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

Should you visit Luxor or Palermo?

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

Should I visit Luxor or Palermo? 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 Palermo?

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.

Palermo

Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Palermo 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 Palermo is $99. 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 Palermo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $7.62
    Palermo $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $15
    Palermo $120
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Palermo

Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Palermo? 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 Palermo


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 Palermo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $3.91
    Palermo $6.04
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:

  • Luxor Airport Private Transfer: $6.00
  • Private Transfer from & to Luxor Airport from Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.00
  • Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor airport: $6.40
  • private Transfer From Luxor Hotel To The Airport Or Vice Versa : $7.00
  • Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or to Nile Cruise: $7.00
  • Luxor Airport Departure: Convenient Private Hotel Transfer: $7.02
  • Luxor Airport Private Luxury Transfer (Arrival or Departure): $7.20
  • Pick up Transfers From Luxor Airport To Luxor Hotels: $7.50
  • Pickup Transfers And Taxi Services From Hotel In Luxor To Luxor Airport: $7.50
  • Private Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels: $8.00
  • Luxor Private Transfer From East&west Banks hotels to the Airport: $8.00
  • Luxor Private Transfer East Bank hotels to Airport or vice versa: $8.00

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo

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


  • Bus to Monreale
    $3.21
  • Bus From Airport
    $6.43
  • 90 Minute Bus Pass
    $1.39
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $4.66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:

  • Airport Transfer Palermo: $59
  • From Bus Transfer to/from Trapani City Center: $10
  • Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa to Palermo airport, private transfer: $44
  • Grand Hotel Wagner to Palermo airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $44
  • Palermo Airport (PMO) Departure Transfer (Palermo Hotels or address to Airport): $156
  • Palermo Airport to Palermo city or vice versa, private transfer service: $41
  • Palermo Private Transfer from or to Palermo Airport in Sicily : $137
  • Palermo airport transfer to Grand Hotel et des Palmes: $42
  • 1-Way Bus Transfer to/from Misilmeri: $2.89
  • 1-Way Private Transfer from the Airport: $62
  • Bus Transfer to/from Airport and City Center: $6.42
  • Private Golf Club Class w/ Transfer, Ticket, & Food: $176

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Palermo?

Prices for flights to both Palermo 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
    Palermo $31

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

Typical Food Prices in Palermo

Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:


  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    $34
  • Fast Food Lunch
    $5.70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo

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

  • Street Food Tour: $42
  • Street Food Tour: $65
  • Explore Palermo's with a Food Tour & Pizza Making Class: $68
  • Small Group Night Street Food Tour: $68
  • Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine: $74
  • Palermo Traditional Food Tour: $74
  • Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making: $75
  • Night Street Food Tour of Palermo : $75
  • Secret Food Tours Palermo: $85
  • Street Food Tour in Ballarò and Vucciria Markets: $86
  • Walking Street Food Tour with the Chef: $91
  • Sicilian Cooking Class: $101

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Luxor $6.74
    Palermo $18
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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:


  • Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)
    $6.43
  • Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)
    $13
  • Theater Tickets (for Two)
    $53

Tours and Activities in Palermo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • City Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
  • sensorial experience of nature and ecology: $8.56
  • Teatro Massimo Opera House Guided Tour: $11
  • Entrance ticket to the Radici Piccolo Museo Della Natura: $11
  • Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour 24-hour Ticket: $21
  • Fast And Furious Bike Tour in Palermo: $27
  • Palermo storie e segreti: tour tra arte misteri e leggende: $31
  • Panoramic Trip to Mondello by CruiserCar: $32
  • Palermo di sera: tour del centro storico: $32
  • Walking Tour of Historic Markets and Monuments: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luxor $2.26
    Palermo $12

Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:


  • Beer
    $2.74
  • Bottle of Quality Wine
    $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:

  • Pub Crawl Palermo: $16
  • Wine Tasting with Snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $41
  • Natural Local Wine Tasting & Sicilian Tapas: $49
  • Natural Wine Tasting with snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $53
  • Eating Palermo Food & Wine Tour: $82
  • 2-Hour Sicilian Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour: $128
  • From Erice and Marsala Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $181
  • Wine Tasting for Small Groups in the Palermo Countryside: $196


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


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Palermo?

Palermo has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Luxor. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Palermo, 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 Palermo?

Palermo 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 Palermo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Luxor and Palermo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luxor year-round. Also, most visitors come to Palermo for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

The heat can be very extreme in Luxor. In the summer, Luxor is a little warmer than Palermo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luxor in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Palermo averages at about 25°C (76°F).

In July, Luxor usually receives less rain than Palermo. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Luxor 33°C (91°F) 
    Palermo 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Palermo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Luxor as well as Palermo. Luxor attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Palermo because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Luxor is generally a little warmer than Palermo. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 25°C (77°F), and Palermo fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in October than Palermo. Luxor gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Palermo 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Palermo in the Winter?

Both Palermo and Luxor are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luxor throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Palermo this time of year.

Luxor is a little warmer than Palermo in the winter. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Palermo fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In January, Luxor usually receives less rain than Palermo. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Luxor 14°C (57°F) 
    Palermo 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Palermo in the Spring?

Both Palermo and Luxor during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luxor because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Palermo for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Luxor is much warmer than Palermo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luxor in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Palermo averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in April than Palermo. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Palermo 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Palermo and Luxor

Luxor Palermo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 0 mm (0 in) 12°C (53°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 12°C (53°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 13°C (55°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 15°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (65°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (71°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (76°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 9 mm (0.3 in)
Sep 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 20°C (67°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 16°C (60°F) 65 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)