Which place is cheaper, Malmo or Istanbul?
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 Istanbul or Malmo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Malmo, 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 Malmo?
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.
Malmo
Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best 2-Week Tours from Stockholm, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Sweden.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesMalmo Prices
Sweden Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $179Malmo $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $179, while the average daily cost in Malmo is $115. 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 Malmo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $83Malmo $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $166Malmo $110
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Malmo
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Malmo? 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Malmo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $39Malmo $9.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $90
- istanbul Airport Transfer: $39
- VIP Transfer: $52
- Turkish Night Tour with Meyhane Experience and Transfer: $119
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Istanbul APT-HTL (IST): $43
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Istanbul HTL-APT (SAW): $52
- Troy Full-Day Guided Tour incl. Transfer, Ferry Tickets w/Lunch : $138
- Transfer from Istanbul Port to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport(SAW: $44
- Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Luxury Sedan: $144
- Transfer Istanbul City Center to Istanbul Ataturk Airport: $29
- Transfer Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ISL) to City Center: $29
- Sapanca and Masukiye Day Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfer: $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
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Malmö Bus Card$21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo
Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $58
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Arrival Private Transfer: $69
- Malmo City to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
- Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $106
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
- Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Malmo?
Prices for flights to both Malmo 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
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Food Meals for one dayIstanbul $66Malmo $51
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: $24
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Night Cruise with Dinner, Shows and Party : $30
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $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
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Entertaintment & Private Table & Wi-Fi: $36
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $36
- Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Shows Private Table & Free Wi-Fi: $36
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Drinks and Shows: $41
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo
For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $72
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $43Malmo $18
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $180
- Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
- Bosphorus Morning or Sunset Guided Cruise Tour: $26
- Digital Experience Museum Skip the Line Entry: $35
- Discover the Magic of Old City – A Walking Tour Through Time: $60
- Full day old city tour (LT1): $179
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $95
- Istanbul Self Guided Walking Tour : $5.00
- Istanbul Wonders FullDay Skipping Lines Private Guided City Tour: $128
- Istanbul's Hidden Gems Private Walking City Tour: $144
- Private Guided Istanbul Walking Tour: $170
- "Classic Wonders" Tour: $120
Tours and Activities in Malmo
For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Old Town Helsingborg: Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour: $7.20
- Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $8.63
- The Headless Horseman in Malmö: A self-guided walking tour game: $8.63
- Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Half Day Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Cosmopolitan Malmö: $16
- Skip the Line: Disgusting Food Museum Entrance Ticket: $24
- Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $25
- Malmo Syndicate City Escape Game Self Guided Experience: $31
- Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $38
- Guided Walking Tour in Malmö: $39
- Malmö Private Walking Tour with a Local: $56
- Malmö Photography Tour: $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $12Malmo $41
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Nightlife Pub Crawl Pub and İstanbul Club Adventure: $30
- Pub Crawl Istanbul / Rooftop Clubs & Party Bus: $30
- 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 : $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Malmo, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Malmo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malmo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malmo 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 Malmo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Malmo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Malmo?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Malmo, 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.
When is the best time to visit Istanbul or Malmo?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Istanbul or Malmo in the Summer?
Both Malmo and Istanbul during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Istanbul is a little warmer than Malmo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Istanbul in July average around 24°C (74°F), and Malmo averages at about 17°C (62°F).
In Malmo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Istanbul. In the summer, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Malmo. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 247 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets less rain in July than Malmo. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Malmo 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Malmo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Malmo. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In October, Istanbul is generally much warmer than Malmo. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 16°C (61°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Malmo during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Malmo. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Malmo 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Malmo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Malmo. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Malmo can get quite cold in the winter. Istanbul is much warmer than Malmo in the winter. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Malmo fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).
In the winter, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Malmo. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 36 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than Malmo. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Malmo 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Malmo in the Spring?
Both Malmo and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Istanbul is much warmer than Malmo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Istanbul in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Malmo averages at about 5°C (42°F).
Istanbul usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Malmo during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Malmo. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Malmo 5°C (42°F)
Typical Weather for Malmo and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Malmo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
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.