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

Should you visit Luxor or Durban?

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

Should I visit Luxor or Durban? 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 Durban?

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.

Durban

The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Durban or Luxor?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $17, while the average daily cost in Durban is $52. 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 Durban in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $7.62
    Durban $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $15
    Durban $48
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Durban

Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Durban? 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 Luxor


Hotels in Durban


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 Durban Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $3.91
    Durban $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • 3-Night Nile Cruise to Aswan with Transfers and Meals: $429
  • One Way Transfer From Luxor to Alexandria In A Private Vehicle: $295
  • 2 Night Nile Cruise To Aswan With Transfer: $286
  • Private transfer from Luxor to Aswan by Car: $280
  • Luxor to Marsa Alam Private Transfer: $277
  • Comfortable Private Transfer from Luxor to El Cairo: $273
  • Private Transfer from Luxor to Aswan: $270
  • Enjoy 2 days Luxor,Aswan,Abu Simbel includes daily lunch&transfers: $254
  • Private Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada : $230
  • Private Transfer from luxor to Aswan with 2 stops in Komombo & Edfu Temples : $220
  • Private Pickup Transfers from Luxor to Cairo by Bus : $220
  • Private Transfer Luxor City To El Gouna: $196

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $45
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Minivan: $84
  • Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Durban King Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
  • Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
  • From Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Overnight Safari w/ Transfer: $485
  • Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $106

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Durban?

Prices for flights to both Durban 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Luxor $5.83
    Durban $16

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
  • 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 Durban

For Durban, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Half Day Guided Taste of Africa Food Tour in Durban: $40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Luxor $6.74
    Durban $16
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)
    $0.57
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.74
  • 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 Durban

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.

  • 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise: $5.18
  • 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf: $7.77
  • Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat Cruise: $7.77
  • Luxury Canal Boat Cruise - Fun Things Durban Ushaka: $8.29
  • Magical Gondola Night Boat Cruise in Durban: $8.56
  • Pontoon Boat Harbor Cruise: $9.84
  • Durban Walking Tour: $26
  • Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour: $39
  • Durban Half-Day City Tour - Golden Mile, Botanical Gardens: $41
  • Durban:Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $49
  • Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $51
  • Durban Shore Excursion: Private Small Group Durban City Tour: $63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luxor $2.26
    Durban $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Durban

Also in Durban, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bar Crawl in Durban : $36


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Durban, we can see that Durban 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 Durban would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Durban 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 Durban Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Durban?

Durban has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Luxor. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Durban, 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 Durban?

Durban 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 Durban in the Summer?

Both Durban and Luxor during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luxor because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's very hot in Luxor this time of the year. Luxor is a little warmer than Durban in the summer. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Durban fluctuates around 25°C (76°F)in January.

Durban gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Luxor usually gets less rain in July than Durbanin January. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Durban receives 134 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Luxor 33°C (91°F) 
    Durban 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Durban in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luxor and Durban. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luxor year-round.

In the autumn, Luxor is a little warmer than Durban. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luxor in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Durban averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.

In October, Luxor usually receives less rain than Durbanin April. Luxor gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Durban receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Durban 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Durban in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Luxor as well as Durban. Luxor attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Luxor is generally cooler than Durbanin July. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 14°C (57°F), and Durban fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in January than Durbanin July. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Durban receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Luxor 14°C (57°F) 
    Durban 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Durban in the Spring?

Both Durban and Luxor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luxor throughout the year.

Luxor is a little warmer than Durban in the spring. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Durban fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.

In April, Luxor usually receives less rain than Durbanin October. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Durban receives 98 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Durban 21°C (69°F)

Typical Weather for Durban and Luxor

Luxor Durban
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (76°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (76°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 126 mm (5 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (71°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 19°C (67°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 17°C (62°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 17°C (62°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Sep 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 19°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 21°C (69°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (71°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (74°F) 102 mm (4 in)