Which place is cheaper, Cairo or Jerusalem?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jerusalem or Cairo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jerusalem or Cairo, 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: Jerusalem or Cairo?
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel, as well as one of the most historically rich cities in the world. It is also the largest city in the country. While Tel Aviv holds many of the responsibilities of a capital city, officially, Jerusalem is still considered the capital. It is important to note that most countries have their embassies in Tel Aviv, not in Jerusalem.
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 Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJerusalem $107Cairo $17
The average daily cost (per person) in Jerusalem is $107, 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 Jerusalem and Cairo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJerusalem $63Cairo $9.36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJerusalem $126Cairo $19
Compare Hotels in Jerusalem and Cairo
Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem 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: Jerusalem Hotel Prices and Cairo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jerusalem $6.64Cairo $2.99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Local Bus$3.13
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Light Rail Jerusalem$9.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jerusalem
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jerusalem:
- Allenby Bridge to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv Private Transfer: $170
- Jerusalem Private Transfer To Petra: $290
- Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $150
- Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $130
- Jerusalem to Petra Private Transfer: $300
- Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $77
- Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $70
- Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotel: $146
- Private Intercity Transfer - from your Jerusalem hotel to your Tel Aviv hotel: $90
- Private Jerusalem Departure Transfer - Hotel/Accommodation to Tel Aviv Airport: $48
- Private Transfer from Dead Sea Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $160
- Private Transfer from Jerusalem to Herzlia: $247
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$0.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- Private Departure Transfer from Cairo or Giza Hotels to Cairo Airport: $5.00
- Private transfer from Cairo Airport to the hotel in Cairo or Giza: $9.00
- Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Novotel Cairo El Borg: $9.60
- Private Pickup transfer from Osiris Hotel to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis: $9.60
- Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Cairo Pyramids Hotel: $9.60
- Private Pickup transfer from Marriott Mena House, Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Private Pickup transfer from Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Private Pickup transfer from Novotel Cairo El Borg to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Pickup transfer from Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Private Pickup transfer from Cairo Pyramids Hotel to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Private Pickup transfer from Windsor Hotel Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
Is it cheaper to fly into Jerusalem or Cairo?
Prices for flights to both Cairo and Jerusalem 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 dayJerusalem $31Cairo $4.75
Typical Food Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of dining costs in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Orange Juice$2.65
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Watermelon$3.98
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Lunch$12
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Food at Market$15
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Juice$2.65
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Bagels$7.96
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Lunch for 2$14
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Snacks$5.57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jerusalem
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Jerusalem.
- Food Tour in Jerusalem with a Local : $72
- Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant from Dead Sea: $96
- Mahane Yehuda Market food tour jerusalem: $99
- Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Dead Sea: $115
- The Best Food Tour in Jerusalem--Perfect for Viral Travel Content: $117
- Christmas Eve in Israel: Jerusalem Sightseeing Tour with Dinner and Midnight Mass Viewing in Bethlehem: $125
- Experience Shabbat With Dinner In Jerusalem: $169
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 Dinner Cruise, Belly Dancer Show With Pickup Service: $8.78
- Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $12
- Cairo Night Dinner With Belly Dancer Show With Pickup & Drop Off: $13
- Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $15
- Super Safari Quad Bike Jeep Safari Buggy and Dinner in Hurghada: $18
- Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride : $18
- VIP tour Giza pyramids ,Sphinx, Quad bike ,Camel, Dinner cruise : $19
- Private Expert tour Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Nile Dinner Cruise & Belly Dancer: $19
- Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, Quad Bike, Night and Dinner Cruise on Nile: $19
- All inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & ATV &Dinner cruise : $20
- Private Cairo Food Tour : $20
- Food Tour in Local Cairo Life with Egyptian tea: $23
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jerusalem $8.43Cairo $5.75
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Cooking Classes for 2$33
Tours and Activities in Jerusalem
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Jerusalem are as follows:
- 360 Virtual Tour of Ancient Jerusalem: $6.00
- In The Footsteps of Jesus Day Tour - Dguide Self Guiding App: $7.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Skip the Line:1.5Hour AudioTour - Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center Ticket: $11
- Bethlehem Christian Guided Tour: $20
- Independent graffiti tour in Jerusalem at your own time and pace: $22
- Bethlehem Half Day Guided Group Tour : $24
- Self-Guided Tour at Machne Yehuda Market with Chef Tali Fridman: $25
- Old City Shabbat Experience and Walking Tour: $28
- Guided Walking Tour of the Old City: $30
- Guided Shabbat Experience in Jerusalem: $30
- Old City of Jerusalem Guided Walking Tour: $32
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$0.84
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$6.49
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cheapest Tour to Wonders Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx : $4.00
- Dahshur Pyramids Entry Tickets: $4.27
- The Baron Empain Palace Entry Ticket: $4.60
- Baron Palace Entry Tickets : $4.60
- Cairo Shopping tour Private Papyrus Perfume, Bazar Cotton Shop : $4.70
- New Grand Egyptian Museum Tour with optional the pyramids tour..: $5.00
- All Inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara: $5.00
- Baron Empain Palace Entry Tickets: $5.16
- Entry Ticket to the Prince Mohamed Ali Palace : $5.39
- Skip The Line with Memphis Museum Entry Ticket: $6.53
- Cairo Shopping Tour.: $7.00
- Baron Palace Skip the line Access Entry Tickets: $7.02
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJerusalem $16Cairo $1.17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Beer$4.77
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: $59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jerusalem and Cairo, we can see that Jerusalem is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem Expensive? and Is Cairo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jerusalem or Cairo?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Jerusalem. When comparing the sizes of Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem or Cairo?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Jerusalem or Cairo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jerusalem and Cairo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jerusalem year-round. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Jerusalem usually receives more rain than Cairo. Jerusalem gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In Jerusalem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jerusalem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cairo during summer. Jerusalem gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Cairo receives 350 hours of full sun in the summer.
Jerusalem is cooler than Cairo in the summer. The daily temperature in Jerusalem averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Cairo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyJerusalem 23°C (73°F)Cairo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Jerusalem or Cairo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Jerusalem as well as Cairo. Jerusalem attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year.
Jerusalem usually gets more rain in October than Cairo. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jerusalem this time of the year. In the autumn, Jerusalem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cairo. Jerusalem gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairo receives 290 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Jerusalem is cooler than Cairo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jerusalem in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Cairo averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberJerusalem 19°C (66°F)Cairo 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Jerusalem or Cairo in the Winter?
Both Cairo and Jerusalem are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jerusalem throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Jerusalem usually receives more rain than Cairo. Jerusalem gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Cairo. Jerusalem usually receives less sunshine than Cairo during winter. Jerusalem gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Cairo receives 221 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Jerusalem is generally much colder than Cairo. Daily temperatures in Jerusalem average around 8°C (46°F), and Cairo fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryJerusalem 8°C (46°F)Cairo 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Jerusalem or Cairo in the Spring?
Both Cairo and Jerusalem during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Jerusalem because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round.
Jerusalem usually gets more rain in April than Cairo. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jerusalem. In the spring, Jerusalem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cairo. Jerusalem gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairo receives 276 hours of full sun.
Jerusalem is cooler than Cairo in the spring. The daily temperature in Jerusalem averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Cairo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilJerusalem 16°C (61°F)Cairo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Cairo and Jerusalem
| Jerusalem | Cairo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (46°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.