Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Lesbos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Lesbos or Istanbul?
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 Lesbos and Istanbul. 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: Lesbos or Istanbul?
Lesbos
Lesbos, the third-largest Greek island, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and authentic Greek culture. Visiting Lesbos doesn't have to break the bank. Budget accommodations can be found for as low as €25-40 per night in the off-season and €40-60 during peak months. For affordable meals, seek out local tavernas away from tourist hotspots. The villages of Petra and Molyvos offer authentic dining experiences at reasonable prices, and many tavernas provide daily specials ("mezedes") that are both delicious and economical.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
-
Lesbos Prices
Greece PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLesbos €276Istanbul €152
The average daily cost (per person) in Lesbos is €276, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is €152. 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 Lesbos and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLesbos €117Istanbul €70
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLesbos €234Istanbul €140
Compare Hotels in Lesbos and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Lesbos 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: Lesbos Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lesbos €61Istanbul €33
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 Lesbos or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Lesbos 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 dayLesbos €119Istanbul €56
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lesbos €37Istanbul €37
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLesbos €23Istanbul €10
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 Lesbos and Istanbul, we can see that Lesbos is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Lesbos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lesbos than you might in Istanbul.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lesbos Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lesbos or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 6470 times larger than the population of Lesbos. When comparing the sizes of Lesbos 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.