Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cairo or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Cairns can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Cairo or Cairns?
Cairo
Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
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Cairo Prices
Egypt PricesCairns Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $33Cairns $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $33, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $116. 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 Cairo and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $11Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $22Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Cairns? 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.
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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $3.80Cairns $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
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Metro Ride$0.08
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Taxi Ride$0.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- private transfer from Cairo to Alexandria: $70
- private Airport Transfer from any destination in Cairo or Giza : $35
- one transfer from airport to Cairo Giza hotels or hotels to Cairo airport: $27
- VIP Meet and Greet Private Hotel Transfer from Cairo Airport: $39
- VIP Cairo and SPX International Airport Meet assist transfer: $15
- Transfer within Cairo from Cairo Airport (Private): $35
- Transfer to Cairo & Giza Hotels From Cairo Airport: $35
- Transfer from Cairo Airport to the Hotels in Cairo or Giza: $20
- Transfer from Cairo Airport to the Hotel: $13
- Transfer from Cairo Airport to Hotel at Cairo or Giza: $15
- Transfer from Cairo Airport to Hotel - Private Transfer: $25
- The Nile: Felucca Ride with Meal and Transfers: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Cairns City: $15
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Palm Cove: $25
- Cairns Airport (CNS) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Port Douglas Hotel or Address): $230
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas - Arrival Private Transfer: $188
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Transfer to Port Douglas hotels: $184
- Cairns Airport Shared Transfer to Cairns: $15
- Cairns Airport Transfers: $161
- Cairns Airport to Port Douglas Private Transfer 1-7 Pax: $175
- Cairns Airport to Port Douglas Private Transfer With Return : $269
- Cairns Airport(CNS) to Palm Cove hotels- Arrival Private Transfer: $85
- Cairns Airport: Shared Transfer: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns and Cairo 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
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Food Meals for one dayCairo $18Cairns $49
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
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Juice$0.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
- Great tour toThe Grand Museum of Giza and Nile River DinnerCruise: $5.00
- Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $5.00
- 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
- Cairo dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $7.00
- Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride : $7.00
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
- Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $9.00
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $9.00
- Cairo Food Tour in local places & Egyptian Mint Tea: $9.00
- 2-hours night dinner cruise show : Eat , Dance and Sing : $9.00
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $9.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with optional 2 Course Dinner: $67
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with optional 3 Course Dinner : $67
- Dinner Cruise Experience: $92
- Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise: $93
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $96
- Aquarium Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $118
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with 3 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with 2 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $171
- Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $174
- Paronella Park Rainforest Full-Day Tour with Dinner: $66,130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $9.09Cairns $37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Camel Market for Two$0.84
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$6.47
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days 1 Nights Tour package to Saint-Catherine from Cairo : $300
- 2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums: $253
- 2-Day Private Tour of Cairo with Accommodation and Entrance Fees: $165
- 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
- 3 Days Private Tour in Giza, Cairo, and Alexandria: $70
- 3-Day Private Tour in Cairo : $196
- 8-Hour Private Tour Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and local Bazaars: $14
- Alexandria day tour : $75
- All Inclusive day tour to Giza pyramids, Egyptian museum and Felucca : $95
- Ancient Wonders Unveiled: Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur Adventure: $50
- Antiquities in the Grande Egyptian Museum with Private Tour : $35
- Best Day Tour Visit Giza Pyramids, and Sakkara&Memphis Pyramids : $70
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Single Admission Ticket: $10
- Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Admission Ticket: $10
- Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket: $13
- Kuranda Koala Gardens General Entry Ticket: $15
- Kuranda: Riverboat Tour: $20
- Cairns Shore Excursion: Cairns City Sights & Surrounds Tour: $24
- Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Admission Tickets: $26
- Hipster and Street Art Walking Tour: $29
- Tomb of the Pharaohs Entry Ticket: $32
- Cairns Tomb Of The Pharaohs General Admission Ticket: $32
- Cairns Pub & Club Tour: $34
- Cairns Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket with Koala Photo: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.48Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:
- Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $70
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Party Bus Pub Crawl Night Out Experience: $44
- Cairns Brewery Tours: $148
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Cairns, we can see that Cairns is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa and Cairns is in Pacific, 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns than you might in Cairo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Cairns?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Cairns, 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 Cairo or Cairns?
Cairns has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cairo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Cairo or Cairns in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Cairns. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Cairns in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Cairo is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin January. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 28°C (82°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Cairo usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCairo 28°C (82°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
Cairo is cooler than Cairns in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. In October, Cairo usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Cairns is April to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCairo 23°C (73°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns and Cairo during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cairns because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Cairo is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cairo in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Cairns averages at about 23°C (73°F)in July.
Cairo usually gets less rain in January than Cairnsin July. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCairo 14°C (57°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Cairns. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
In April, Cairo is generally cooler than Cairnsin October. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 21°C (70°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In April, Cairo usually receives less rain than Cairnsin October. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to October in Cairns is the dry season. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCairo 21°C (70°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Cairo
| Cairo | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.