Which place is cheaper, Aqaba or Tehran?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tehran or Aqaba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Tehran and Aqaba. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Tehran or Aqaba?
Tehran
The capital of Iran, Tehran is a cosmopolitan city with great museums, art galleries, parks, restaurants, and more. It is located in the northernmost part of Central Iran at the foot of the towering Alborz mountain range. Some of the most popular attractions include the Treasury of the National Jewels, Golestan Palace, and the Tajrish Bazaar.
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, and The Best Budget Tours to Jordan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTehran $78Aqaba $127
The average daily cost (per person) in Tehran is $78, while the average daily cost in Aqaba is $127. 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 Tehran and Aqaba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTehran $62Aqaba $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTehran $124Aqaba $118
Compare Hotels in Tehran and Aqaba
Looking for a hotel in Tehran or Aqaba? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tehran $0.38Aqaba $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Amman: Day Trip Petra & Wadi Rum Guided Tour with Transfer: $490
- Sheikh Hussein Crossing Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $250
- Private Transfer: From Amman City To Wadi Rum: $209
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Sheikh Hussein Border or vice versa: $193
- Aqaba Or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea, Jordan: $185
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Allenby King Hussein Bridge: $173
- Aqaba King Hussein Airport (AQJ): Transfer to Aqaba hotels: $162
- Private Transfer Aqaba Airport to Amman Queen Alia Airport: $153
- Aqaba Border Yitzhak Rabin Terminal to Petra Private Transfer: $140
- Wadi Araba Border (Eilat) Private Transfer To Petra: $135
- Private Transfer from Wadi Rum to Amman Airport: $133
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Amman Hotels: $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Tehran or Aqaba?
Prices for flights to both Aqaba and Tehran 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 dayTehran $14Aqaba $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $63
- 4 hour desert jeep tour with overnight in beduin camp including dinner&breakfast: $85
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $87
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tehran $4.59Aqaba $54
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour in Jeep Tour with Bedouin Guide: $81
- Discover the Depths: Aqaba's Ultimate private Dive Experience: $54
- 06 Hours Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum : $84
- 2 Days 1 Night in Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $204
- 2 Days private tour Petra, Wadi Rum (overnight) from Amman: $682
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 hours Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with Bedouin guide (incl. bottled water and tea): $100
- 2-Hour Desert Guided Activities Tour in Wadi Rum: $50
- 2-Hour Private Scuba Experience in Aqaba : $48
- 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- 2-day Hiking Adventure and Jeep Tour from Wadi Rum: $183
- 3 Days Wadi Rum Jebel Burdah Tour: $241
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTehran -Aqaba $9.07
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tehran and Aqaba, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Tehran much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tehran would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tehran 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Tehran.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tehran Expensive? and Is Aqaba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tehran or Aqaba?
Tehran has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Tehran and Aqaba, 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.