Should you visit Cairo or Ho Chi Minh City?
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 Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City?
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.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It previously served as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The metropolitan area, including Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa, and other surrounding towns, has a population of more than 9 million people and continues to grow.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 2-Week Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Vietnam.
Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City is $87. 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 Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Ho Chi Minh City? 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
Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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:
-
From Guided 4 Day Cairo & Red Sea Tour with Transfer:
$1,440
-
Private Day Trip to Luxor with Transfers and Flights:
$791
-
Cairo To Marsa Alam Private Transfer:
$511
-
From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor:
$489
-
3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer:
$300
-
1 Day Aswan Abu Simple Tour with Transfer Included:
$300
-
Private One-Way Transfer to/from Hurghada:
$292
-
Private One-Way Transfer to/from Sharm El-Sheikh:
$292
-
Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh :
$290
-
Private Transfer Cairo to Hurghada:
$290
-
Private Transfer From Cairo to Hurghada By Car:
$280
-
2 Days Private Guided Tours of Cairo and Giza with Free Cairo Airport Transfers:
$280
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Short Taxi Ride
$1.33
-
Taxi From Airport
$7.58
-
Cyclo Ride (One Hour)
$1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne Can Tho VungTau:
$138
-
Airport Transfer (From Airport - Ho Chi Minh City (Private 16 Seats Car):
$70
-
Airport Transfer (From Hotels in Ho Chi Minh to Airport) Private 4 Seats Car:
$38
-
Airport Transfer (From Hotels in Ho Chi Minh to Airport) Private 7 Seats Car:
$47
-
Airport Transfer From Hotel in Ho Chi Minh to Airport By 7 Seats Car:
$41
-
Airport Transfers (Airport - Ho Chi Minh,Private 16 Seats Car):
$52
-
Airport Transfers From Airport to Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City 7 seat Car:
$46
-
CONVENIENT AIRPORT TRANSFER by PRIVATE CAR or SCOOTERS | KissTour:
$28
-
From Phu My Port: Ho Chi Minh City Tour and Transfers:
$143
-
HO CHI MINH AIRPORT: CAR 7s PICK UP <-> HOTEL (one way transfer):
$20
-
Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) to Ho Chi Minh hotels Arrival Transfer:
$17
-
Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) to Mui Ne - Arrival Private Transfer:
$142
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City 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
Ho Chi Minh City $23
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
-
Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river:
$5.00
-
Great tour toThe Grand Museum of Giza and Nile River DinnerCruise:
$5.00
-
Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show:
$7.00
-
Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride :
$7.00
-
Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo:
$7.50
-
Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show:
$8.00
-
night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer:
$8.00
-
Local Oriental Food Tour from Cairo or Giza hotels:
$9.00
-
Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river:
$9.00
-
Cairo Food Tour in local places & Egyptian Mint Tea:
$9.00
-
food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel:
$9.00
-
Giza pyramids,Sphinx,ATV bike,Camel ride,Dinner cruise& shopping:
$9.00
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Vietnamese Cooking and Craft Workshop by the Lake:
$12
-
Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour:
$15
-
Mekong Delta 4 Islands, TukTuk, Boat, Try Khot Cake Local Cooking:
$24
-
Saigon Street Food Tour with Local Guide:
$25
-
Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour With Students:
$27
-
Saigon - Tasty Food Tour By Scooters:
$28
-
Private Half-Day Ho Chi Minh Food Tour with Local Students:
$29
-
From Hochiminh & Saigon City: Private Motorbike Street Food Tour :
$29
-
The Coolest Vegan Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City:
$29
-
Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City:
$29
-
Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour With Young Local (Safe & Authentic):
$29
-
Ho Chi Minh Private Half Day Street Food Tour with Local Students:
$29
Entertainment
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
1 Day Private Tour in Cairo and Giza:
$90
-
2 Days in Cairo & Giza Private Tour :
$80
-
2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums:
$253
-
2-Day Tour Ancient Egypt and Old Cairo Highlights Tour:
$290
-
2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza:
$86
-
2-Days Tours at Cairo & Giza :
$143
-
3 Days Private Tour in Giza, Cairo, and Alexandria:
$70
-
8-Hour Private Tour Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and local Bazaars:
$14
-
Alexandria Private Day Tour From Cairo:
$95
-
Alexandria day tour :
$75
-
All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour to All Pyramids and Cairo and 2 evenings:
$299
-
All Inclusive Full-Day Tour to Pyramids, Museum, mosque and Felucca:
$39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
-
Chinatown Hidden Treasures – Free Walking Tour:
$0.74
-
Highlights & Hidden Gems - Free Walking Tour:
$0.74
-
All In One Saigon Walking Tour:
$3.11
-
Saigon Local Sightseeing Free Walking Tour:
$3.84
-
Ho Chi Minh city private tour guide:
$5.00
-
Walking Tour:
$5.00
-
Essential Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: All Must-see:
$5.00
-
Ho Chi Minh Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour:
$8.98
-
Private Ho Chi Minh 30 minutes Experience by Electric Cart:
$9.71
-
Bitexco Financial Tower: Saigon Skydeck General Admission Ticket:
$10
-
One hour cyclo tour around Saigon:
$11
-
Vietnam Saigon Skydeck Admission Ticket:
$12
Alcohol
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia, 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 Ho Chi Minh City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Ho Chi Minh City?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ho Chi Minh City. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Ho Chi Minh City, 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.
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