A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Istanbul vs. Arequipa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Istanbul or Arequipa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Arequipa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Istanbul or Arequipa?

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.

Arequipa

Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Istanbul?

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

  • Istanbul Prices
    Turkey Prices
    Arequipa Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Istanbul $179
    Arequipa $60

The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $179, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $60. 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 Istanbul and Arequipa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Istanbul $83
    Arequipa $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Istanbul $166
    Arequipa $48
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Arequipa

Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Arequipa? 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 Istanbul


Hotels in Arequipa


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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Istanbul $39
    Arequipa $6.36

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.43
  • Bus Ride
    $0.46
  • Taxi Ride
    $1.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:

  • Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
  • Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
  • Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
  • Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer : $25
  • Transfer Between Arequipa's Airport and Hotels: $35
  • Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport : $38
  • Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
  • Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
  • Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $81
  • Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
  • Full Day Tour Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $112
  • 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with optional transfer to Puno: $132

Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Arequipa?

Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Istanbul 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
    Istanbul $66
    Arequipa $25

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

Typical Food Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Coke
    $0.43
  • Lunch
    $3.01
  • Ice Cream
    $1.15
  • Fruit
    $0.86
  • Ice Cream
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.

  • Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
  • Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
  • Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
  • Peruvian Cooking Class: $53
  • Private Cooking Class in Arequipa: $57
  • Food Tour Gastronomic Guided : $113

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Istanbul $43
    Arequipa $19

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
  • 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise Boat Tour in Istanbul: $9.56

Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Monastery Entry
    $2.87
  • Salsa Class
    $2.87
  • Movie Ticket
    $3.13
  • Hot Springs
    $2.87

Tours and Activities in Arequipa

Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
  • 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $20
  • Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $20
  • From Salinas Lagoon Half Day Tour: $21
  • Tour Colca Full Day Promotional Price: $22
  • Full Day Tour Sillar Route and Culebrillas Canyon Arequipa: $23
  • Arequipa City Tour and food and drinks experience: $25
  • Half day Sillar Stone Tour from Arequipa: $25
  • Ticket for Planetarium and Star Observatory: $27
  • Pillones Waterfall Tour | Stone Forest | Arequipa: $27
  • Full Day Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $28
  • Walking tour history, legends & mysteries : $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Istanbul $12
    Arequipa $17

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:


  • Beer
    $2.58


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Arequipa, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Arequipa is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Arequipa.

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


Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Arequipa?

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