Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Skiathos?
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 Skiathos 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 Skiathos and Istanbul can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Skiathos or Istanbul?
Skiathos
Nestled in the azure waters of the Aegean Sea, Skiathos is a small but captivating island that packs a big punch when it comes to natural beauty, pristine beaches, and vibrant nightlife. As part of the Sporades archipelago, this verdant paradise offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for all types of travelers. While Skiathos can be pricier than some other Greek islands due to its popularity, savvy travelers can still enjoy its charms without breaking the bank. To save money, eat at local restaurants, take public transportation, and find small, local hotels for accommodation.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Greece, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Skiathos Prices
Greece PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySkiathos €412Istanbul €152
The average daily cost (per person) in Skiathos is €412, 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 Skiathos and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSkiathos €215Istanbul €70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSkiathos €430Istanbul €140
Compare Hotels in Skiathos and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Skiathos 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: Skiathos Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Skiathos €115Istanbul €33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Skiathos
Also for Skiathos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Skiathos Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Istanbul VIP Transfer: $250
- Miniatürk Istanbul Private Guided Tour & Optional Transfers: $247
- Istanbul Airport Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Car: $245
- Istanbul Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW in Luxury Car: $245
- Istanbul Airport Transfer: Sabiha Airport SAW to Istanbul in Luxury Car: $245
- Istanbul Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST in Luxury Car: $245
- Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Airport Private Transfer or Vice Versa (1-13pax): $239
- Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Airport Private Transfer or Vice Versa (1-10pax): $231
- Guided Private Istanbul Sultanahmet Old City Tour with Transfer: $215
- Private Transfer from Sabiha Gökcen Airport (SAW) to Istanbul Airport (IST) : $190
- Istanbul Private Guided Tour for Cruise Layovers. Transfers incl.: $179
- Istanbul Layover Tour with Private Guide. Airport Transfers Incld: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Skiathos or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Skiathos 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 daySkiathos €129Istanbul €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.Skiathos €45Istanbul €37
Tours and Activities in Skiathos
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Skiathos.
- Sea and Sun day cruise from Skiathos: $53
- Skiathos Guided Olive Oil Tasting Experience: $57
- Mamma Mia Cruise From Skiathos Island: $59
- Daily Sailing Cruise from Skiathos to Skopelos Island: $143
- Skiathos Semiprivate Sailing Cruise : $151
- All-Inclusive Sailing Cruise-Skiathos & Nearby Islands with Lunch: $155
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Cruise & Lunch: $161
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 daySkiathos €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 Skiathos and Istanbul, we can see that Skiathos 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 Skiathos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Skiathos 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 Skiathos Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Skiathos or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 2150 times larger than the population of Skiathos. When comparing the sizes of Skiathos 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.