A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kampala vs. Alexandria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kampala or Alexandria?

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

Should I visit Kampala or Alexandria? 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: Kampala or Alexandria?

Kampala

Kampala is the capital of Uganda in the South part of the country near Lake Victoria. It is the largest city in Uganda, with a population of over two million people. This city is very safe and the locals are known to be very kind and approachable.

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 The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground.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 Camping Tours in Uganda, The Best Safaris in Uganda, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, and The Best Budget Tours to Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Alexandria or Kampala?

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

  • Kampala Prices
    Uganda Prices
    Alexandria Prices
    Egypt Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kampala $76
    Alexandria $27

The average daily cost (per person) in Kampala is $76, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is $27. 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 Kampala and Alexandria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kampala $60
    Alexandria $9.92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kampala $120
    Alexandria $20
Compare Hotels in Kampala and Alexandria

Looking for a hotel in Kampala 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.

Hotels in Kampala


Hotels in Alexandria


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: Kampala Hotel Prices and Alexandria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kampala $2.52
    Alexandria $3.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kampala

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


  • Taxi around town
    $4.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:

  • Airport Pick-Up and Transfers by Globetrotters Africa: $69
  • Airport Transfer from Entebbe to Kampala: $30
  • Entebbe Airport pickup (Entebbe - Kampala) reliable 24/7 transfer: $48
  • Full-Day Kampala City Highlights Tour, Lunch & private Transfers: $156
  • Private Airport & In-Country Transfers in Central Uganda: $60
  • Private Entebbe Airport Transfer Pick-Up and Drop-off 24/7: $80
  • Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $81
  • Private Transfer from Kampala to Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda: $81
  • The best Half day Kampala City Tour with Transfers: $110
  • Uganda Equator Line tour in Kayabwe with Lunch & transfers: $140

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:


  • Taxi to Train Station
    $0.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:

  • Airport Transfer from Alexandria to Marsa Matrouh: $74
  • Alexandria Airport (HBE)to Alexandria-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $71
  • Alexandria Airport Arrival Transfer: $24
  • Alexandria to Alexandria Airport (HBE)-Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Alexandria to Giza & Cairo | Private Hotel or Airport Transfer: $88
  • Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria Borg Al Arab Airport To Cairo: $130
  • Private Airport Transfer in Alexandria: $21
  • Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $80
  • Private Transfer Alexandria to Cairo Hotel or Airport: $73
  • Private Transfer From Alexandria To Cairo Airport: $240
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Cruise Port to Cairo City Hotels: $228
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo Airport: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Kampala or Alexandria?

Prices for flights to both Alexandria and Kampala 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
    Kampala $15
    Alexandria $14
Typical Food Prices in Kampala

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


  • Lunch for 2
    $1.61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kampala

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

  • Private Ugandan Food Cooking Class and Culture Experience: $55
  • Kampala City Walking Food Tour: $77
  • Amazing Race - Food Tour: $103
  • Fishing Village Food Tour & Luwombo Stop: $119
  • Kampala cooking tour: $133

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: $20
  • Private Half Day Food Tour in Alexandria Egypt: $20
  • Alexandria Food Tour Top Rated: $40
  • Alexandria food Tour taste the Egyptian traditional food: $56
  • From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94
  • GEM and Pyramids Tour with Cruise Dinner From Alexandria Port: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kampala -
    Alexandria $5.12

Tours and Activities in Kampala

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

  • African Fabric Market Tour: $13
  • Uganda Community Tour: $15
  • Kampala Half-Day Walking Tour with Local Female Guides: $25
  • Best Kampala group Walking Tour.: $25
  • Complete Kampala Tour Experience: $25
  • Kampala’s Best Experience walking tour: $26
  • Steve Kampala Walking tours (Airpals Safaris tour): $26
  • Kampala Walking City Tours (Women-Guided): $27
  • Inside Kampala Walking Tour (Female Guided): $28
  • 3 Hours Walking Tour in Kampala: $28
  • Female Guided Walking Tours Kampala (3 Hours): $29
  • Entebbe City Walking Tour Markets History and Botanical Gardens: $29

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

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

  • Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria: $19
  • Half Day Tour to Bibliotheca Alexandrina: $22
  • Alexandria by night private tour by horse carriage ride: $35
  • Private Alexandria Highlights Guided Day Tour: $35
  • Rosetta Day Tour from Alexandria Islamic architecture: $37
  • Catacombs of kom el shoqafa Guided Walking Tour: $40
  • Alexandria Day Tour Visit the Tob attractions of Alexandria City: $40
  • Alexandria Library Exclusive Guided Walking Tour: $45
  • Walking Tour in Alexandria from Alexandria Hotels: $45
  • Graeco Roman Museum Guided Walking Tour by a Storyteller: $45
  • Islamic Cairo Hidden Gems and Khan El Khalili Local Experience: $45
  • Guided City Walking Tour: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kampala -
    Alexandria $1.38


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


Which is Bigger, Kampala or Alexandria?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kampala. When comparing the sizes of Kampala 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.

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