A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cairo vs. Diani for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cairo or Diani?

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 Diani 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 Diani?

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.

Diani

Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.


Which place is cheaper, Diani or Cairo?

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 Cairo is $33, while the average daily cost in Diani is $69. 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 Diani in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $11
    Diani $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $22
    Diani $46
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Diani

Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Diani? 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 Cairo


Hotels in Diani


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 Diani Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $3.80
    Diani $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • 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 Diani

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

  • Taxi and Airport transfers: $70
  • Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $77

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Diani?

Prices for flights to both Diani 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cairo $18
    Diani $35
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • 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 Diani

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

  • Diani Beach: Cooking Class with a Local: $60
  • Diani Beach: Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $9.09
    Diani $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.84
  • 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

Tours and Activities in Diani

For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Market and Street Food Walking Tour: $20
  • Stori Baharini: Story telling walking tour in Diani Beach: $20
  • Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
  • Diani Beach: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise to Robinson Island: $28
  • Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
  • Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $32
  • Sunset Cruise along Kongo River on Wooden Canoe boat: $35
  • Diani Beach: Private African Pool Map Guided Tour: $35
  • Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $35
  • Diani Beach: Italian-Swahili Fusion Dining Experience: $41
  • Diani Beach: Kongo River Estuary Sundowner Boat Tour: $42
  • Diani Beach: Glass Boat Cruise to Robinson Island: $42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.48
    Diani $8.84

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Diani, we can see that Diani is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Diani would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Diani 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 Diani Expensive?.