Should you visit Alexandria or Istanbul?
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.
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 The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground.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.
Which city is cheaper, Istanbul or Alexandria?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $40, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $95. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Alexandria and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
Alexandria's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $38. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $19.
A hotel room in Istanbul is about $118 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The price of a meal in Alexandria can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $16 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $6.40 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
On average, meal and food prices in Istanbul cost around $24 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $9.60.
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Food
Meals for one day
Alexandria $16
Istanbul $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.
-
Private Full-Day Food Tour of Alexandria with Hotel Pick Up:
$32
-
Alexandria Food Tour:
$36
-
Amazing Alexandria Food Tour:
$55
-
Alexandria Food Tour:
$60
-
Sound&light show,Giza pyramids-Dinner on the Nile:
$94
Typical Food prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Juice
$0.24
-
Turkish Delight
$0.07
-
Dessert
$1.00
-
Pastries
$0.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$29
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show:
$30
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Inc. Dinner and Belly Dance Show with Hotel Transfer:
$34
-
Alaturca Ottoman Dramatic Stage Show & Dinner Cruise ( Non - Alcoholic ):
$35
-
Bosphorus Dinner Show Cruise With Non Alcoholic Menu ISTANBUL Dinner cruise:
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner & Show Cruise (All Inclusive):
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise An Unforgettable Experience in Istanbul:
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul:
$37
-
Istanbul Cruise&Show with Dinner:
$37
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$39
-
Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Soft Drinks:
$40
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise&Show:
$40
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $6.01 per day to get around in Alexandria.
The cost of a taxi ride in Istanbul is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.56 per person, per day, on local transportation in Istanbul.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Alexandria
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:
-
Taxi to Train Station
$0.25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Alexandria to Borg El Arab Airport (HBE):
$20
-
Private transfer from HBE airport to Alexandria Hotel:
$20
-
Private Transfer from Borg El Arab Airport to Alexandria Hotels:
$20
-
Alexandria Airport Departure Transfer:
$33
-
Alexandria Airport Departure Transfer:
$36
-
Alexandria AIRPORT ARRIVAL TRANSFER:
$36
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Alexandria Port – Premium:
$37
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Alexandria Port - Standard:
$41
-
Alexandria Airport Departure Transfer:
$45
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Borg El Arab Airport - Standard:
$53
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Alexandria Port – 15 Seater:
$57
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Borg El Arab Airport – Premium:
$66
Typical Local Transportation prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Ferry
$0.33
-
Local Bus
$0.35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
-
2 Ways Istanbul Airport Transfer:
$56
-
2 Ways Istanbul Airport Transfer:
$109
-
2 Ways Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfer:
$56
-
2-Hour Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Transfers:
$500
-
2m Transfer:
$85
-
4-Day Istanbul City Package including Full-Day Istanbul City Tour plus Airport Transfers:
$350
-
4-Day Wonderful Istanbul Including Accommodation Plus Transfer:
$474
-
Air Transfer Lines | Airport Transfer Service:
$44
-
Airport Transfer, Hotel Tranfer, Shuttle Service, Taxi Service:
$26
-
Airport private transfer to hotel and back:
$109
-
Arrival Private Transfers from New Airport IST to Istanbul in Business Car:
$123
-
City Center to Istanbul Airport (IST) Departure Transfers:
$87
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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $8.44 per person, per day in Alexandria. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Entertainment and activities in Istanbul typically cost an average of $35 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Online Virtual Tour Of Alexandria and Mt. Vernon:
$19
-
Alexandria Walking Tour-Walk Like Egyptian:
$23
-
half day tour to Montazah Palace and gardens:
$25
-
half day tour to The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Library of Alexandria):
$27
-
Private Day Tour to Alexandria From Alexandria:
$30
-
Alexandria Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$31
-
Tour in Alex:
$32
-
Alexandria Day Tour:
$38
-
Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria:
$40
-
Visit Mount Vernon by Bike: Self-guided Ride with Optional Boat Cruise Return:
$50
-
Alexandria private excursion tour from Cairo:
$50
-
Private Day Tour to Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Monatazah Palace In Alexandria:
$50
Typical Entertainment prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
-
Just Hagia Sophia Tour /Skip The Lines:
$8.71
-
VR Dervish Experience:
$10
-
Museum of Illusions Istanbul Ticket:
$11
-
Piri Self-Guided Audio Tour: Istanbul, Historical Peninsula:
$11
-
Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Guided Tour:
$12
-
Bosphorus Cruise from Eminonu Pier with Audio App:
$12
-
Basilica Cistern VIP Tickets:
$12
-
Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque&Hippodrome Guided Tours Everyday /No que / No line!:
$12
-
Vip Ticket For Hagi̇a Sophi̇a:
$12
-
SEA LIFE Istanbul Entry Ticket:
$14
-
Istanbul LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Admission Ticket:
$15
-
Hagia Sophia: Entry with Guided Tour:
$16
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Alexandria may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $3.25 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $8.51 on alcoholic beverages in Istanbul per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Alexandria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Alexandria:
-
Alexandria Bar Hunt: Ye Olde Pub Crawl through Old Town:
$12
-
Haunted Old Town Alexandria Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$26
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
-
Daily Tekirdag Wine Tasting Tour from Istanbul:
$427
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.
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