A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Diyarbakir vs. Carcassonne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Diyarbakir or Carcassonne?

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 Diyarbakir and Carcassonne. 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: Diyarbakir or Carcassonne?

Diyarbakir

Diyarbakır is the largest city in Southeastern Turkey, located on the banks of Tigris River, which is one of two great rivers of the Middle East. The city is known especially for its old city, housed within ancient fortress walls that have been designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within this fortress is a glimpse into the city's ancient history and traditional customs that remain alive today.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a hilltop town in southern France. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Carcassonne is located in the Aude plain between historic trade routes, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrenees. The Romans recognized its strategic importance and occupied its hilltop until the demise of the Western Roman Empire and was later taken over in the fifth century by the Visigoths who founded the city. Its desirable location led successive rulers to expand its fortifications until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. It is famous for its medieval citadel, La Cite, which has numerous watchtowers and double-walled fortifications. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times, with major additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries. With its position on a rocky hilltop, zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets, the fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children's storybook when it's seen from afar. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, it's most people's idea of the perfect medieval castle. It attracts over four million visitors every year, peaking in high summer. Time your visit for late in the day (or even better in spring or fall) to truly appreciate the old town's medieval charm.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Carcassonne or Diyarbakir?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Diyarbakir Prices
    Turkey Prices
    Carcassonne Prices
    France Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Diyarbakir $103
    Carcassonne $158

The average daily cost (per person) in Diyarbakir is $103, while the average daily cost in Carcassonne is $158. 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 Diyarbakir and Carcassonne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Diyarbakir $60
    Carcassonne $71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Diyarbakir $120
    Carcassonne $142
Compare Hotels in Diyarbakir and Carcassonne

Looking for a hotel in Diyarbakir or Carcassonne? 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 Diyarbakir


Hotels in Carcassonne


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: Diyarbakir Hotel Prices and Carcassonne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Diyarbakir $24
    Carcassonne $8.38

Is it cheaper to fly into Diyarbakir or Carcassonne?

Prices for flights to both Carcassonne and Diyarbakir 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
    Diyarbakir $27
    Carcassonne $78
Typical Food Prices in Diyarbakir

For Diyarbakir, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dessert
    $0.15
  • Lunch for Two
    $0.46

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Diyarbakir $16
    Carcassonne $17

Tours and Activities in Diyarbakir

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

  • All-inclusive Private Guided Tour of Diyarbakir City: $297

Tours and Activities in Carcassonne

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

  • A Self-Guided Tour of Carcassonne’s Ancient Basilica: $20
  • Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Tour: $25
  • Carcassonne Castle and Ramparts Entry Ticket: $30
  • Carcassonne Private Guided Walking Tour: $323
  • Carcassonne Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.70
  • Carcassonne Small Group Half-day tour from Toulouse: $100
  • Carcassonne Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.36
  • 1h30 Walking Tour of the Medieval City: $18
  • 2-Hour Best Intro Walking Tour with a Local: $121
  • Castle and Ramparts Entry Ticket: $15
  • Exclusive Private Guided Tour : $255
  • Fortress Walking Tour: $200

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Diyarbakir $14
    Carcassonne $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Carcassonne

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Carcassonne:

  • Wine Tasting of the Languedoc Roussillon: $88
  • Solex tour with guide and wine tasting: $93


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Diyarbakir and Carcassonne, we can see that Carcassonne is more expensive. And not only is Diyarbakir much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Diyarbakir would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Diyarbakir 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 Carcassonne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Carcassonne than you might in Diyarbakir.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Diyarbakir Expensive? and Is Carcassonne Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Diyarbakir or Carcassonne?

Diyarbakir has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Diyarbakir and Carcassonne, 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.