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

Should you visit Luxor or Taormina?

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

Should I visit Luxor or Taormina? 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 Taormina?

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.

Taormina

A quaint hillside town on the eastern side of Sicily, Taormina is arguably one of the most popular tourist resorts on the island. It's peak season is the months of July and August when Italian and European tourists alike flock to the beaches. During this time it can be crowded and hot, but if you visit during the spring or fall months you might find the crowds slightly less and the weather more comfortable. The town is popular with package tours, which stay at the beach resorts around Giardini Naxos to the south or Letojanni to the north.

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


Which place is cheaper, Taormina 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 Taormina is $116. 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 Taormina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $7.62
    Taormina $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $15
    Taormina $150
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Taormina

Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Taormina? 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 Taormina


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 Taormina Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $3.91
    Taormina $4.59
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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taormina

Also for Taormina, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sicily Catania Airport: Bus Transfer to and from Taormina: $7.49
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Messina: $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Taormina?

Prices for flights to both Taormina 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
    Taormina $35

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
    Taormina $12
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

Tours and Activities in Taormina

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Taormina.

  • From Catania: Guided Tour of Mount Etna and Taormina: $57
  • From Catania: Guided Tour of Taormina and Castelmola: $106
  • Tour di Taormina, Savoca e Forza D' Agro': $139
  • Tour Messina Taormina Castelmola: $150
  • Taormina private tour: $160
  • Sicily: Best of Taormina and Castelmola Private Tour: $213
  • Taormina. Highlights Tour with Isolabella and Castelmola: $267
  • Taormina & Castelmola: Shore tour from Messina cruise port: $428
  • Taormina Walking Tour & Ancient theather Private or shared: $588
  • 5 Hours Private Tour of Taormina from Messina: $606
  • Tour da Messina a Taormina, Castelmola, Isola Bella: $695
  • From Catania or Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Tour: $743

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luxor $2.26
    Taormina $9.18

Sample the Local Flavors in Taormina

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

  • Mt Etna Private guided walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $181
  • Catania: Mt. Etna Private Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $299


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


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Taormina?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Taormina, 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 Taormina?

Taormina 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 Taormina in the Summer?

Both Taormina 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. Also, most visitors come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, 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 Taormina. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luxor in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Taormina averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in July than Taormina. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Luxor or Taormina in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luxor and Taormina. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luxor year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Taormina because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Luxor is generally a little warmer than Taormina. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 25°C (77°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

Taormina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Luxor usually receives less rain than Taormina. Luxor gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Luxor or Taormina in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Luxor as well as Taormina. Luxor attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Taormina this time of year.

Luxor is a little warmer than Taormina in the winter. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Taormina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Luxor usually gets less rain in January than Taormina. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Luxor or Taormina in the Spring?

Both Taormina and Luxor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luxor throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Luxor is much warmer than Taormina. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luxor in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Taormina averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In April, Luxor usually receives less rain than Taormina. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Taormina and Luxor

Luxor Taormina
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 0 mm (0 in) 13°C (55°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 13°C (55°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 16°C (60°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 20°C (67°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 27°C (80°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 27°C (81°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (76°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 21°C (69°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 17°C (62°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 14°C (57°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)