A Travel Price Comparison for Egypt Aswan vs. Luxor for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aswan or Luxor?

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

Should I visit Aswan or Luxor? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Aswan or Luxor?

Aswan

Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.

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 10-Day Tours in Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt, The Best 2-Week Tours in Egypt, and The Best River Cruises in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Luxor or Aswan?

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 Aswan is $31, 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 Aswan and Luxor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aswan $10
    Luxor $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aswan $20
    Luxor $22
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Luxor

Looking for a hotel in Aswan 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 Aswan


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: Aswan Hotel Prices and Luxor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aswan $5.70
    Luxor $5.64

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • Aswan to Luxor Private Car Transfer: $80
  • VIP Aswan to Hurghada Transfer: Luxury and Comfort: $95
  • "Aswan to Hurghada: Luxe Private Transfer - Comfort Guaranteed ": $130
  • 3-Day Guided tours to Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor & Train and Transfers : $167
  • Abu Simbel Day Trip from Aswan with transfers : $45
  • Abu Simbel Shared Transfer: $27
  • Arrival Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $8.00
  • Aswan Airport Arrival Transfer: $16
  • Aswan Airport One-Way Private Car Transfer: $25
  • Aswan Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $28
  • Aswan Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $28
  • Aswan Airport Private Departure Transfer: $19

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:

  • Private transfer from/to Luxor train station: $5.00
  • Cheap trip : Private transfer from luxor railway station to your hotel: $5.13
  • "Pet-Friendly Private Transfer: Luxor Station to Hotel": $6.00
  • Private Transfer from & to Luxor Airport from Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.00
  • Seamless Transfers Between Luxor Airport & Your Hotel: $6.65
  • Private Transfer from Luxor Airport to Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.90
  • Luxor Airport to Aswan, Hurghada Transfer pickup/drop off 1 Way: $7.00
  • Pick up Transfers From Luxor Airport To Luxor Hotels: $7.50
  • Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor airport: $8.00
  • Private Luxury Cars for Luxor Airport Arrival, Departure Transfer: $8.00
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels: $8.00
  • Luxor Private Transfer Hotel to Airport or vice versa: $8.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Luxor?

Prices for flights to both Luxor and Aswan 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
    Aswan $16
    Luxor $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

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

  • Savor Nubian Cuisine: Lunch or Dinner in a Local Village: $50
  • Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $51
  • Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $60
  • Private 3-Hour Nubian Party with Dinner and Pickup in Aswan: $77
  • Aswan Sunset Dinner Cruise: $80
  • Your Grandmothers Cooking Class In Aswan : $90
  • Experience the Magic of Aswan in One Day Food Tour with Guide: $177

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.
    Aswan $9.77
    Luxor $10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:


  • Temple Kom Ombo for Two
    $1.26

Tours and Activities in Aswan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:

  • Shared Half-Day tour of The Nubian Village: $10
  • Felucca Nile Cruise in Aswan: $10
  • Nubian Museum Tour: $15
  • Private 2 Hour Guided Tour to Philae Temple from Aswan: $15
  • Day Trip to Nubian Village with Camel Tour: $15
  • Nubian Museum Magic: Private Tour in Aswan's Heart: $15
  • Half Day Philae Temple and High-Dam Private Tour in Aswan: $18
  • 2 Hours Tour in Philae Temple: $19
  • Philae Temple Secrets: Private Aswan Adventure: $20
  • Private Day tour to High Dam&Unfinished Obelisk&Philae From Aswan: $20
  • Nubian Village Tour from Ancient Tombs to Botanical Beauty: $20
  • Aswan full day tour phile temple unfinished obelisk high dam : $20

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
    Aswan $1.12
    Luxor $3.10


When comparing the travel costs between Aswan and Luxor, we can see that Luxor is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Aswan or Luxor?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Aswan 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.