Which place is cheaper, Lahore or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Petra or Lahore?
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 Lahore can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Lahore?
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.
Lahore
As Pakistan's second largest city and the capital of the north-eastern Punjab province, Lahore is widely considered the country's cultural capital. Some of its best-known features include the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Gurdwara, a mall surrounded by buildings from the British Raj, and many unique markets and neighborhoods.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $125Lahore $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Lahore is $57. 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 Lahore in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Lahore $37
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Lahore $74
Compare Hotels in Petra and Lahore
Looking for a hotel in Petra or Lahore? 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.
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 Lahore Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Lahore $9.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Petra to Ma'in Hot Springs Private Transfer: $140
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Petra to Aqaba King Hussein Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lahore
Also for Lahore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Arrival : $30
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Departure: $30
- Airport Transfer : $60
- Transit Trip: Lahore Guided Day Trip With Round Trip Airport Transfers: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Lahore?
Prices for flights to both Lahore 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 dayPetra $38Lahore $14
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 Lahore
For Lahore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lahore's Complete Night Food Tour: Local Culinary Experience: $110
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47Lahore $5.08
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 Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
Tours and Activities in Lahore
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lahore.
- Lahore Big Bus City Tour: $20
- Lahori Food Experience: $45
- Guided Walking Tour: Walled City of Lahore : $90
- Ladies Special: Lahore Half day Guided Shopping Tour: $90
- Lahore Half Day Private Tuk Tuk ( Trishaw ) Guided Tour : $95
- Full Day Private Guided Lahore Sightseeing Tour : $95
- Lahore Walled City Walking Tour: $102
- Rangeela Rickshaw Walled City Guided Tour Lahore : $110
- Rangeela Rikshaw Walled City Guided Tour Lahore : $110
- Lahore Guided Tour: $119
- Lahore City, Fort, Museums and Walled City Exploration Tour: $120
- Private Tour: Lahore Full Day Customized Guided Trip : $120
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Lahore $4.89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Lahore, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Lahore much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Lahore 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 Lahore would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lahore 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 Lahore.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Lahore Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Lahore?
Lahore has a larger population, and is about 450 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Lahore, 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 Lahore?
Lahore 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 Lahore in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Petra as well as Lahore. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Lahore can become quite hot in the summer. The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is around the same temperature as Lahore. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Lahore averages at about 33°C (91°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lahore. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the summer, Petra often gets more sunshine than Lahore. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lahore receives 228 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Lahore. Petra usually gets less rain in July than Lahore. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Lahore receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Lahore 33°C (91°F)
Should I visit Petra or Lahore in the Autumn?
Both Lahore and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year.
In October, Petra is generally around the same temperature as Lahore. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Lahore fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Lahore. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lahore during autumn. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Lahore receives 290 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Lahore. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Lahore receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Lahore 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Petra or Lahore in the Winter?
Both Lahore and Petra during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Petra is around the same temperature as Lahore in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Lahore fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
In Lahore, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Petra. In the winter, Petra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lahore. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lahore receives 220 hours of full sun.
Petra usually gets more rain in January than Lahore. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lahore receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Lahore 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Petra or Lahore in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Lahore. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round.
In the spring, Petra is cooler than Lahore. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Lahore averages at about 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lahore this time of the year. In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lahore during spring. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Lahore receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Lahore. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Lahore receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Lahore 28°C (83°F)
Typical Weather for Lahore and Petra
| Petra | Lahore | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 35°C (96°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 14 mm (0.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.