A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Luxor vs. Ouarzazate for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Luxor or Ouarzazate?

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

Should I visit Luxor or Ouarzazate? 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: Luxor or Ouarzazate?

Luxor

Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.

The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.

Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.

Ouarzazate

Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Luxor?

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 Luxor is $33, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is $60. 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 Luxor and Ouarzazate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $11
    Ouarzazate $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $22
    Ouarzazate $48
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Ouarzazate

Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Ouarzazate? 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 Luxor


Hotels in Ouarzazate


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: Luxor Hotel Prices and Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $5.64
    Ouarzazate $3.76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • Horus, Kom Ombo and Khnum Temples from Luxor with Transfers : $53
  • Luxor Airport Transfer : $15
  • Luxor airport transfer : $35
  • Private Transfer Luxor International Airport to Luxor Hotels: $20
  • Private Transfer Service from Luxor to Hurghada: $128
  • Private Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels: $30
  • Transfer Service from Luxor to Aswan (Private): $51
  • Transfer from Luxor Airport to Anywhere in Luxor: $15
  • Transfer from Luxor Hotel to Luxor Airport: $35
  • Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise: $17
  • private transfer one way from Luxor to Hurghada : $70
  • "Pet-Friendly Private Transfer: Luxor Station to Hotel": $6.00

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115
  • Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
  • Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Ouarzazate?

Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate and Luxor 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
    Luxor $16
    Ouarzazate $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

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

  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing: $31
  • Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
  • 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
  • Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing in luxor: $60
  • Saray El Nile restaurant Dinner : $60
  • Enjoy Lunch or Dinner on a Luxor Nile River Boat: $60
  • Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca  : $64
  • private day in east bank & dendera with dinner on boat: $86
  • Luxor Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show with Dinner and Transfers: $95
  • Egyptian cooking class and Luxor museum : $120
  • Full day trip west Bank, Dandara and dinner on a boat.: $128

Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate

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

  • Private Berber Cooking Class at Fint Oasis with Lunch: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Luxor $10
    Ouarzazate $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor

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


  • Boat Ride (for 2)
    $0.57
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.73
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.26

Tours and Activities in Luxor

Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Full tour to Karnak and Luxor temples, and felucca: $5.00
  • Private Tour Shopping in Luxor City : $6.00
  • Historic Corniche Walking Experience with Refreshment: $8.00
  • Half Day Tour: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple & Mamnon: $9.00
  • Tour in the East Bank of Luxor: $9.00
  • Karnak Sound and Light Display Tour in Luxor (Private): $9.00
  • Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show Experience in Luxor: $9.00
  • 4 Hour Private East Bank Tour to Luxor and Karnak Temples: $10
  • Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Private Day Tour: $10
  • Private Half-Day tour to Karnak temple: $10
  • Half Day East Bank Tour to Luxor and Karnak Temples: $10
  • Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Day Tour: $10

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

Here are a few actual costs in Ouarzazate for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $24
  • 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
  • Ouzoud Waterfall Day Tour from Marrakech: $32
  • Private half-day mountain bike tour discover Palmeraie Skoura: $33
  • Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $42
  • Guided tour of the Palmerie de Skoura by electric mountain bike : $54
  • Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $54
  • Marrakech Palm Grove 2-Hour Quad Biking Adventure.: $54
  • Marrakech Half-Day Guided City Tour : $72
  • Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $119
  • 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $119
  • Private Full-Day Tour of Ouarzazate and Oasis Fint: $173

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luxor $3.10
    Ouarzazate -


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

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


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Ouarzazate?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Ouarzazate, 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.