Which place is cheaper, Soweto or Luxor?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Luxor or Soweto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Luxor or Soweto? 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 Soweto?
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.
Soweto
The name Soweto is an acronym for South Western Townships, first used in 1963 to describe the groups of townships to the south west of Johannesburg. It is a city of contrasts, featuring anything from tin shanties to luxurious mansions, and is probably best known for being the home of two Nobel Prize winners.
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 Cape Town, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cape Town.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuxor $17Soweto $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $17, while the average daily cost in Soweto is $61. 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 Soweto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuxor $7.62Soweto $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuxor $15Soweto $62
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Soweto
Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Soweto? 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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luxor $3.91Soweto $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:
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Taxi Ride$0.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:
- private Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $110
- private Transfer From Luxor Hotel To The Airport Or Vice Versa : $7.00
- VIP Luxor to Hurghada Transfer Luxury and Style: $125
- VIP Luxor Airport Transfer: $15
- Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or to Nile Cruise: $7.00
- Transfer from luxor to marsa alam : $150
- Transfer from luxor to Aswan passing by Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples (Optional): $105
- Transfer from Luxor to Marsa alam: $99
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada, Gouna, Sahlhashesh, Makadi: $69
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $64
- Transfer from Luxor to Aswan: $65
- Transfer from Luxor airport to Luxor Hotel : $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Soweto?
Prices for flights to both Soweto 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
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Food Meals for one dayLuxor $5.83Soweto $20
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luxor $6.74Soweto $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor
Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Ride (for 2)$0.57
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Temple Karnak for Two$2.74
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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
Tours and Activities in Soweto
For Soweto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Johannesburg: Soweto Half-Day Tour: $59
- Johannesburg: Soweto Tour with Lunch: $69
- Johannesburg: Soweto Night Tour: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuxor $2.26Soweto $8.10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Soweto, we can see that Soweto is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Soweto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Soweto 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 Soweto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luxor or Soweto?
Soweto has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Luxor. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Soweto, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.