A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nairobi vs. Aswan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nairobi or Aswan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Aswan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Nairobi or Aswan?

Nairobi

Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.

Aswan

Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Aswan or Nairobi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Aswan is $27. 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 Nairobi and Aswan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Aswan $8.97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Aswan $18
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Aswan

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Aswan? 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 Nairobi


Hotels in Aswan


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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Aswan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Aswan $4.92
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

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

  • NBO Airport Private Transfer to/from Nairobi City Center: $8.85
  • Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
  • Secure, private & exclusive Airport Transfers in Nairobi Kenya: $20
  • Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
  • Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
  • Nairobi Airport Transfers to Wilson Airport or City Hotels: $28
  • Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
  • Beyond Boundaries Tours and Transfers: $30
  • Nairobi Airport One Way Transfers: $30
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $31
  • Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • VIP Private Transfer Aswan to Hurghada: $220
  • Transfer from Aswan to Marsa alam: $215
  • Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $8.00
  • Shared Transfer: Aswan Airport to Hotels: $15
  • Round-Trip Transfer from Aswan to Abu Simbel: $125
  • Private transfer from aswan to luxor with visits: $93
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $90
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $10
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $8.00
  • Private transfer from Aswan Airport to Aswan Hotels: $74
  • Private transfer - Aswan to Abu Simbel and return: $80
  • Private VIP Aswan Airport Transfer to Hotel or Nile Cruise: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Aswan?

Prices for flights to both Aswan and Nairobi 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
    Nairobi $13
    Aswan $13
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $60
  • Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
  • Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
  • Nairobi dinner and safari cat dancers: $100
  • Authentic Local Kenyan Food Tour: $108
  • Carnivore Restaurant Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $120
  • BBQ Dinner & Cat Dancers Experience at Safari Park Hotel: $125
  • Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $125
  • Safari Park Hotel Cat Dance and Dinner Experience: $125
  • Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant and Transport: $125
  • Carnivore Restaurant Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $125

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

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

  • Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
  • Night Dinner Cruise in Cairo: $42
  • Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $51
  • Private Evening Dinner Cruise in Cairo: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Aswan $8.44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Village Visit
    $15

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Nairobi Heritage Tour with Key Landmarks: $10
  • Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
  • Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
  • Nairobi City Tour +Pickup: $19
  • Nairobi city walking tour with a local Guide +pick up: $19
  • Nairobi’s ultimate Walking City Tour with Hotel pickup: $20
  • Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
  • Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
  • Kibera Slum Compassionate Walking Experience 3 Hours: $23
  • Discover Nairobi City with Student Led Walking Tour: $25
  • Giraffe Center Karen Blixen and Kobe Beads Day Tour: $25
  • Nairobi City Tour: $25

Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:


  • Temple Kom Ombo for Two
    $1.09

Tours and Activities in Aswan

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

  • 1 Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor: $206
  • 2 Days Private Tour in Aswan and Abu Simbel: $85
  • 2 Hours Private Sound and Light Show Tour in Philae Temple: $85
  • 2-Day Luxor Small-Group Tour from Aswan with Felucca Ride: $120
  • 2-Day Tour Package in Aswan with a Guide: $219
  • 3 Hour Private Tour, Ancient Wonders in Philae Temple Tour: $55
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Nubian Village from Aswan: $33
  • 3 or 2 or 1 Nights Mighty Nile Felucca Adventure: $25
  • 3-Day Guided tour to Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor from Cairo: $285
  • 3-Day Tour Aswan, Abu Simbel , Luxor & Train ticket, Opt. Balloon: $280
  • 4 Days Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon: $229
  • 4-Day Nile Cruise sails Aswan to Luxor&Abu Simbel.Hot air Balloon: $229

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Aswan $0.96

Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi

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

  • Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Aswan, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Aswan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aswan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aswan 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 Nairobi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nairobi than you might in Aswan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Aswan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Aswan?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Aswan, 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.