Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Ankara?
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 Ankara or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ankara and Istanbul. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Ankara or Istanbul?
Ankara
Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul.
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Ankara Prices
Turkey PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAnkara $110Istanbul $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $110, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $179. 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 Ankara and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAnkara $45Istanbul $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAnkara $90Istanbul $166
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Istanbul? 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: Ankara Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ankara $29Istanbul $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:
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Metro Ride$0.03
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Short Taxi Ride$0.12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Ankara Airport to Cankaya Hotels: $42
- Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $46
- Ankara Airport & Hotel Transfers : $48
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $50
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $54
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $54
- Turkey Ankara Airport Private VIP Transfer Service ESB: $69
- Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $114
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $114
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Full Day Sapanca Tour with Lunch and Transfer From Istanbul: $30
- Istanbul Airport Private Transfer from Fatih Taksim Beşiktas: $42
- Istanbul Airport Transfer by Private Minivan + Meet & Greet Service: $95
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $35
- Airport Transfer: $66
- Airport Transfer Hotel Transfer Istanbul Transfer: $66
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Business Car: $72
- Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Van: $78
- Arrival Transfer Istanbul New Airport(IST) to Istanbul European Side City Hotels: $43
- Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Transfers: $60
- Bursa Tour with Lunch, transfer and Cable Car: $45
- Bursa Uludağ Mountain Tour From Istanbul w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Ankara 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 dayAnkara $44Istanbul $66
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
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A Quick Lunch$0.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ankara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ankara.
- Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $49
- Baklava Cooking Class: $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $24
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Night Cruise with Dinner, Shows and Party : $30
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table: $31
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Dinner, Drinks & Show with Pickup: $32
- Dinner Cruise On The Bosphorus with Turkish night show: $34
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Entertaintment & Private Table & Wi-Fi: $36
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $36
- Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Shows Private Table & Free Wi-Fi: $36
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Drinks and Shows: $41
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $42
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ankara $27Istanbul $43
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara
Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Underground City$0.19
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $35
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $36
- Private Walking Tour with a Local: $41
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
- 6-Hour Private Tour with Guide, Car, and Lunch: $175
- Private Ankara Sightseeing Tour: $235
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $240
- Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $249
- Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Istanbul Culture History and UNESCO Treasures Kickstart Tour: $3.59
- Highlights of Istanbul Walking Tour: $3.61
- Istanbul Self Guided Walking Tour : $5.00
- Alternative Tour; Daily Life, Customs, Stories - Tip Based Tour: $5.00
- Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $5.40
- Bosphorus Explorer: 3-Hour Cruise with Asian Side Visit: $7.21
- Bosphorus Boat Tour 3 Hour with Asian Side Stop in Istanbul: $7.21
- Istanbul Bosphorus Tour With Whirling Dervish Show: $7.55
- Kadikoy's history, theatres and sweet shops: a self-guided audio tour: $8.99
- Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Istanbul Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide: $9.02
- Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar Walk Tour: $9.61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAnkara $12Istanbul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Nightlife Pub Crawl Pub and İstanbul Club Adventure: $30
- Pub Crawl Istanbul / Rooftop Clubs & Party Bus: $30
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Adults-Only Nightlife Adventure: $31
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Ankara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ankara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ankara 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul than you might in Ankara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ankara Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ankara or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ankara. When comparing the sizes of Ankara and Istanbul, 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.
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.