Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Amman?
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 Amman or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Amman and Istanbul. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Amman or Istanbul?
Amman
Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.
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 Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Amman Prices
Jordan PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmman $135Istanbul $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $135, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $157. 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 Amman and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmman $49Istanbul $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmman $98Istanbul $146
Compare Hotels in Amman and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Amman 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: Amman Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amman $24Istanbul $34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:
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Bus Ride (for Two)$0.71
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RIde to Airport$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman
Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Amman Queen Alia Airport: Bus Transfer from/to Amman North: $7.79
- Amman Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $20
- Private Airport Transfer from Amman: $22
- Amman Airport Transfer Pickup/Drop-Off: $22
- Airport Transfer To and From Amman: $23
- Amman Airport private Transfers From/To multi destinations: $24
- Amman hotels to Amman Queen Alia Airport (AMM) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
- From Amman :Private transfer to Airport, Dead Sea and Petra.: $26
- From Amman :Private transfer to Airport, Dead Sea and Petra: $26
- Amman Airport Private Departure Transfer: $27
- Amman Airport: Private Transfer to/from Amman Hotels: $27
- Amman Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Private Arrival Transfer: $70
- İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $108
- İstanbul Airport Transfer: $51
- İstanbul Airport Transfer: $87
- İstanbul Airport Transfer: $52
- İstanbul Airport Private Transfer Services: $82
- istanbul Airport Transfer: $49
- Viaport Theme Park Ticket with Optional Hotel Transfer: $45
- Viaport Lion Park Ticket with Optional Hotel Transfer: $150
- Viaport Aquarium Ticket with Optional Hotel Transfer: $35
- Viaport Aquapark Ticket with Optional Hotel Transfer: $65
- VIP Airport Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Amman 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 dayAmman $58Istanbul $58
Typical Food Prices in Amman
For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Pastries$4.23
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Tea$5.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman
For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- private cooking with local chef: $40
- Guided Food Tour in Downtown: $70
- Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $80
- Women-Led Food Tour Through Amman’s Culinary Scene: $80
- The Best Culture&Food Tour With Majd The Local Guide: $81
- Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman: $107
- Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Arak Experience: $140
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 Tour: $26
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Live Folk Dance & DJ Experience: $28
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table: $28
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $29
- İstanbul Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show - Pvt. Table: $30
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $30
- Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $31
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $31
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Dinner, Drinks & Show with Pickup: $32
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $33
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amman $32Istanbul $38
Tours and Activities in Amman
For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Amman Private City Tour with Local Lunch: $20
- Amman Old and New Private City Tour: $20
- Amman by Night Private Tour: $20
- Seven Sleepers Cave and King Abdullah Mosque Private Tour: $20
- Amman Private City Tour with Local Mansaf Lunch: $20
- Day or Night Walking Tour in Downtown With Local: $25
- Full Day Amman Private City Tour: $30
- Madaba Mount Nebo Baptism and Ma'in Private Guided Tour: $30
- Petra Madaba and Mount Nebo Private Guided Tour: $30
- Madaba Mount Nebo Baptism and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $30
- Amman and Seven Sleepers Cave Private Tour: $35
- Amman Madaba and Mount Nebo Private Tour: $35
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- "Walk Through History: A Bespoke Istanbul Adventure": $149
- 1 Istanbul Tour: Highlights, Street Food & Hidden Pearls: $280
- 1 Perfect Day in Istanbul Private Guided Tour of the City’s Icons: $250
- 1 or 2 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $80
- 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $130
- 1-Day Private Istanbul Layover Tour: $240
- 2 Hours Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise: $12
- 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise ((MORNING TOUR)): $23
- 2-Days Private Walking Tour in Istanbul: $300
- 2-Hour Scenic Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Throughout the Day: $12
- 3 Day Guided Private Tour in Istanbul: $200
- 4 Hours Istanbul Old City Walking & Shopping Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmman $14Istanbul $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Amman
Also in Amman, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Full Day Tour of Ajloun Castle with Cable Car and Wine Tasting: $127
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Bars, Dancefloors, & Beyond: $17
- Pub Crawler VIP Entry Rooftop Bars&Clubs with Party Bus: $27
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- 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 Amman and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Amman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amman is in Middle East 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 Amman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Amman 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 Amman.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amman Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amman or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Amman. When comparing the sizes of Amman 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 Amman or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Amman experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Amman or Istanbul in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Amman as well as Istanbul. Amman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Amman is generally around the same temperature as Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 25°C (77°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Istanbul. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amman this time of the year. In the summer, Amman often gets more sunshine than Istanbul. Amman gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 333 hours of full sun.
Amman usually gets less rain in July than Istanbul. Amman gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAmman 25°C (77°F)Istanbul 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Amman or Istanbul in the Autumn?
Both Istanbul and Amman are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amman throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Amman is a little warmer than Istanbul in the autumn. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Istanbul fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amman. Amman usually receives more sunshine than Istanbul during autumn. Amman gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Amman usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Amman gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAmman 20°C (68°F)Istanbul 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Amman or Istanbul in the Winter?
Both Istanbul and Amman during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Amman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In the winter, Amman is a little warmer than Istanbul. Typically, the winter temperatures in Amman in January average around 8°C (46°F), and Istanbul averages at about 6°C (43°F).
In the winter, Amman often gets more sunshine than Istanbul. Amman gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 75 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Amman. Amman usually gets more rain in January than Istanbul. Amman gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAmman 8°C (46°F)Istanbul 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Amman or Istanbul in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amman and Istanbul. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amman year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Istanbul for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Amman is generally a little warmer than Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 16°C (61°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Amman, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amman usually receives more sunshine than Istanbul during spring. Amman gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Amman usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Amman gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAmman 16°C (61°F)Istanbul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Istanbul and Amman
| Amman | Istanbul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (46°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.