Comparison · Cairo vs Sharm El Sheikh · Egypt
Cairo vs Sharm El Sheikh
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wael El Sisi, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Choose Cairo for Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, lower day-to-day costs and a short break; choose Sharm El Sheikh for Coral reefs, Scuba diving and beaches. Cairo is generally less expensive, and the two are about 383 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 383 km
- Less expensive
- Cairo
- Best time for Cairo
- October–March
- Best time for Sharm El Sheikh
- March–May and October–November
Side by side
| Cairo | Sharm El Sheikh | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Egypt | Egypt |
| Known for | Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx and Tutankhamun's treasures | Coral reefs, Scuba diving and Ras Mohammed National Park |
| Best time to visit | October–March | March–May and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $70–$150 | $100–$200 |
| Cost level | Very affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 35°C (95°F) | July, 37°C (99°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 19°C (66°F) | January, 22°C (72°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 2 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 4 |
| Beaches | — | Naama Bay |
| Airports | CAI, SPX | SSH |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cairo for…
Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Cairo is one of Africa's largest cities, sprawling along the Nile where the river valley meets the delta. On its western edge the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum hold the legacy of the pharaohs, while east of the river Islamic Cairo's mosques…
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Choose Sharm El Sheikh for…
Coral reefs, Scuba diving and beaches. Sharm El Sheikh is a resort city spread along about 30 km of coast at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Red Sea. Its draw is underwater: fringing coral reefs start a few metres from the shore, and boats reach the…
Top sights compared
| # | Cairo | Sharm El Sheikh |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pyramids of Giza | Ras Mohammed National Park |
| 2 | Great Sphinx | Strait of Tiran reefs |
| 3 | Grand Egyptian Museum | SS Thistlegorm wreck |
| 4 | Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) | Naama Bay promenade |
| 5 | National Museum of Egyptian Civilization | Old Market |
Food compared
| Cairo | Sharm El Sheikh |
|---|---|
| Koshari | Grilled Red Sea fish |
| Ful medames | Sayadeya |
| Ta'ameya | Bedouin tea |
| Molokhia | Bedouin flatbread |
Which is cheaper?
Cairo is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $70–$150 per person there, against $100–$200 in Sharm El Sheikh (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cairo on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh are about 383 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Cairo and 7 in Sharm El Sheikh.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cairo or Sharm El Sheikh cheaper?
Cairo is usually less expensive: about $70–$150 a day mid-range against $100–$200 (estimates).
+Is Cairo or Sharm El Sheikh better for a first trip?
Pick Cairo for Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, lower day-to-day costs and a short break, or Sharm El Sheikh for Coral reefs, Scuba diving and beaches.
+How far is Cairo from Sharm El Sheikh?
About 383 km in a straight line.