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

Should you visit Petra or Karachi?

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 Karachi can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Karachi?

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.

Karachi

Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.

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


Which place is cheaper, Karachi or Petra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Karachi is $25. 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 Karachi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Karachi $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Karachi $22
Compare Hotels in Petra and Karachi

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Karachi? 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 Karachi


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 Karachi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Karachi $4.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
  • Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
  • Petra to Aqaba Border Yitzhak Rabin Terminal Private Transfer: $100
  • Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
  • Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
  • Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
  • Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Karachi?

Prices for flights to both Karachi 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 $38
    Karachi $11
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. : $45
  • Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi

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

  • Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $95
  • Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
  • Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Karachi $5.06
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:

  • 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
  • Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
  • Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
  • Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
  • Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
  • 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
  • Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
  • Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
  • Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269

Tours and Activities in Karachi

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

  • Karachi City Tour : $129
  • UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
  • Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
  • Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $163
  • Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $197
  • Experience local village life in Sindh: $200

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Karachi $3.34


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

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


Which is Bigger, Petra or Karachi?

Karachi has a larger population, and is about 830 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Karachi, 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 Karachi?

Karachi 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 Karachi in the Summer?

Both Karachi and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year.

The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is around the same temperature as Karachi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Karachi averages at about 30°C (86°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Karachi during summer. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Karachi receives 155 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Petra usually receives less rain than Karachi. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Petra 33°C (91°F) 
    Karachi 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Petra or Karachi in the Autumn?

Both Karachi and Petra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Petra is generally around the same temperature as Karachi. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Karachi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Petra. In the autumn, Petra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karachi. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karachi receives 284 hours of full sun.

Petra usually gets less rain in October than Karachi. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Petra 27°C (80°F) 
    Karachi 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Petra or Karachi in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Karachi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round.

Petra is cooler than Karachi in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Karachi fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karachi this time of the year. In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives less sunshine than Karachi during winter. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Karachi receives 271 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Petra usually receives more rain than Karachi. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Petra 15°C (59°F) 
    Karachi 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Petra or Karachi in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Petra as well as Karachi. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Petra is cooler than Karachi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Karachi averages at about 29°C (84°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the spring, Petra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karachi. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karachi receives 277 hours of full sun.

Petra usually gets more rain in April than Karachi. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Petra 25°C (76°F) 
    Karachi 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Karachi and Petra

Petra Karachi
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 15°C (59°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 30°C (86°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 30°C (86°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 30°C (87°F) 0 mm (0 in) 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 16°C (62°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)


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