A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Petra vs. Cesis for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Petra or Cesis?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Cesis can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Cesis?

Petra

Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan.


Which place is cheaper, Cesis or Petra?

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 Petra is $153, while the average daily cost in Cesis is $157. 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 Petra and Cesis in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Cesis $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Cesis $108
Compare Hotels in Petra and Cesis

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Cesis? 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 Petra


Hotels in Cesis


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: Petra Hotel Prices and Cesis Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Cesis $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Airport Transfer to and from Petra: $92
  • Comfort VIP Private Transfer: Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels: $140
  • Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
  • Fast and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Ma’in Hot Springs: $180
  • From Eilat: Petra Full-Day Guided Tour with Transfers: $219
  • Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
  • Petra Private Transfer To Jerusalem: $290
  • Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Cesis?

Prices for flights to both Cesis and Petra 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
    Petra $66
    Cesis $81
Typical Food Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • Juice
    $1.76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra

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

  • Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
  • Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150

Typical Food Prices in Cesis

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


  • Lunch in town for two
    $7.63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Cesis $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra

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


  • Entry to Petra for One
    $71

Tours and Activities in Petra

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

  • Self Guided Tour of Petra Main Trail with App (No Tickets): $8.99
  • Guided 3 Hour Tour of Petra's Iconic Landmarks: $60
  • Private Guided Tour in Petra with licensed guide: $70
  • Private 3-Hour Petra Tour: Treasury, Siq & Ancient City: $75
  • Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .: $75
  • Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit: $99
  • Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $100
  • Wadi Rum Private Guided Tour: $105
  • Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
  • 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
  • Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $130
  • Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Cesis $20


When comparing the travel costs between Petra and Cesis, we can see that Cesis is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Petra is in Middle East and Cesis is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Petra or Cesis?

Cesis has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Cesis, 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 Petra or Cesis?

Cesis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Petra experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Petra or Cesis in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Cesis. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Also, many visitors come to Cesis in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Petra can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Petra is generally much warmer than Cesis. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 33°C (91°F), and Cesis fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In July, Petra usually receives less rain than Cesis. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cesis receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Petra 33°C (91°F) 
    Cesis 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Petra or Cesis in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Petra as well as Cesis. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Cesis for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Petra is much warmer than Cesis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Cesis fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Petra usually gets less rain in October than Cesis. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cesis receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Petra 27°C (80°F) 
    Cesis 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Petra or Cesis in the Winter?

Both Cesis and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cesis because of the cuisine.

The weather in Cesis can be very cold. In the winter, Petra is much warmer than Cesis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Petra in January average around 15°C (59°F), and Cesis averages at about -5°C (23°F).

In January, Petra usually receives more rain than Cesis. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cesis receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Petra 15°C (59°F) 
    Cesis -5°C (23°F)

Should I visit Petra or Cesis in the Spring?

Both Cesis and Petra during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cesis this time of year.

In April, Petra is generally much warmer than Cesis. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 25°C (76°F), and Cesis fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Petra usually gets less rain in April than Cesis. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Cesis receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Petra 25°C (76°F) 
    Cesis 5°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Cesis and Petra

Petra Cesis
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 15°C (59°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 30°C (87°F) 0 mm (0 in) 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 16°C (62°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)