A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Luxor vs. Playa de las Americas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Luxor or Playa de las Americas?

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

Should I visit Luxor or Playa de las Americas? 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 Playa de las Americas?

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.

Playa de las Americas

If you are looking to escape your life - to relax on a modern day pleasure island, then you need to book a trip to the Playa de las Americas resort town. Located on the south coast of Tenerife, this party, beach, and vacation capital never goes to sleep. Packed with nightclubs, bars, live music, shops and restaurants, Playa de las Americas is the stuff Hollywood movies are made of.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Playa de las Americas 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 Playa de las Americas is $209. 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 Playa de las Americas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $7.62
    Playa de las Americas $123
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $15
    Playa de las Americas $246
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Playa de las Americas

Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Playa de las Americas? 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 Playa de las Americas


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 Playa de las Americas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $3.91
    Playa de las Americas $60
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
  • 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 Pickup Transfers from Luxor to Cairo by Bus : $220
  • Private Transfer from luxor to Aswan with 2 stops in Komombo & Edfu Temples : $220
  • Private Transfer Luxor City To El Gouna: $196
  • Private transfer - from Luxor to Hurghada and visit Dendara en route: $192

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Playa de las Americas?

Prices for flights to both Playa de las Americas 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
    Playa de las Americas $48

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Luxor $6.74
    Playa de las Americas $32
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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luxor $2.26
    Playa de las Americas $9.18


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


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Playa de las Americas?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Playa de las Americas. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Playa de las Americas, 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 Playa de las Americas?

Playa de las Americas 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 Playa de las Americas in the Summer?

Both Playa de las Americas 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 Playa de las Americas in the summer. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in July than Playa de las Americas. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Luxor 33°C (91°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Playa de las Americas in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luxor and Playa de las Americas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luxor year-round.

In the autumn, Luxor is around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luxor in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In October, Luxor usually receives less rain than Playa de las Americas. Luxor gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Playa de las Americas in the Winter?

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

In January, Luxor is generally cooler than Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 14°C (57°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in January than Playa de las Americas. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Luxor 14°C (57°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Playa de las Americas in the Spring?

Both Playa de las Americas 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 Playa de las Americas in the spring. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In April, Luxor usually receives less rain than Playa de las Americas. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Luxor

Luxor Playa de las Americas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 0 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 21°C (70°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (72°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)