Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Milos?
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 Milos or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Milos or Istanbul? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Milos or Istanbul?
Milos
Nestled in the heart of the Aegean Sea, Milos is a captivating island that offers a perfect blend of stunning landscapes, rich history, and authentic Greek charm. Visiting Milos doesn't have to strain your wallet. Budget accommodations can be found for fairly low prices in the shoulder season (May and September) as well as peak months. To save on meals, seek out local tavernas away from tourist hotspots. The villages of Plaka and Pollonia offer authentic dining experiences at reasonable prices. For transportation, consider renting a scooter or using the island's bus service to explore.
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 Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Milos Prices
Greece PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMilos €256Istanbul €152
The average daily cost (per person) in Milos is €256, 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 Milos and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMilos €104Istanbul €70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMilos €208Istanbul €140
Compare Hotels in Milos and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Milos 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: Milos Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Milos €64Istanbul €33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Milos:
- Milos Private Transfer Service: $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Istanbul VIP Private Transfer for Airports, Cruise Ports, Hotels: $15
- Istanbul Princes Island Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $19
- Sapanca and Masukiye Day Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfer: $22
- Narita Airport to Tokyo one way Transfer : $28
- Transfer Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ISL) to City Center: $29
- Transfer Istanbul City Center to Istanbul Ataturk Airport: $29
- Bursa Uludağ Mountain Tour From Istanbul w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $29
- Sapanca and Masukiye Full Day Tour with Lunch, Guide and Transfer: $29
- istanbul airport transfer: $30
- Guided Half Day Afternoon Istanbul Bosphorus Tour With Transfer: $30
- Guided Byzantine & Bosphorus Tour with Transfer In Istanbul: $30
- Reliable & Safe Istanbul Airport Taxi Transfer – VIP Service : $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Milos or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Milos 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 dayMilos €115Istanbul €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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Milos €23Istanbul €37
Tours and Activities in Milos
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Milos are as follows:
- Milos Half-day Tour to Kleftiko: $54
- Half Day Boat Tour to Kleftiko Milos: $60
- Milos South Side Beaches Cruise From Kipos: $69
- Tsigrado and Gerakas Beach Kayaking Tour: $70
- Kayaking Tour to the secrets of Milos: $72
- Half day electric bike tour with Sarakiniko beach: $82
- Milos Island E-Bike Ride Tour: $84
- Sunset Kayak Adventure in Milos to Colorful Klima: $90
- Sunrise Sarakiniko Tour with Van: $96
- Geology & Volcano Half-Day Morning Tour: $100
- Enchanting Semi Private Kayaking Tours in Milos: $102
- Milos Island: Archaeology & Culture Tour: $103
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMilos €33Istanbul €10
Sample the Local Flavors in Milos
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Milos:
- Kostantakis Winery - Milos Island Tour & Wine Tasting Experience: $71
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 Milos and Istanbul, we can see that Milos 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 Milos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Milos 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 Milos Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Milos or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 13240 times larger than the population of Milos. When comparing the sizes of Milos 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.