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

Should you visit Masai Mara or Luxor?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Masai Mara and Luxor. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Masai Mara or Luxor?

Masai Mara

Masai Mara National Reserve is a beautiful, scenic, nature reserve in southwest Kenya, just west of the capital city, Nairobi. The reserve belongs to the Masai people and was created in order to protect the land and the people and animals living on it. Masai Mara is considered to be one of the best reserves in all of Africa, offering the quintessential African safari experience.

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.

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


Which place is cheaper, Luxor or Masai Mara?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Masai Mara Prices
    Kenya Prices
    Luxor Prices
    Egypt Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Masai Mara $132
    Luxor $33

The average daily cost (per person) in Masai Mara is $132, while the average daily cost in Luxor is $33. 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 Masai Mara and Luxor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Masai Mara $37
    Luxor $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Masai Mara $74
    Luxor $22
Compare Hotels in Masai Mara and Luxor

Looking for a hotel in Masai Mara or Luxor? 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 Masai Mara


Hotels in Luxor


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: Masai Mara Hotel Prices and Luxor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Masai Mara $47
    Luxor $5.64

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Masai Mara:

  • Nairobi Airport (NBO) Private Transfer to Nairobi City/Hotels: $17

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:

  • Private transfer from/to Luxor train station: $5.00
  • Cheap trip : Private transfer from luxor railway station to your hotel: $5.13
  • "Pet-Friendly Private Transfer: Luxor Station to Hotel": $6.00
  • Private Transfer from & to Luxor Airport from Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.00
  • Private Transfer from Luxor Airport to Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.90
  • Luxor Airport to Aswan, Hurghada Transfer pickup/drop off 1 Way: $7.00
  • Pick up Transfers From Luxor Airport To Luxor Hotels: $7.50
  • Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor airport: $8.00
  • Private Luxury Cars for Luxor Airport Arrival, Departure Transfer: $8.00
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels: $8.00
  • Luxor Private Transfer Hotel to Airport or vice versa: $8.00
  • Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels: $8.38

Is it cheaper to fly into Masai Mara or Luxor?

Prices for flights to both Luxor and Masai Mara 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
    Masai Mara $57
    Luxor $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Masai Mara

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

  • Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
  • Nairobi Private Carnivore Dinner Experience: $125

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: $31
  • Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
  • 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
  • Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing in luxor: $60
  • Saray El Nile restaurant Dinner : $60
  • Enjoy Lunch or Dinner on a Luxor Nile River Boat: $60
  • Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca  : $64
  • private day in east bank & dendera with dinner on boat: $86
  • Luxor Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show with Dinner and Transfers: $95
  • Egyptian cooking class and Luxor museum : $120
  • Full day trip west Bank, Dandara and dinner on a boat.: $128

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Masai Mara $60
    Luxor $10

Tours and Activities in Masai Mara

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

  • Half Day Giraffe Center,Baby Elephant&Karen Blixxen Guided Tour: $38
  • Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Center Half Day Tour: $50
  • Nairobi African Shopping Tour: $55
  • Bomas of Kenya cultural Dance and Acrobatic Show Tour: $64
  • Nairobi full day shopping tour: $65
  • Giraffe Center Half-Day Guided Tour from Nairobi: $75
  • Nairobi City Tour and Afternoon Visit to Bomas of Kenya: $80
  • Half Day Private Tour to Lake Nakuru National Park: $80
  • Ngong Hills Adventure from Nairobi: $85
  • Day tour to Giraffe Center and Karen Blixen Museum: $95
  • Nairobi Souvenir Shopping and Historical Half day Tour: $95
  • Kibera Slum Guided Tour from Nairobi: $97

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
    $2.73
  • 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:

  • Full tour to Karnak and Luxor temples, and felucca: $5.00
  • Private Tour Shopping in Luxor City : $6.00
  • Historic Corniche Walking Experience with Refreshment: $8.00
  • Tour in the East Bank of Luxor: $9.00
  • Karnak Sound and Light Display Tour in Luxor (Private): $9.00
  • Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show Experience in Luxor: $9.00
  • Half Day Tour: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple & Mamnon: $9.00
  • Tour in Luxor toTemple&Habu&Deir el-Medina&Valley of the Artisans: $10
  • Half Day Tour in Karnak Temple From East Bank of Luxor : $10
  • 4 Hour Private East Bank Tour to Luxor and Karnak Temples: $10
  • Private Half-Day tour to Karnak temple: $10
  • Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Private Day Tour: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Masai Mara $26
    Luxor $3.10


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