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

Should you visit Aqaba or San Francisco?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?

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.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or Aqaba?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Aqaba Prices
    Jordan Prices
    San Francisco Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Aqaba $157
    San Francisco $251

The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $251. 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 San Francisco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aqaba $59
    San Francisco $130
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aqaba $118
    San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and San Francisco

Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco


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 San Francisco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aqaba $24
    San Francisco $16

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
  • Petra by Night Tour with Private Transfer: $198
  • Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Sheikh Hussein Border or vice versa: $193
  • Private Transfer to Petra with Wi-Fi and Water: $191
  • Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $185
  • Private Car Transfer with Wadi Rum Jeep Safari: $169
  • Private Transfer Aqaba Airport to Amman Queen Alia Airport: $153
  • Private Transfer from Araba Border to Amman Queen Alia Airport: $153
  • Hassle-Free Aqaba South Beach to Wadi Rum Transfer – 24/7 Service: $150
  • Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $144
  • Aqaba Border (Yitzhak Rabin Terminal) to Petra Private Transfer: $140
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Amman Hotels: $133

Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:


  • Taxi to SFO
    $45
  • Golden Gate Bridge Toll
    $6.00
  • Alcatraz Tour
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco

Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco by Luxury SUV: $137
  • Airport Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO by Luxury SUV: $137
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Business Car: $130
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Luxury Car: $185
  • California: Oakland Airport Transfer from San Francisco: $180
  • California: Oakland Airport Transfer to San Francisco: $180
  • California: SFE Airport Transfer from San Francisco: $140
  • California: SFE Airport Transfer to San Francisco: $140
  • Departure Private Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport in a SUV: $245
  • Departure Private Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO in Luxury SUV: $154
  • Napa Valley 1-Way Transfer to/from the San Francisco Airport: $400
  • Private Airport Transfer From San Francisco Union Square To SFO: $180

Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or San Francisco?

Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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
    San Francisco $79

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 San Francisco

For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Online Cooking Class Pepper Steak Great for Team Building: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings by Chef Sunflower Li: $25
  • No Diet Club - Best street food tour in San Francisco !: $64
  • North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $84
  • North Beach & Chinatown Authentic Food Tour: $84
  • San Francisco North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $85
  • Mission District Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $89
  • Mission District Food Tour with Tastings: $92
  • Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 Food Tour: $99
  • Mission District Walking Food Tour: $99
  • Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39 Food Tour - Includes Full Meal, 3 hrs: $99
  • San Francisco North Beach Food Tour: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aqaba $54
    San Francisco $31

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
  • Full-Day Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum without Overnight Stay: $85
  • Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
  • "Jordan: 3-Day Tour of Ancient Sites, Nature,&Local Culture": $317
  • 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $47
  • 04 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $70
  • 05 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $68
  • 2 Days & 1 Night | Jeep & Hike Tour in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $258
  • 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
  • 2-Hour Desert Guided Activities Tour in Wadi Rum: $50
  • 2-Hour Private Scuba Experience in Aqaba : $45
  • 2-day Hiking Adventure and Jeep Tour from Wadi Rum: $202

Tours and Activities in San Francisco

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.

  • San Francisco Uncovered Self-Guided Adventure: $3.57
  • Self-Guided Golden Gate Bridge Bike or Walking App Tour: $5.00
  • Golden Gate Bridge: Self-guided Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
  • Mafia Heist at the Bay: Escape Adventure in San Francisco: $5.96
  • The Ghosts of San Francisco Haunted Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
  • San Francisco's Barbary Past: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Self Guided Chinatown Tour: Food, History and Culture: $7.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Golden Gate Bridge: $7.99
  • Over the Rainbow in the Castro: A San Francisco Chronicle Self-Guided Tour: $8.99
  • San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Private 1-Hour Walking Tour: $9.00
  • San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Self-Guided Palace of Fine Arts to Golden Gate Bridge Audio Tour: $9.99

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aqaba $9.07
    San Francisco $22

Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:

  • SF Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $17
  • Ultimate San Francisco Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $27
  • Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Walk with Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $44
  • Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $44
  • Local Distillery Cocktail Class: $49
  • Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
  • Napa Valley Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $103
  • From Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour with Tastings: $103
  • 5 hours private napa wine tour from san francisco up to 7 people: $120
  • Half-Day Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings: $130
  • Small Group Napa and Sonoma Full-Day Wine Tour from San Francisco: $132


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. And not only is Aqaba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and San Francisco is in North America, 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 Aqaba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aqaba 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco than you might in Aqaba.

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


Which is Bigger, Aqaba or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?

San Francisco has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Aqaba experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Aqaba or San Francisco in the Summer?

Both San Francisco and Aqaba during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.

The heat can be very extreme in Aqaba. In the summer, Aqaba is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aqaba in July average around 33°C (91°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than San Francisco. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Aqaba 33°C (91°F) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Aqaba or San Francisco in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and San Francisco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Aqaba is generally a little warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 26°C (79°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Aqaba 26°C (79°F) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Aqaba or San Francisco in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as San Francisco. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Aqaba is a little warmer than San Francisco in the winter. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

Aqaba usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Aqaba 14°C (57°F) 
    San Francisco 50°F (10°C)

Should I visit Aqaba or San Francisco in the Spring?

Both San Francisco and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Aqaba is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aqaba in April average around 24°C (75°F), and San Francisco averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Aqaba 24°C (75°F) 
    San Francisco 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Aqaba

Aqaba San Francisco
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 1 mm (0 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 1 mm (0 in) 58°F (14°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 60°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 62°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 63°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Aug 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Sep 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 66°F (19°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 1 mm (0 in) 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)