Which place is cheaper, Cairo or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Santorini or Cairo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Cairo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Santorini or Cairo?
Santorini
Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.
Cairo
Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.
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Santorini Prices
Greece PricesCairo Prices
Egypt Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantorini €250Cairo €28
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Cairo is €28. 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 Santorini and Cairo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantorini €118Cairo €9.45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantorini €236Cairo €19
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Cairo
Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Cairo? 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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Cairo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santorini €35Cairo €3.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport, Port and Hotel Private Transfer in Santorini: $35
- Arrival Private Transfer from Santorini Airport to Athinios Port: $47
- Arrival Transfer Santorini Airport to Athinios Por by Suv: $37
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer in Santorini: $16
- Departure Private Transfer Anthinios Port to Santorini Airport: $47
- Departure Private Transfer Anthinios Port to Santorini Airport: $74
- Departure Transfer Athinios Port to Santorini Airport JTR by Suv: $37
- Departure Transfer To Santorini Airport: $19
- Economy Arrival Transfers From Santorini Airport To All Destinations: $16
- Economy Transfers From & To Santorini Port: $26
- Executive VIP Transfer in Mercedes Van: $21
- Ferry Transfer Between Santorini and Paros: $83
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
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Metro Ride€0.07
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Taxi Ride€0.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- From Guided 4 Day Cairo & Red Sea Tour with Transfer: $1,440
- Private Day Trip to Luxor with Transfers and Flights: $791
- Cairo To Marsa Alam Private Transfer: $511
- From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor: $489
- 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
- 1 Day Aswan Abu Simple Tour with Transfer Included: $300
- Private One-Way Transfer to/from Sharm El-Sheikh: $292
- Private One-Way Transfer to/from Hurghada: $292
- Private Transfer from El Cairo (CAI) Airport to Hurghada: $281
- 2 Days and 2 Evenings Private Tour in Cairo include airport transfer and M&A: $280
- Private Transfer from Cairo City Hotels to Ain Sokhna Cruise Port: $278
- Private Transfer from Cairo City Hotels to Suez Canal Cruise Port: $278
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Cairo?
Prices for flights to both Cairo and Santorini 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
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Food Meals for one daySantorini €96Cairo €15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Volcanic Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $40
- Catamaran Tour with BBQ Dinner, Drinks, and Music: $73
- Romantic Sunset Caldera Cruise with Dinner: $74
- Santorini Caldera: Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $74
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $85
- Cooking Class with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $91
- Farm to Table Food Tour Experience in Santorini: $93
- Santorini Family Farm Food & Wine Tour with Cooking Class: $99
- Santorini Cooking Lesson with Chef and a Bottle of Wine: $104
- Sunset Sea Kayak with Light Dinner: $111
- Award-Winning Santorini Cooking Class with Greek Chef: $125
- Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $128
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
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Juice€0.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $6.75
- 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
- Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
- Cairo dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $7.00
- Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $7.00
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping,Dinner cruiseII: $8.00
- Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise Belly Dancer Tanora Show Dinner Buffet: $8.00
- Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.00
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.00
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $8.00
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santorini €35Cairo €7.62
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
- Authentic A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Oia: $7.99
- Megalochori: Lost Atlantis 9D Experience Museum Entry Ticket: $16
- Guided Art Tour Contemporary Art Meets a Quiet Santorini Village: $17
- Kayak Rental Adventure in Watersports Santorini: $23
- Sunset Cruise Santorini Volcano & Thirasia: $28
- Akrotiri Ticket with Optional Self-Guided Audios: $30
- Santorini Volcano & Sunset Caldera Cruise: $34
- Red Beach, Megalochori, and Oia Sunset Tour: $34
- Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $35
- Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit: $35
- Santorini Shore Excursion: Private Tour with Tender Port Pickup: $37
- Small-Group Skip Cable Car Santorini Tour for First-Time Cruisers: $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Camel Market for Two€0.70
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two€5.42
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Cairo Private Tour: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & GEM Museum”: $119
- "Private Half-Day Tour to the Giza Pyramids Saqqara and Memphis: $25
- ( Stopover Tour Of Cairo ) Private All Inc.Pyramids,Camel Ride,Museum& Lunch: $180
- (Egypt jewel) Day Tour To Giza Pyramids, Museum, Mosque &Felucca: $55
- 01 Day Cairo tour Islamic and Coptic Cairo: $143
- 01 Day Tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $246
- 1 Day Private Tour to Baron, Abdeen, and Manial Palaces in Cairo: $30
- 1 Day tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $30
- 1 Day tour to Giza pyramids Memphis city Dahshur and Saqqara pyramids: $15
- 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Private Tour Around Giza Pyramids: $30
- 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
- 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantorini €25Cairo €1.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Art and Wine Tour in a Historic Santorini Winery: $41
- Santorini Ftelos Brewery Guided Tour and Beer Tasting Experience: $41
- Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset: $59
- Santorini Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting option: $63
- Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option: $64
- Half Day Simply Santorini Tour with Wine Tasting: $72
- Private Wine Tasting at Private venue: $74
- Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting, Hotel Pickup: $74
- Fira Town Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $80
- Visit to a Wine Museum and Wine Tasting in Santorini: $89
- Caldera Views, Cliffside Villages, and Santorinian Wine Tasting: $99
- Santorini Private Wine Tour with Local Wineries & Tastings: $99
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:
- Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Cairo, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santorini is in Europe and Cairo 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini than you might in Cairo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santorini Expensive? and Is Cairo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or Cairo?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santorini. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Cairo, 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.
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.