A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ankara vs. Marbella for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ankara or Marbella?

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 Marbella. 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 Marbella?

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.

Marbella

Marbella is a city in southern Spain in the province of Malaga. It is part of the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) and is located on the Mediterranean Sea between Malaga and the Strait of Gibraltar. It is one of the most important tourist cities in the area and receives many national and international tourists year round due to its climate and tourism structures. Marbella is a bit of a glamorous city due to its beauty and resort-type environment. The old town with its narrow cobbled streets and flower-filled plazas is packed with shops and art galleries selling boutique clothes and accessories, and handmade wares. The city has significant archaeological and historical heritage and many events and performances throughout the year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Marbella or Ankara?

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 Ankara is $110, while the average daily cost in Marbella is $170. 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 Marbella in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ankara $45
    Marbella $72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ankara $90
    Marbella $144
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Marbella

Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Marbella? 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 Ankara


Hotels in Marbella


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 Marbella Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ankara $29
    Marbella $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.03
  • 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: $68
  • 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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marbella

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

  • Costa del Sol: Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Malaga Airport: $160
  • Marbella to Malaga Airport (AGP) - Departure Private Transfer: $56
  • Private Transfer from Alhaurín El Grande to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $223
  • Private Transfer from La Quinta Golf Resort to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $171
  • Private Transfer from Las Chapas to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $295
  • Private Transfer from Torreblanca to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $258
  • TRANSFER MALAGA AIRPORT from OR to MARBELLA-PRICE ALL INCLUSIVE: $120
  • Vip Malaga Private Transfer to Marbella: $100
  • Vip One Way Transfer from Malaga Airport to Malaga City: $39
  • Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Marbella: $112

Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Marbella?

Prices for flights to both Marbella 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Ankara $44
    Marbella $78
Typical Food Prices in Ankara

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


  • 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 Marbella

For Marbella, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Flamenco Show & Dinner in Fuengirola/Mijas - Tipi Tapa Restaurant: $34
  • Marbella Food Tour with Tapas & Drinks with a Local: $95
  • Explore Marbella Old Town: Authentic Tapas Food Tour: $105
  • Marbella Food Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local: $106
  • Marbella Old Town: Authentic Tapas Food Tour With Local Guide: $106

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ankara $27
    Marbella $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara

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


  • 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: $239
  • 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
  • Full Day Cappadocia Private Tour: $300
  • 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 Marbella

For Marbella, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Magic Blocks in Estepona: Quest Experience: $5.95
  • The Magic Coins of Outdoor Escape Adventure: $7.15
  • Tourist Bus Velez Malaga to Torre del Mar: $8.35
  • Glorious Grazalema Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
  • City Highlights Tour: $18
  • Sightseeing Walking Tour: $22
  • City Highlights Tour: $24
  • Marbella Old Town: Group Tour with a True Local: $26
  • Marbella Guided Hiking and Foraging Adventure: $35
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
  • Manilva Oceanfront Wine Experience in the Marbella Area: $36
  • Beachfront Yoga and Cava Experience: $41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ankara $12
    Marbella $6.70

Sample the Local Flavors in Marbella

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

  • From Antequera Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $816
  • From Axarquia Wine Tour with Wine Pairing Lunch: $1,110


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Marbella, we can see that Marbella 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 Marbella would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marbella 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 Marbella Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ankara or Marbella?

Ankara has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Ankara and Marbella, 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.