Which place is cheaper, Cairo or Heraklion?
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 Heraklion or Cairo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Heraklion and Cairo 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: Heraklion or Cairo?
Heraklion
The largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion on first glance is almost completely modern - a frenzy of traffic, concrete, and dust. Do not expect pristine beaches and glittering waves (those can be found on other parts of Crete). Heraklion is first and foremost a city. Once you get past its grittiness, you will find that there are some attractive features beneath first impressions. The antiquity of the place lies embedded in the modern and is presented in one of the best museums in Greece, the food is excellent, and the people are friendly and welcoming. And though the sea is not great for swimming, its presence along the Venetian port will take you to another time if you need a break from Heraklion's bustling center.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.
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Heraklion Prices
Greece PricesCairo Prices
Egypt Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHeraklion €195Cairo €28
The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €195, while the average daily cost in Cairo is €28. 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 Heraklion and Cairo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHeraklion €81Cairo €9.60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHeraklion €162Cairo €19
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Cairo
Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Cairo? 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: Heraklion Hotel Prices and Cairo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Heraklion €31Cairo €3.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion
Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airports/ports Transfers from /to Rethymno (one way): $167
- Crete Private Taxi Transfer from Heraklion to Bali: $104
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion to Panormo: $112
- Crete Private Transfer from Heraklion to Hersonissos: $56
- Crete Private Transfer to&from Heraklion Airport Port all Crete: $39
- From Airport to Elounda Private Transfer: $123
- From Private Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands: $6,742
- From Voulisma Beach Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $36
- Heraklion Airport & Port Transfer to / from Agios Nikolaos: $127
- Heraklion Airport & Port Transfer to / from Rethymno: $152
- Heraklion Airport & Port Transfer to Hersonissos, Piskopiano: $96
- Heraklion Airport (HER) to Heraklion - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
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Metro Ride€0.07
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Taxi Ride€0.27
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Cairo?
Prices for flights to both Cairo and Heraklion 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 dayHeraklion €90Cairo €15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Crete: Traditional Dance Show and Buffet Dinner with Wine: $34
- Troy Dinner-Show: $36
- Crete : Cooking Lessons In Lasithi Plateau: $45
- Hersonissos: Spectacular Dinner Show Ticket: $47
- Cretan Village Feast, Live Music, Dancers & Local Dinner: $54
- Crete: Olive Oil Festival, Farm Dinner, Live Show & Pickup: $76
- Olive Oil Festival in Cretan Farm with Traditional Dinner: $78
- Dia Island Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner: $80
- Cretan Cooking Class at Archanes Village with transfer & Lunch: $82
- Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine: $99
- Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $104
- Jeep Tour Psiloritis the Mountain of Gods & Cooking Lesson: $114
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Heraklion €38Cairo €7.74
Tours and Activities in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- CRETAquarium Entrance Ticket in Crete: $9.56
- Mobile Self-Guided Audio Sightseeing Tour: $12
- Video Games Museum Entry Ticket: $12
- Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket: $14
- Archaeological Museum Ticket with City Audio Tour: $19
- Crete: Day Tour to Heraklion City, Market & CRETAquarium: $21
- Heraklion City Tour - Aquarium: $22
- Heraklion Museum Ticket and City Audio Tour: $22
- Heraklion Market and CretAquarium Guided Tour: $23
- Minoan Day Experience: $24
- E-Ticket to Heraklion Archaeological Museum with Audio Guide: $26
- Spinalonga Kritsa Olive Factory Tour From Heraklion: $30
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€0.72
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two€5.51
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHeraklion €26Cairo €1.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion
Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guided Organic Wine Tasting & Vineyard Tour: $40
- Cretan Wine Tasting Experience: $41
- Ecobike Tour with Wine Tasting: $100
- Walking city tour & Wine tasting: $100
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $104
- Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with Wine Tastings: $149
- Ecobike-Knossos Palace-Wine tasting-Olive oil tasting: $179
- The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $197
- Knossos, Olive Grove, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $221
- Olive oil and Wine Tour with Lunch: $235
- Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch : $237
- Guided Tour Palace of Knossos & Archanes Wine Tasting Tour: $416
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 Heraklion and Cairo, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Heraklion is in Europe and Cairo is in Africa, 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 Heraklion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heraklion 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 Heraklion Expensive? and Is Cairo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Cairo?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Cairo, 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 Heraklion or Cairo?
Heraklion 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 Heraklion or Cairo in the Summer?
Both Cairo and Heraklion during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round.
In July, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Cairo. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 25°C (78°F), and Cairo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the summer, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cairo. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairo receives 350 hours of full sun.
Heraklion usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Cairo. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHeraklion 25°C (78°F)Cairo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Cairo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Cairo. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Heraklion is cooler than Cairo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Cairo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives less sunshine than Cairo during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Cairo receives 290 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Cairo. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHeraklion 20°C (68°F)Cairo 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Cairo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Cairo. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year.
In the winter, Heraklion is cooler than Cairo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heraklion in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Cairo averages at about 14°C (57°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. In the winter, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Cairo. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairo receives 221 hours of full sun.
Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Cairo. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHeraklion 12°C (54°F)Cairo 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Cairo in the Spring?
Both Cairo and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Heraklion is generally cooler than Cairo. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 16°C (61°F), and Cairo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Cairo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives less sunshine than Cairo during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Cairo receives 276 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Cairo. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cairo receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHeraklion 16°C (61°F)Cairo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Cairo and Heraklion
| Heraklion | Cairo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.