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

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Should you visit Petra or Luxor?

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

Where Should I go: Petra or Luxor?

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.

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 Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, and The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Luxor 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 Luxor is $30. 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 Luxor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Luxor $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Luxor $20
Compare Hotels in Petra and Luxor

Looking for a hotel in Petra 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 Petra


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: Petra Hotel Prices and Luxor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Luxor $5.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Airport Transfer to and from Petra: $92
  • 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 Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional: $94
  • Private Transfer from Ma'in Hotel to Aqaba Airport: $120
  • Private Transfer from Petra to Madaba – Safe & Comfortable Ride: $140

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • Private transfer from/to Luxor train station: $5.00
  • Private Luxor Transfer: Luxor Station to Hotel with Local Driver: $5.00
  • Luxury VIP Luxor Airport Transfer to Hotels&Cruises |Meet & Greet: $5.00
  • Cheap trip : Private transfer from luxor railway station to your hotel: $5.13
  • Luxor Airport Private Departure Transfer: $6.00
  • Private Transfer from & to Luxor Airport from Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.00
  • Luxor Private Transfer Hotel to Airport or vice versa: $6.00
  • Luxor Airport or vice versa private transfer: $6.07
  • Seamless Transfers Between Luxor Airport & Your Hotel: $6.65
  • Private Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor Airport: $7.00
  • Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or to Nile Cruise: $7.00
  • Private Transfer From/To Luxor International Airport: $7.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Luxor?

Prices for flights to both Luxor 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
    Luxor $15
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

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

  • Experience Egyptian cooking at Luxor Farm: $10
  • Luxury Nile Sunset Felucca Sail | Private Dinner - Hotel Transfer: $15
  • Sunset Felucca on the Nile in Luxor with Optional Lunch or Dinner: $20
  • Day Tour to Local Farm with Bread Making & Cooking Class: $25
  • Nile River Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Luxor (private Tour): $44
  • Sunset Dinner at a Traditional Egyptian House of Luxor: $45
  • Cooking Session with Family in Luxor with lunch: $50
  • Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
  • 3-Hour Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $50
  • Private Luxor Temple Night Tour with Felucca Sunset & Dinner: $55
  • Sunset Felucca on the Nile in Luxor with Lunch or Dinner: $56
  • Day Tour to Farm Luxor with Bread Making & Cooking Class: $62

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Luxor $9.45
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
  • Private Guided Tour in Petra with licensed guide: $70
  • Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .: $75
  • Private 3-Hour Petra Tour: The Treasury & Main Ancient Highlights: $75
  • Tour Jordan: Private Driver – Customized Travel Experience!: $95
  • 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

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)
    $0.52
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.48
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.15

Tours and Activities in Luxor

Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Luxor Full Day Tour East and West Bank with Sunrise Balloon Ride: $5.00
  • Full Day Tour to Valley of the kings and West Banks of Luxor: $5.00
  • Luxor Private Tour: Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut, and Memnon: $8.00
  • Historic Corniche Walking Experience with Refreshment: $8.00
  • Luxor Day Tour: Explore Valley of Kings,Queens, Hatshepsut Temple: $8.00
  • luxor Private Tour: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Memnon: $8.49
  • Private Half Day Luxor Tour Valley of Kings & Queens, Hatshepsut: $8.90
  • VIP Private Nile Motorboat Experience in Luxor: $9.00
  • Sail into the Sunset on a Nile Felucca Cruise in Luxor: $9.00
  • Half Day Tour: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple & Mamnon: $9.00
  • Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show Experience in Luxor: $9.00
  • Luxor Temple and Karnak Temples (Half Day Tour private): $9.00

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Luxor $2.82

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Luxor, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Luxor is in Africa, 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 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 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 Luxor.

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


Which is Bigger, Petra or Luxor?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Luxor, 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 Luxor?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Petra or Luxor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Luxor. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Luxor attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.


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