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

Should you visit Luxor or Rome?

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

Should I visit Luxor or Rome? 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 Rome?

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.

Rome

Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. It is also a common entry point for most visitors flying into the country. Rome has been a center of power, culture, and religion for the last millenium, making it one of the most famous and popular destinations in not only Europe, but the world. The influence of the Roman Empire can be seen across continents.

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, Rome 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 Rome is $182. 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 Rome in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $7.62
    Rome $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $15
    Rome $190
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Rome

Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Rome? 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 Rome


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 Rome Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $3.91
    Rome $23
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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome

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


  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    $2.14
  • Train to the Airport
    $16
  • Taxi to Airport
    $48
  • Bicycle Rental (Full Day)
    $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:

  • Fiumicino Airport Rome (FCO) to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $224
  • Private Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Civitavecchia Cruise Port: $207
  • Rome Private Transfer To Civitavecchia Sea port: $96
  • Rome hotels to Venice Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $293
  • Transfer from Civitavecchia port to Fco Rome airport or Rome : $250
  • Transfer from and to Airport - from and to Port - from and to hotel: $164
  • Airport Transfer to Rome City Hotels - Private Car Service: $65
  • Airport transfer: $120
  • All Italy: Private Premium Transfers in Rome: $76
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Ciampino Airport CIA to Rome City in Business Car: $95
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome City in Luxury Car: $152
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome City in Luxury Van: $125

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Rome?

Prices for flights to both Rome 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
    Rome $51

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 Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $15
  • 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
    $3.20
  • Cafe e doce
    $4.29
  • Pizza (Fast Food)
    $2.84
  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    $34
  • Cheese and bread
    $11
  • Espresso
    $2.14
  • Dinner
    $62

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome

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

  • Award-Winning Roman Food Tours: $16
  • Tipsy Food Crawl Walking Tour with Dinner: $31
  • Vatican and Trionfale Farmers Market Food tour and Wine tasting : $32
  • Food Tour of the Vatican with Farmers Market and Wine Tasting: $32
  • Rome Food Tour with Wine Tasting and Farmers Market in Prati Area: $32
  • Guided Food Tour with Food and Drink Tastings: $33
  • Roman Master Chef Cooking Class with Wine: $36
  • Roman Dinner & History Tour: An Epic Journey Through Time: $37
  • Painting & Pizza Party with Unlimited Wine: $40
  • Campo dei Fiori & Jewish Ghetto area Street Food Tour: $42
  • Rome Food Tour : Street Food Testings with Local Guide: $43
  • Wine Tasting and Food Tour at Vatican and Trionfale Farmers: $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Luxor $6.74
    Rome $39
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 Rome

Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
    $74
  • Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
    $35
  • Roma Pass
    $32
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
    $21
  • Segway Tour
    $80

Tours and Activities in Rome

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

  • Bergamo Old Town: Discovery Walk & Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Cambridge: Discovery Walk & Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.26
  • Piazza del Popolo and Historical Sights Walking Tour in Rome: $3.27
  • Shared 4 Hours Guided tour of the House of the Emperor Hadrian: $5.11
  • From 1-Way Bus Ticket to Naples or Vice Versa: $5.31
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Rome: $5.33
  • Bergamo Old Town: City Exploration Game and Tour: $5.35
  • Twilight Treasures: An Evening Tour Through Rome's Rich History: $5.44
  • Civitavecchia's Stories and Secrets: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
  • What Emperor Hadrian Lost: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ancient Rome: $5.99
  • St. Peter's Basilica Rome Audio Tour Experience: $5.99

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome

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


  • Bottle of Wine
    $6.96
  • Pint of Beer
    $6.79
  • Beer
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Rome

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

  • Trionfale and Prati Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $31
  • Trionfale Farmers Market and Vatican Quarter Food and Wine Tour: $32
  • Vatican Food and Wine Tasting Tour next to the Sistine Chapel: $32
  • Cabaret & Burlesque Show: $32
  • Vatican Quarter and Trionfale Farmers Market Food and Wine Tour: $43
  • Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $52
  • Tipsy Tour: Fun Bar Crawl In Rome With Local Guide : $53
  • Wine Tour in Historic Center of Rome: $55
  • Frascati Wine Tasting Experience & Vineyards Tour : $61
  • Pasta Making Class & Wine Tasting in a Trasteve Villa: $68
  • E-Bike Night Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $68
  • Private Wine Tasting in Trastevere: $71


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


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Luxor. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Rome, 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 Rome?

Rome 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 Rome in the Summer?

Both Rome 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 Rome for the city activities, the music scene, 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 Rome. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luxor in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Rome averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In July, Luxor usually receives less rain than Rome. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Luxor 33°C (91°F) 
    Rome 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rome because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Luxor is generally a little warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 25°C (77°F), and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Luxor gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Rome 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Rome in the Winter?

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

Luxor is much warmer than Rome in the winter. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In January, Luxor usually receives less rain than Rome. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Luxor 14°C (57°F) 
    Rome 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Rome in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Luxor is much warmer than Rome. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luxor in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Rome averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in April than Rome. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Rome 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Rome and Luxor

Luxor Rome
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 0 mm (0 in) 8°C (47°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Sep 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (71°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 12°C (54°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 9°C (49°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)