A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aswan vs. Palermo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aswan or Palermo?

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

Should I visit Aswan or Palermo? 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 Palermo?

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.

Palermo

Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.

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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Palermo 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 Palermo is $134. 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 Palermo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aswan $10
    Palermo $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aswan $20
    Palermo $132
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Palermo

Looking for a hotel in Aswan or Palermo? 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 Palermo


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 Palermo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aswan $5.70
    Palermo $6.62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • Private Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Transfer: $7.00
  • Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Private Transfer: $7.00
  • Private transfer from/to Aswan train station: $7.00
  • Private Airport Transfer in Aswan: $7.00
  • Arrival Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $8.00
  • Private Aswan Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Transfer: $10
  • Aswan Hotel to Airport: Reliable Private Transfer Service: $10
  • Aswan Airport Transfer To Hotel: $11
  • Private Aswan Airport Transfer Service: $12
  • Private Airport Transfer in Aswan: $13
  • Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Aswan: $13
  • Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Anywhere in Aswan: $15

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo

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


  • Bus to Monreale
    $3.52
  • Bus From Airport
    $7.04
  • 90 Minute Bus Pass
    $1.53
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $5.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:

  • Private transfer from Palermo airport to Palazzo Brunaccini or vice versa: $41
  • Private transfer from Palermo airport to the Astoria Palace Hotel or vice versa : $48
  • Eurostars Centrale Palace - Palermo Airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $48
  • Quintocanto Hotel & Spa to Palermo Airport, Private Transfer: $53
  • Palermo Cruise Port to Palermo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
  • Splendid Hotel la Torre to Palermo airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $54
  • Palermo Airport ⇄ Palermo City: Private Transfer Service: $55
  • Private transfer from Palermo airport to Artemisia Palace Hotel or vice versa: $56
  • Private transfer from Palermo airport to Hotel Porta Felice or vice versa: $56
  • Private transfer from Palermo airport to Hotel Excelsior Palace or vice versa: $56
  • Palermo airport transfer to Grand Hotel et des Palmes: $56
  • Private transfer from Palermo airport to Hotel Palazzo Sitano or vice versa: $56

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Palermo?

Prices for flights to both Palermo 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
    Palermo $59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

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

  • Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
  • Savor Nubian Cuisine: Lunch or Dinner in a Local Village: $50
  • Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $51
  • Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
  • 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

Typical Food Prices in Palermo

Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:


  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    $38
  • Fast Food Lunch
    $6.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo

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

  • Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making: $65
  • Taste the Tradition on a Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $70
  • Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better: $78
  • Night Street Food Tour of Palermo with a Local -For real foodies!: $83
  • Wanna be Sicilian: Palermo Cooking Class and Market Tour: $88
  • Cooking class in Palermo city center: $114
  • Sicilian Cooking Class: $117
  • Cooking Class in Palermo - fresh pasta and tiramisù: $118
  • Sicilian Dinner & Tarot – A Magical Night of Wine & Laughs: $118
  • Palermo Sicilian Cooking Class with a Well-known Italian Chef: $118
  • Sicilian Cooking Class : Homemade Pasta: $123
  • Cooking class in a villa with Palermo view: $138

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aswan $9.77
    Palermo $20
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:

  • Felucca Nile Cruise in Aswan: $10
  • Shared Half-Day tour of The Nubian Village: $10
  • Private 2 Hour Guided Tour to Philae Temple from Aswan: $15
  • Nubian Museum Tour: $15
  • Day Trip to Nubian Village with Camel Tour: $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
  • High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, & Philae Private Tour: $20
  • Nubian Village Tour: $20
  • Aswan Engineering Marvels Private High Dam & Obelisk Tour: $20
  • "Aswan Gems: Private Tour of Dam, Obelisk & Philae Temple": $20

Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo

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


  • Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)
    $7.04
  • Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)
    $14
  • Theater Tickets (for Two)
    $58

Tours and Activities in Palermo

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

  • Palermo Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.77
  • Skip the Line in Museum of Marionette Antonio Pasqualino: $10
  • Zisa Palace Entry Ticket: $18
  • Palatine Chapel Entry Ticket, Audio App & optional Norman Palace: $30
  • Discover the Charm of A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour: $36
  • Palermo No Mafia walking tour: discover the Anti-mafia culture in Sicily: $39
  • Guided tour of the historic center Palermo: $42
  • Markets and Monuments: Walking Tour in the Center of Palermo: $42
  • Agrigento: Valley of the Temples Tour – Small Group or Private: $44
  • Palermo : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $54
  • Palermo Walking Tour and Street Food: $54
  • Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty: $83

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aswan $1.12
    Palermo $13

Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:


  • Beer
    $3.00
  • Bottle of Quality Wine
    $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo

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

  • Wine Tasting Experience for Small Groups from Palermo: $269
  • Private Tour to Segesta, Erice and Wine Tasting in Marsala: $275


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

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


Which is Bigger, Aswan or Palermo?

Palermo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Aswan and Palermo, 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.