Which place is cheaper, Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?
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 Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda?
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.
Lake Garda
As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
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Ankara Prices
Turkey PricesLake Garda Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAnkara $110Lake Garda $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $110, while the average daily cost in Lake Garda is $231. 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 Lake Garda in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAnkara $45Lake Garda $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAnkara $90Lake Garda $198
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Lake Garda
Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Lake Garda? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ankara $29Lake Garda $77
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:
- Turkey Ankara Airport Private VIP Transfer Service ESB: $69
- Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $54
- Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Ankara Airport to Cankaya Hotels: $42
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $54
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $50
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $114
- Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Lake Garda?
Prices for flights to both Lake Garda 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 $44Lake Garda $85
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 Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta Course with Wines at Lake Garda: $94
- 3.5 Hours Fresh Pasta and Tiramisù Cooking Class with Meal : $95
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cecina with Show Cooking: $102
- Canevin Cooking Class a Typical italian meal with dessert: $113
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ankara $27Lake Garda $35
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:
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $36
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $240
- 6-Hour Private Tour with Guide, Car, and Lunch: $175
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $35
- Private Walking Tour with a Local: $41
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
- Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $249
- Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280
- Private Ankara Sightseeing Tour: $235
Tours and Activities in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lake Garda Mini Cruise: Sirmione Peninsula: $14
- Scaligero Castle Sirmione Entry Ticket: $18
- Hotel Villa Cariola Pool Entry Ticket: $21
- Sunset Tour in Sirmione : $30
- Tour in the Winery and tasting: $35
- SIGHTSEEING TASTING IN THE PANORAMIC LOUNGE: $37
- Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $42
- Vineyard Tour and Tasting on the Hills: $46
- Lazise: Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience: $46
- Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $47
- Guided Tour and Tasting Among the Vines of Lake Ledro: $50
- Winery Tour and Tasting of Garda Wines in Lazise: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAnkara $12Lake Garda $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Lake Garda
Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting with Local Food in Lazise Countryside: $38
- Wine Tasting and Tour of Lugana Wines in Sirmione: $39
- Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting: $46
- Lazise: Biodynamic Farm Tour and Natural Wine Tasting: $49
- Wine Tasting in Historical Center of Lazise: $50
- Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting: $50
- Winery Tour and Wine Tasting in Valpolicella: $58
- Valdadige: Winery Tour with 4 Wine Tastings: $58
- Art Experience with Food and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $58
- Valpolicella: Winery Tour with Picnic and Wine Tasting: $76
- Lazise: Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $99
- E-Bike Tour and wine tasting in Lazise Countryside: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive?.
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.