A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Aswan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santorini or Aswan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Aswan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Santorini or Aswan?

Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.

Aswan

Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Aswan or Santorini?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Santorini Prices
    Greece Prices
    Aswan Prices
    Egypt Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Santorini 250
    Aswan 27

The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Aswan is €27. 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 Santorini and Aswan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini 118
    Aswan 8.84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini 236
    Aswan 18
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Aswan

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Aswan? 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 Santorini


Hotels in Aswan


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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Aswan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini 35
    Aswan 4.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

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

  • Santorini Private Airport Transfer : $29
  • Santorini Private Roundtrip Transfer from/to Airport,Port & Hotel: $72
  • Private Transfers from/to Santorini Port (Athinios) to/from Oia: $108
  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $6,138

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • Private Transfer Round Trip To Abu Simbel From Aswan: $300
  • 3-Day Guided tours to Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor & Train and Transfers : $167
  • Marvel 3-Days Unique Guided Tours Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor with all Transfers : $167
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada: $150
  • "Aswan to Hurghada: Luxe Private Transfer - Comfort Guaranteed ": $130
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Marsa Alam: $130
  • Edfu and Kom Ombo Day Tour with Luxor Transfer: $115
  • Aswan to Hurghada - or vice ( Private Transfer ): $115
  • Transfer from Aswan to Abu Simbel: $107
  • Private Transfer Aswan to Luxor: $105
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $99
  • Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada : $95

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Aswan?

Prices for flights to both Aswan and Santorini 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
    Santorini 96
    Aswan 13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

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

  • Savor Nubian Cuisine: Lunch or Dinner in a Local Village: $50
  • Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $51
  • Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $60
  • Private 3-Hour Nubian Party with Dinner and Pickup in Aswan: $77
  • Aswan Sunset Dinner Cruise: $80
  • Your Grandmothers Cooking Class In Aswan : $90
  • Experience the Magic of Aswan in One Day Food Tour with Guide: $177

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini 35
    Aswan 8.31

Tours and Activities in Santorini

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.

  • Magical Santorini Highlights Private Tour: $120
  • Ferry Tickets between Santorini and Crete Heraklion: $121
  • Santorini Caldera Cruise with Greek Meal, Open-Bar & Sunset Views: $155
  • Santorini Classic Highlights and Sightseeing Private Tour: $177
  • Santorini's Story. Insta and TikTok Experience. Private tour : $203
  • Santorini Unlocked: Private Tour with Local Guide & Driver: $203
  • Private Oia and Ammoudi Sunset Experience: $203
  • Private Santorini Sunset Picnic Experience: $203
  • Santorini Private Tour for Wine Enthusiasts: $215
  • Santorini Shopping Therapy: Style & Tradition Tour: $215
  • Private Experience in Santorini with Guide in Spanish: $269

Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:


  • Temple Kom Ombo for Two
    1.07

Tours and Activities in Aswan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:

  • Abu Simbel Temple from Aswan private full day tour: $80
  • Abu Simbel Temples Full Day Tour From Aswan With Entry Tickets : $99
  • Aswan Luxury Car Tour: $75
  • Aswan OR Luxor : Full Day Private Guided Tour to Kom Ombo and Edfu temples: $99
  • High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, & Philae Private Tour: $20
  • Kalabsha Temple and Nubian Museum Tour: $89
  • Kayak Tour around the Temple of Philae & Heissa Island : $30
  • Nubian Village Day Tour In Aswan: $25
  • Nubian Village and Philae Temple Private Guided Tour From Aswan: $29
  • Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam Tour: $95
  • Private Abu Simbel Temple tour : $123
  • Private Day Tour to Abu Simble Temple from Aswan: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini 25
    Aswan 0.95

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option: $90
  • Private Wine Tasting-Wine Museum- Snacks: 2, 3 or 4 Wineries: $194
  • Private Wine Tour in Santorini - Greece: $203


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

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


Which is Bigger, Santorini or Aswan?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Aswan, 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.