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

Should you visit Luxor or Islamabad?

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

Should I visit Luxor or Islamabad? 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 Islamabad?

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.

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.


Which place is cheaper, Islamabad or Luxor?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $18, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is $41. 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 Islamabad in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $7.77
    Islamabad $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $16
    Islamabad $40
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Islamabad

Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Islamabad? 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 Islamabad


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 Islamabad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $3.98
    Islamabad $7.66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.43

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
  • 2 Night Nile Cruise To Aswan With Transfer: $286
  • Luxor to Marsa Alam Private Transfer: $277
  • Comfortable Private Transfer from Luxor to El Cairo: $276
  • Enjoy 2 days Luxor,Aswan,Abu Simbel includes daily lunch&transfers: $254
  • Shared Transfer from Luxor to Aswan: $220
  • 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: $201
  • Private Transfer Luxor To Hurghada City: $194
  • Private Transfer Luxor City To Soma Bay: $189
  • Private Transfer from Luxor to Abu Simbel: $183

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

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

  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Islamabad?

Prices for flights to both Islamabad 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 $5.94
    Islamabad $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

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

  • 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
  • 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
  • Luxor Nile Cruise Dinner: $60
  • Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca  : $64
  • Luxor & Mummification Museums & City Tour by H. Carriage & Dinner: $70
  • private day in east bank & dendera with dinner on boat: $86
  • Enjoy Half Day Sunset Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner: $90
  • Full Day Private Tour in Luxor w/Authentic Egyptian Cooking Class: $93
  • Full day trip west Bank, Dandara and dinner on a boat.: $128

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Luxor $6.87
    Islamabad $9.46
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)
    $0.58
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.79
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.29

Tours and Activities in Luxor

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

  • 4 days 3 nights Aswan-luxor Nile Cruise: $150
  • 7 Hours Private Tour in Luxor with Lunch : $35
  • 7 nights Nile Cruise: $300
  • Daily Tour at The East & West Bank of the Nile: $193
  • Day Tour to East and West Banks From Luxor: $24
  • Day Tour to Hathor Temple at Dendera from Luxor by car: $90
  • 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 and Abydos private tour from Luxor: $125
  • From Hurghada: Privete Day Tour to Luxor and Valley of the Kings: $148
  • Full Day Private Tour of Luxor East and West Banks: $23
  • Full Day Tour West Bank Temples and Tombs in Luxor: $88

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

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

  • Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
  • Private Tour: Islamabad Full Day Customized Exploration Tour: $90
  • Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
  • Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
  • City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
  • Guided Top 5 Wonders Exploration Tour: $95
  • Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
  • Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
  • Murree Nathiagali Day Tour: $135

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luxor $2.31
    Islamabad $2.88


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


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Islamabad?

Islamabad has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Luxor. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Islamabad, 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 Islamabad?

Islamabad 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 Islamabad in the Summer?

Both Islamabad 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 Islamabad this time of the year. Luxor can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Luxor is generally around the same temperature as Islamabad. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 33°C (91°F), and Islamabad fluctuates around 32°C (90°F).

Islamabad gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Luxor usually gets less rain in July than Islamabad. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Luxor 33°C (91°F) 
    Islamabad 32°C (90°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Islamabad in the Autumn?

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

Luxor is around the same temperature as Islamabad in the autumn. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Islamabad fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

In October, Luxor usually receives less rain than Islamabad. Luxor gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Islamabad 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Islamabad in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Luxor is around the same temperature as Islamabad. Typically, the winter temperatures in Luxor in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Islamabad averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in January than Islamabad. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Luxor 14°C (57°F) 
    Islamabad 14°C (57°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Islamabad in the Spring?

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

In April, Luxor is generally around the same temperature as Islamabad. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 25°C (77°F), and Islamabad fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In April, Luxor usually receives less rain than Islamabad. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Islamabad 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Islamabad and Luxor

Luxor Islamabad
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 0 mm (0 in) 14°C (57°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 21°C (70°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 27°C (80°F) 37 mm (1.4 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 32°C (89°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Jun 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 35°C (94°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 32°C (90°F) 237 mm (9.3 in)
Aug 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 31°C (89°F) 221 mm (8.7 in)
Sep 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 31°C (87°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 26°C (80°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)