Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Plovdiv?
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 Plovdiv or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Plovdiv and Istanbul can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Plovdiv or Istanbul?
Plovdiv
Located in a large, hilly plain between the Rhodope Mountains in the south of Bulgaria and the Balkan Range in the central part of the country, Plovdiv sits uniquely spread across six hills. It is one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world, dating back roughly 8,000 years. Some of its best features are its ancient ruins and historic architecture.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Plovdiv Prices
Bulgaria PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlovdiv $105Istanbul $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Plovdiv is $105, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $179. 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 Plovdiv and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlovdiv $48Istanbul $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlovdiv $96Istanbul $166
Compare Hotels in Plovdiv and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Plovdiv 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: Plovdiv Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Plovdiv $24Istanbul $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plovdiv
Also for Plovdiv, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private One-way Transfer Plovdiv Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $70
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Stara Zagora: $95
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Pamporovo: $98
- Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $107
- Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $107
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $113
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Borovets: $113
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $208
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Private Arrival Transfer : $72
- İstanbul Airport and Hotel Transfer: $57
- istanbul airport transfer: $30
- istanbul Airport Transfer: $39
- Vip Airport Transfer to/from Istanbul City Center: $52
- VIP Daily Transfer from the Istanbul Airport to Istanbul City: $96
- 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
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Istanbul APT-HTL (SAW): $52
- Trusted Istanbul Airport Transfer to city center: $74
- Troy Full-Day Guided Tour incl. Transfer, Ferry Tickets w/Lunch : $137
- Transfer from Istanbul Port to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport(SAW: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Plovdiv or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Plovdiv 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 dayPlovdiv $40Istanbul $66
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.Plovdiv $17Istanbul $43
Tours and Activities in Plovdiv
For Plovdiv, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Plovdiv Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Old Town Guided Walking Tour & Audioguide & Museum: $18
- Guided Walking Tour: $18
- Audio Guide for All Haskovo & Kardjali Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $23
- Plovdiv guided walking tour: $23
- Plovdiv Walking Tour To Old Town And Ancient Roman Landmarks: $24
- Private Virtual Tour in Plovdiv with a Local Guide: $35
- Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv: $42
- Food Walk Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour: $42
- Audio Guide for All Rhodope Mountain Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $46
- Private Plovdiv Walking Tour: $48
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $299
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $179
- Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
- Discover the Magic of Old City – A Walking Tour Through Time: $60
- Dolmabace Palace, Bosphorus Boat Tour , Eyüp Sultan Mosque Tour: $210
- Full Day Guided Tour in Istanbul (SL-9): $142
- Full day old city tour (LT1): $178
- Istanbul Customized Daily Tour: $200
- Istanbul Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern Combo Ticket: $96
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $94
- Istanbul Wonders FullDay Skipping Lines Private Guided City Tour: $150
- Istanbul's Hidden Gems Private Walking City Tour: $180
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlovdiv $11Istanbul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Plovdiv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plovdiv:
- Chateau Copsa Wine Tasting Tours & Activities: $23
- Bulgarian Wine Tasting Experience in the Center of Plovdiv : $27
- Food and Wine Tour: $60
- Thracian Valley wine tasting - private day tour from Plovdiv: $107
- Private Day Trip From Plovdiv To Wine Cellars And Wine Tasting: $118
- Half-Day of Horseback Adventure with Wine Tasting: $183
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 Plovdiv and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Plovdiv much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plovdiv would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plovdiv 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 Plovdiv.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Plovdiv Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Plovdiv or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Plovdiv. When comparing the sizes of Plovdiv 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.