Should you visit Tehran or Aqaba?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Aqaba or Tehran?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tehran is $63, while the average daily cost in Aqaba is $102. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Tehran and Aqaba in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Tehran, $100 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Tehran, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $50, such as in a hostel.
A hotel room in Aqaba is about $94 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
While meal prices in Tehran can vary, the average travelers spends about $11 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Tehran should cost around $4.40 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Tehran is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
On average, meal and food prices in Aqaba cost around $34 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $14.
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Food
Meals for one day
Tehran $11
Aqaba $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
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Suhaila (The Authentic Cooking Experience):
$50
Local Transportation
Tehran's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $0.31 per person, per day on transportation in Tehran.
The average price of local transportation around Aqaba is $19 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
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(Price per vehicle 4-Pax) Aqaba Transfer to/from King Hussein Bridge:
$216
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Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Sheikh Hussein Border or vice versa:
$193
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Aqaba Transfer to/from Dead Sea:
$183
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Private Transfer Aqaba Airport to Allenby King Hussein Bridge:
$173
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Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Dead Sea Hotels:
$160
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Private Transfer Araba Border to Amman Queen Alia Airport:
$153
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Private Transfer Aqaba Airport to Amman Queen Alia Airport:
$153
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Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Amman Hotels:
$133
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Private Departure Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Amman Airport:
$133
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Petra Transfer to/from Aqaba:
$129
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Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Ma'in Hotel:
$120
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Jordan Horizons Tours : Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport:
$95
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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Tehran can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $3.66 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Aqaba's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $43 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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1 Day Tour to Petra from Aqaba Hotels:
$268
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1 Day tours:
$359
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2 Days 1 Night in Wadi Rum Jeep Tour:
$159
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2 Days Private Tour to Wadi Rum and Petra from Eilbat:
$665
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2 Days Wadi Rum and Petra Tour from Wadi Arava Border:
$409
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2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum from Aqaba:
$148
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2-Night Jordan Private Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum from Wadi Araba Border Crossing:
$601
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3 Days Private Wadi Rum Experience with Petra from Eilat:
$680
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Aqaba Day Tour:
$50
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Aqaba Dog Shelter Conservation Experience:
$77
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Aqaba Hooh Sweets Making Experience:
$72
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Aqaba Shore Excursions - Wadi Rum Day Tour:
$120
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Aqaba may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.25 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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.
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