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

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Should you visit Aqaba or Luxor?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Luxor, 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: Aqaba or Luxor?

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.

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 Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, and The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Luxor or Aqaba?

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 Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Luxor is $33. 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 Aqaba and Luxor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aqaba $59
    Luxor $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aqaba $118
    Luxor $22
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Luxor

Looking for a hotel in Aqaba 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 Aqaba


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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Luxor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aqaba $24
    Luxor $5.64

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:

  • Amman/Death Sea: 1-Way Transfer to/from Wadi Rum in Private: $266
  • Aqaba : Private Transfer From the Airport or your Hotel: $88
  • Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $144
  • Aqaba Airport Transfer to Petra : $90
  • Aqaba Border (Yitzhak Rabin Terminal) to Petra Private Transfer: $140
  • Aqaba Private Transfer from/to Amman, Airport, Dead Sea or K.H.B: $125
  • Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $185
  • Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum: $60
  • Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
  • Petra by Night Tour with Private Transfer: $198
  • Private Beach, Pools, Snorkeling & Boat Trip,Transfer: $66
  • Private Car Transfer with Wadi Rum Jeep Safari: $169

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • Horus, Kom Ombo and Khnum Temples from Luxor with Transfers : $53
  • Luxor Airport Transfer : $15
  • Luxor airport transfer : $35
  • Private Transfer Luxor International Airport to Luxor Hotels: $20
  • Private Transfer Service from Luxor to Hurghada: $128
  • Private Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels: $30
  • Transfer Service from Luxor to Aswan (Private): $51
  • Transfer from Luxor Airport to Anywhere in Luxor: $15
  • Transfer from Luxor Hotel to Luxor Airport: $35
  • Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise: $17
  • private transfer one way from Luxor to Hurghada : $70
  • "Pet-Friendly Private Transfer: Luxor Station to Hotel": $6.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Luxor?

Prices for flights to both Luxor and Aqaba 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
    Aqaba $73
    Luxor $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba

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

  • Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
  • Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $75
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
  • Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
  • From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
  • Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
  • 4 Hours Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp and Dinner: $286
  • Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

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

  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing: $31
  • Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
  • 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
  • Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing in luxor: $60
  • Saray El Nile restaurant Dinner : $60
  • Enjoy Lunch or Dinner on a Luxor Nile River Boat: $60
  • Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca  : $64
  • private day in east bank & dendera with dinner on boat: $86
  • Luxor Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show with Dinner and Transfers: $95
  • Egyptian cooking class and Luxor museum : $120
  • Full day trip west Bank, Dandara and dinner on a boat.: $128

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aqaba $54
    Luxor $10

Tours and Activities in Aqaba

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

  • Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba: $7.00
  • Aqaba : All Water Sports Adventure in the Red Sea: $22
  • Wadi Rum Jeep Tours - Full Day Jeep Tour: $24
  • Private Snorkeling Experience in Aqaba Red Sea: $27
  • 4 Hour Jeep Tour Wadi Rum Nature Desert morning or sunset: $30
  • Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $30
  • Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
  • Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
  • Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
  • Saraya Aqaba Waterpark entrance tickets: $33
  • 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
  • Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35

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)
    $0.57
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.73
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.26

Tours and Activities in Luxor

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

  • Full tour to Karnak and Luxor temples, and felucca: $5.00
  • Private Tour Shopping in Luxor City : $6.00
  • Historic Corniche Walking Experience with Refreshment: $8.00
  • Half Day Tour: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple & Mamnon: $9.00
  • Tour in the East Bank of Luxor: $9.00
  • Karnak Sound and Light Display Tour in Luxor (Private): $9.00
  • Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show Experience in Luxor: $9.00
  • 4 Hour Private East Bank Tour to Luxor and Karnak Temples: $10
  • Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Private Day Tour: $10
  • Private Half-Day tour to Karnak temple: $10
  • Half Day East Bank Tour to Luxor and Karnak Temples: $10
  • Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Day Tour: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aqaba $9.07
    Luxor $3.10

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

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


Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Luxor?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba 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 Aqaba 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 Aqaba or Luxor in the Summer?

Both Luxor and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Luxor because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.


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