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

Should you visit Luxor or Messina?

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

Should I visit Luxor or Messina? 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 Messina?

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.

Messina

Messina is a city in the northwest area of Sicily. There are only five kilometers across the Straits of Messina to the Calabria region of mainland Italy. You can reach Messina by boats which travel every hour from the town of Villa San Giovanni in mainland Italy. There are also a couple of hydrofoils that make the trip every day from Reggio di Calabria. During the summer season don't be surprised to see cruise ships arriving with crowds of tourists. They are usually docked right downtown and are therefore hard to miss. Messina is also connected to mainland Italy by train, which are transported across the Straits of Messina by ferry.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Messina 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 Messina is $127. 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 Messina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $7.62
    Messina $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $15
    Messina $140
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Messina

Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Messina? 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 Messina


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 Messina Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $3.91
    Messina $24
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:

  • Hot Air Balloon, Luxor Museum and Mummification with Transfer: $80
  • Luxor Airport Transfer : $15
  • Luxor airport transfer : $25
  • Luxor airport transfer To any place in the East Bank: $12
  • Private Transfer From Luxor to Aswan: $73
  • Transfers From Luxor To Hurghada : $140
  • 4- Hours Private Transfer With Driver In Luxor : $20
  • Airport Shuttles private Transfer to your Hotel/ Nile Cruise Boat: $10
  • Airport private transfer Luxor airport: $21
  • Airport private transfer Luxor airport: $27
  • Comfortable Private Transfer from Luxor to El Cairo: $273
  • Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor airport: $6.40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Messina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Messina:

  • From Private Air-Conditioned Transfer to Taormina: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Messina?

Prices for flights to both Messina 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
    Messina $40

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 Messina

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

  • Private Home Cooking Demo with a Four-Course Meal: $112
  • Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Messina: $115
  • Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $149
  • Messina Private Home Cooking Class: $155
  • Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Messina: $158
  • Market Tour, Private Home Cooking Class and Dinner: $202

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Luxor $6.74
    Messina $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:


  • 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:

  • Ramesseum Mortuary Temple of Ramses II Entry Ticket: $4.56
  • Valley Of The Queens Entry Ticket: $4.60
  • Valley Of The Kings Entry Ticket: $4.60
  • Entry Ticket To Valley of the Queens: $4.60
  • Mummification Museum Entry Ticket: $5.10
  • Souvenir Shopping Tour, Luxor: $5.13
  • Luxor Museum Entry Ticket: $7.60
  • See the Valley of the Kings & More: Shared Tour (All-Inclusive): $8.80
  • Karnak Temple And Luxor Temple Private Day Tour : $8.95
  • Explore Luxor temple and City Private Tour by Flucca: $9.00
  • Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Entry Tickets : $9.20
  • Temple Of Queen Hatshepsut Entry Ticket: $9.20

Tours and Activities in Messina

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

  • Alfotour 2/3 hour tour with swimming stop: $32
  • 2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour: $46
  • Guided City Highlights Walking Tour: $47
  • The Godfather Movie Tour from Messina: $84
  • Messina Taormina: cultural heritage experience: $85
  • Messina and Taormina City Tour from Messina - Private tour: $87
  • Taormina Shore Excursion from Messina - Shared tour: $87
  • Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina: $98
  • 3-Hour Messina Segway PT Authorized Tour: $118
  • Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion: $120
  • Etna Alcantara tour: the majestic lava landscape : $126
  • Taormina and Castelmola: Private tour: $149

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luxor $2.26
    Messina $19


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


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Messina?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Messina. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Messina, 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 Messina?

Messina 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 Messina in the Summer?

Both Messina and Luxor are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luxor throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Luxor can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Luxor is generally a little warmer than Messina. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 33°C (91°F), and Messina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In July, Luxor usually receives less rain than Messina. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Luxor 33°C (91°F) 
    Messina 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Messina in the Autumn?

Both Messina and Luxor during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luxor because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Messina because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Luxor usually gets less rain in October than Messina. Luxor gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Messina 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Messina in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Luxor and Messina. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luxor year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Messina this time of year.

In the winter, Luxor is a little warmer than Messina. Typically, the winter temperatures in Luxor in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Messina averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Luxor usually receives less rain than Messina. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Luxor 14°C (57°F) 
    Messina 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Messina in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Luxor as well as Messina. Luxor attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Messina for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Luxor is generally much warmer than Messina. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 25°C (77°F), and Messina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in April than Messina. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Messina 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Messina and Luxor

Luxor Messina
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 0 mm (0 in) 13°C (55°F) 113 mm (4.5 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 13°C (55°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 14°C (57°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 16°C (60°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 20°C (67°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Jun 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (74°F) 14 mm (0.5 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 27°C (80°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Aug 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 27°C (81°F) 24 mm (1 in)
Sep 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 21°C (69°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 17°C (62°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 14°C (57°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)