Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Luxor?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Luxor or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Luxor or Cape Town? 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: Luxor or Cape Town?
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.
Cape Town
Picture your travel bucket list. Is Cape Town on it? Yes, most people dream of visiting the "Mother City" of South Africa. As one of the most iconic places in the world, Cape Town is a world-class cosmopolitan city full of bustling nightlife, historical backdrops and a large gay community.
Cape Town is the most southern city in Africa with seasons turned upside down. In the southern hemisphere they experience the summer from December to February. During these months days can be hot and dry so be sure to gather in the shade and wear plenty of sunscreen. The winter from June to August is full of rainy days and cold nights.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuxor $17Cape Town $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $17, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $96. 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 Luxor and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuxor $7.62Cape Town $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuxor $15Cape Town $76
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Cape Town? 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: Luxor Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luxor $3.91Cape Town $17
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$0.42
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers To Hermanus: $217
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $17
- Airport transfers: $22
- 1 Day Durbanville Valley Wine Tasting Tour with Private Transfers: $176
- 1 Day Explore Cape Town Like a Local with Private Guided Transfer: $146
- 1 Day Helderberg Valley Winelands Tour with Private Transfers: $228
- 1 Day Hemel en Aarde Whale Coast Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $201
- 1 Day Wine Lover Wander Connoisseur Tour with Private Transfers: $176
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure Cape Town - Airport Transfers: $53
- 1-3 Passenger Private Cape Town - Airport Transfer: $27
- 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $16
- 4-7 Passenger Private Cape Town - Airport Transfer: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Luxor 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 dayLuxor $5.83Cape Town $41
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- African Cooking with a Chef Founder: $27
- Dinner At Mandela's - Cultural Township Dinner Experience: $27
- Cape Malay Cooking with a Chef Founder: $28
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $40
- 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $43
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $54
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $56
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $59
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $60
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $61
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $75
- Private Cooking Class and Meal in Local Wynberg Cape Town Home: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luxor $6.74Cape Town $23
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)$0.57
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Temple Karnak for Two$2.74
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Camel Ride for Two$1.26
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
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $2.99
- District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $3.20
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.52
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $4.00
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.07
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.24
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.24
- Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Return Ticket : $5.22
- Private Guided Tour of Cape Town Diamond Museum: $5.33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuxor $2.26Cape Town $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town
Also in Cape Town, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.36
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $19
- Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $24
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $27
- From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $37
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $38
- Three Region Wine Tour: $43
- Cape Winelands and Wine Tasting Full Day Tour: $46
- half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $48
- Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $50
- Fullday Wine Tour: $51
- Stellenbosch Wine Tour half day from Cape Town: $53
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town 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 Cape Town would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Town 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 Luxor Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luxor or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Luxor. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Cape Town, 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 Luxor or Cape Town?
Cape Town 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 Luxor or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Luxor as well as Cape Town. Luxor attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's very hot in Luxor this time of the year. Luxor is much warmer than Cape Town in the summer. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
Luxor usually gets less rain in July than Cape Townin January. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLuxor 33°C (91°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Luxor or Cape Town in the Autumn?
Both Cape Town and Luxor are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luxor throughout the year.
In the autumn, Luxor is a little warmer than Cape Town. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luxor in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Cape Town averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.
In October, Luxor usually receives less rain than Cape Townin April. Luxor gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLuxor 25°C (77°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Luxor or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Luxor during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luxor because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Luxor is generally a little warmer than Cape Townin July. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 14°C (57°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Luxor usually gets less rain in January than Cape Townin July. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLuxor 14°C (57°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Luxor or Cape Town in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Luxor and Cape Town. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luxor year-round.
Luxor is much warmer than Cape Town in the spring. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in October.
In April, Luxor usually receives less rain than Cape Townin October. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLuxor 25°C (77°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Luxor
| Luxor | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (86°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 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.