydra or Cairo?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Cairo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Hydra or Cairo?

Hydra

The island of Hydra is located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs. Named for its natural springs, the island now has most of its freshwater imported from the mainland. The real gem of the place is the absence of motorized vehicles. Car and scooters are nowhere to be seen by the narrow marble-cobbled lanes, rocks, and sea. Such vehicles have been outlawed and so the way to navigate the island is by donkey, water taxi, or on foot.

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 Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Cairo or Hydra?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hydra is €97, while the average daily cost in Cairo 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 Hydra and Cairo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hydra 51
    Cairo 8.77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hydra 102
    Cairo 18
Compare Hotels in Hydra and Cairo

Looking for a hotel in Hydra 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.

Hotels in Hydra


Hotels in Cairo


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: Cairo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hydra 26
    Cairo 2.80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    0.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • Airport and excursion in Hurghada , Luxor or Cairo Transfer: $16
  • Cairo Airport Arrival Transfer: $20
  • Private Pickup transfer from Windsor Hotel Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private Tour Giza Pyramids,Sphinx With Camel Ride,Lunch and Hotels Transfers: $27
  • Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
  • Private transfer from The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx Half Day Tour With Private Guide & Transfers : $135
  • Round-Trip Airport Transfer in Cairo or Giza: $49
  • Transfer from Anywhere in Cairo to Cairo International Airport: $25
  • Transfers From Cairo Airport: $10
  •  Private Transfer from/to Cairo International Airport: $26
  • 01 way Private Transfer from your Hotel in Cairo to Cairo Airport: $10

Is it cheaper to fly into Hydra or Cairo?

Prices for flights to both Cairo and Hydra 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
    Hydra 30
    Cairo 4.45

Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • 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/Giza: Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show & Private Transfer : $9.63
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise, Belly Dancer Show With Pickup Service: $11
  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $12
  • Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $16
  • VIP tour Giza pyramids ,Sphinx, Quad bike ,Camel, Dinner cruise : $19
  • Private Expert tour Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Nile Dinner Cruise & Belly Dancer: $19
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $19
  • Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, Quad Bike, Night and Dinner Cruise on Nile: $19
  • Private Cairo Food Tour : $20
  • All inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & ATV &Dinner cruise : $20
  • Giza pyramids and Nile dinner cruise private tour from Cairo Giza hotels: $22
  • Private Cairo food tour and Egyptian tea: $22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hydra 11
    Cairo 5.39

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    0.79
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    6.08

Tours and Activities in Cairo

Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Dahshur Pyramids Entry Tickets: $4.25
  • Baron Palace Entry Tickets : $4.60
  • Cairo Shopping tour Private Papyrus Essential oils Bazar Cotton : $4.70
  • Prince Mohamed Ali Palace Entry Ticket: $4.80
  • 3-Hour Private Tour of Papyrus and Perfumes in Ancient Egypt: $5.00
  • All Inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara: $5.00
  • New Grand Egyptian Museum Tour with optional the pyramids tour..: $5.00
  • Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hasan Entry Ticket: $5.10
  • Baron Empain Palace Entry Tickets: $5.15
  • Serapeum Of Saqqara Entry Tickets: $7.00
  • Cairo Shopping Tour.: $7.00
  • El Sultan Hassan Mosque Entry Ticket: $7.08

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hydra 11
    Cairo 1.10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hydra and Cairo, we can see that Hydra is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hydra is in Europe 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 Hydra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hydra 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 Hydra Expensive? and Is Cairo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hydra or Cairo?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 3390 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra 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 Hydra or Cairo?

Hydra has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cairo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Cairo in the Summer?

Both Cairo and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hydra in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Hydra is around the same temperature as Cairo in the summer. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cairo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Cairo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cairo during summer. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Cairo receives 350 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hydra usually receives more rain than Cairo. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hydra 27°C (81°F) 
    Cairo 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Hydra or Cairo in the Autumn?

Both Cairo and Hydra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hydra for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round.

In the autumn, Hydra is cooler than Cairo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hydra in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Cairo averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hydra. In the autumn, Hydra often gets less sunshine than Cairo. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairo receives 290 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets more rain in October than Cairo. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hydra 19°C (67°F) 
    Cairo 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Hydra or Cairo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Cairo. The winter months attract visitors to Hydra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Hydra is generally cooler than Cairo. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 10°C (51°F), and Cairo fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. Hydra usually receives less sunshine than Cairo during winter. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Cairo receives 221 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hydra usually receives more rain than Cairo. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hydra 10°C (51°F) 
    Cairo 14°C (57°F)

Should I visit Hydra or Cairo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Cairo. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Hydra this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year.

Hydra is cooler than Cairo in the spring. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Cairo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hydra this time of the year. In the spring, Hydra often gets less sunshine than Cairo. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairo receives 276 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets more rain in April than Cairo. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hydra 16°C (60°F) 
    Cairo 21°C (70°F)

Typical Weather for Cairo and Hydra

Hydra Cairo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 25 mm (1 in) 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 51 mm (2 in) 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)