A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jinja vs. Luxor for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jinja or Luxor?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jinja or Luxor, 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: Jinja or Luxor?

Jinja

Jinja is a city located at the source of the Nile in Uganda, Africa. Many backpackers travel to Jinja, as it is known for its white water rafting. This city is the third largest economy in all of the East African Community. It has a population of about 72,000 people.

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 Wildlife Tours to Uganda, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Uganda, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, and The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Luxor or Jinja?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jinja is $116, while the average daily cost in Luxor is $20. 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 Jinja and Luxor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jinja $45
    Luxor $7.15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jinja $90
    Luxor $14
Compare Hotels in Jinja and Luxor

Looking for a hotel in Jinja 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.

Hotels in Jinja


Hotels in Luxor


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: Jinja Hotel Prices and Luxor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jinja $22
    Luxor $3.67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jinja

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jinja:

  • 1-Day Source of River Nile Tour with Transfers: $280

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • Luxor airport transfer To any place in the East Bank: $12
  • Private Transfer From Luxor to Aswan: $55
  • Private Transfer Luxor Hotel to Airport : $12
  • Private Transfer Luxor International Airport to Luxor Hotels: $20
  • Private Transfer Service from Luxor to Hurghada: $102
  • Private Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels: $30
  • Private Transfer from Luxor Hotels or Cruise to Luxor Airport: $29
  • Private Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada (optional stop Dendera): $55
  • Transfer From Luxor To Aswan: $60
  • Transfer from Luxor Airport to Nile Cruise: $17
  • Transfer from Luxor Hotel to Luxor Airport: $35
  • "Luxor Airport to Hotel: Affordable Shared Transfer-Easy & Quick": $18

Is it cheaper to fly into Jinja or Luxor?

Prices for flights to both Luxor and Jinja 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
    Jinja $51
    Luxor $9.47

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Luxor.

  • Luxor Sunset Felucca Ride and Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing: $31
  • Luxor West Bank By Night and Alabaster Museum Tour with Dinner : $34
  • Savor a Sunset Felucca on the Nile in Luxor Lunch or dinner: $35
  • Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
  • Sunset Dinner at a Traditional Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
  • 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
  • 2 Hour Cooking Session with Family in Luxor: $40
  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $43
  • Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Nile in Luxor: $50
  • Quad Bike Safari and Dinner in the Desert in Luxor: $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jinja $30
    Luxor $6.32

Tours and Activities in Jinja

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

  • Half-Day Jinja Walking Tour: Source of Nile & Boat Ride Options: $31
  • Guided Walking Tour with Optional Source of the Nile: $31
  • David's Shared Walking Tour in Jinja with a Local Cultural Meal: $40
  • Full Day Tour with source of the Nile Boat Cruise: $166
  • 2 days Jinja adventure with white water rafting and tubing: $200
  • 1-DAY BEST JINJA & SOURCE OF RIVER NILE TOUR: $220
  • 1 Day Jinja And Source Of The Nile River Tour(female Guided): $295
  • 2 Day tour with visit to the Sipi Falls: $397
  • Jinja 2-Day Trip with boat cruise, Zip lining, Quad Bikes: $492
  • Uganda : 3-Day Jinja Adventure Holiday: $1,100
  • HIGH-OCTANE ADVENTURES—QUADBIKE, ZIPLINE, RIVER-RAFT & MORE: $2,750
  • UGANDA HORSEBACK — SCENIC LANDSCAPES & ADVENTURES | 8-Days: $3,200

Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor

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


  • Boat Ride (for 2)
    $0.53
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.57
  • 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:

  • Full tour to Karnak and Luxor temples, and felucca: $5.00
  • Private Tour Shopping in Luxor City : $6.00
  • Luxor City Center Tour And Shopping : $6.00
  • “Luxor & Karnak Temples: Half-Day All-Inclusive Tour with Meals”: $7.70
  • Half Day East Bank Tour to Luxor and Karnak Temples: $8.00
  • Day Tour To Habu Temple Valley Of Workers And Queens: $8.00
  • Private Karnak Sound and Light Display Tour in Luxor: $9.00
  • Luxor East Bank: Karnak and Luxor Temples Tour: $9.00
  • Half day tour Luxor:West Bank Valley of Kings,Hatshepsut&Memnon : $9.00
  • Half day tour Luxor:West Bank Valley of Kings,Hatshepsut&Memnon: $9.00
  • Horse Carriage City Tour in Luxor city with meal and soft drink: $10
  • Luxor Museum Private Guided Tour: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jinja $14
    Luxor $2.12


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


Which is Bigger, Jinja or Luxor?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Jinja. When comparing the sizes of Jinja 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.