Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Alexandria?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Alexandria 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 Alexandria and Istanbul can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Alexandria or Istanbul?
Alexandria
There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.
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 Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlexandria $16Istanbul $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $16, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $125. 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 Alexandria and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlexandria $7.91Istanbul $47
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlexandria $16Istanbul $94
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Alexandria 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: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alexandria $2.46Istanbul $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:
-
Taxi to Train Station$0.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:
- Private Airport Transfer in Alexandria: $22
- Alexandria Airport Arrival Transfer: $24
- Alexandria to Alexandria Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- transfer from Alexandria to Cairo airport, Cairo & Giza hotels: $45
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
- Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $72
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $74
- Private Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria To Cairo: $130
- Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria Borg Al Arab Airport To Cairo: $130
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo in Egypt or vice versa: $160
- Private transfer from Luxor to Alexandria: $247
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Ferry$0.09
-
Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Airport Private Transfer to the City : $30
- 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Sabiha Gokcen Airport: $76
- Aeropuerto Transfer IST Airport to City Center Two way transfer : $123
- Airport Transfer: $60
- Airport transfer Istanbul: $49
- Airport vip transfer istanbul. Hotel transfer from Istanbul airports.: $45
- Arrival & Departure Private Transfer in Istanbul: $43
- Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Business Car: $55
- Best VIP Istanbul Luxury Transfer: $67
- Best of Princes Island Day Tour with Boat Ride & Transfer: $40
- Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Transfers: $56
- City Center to Istanbul Airport (IST) Departure Transfers: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Alexandria 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 dayAlexandria $6.39Istanbul $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.
- Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $35
- Alexandria food Tour taste the Egyptian traditional food: $80
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Juice$0.06
-
Turkish Delight$0.02
-
Dessert$0.26
-
Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Dinner Cruise On The Bosphorus with Turkish night show: $15
- Turkish Night on the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: $16
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $22
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $27
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $30
- Bosphorus Elite Dinner Cruise w/VIP Menu & Private Table Option: $31
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folklore Show & Belly Dancers: $32
- Pasha Istanbul Dinner Cruise: $33
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alexandria $3.46Istanbul $79
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Pompey's Pillar Entry Ticket: $3.80
- The Ancient Roman Theater Entry Ticket: $3.80
- Alexandria Library Entry Tickets With Pickup and Drop Off: $3.80
- Entry Ticket To The Citadel of Qaitbay: $4.39
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Entry Tickets: $4.39
- Skip The Line Entry Ticket to Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria: $4.39
- Skip the Line Tickets for The Catacomb of Kom eL Shoqafa: $6.31
- Alexandria Library Skip the line Access Entry Ticket: $6.31
- Qaitbay Citadel Entry Tickets: $6.31
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Entry Ticket with Pick and Drop Off: $14
- Ancient Roman Theater Entry Ticket with Pick up and Drop Off: $14
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Entry Ticket with Pickup and Drop Off: $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.61
-
Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.61
-
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
-
Hagia Sofia entrance$0.92
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- App self-guided tours Istanbul with multilingual audioguide: $2.18
- Perri Asian & Mediterranean Restaurant Discount Entry Ticket: $3.12
- Best of Turkish Bath:Historical Çeşme Hammam Discount Ticket: $3.12
- Abdi Bey Turkish Traditional Restaurant Discount Ticket: $3.12
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
- Private Guided Walking Tour in Istanbul: $5.00
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $5.44
- Hagia Sophia Exclusive Digital Audio Guided Tour: $5.44
- Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.44
- City Tour with Audio Guide in your smartphone: $5.44
- Kadikoy's history, theatres and sweet shops: a self-guided audio tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.53
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlexandria $1.33Istanbul $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $27
- Pub and Rooftop Bar Crawl: $27
- #1 Rated Istanbul Party Pub Crawl w Party Bus/Sultanahmet&Taksim: $29
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $30
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $90
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $251
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $859
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alexandria is in Africa and Istanbul is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria 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.
When is the best time to visit Alexandria or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Alexandria experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Alexandria or Istanbul in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Istanbul. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round. Also, many travelers come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Alexandria is a little warmer than Istanbul. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alexandria in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Istanbul averages at about 24°C (74°F).
In July, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlexandria 26°C (79°F)Istanbul 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Istanbul in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Istanbul. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Istanbul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 22°C (72°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Alexandria usually gets less rain in October than Istanbul. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlexandria 22°C (72°F)Istanbul 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Istanbul in the Winter?
Both Istanbul and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Istanbul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Alexandria is much warmer than Istanbul in the winter. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Istanbul fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In January, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Alexandria gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlexandria 13°C (55°F)Istanbul 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Istanbul in the Spring?
Both Istanbul and Alexandria during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Alexandria because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Alexandria is much warmer than Istanbul. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alexandria in April average around 19°C (66°F), and Istanbul averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Alexandria usually gets less rain in April than Istanbul. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlexandria 19°C (66°F)Istanbul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Istanbul and Alexandria
| Alexandria | Istanbul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 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.