Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar?
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 Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Istanbul can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Istanbul?
Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar
Located in northeast Romania, Cluj-Napoca is the capital of the Transylvania region and one of the nation's most-visited cities. Many visitors come to experience the modern Transylvanian university culture, admire historic churches and other landmarks, see fortress ruins, and visit museums.
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 Adventure Tours to Romania, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Romania, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar Prices
Romania PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $110Istanbul $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 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 Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $54Istanbul $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $108Istanbul $166
Compare Hotels in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 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: Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $15Istanbul $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar:
- Private Transfer Cluj Napoca Airport: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Guided Private Istanbul Sultanahmet Old City Tour with Transfer: $215
- Istanbul Airport Transfer by Private Minivan + Meet & Greet Service: $95
- Istanbul Cruise Port(Galataport) Private Transfer Service: $35
- Saw Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfers for Old City & Taksim Hotels: $54
- Airport Transfer: $66
- Airport Transfer: $64
- Airport Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Luxury Van: $78
- Airport transfer Istanbul: $59
- Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Business Car: $71
- Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Van: $77
- Arrival Transfer Istanbul New Airport(IST) to Istanbul European Side City Hotels: $43
- Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Transfers: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 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 dayCluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $47Istanbul $66
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: $27
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table: $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
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Turkish Show and Private Table: $35
- Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Shows Private Table & Free Wi-Fi: $36
- Bosphorus Elite Dinner Cruise w/VIP Menu & Private Table Option: $42
- Luxury Dinner & Traditional Dance Bosphorus Cruise: $42
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folklore Show & Belly Dancers: $46
- Bosphorus Tour Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show : $47
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show Non-Alcoholic: $47
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $8.51Istanbul $43
Tours and Activities in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar
Here are a few actual costs in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cluj-Napoca: 2.5-Hour Guided Walking Tour: $35
- Private city tour in Cluj-Napoca: $52
- Local Tour of Cluj by Electric Bike: $54
- Cluj Must-See Attractions Walking Tour With A Guide: $54
- Cluj Comunism Walking Tour : $60
- Jewish Heritage Tour in Cluj: $60
- Cluj-Napoca Walking City Tour: $63
- Private Hiking OR Climbing Experience in beaufitul gorges: $107
- CLUJ ADVENTURE TOUR ! ZIP LINE and HIKE: $107
- Snowshoeing Fun Tour from Cluj Napoca: $107
- Evening Culinary Experience in Rimetea (5h, from Cluj): $113
- Curly Tour - Day trip from Cluj :): $119
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Old Town Of Istanbul Orientation - Tip Based Walking Tour: $3.50
- Istanbul Culture History and UNESCO Treasures Kickstart Tour: $3.57
- Highlights of Istanbul Walking Tour: $3.58
- 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
- Istanbul The Sultan’s Secret: Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
- Bosphorus Explorer: 3-Hour Cruise with Asian Side Visit: $7.17
- Istanbul Bosphorus Tour With Whirling Dervish Show: $7.50
- Istanbul Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.98
- Kadikoy's history, theatres and sweet shops: a self-guided audio tour: $8.99
- Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Princes Islands Tour WITH Private Boat, optional Pickup & Lunch: $9.56
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $7.27Istanbul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar:
- Pub Crawl in Cluj: $29
- Sibiu & wine tasting (1 day, from Cluj): $137
- Sighisoara & wine tasting (1 day, from Cluj): $161
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Nightlife Pub Crawl Pub and İstanbul Club Adventure: $19
- 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 : $209
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 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 Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar. When comparing the sizes of Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 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.