A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ankara vs. Bilbao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ankara or Bilbao?

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 Ankara and Bilbao. 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: Ankara or Bilbao?

Ankara

Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.

Bilbao

The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Bilbao or Ankara?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $127, while the average daily cost in Bilbao is $178. 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 Ankara and Bilbao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ankara $52
    Bilbao $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ankara $104
    Bilbao $152
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Bilbao

Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Bilbao? 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.

Hotels in Ankara


Hotels in Bilbao


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: Ankara Hotel Prices and Bilbao Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ankara $34
    Bilbao $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.04
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:

  • Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $100
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $46
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $100
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $58
  • Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $75
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $47
  • Private Airport Transfer From/To Ankara Airport to Cankaya Hotels: $47
  • Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
  • Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $47
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:

  • Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Various Cities : $46
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Car: $67
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $63
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers to Pamplona: $403
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers to San Sebastian: $305
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers to Santander: $305
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers to Vitoria-Gasteiz: $201
  • Bilbao Airport to the Basque Country: Private Transfers: $90
  • Departure Private Transfer Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO by Business Car: $63
  • Private Transfer from Bilbao City Hotels to Bilbao Cruise Port: $89
  • Private Transfer from Bilbao Cruise Port to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $95
  • Private Transfer from Bilbao Cruise Port to Bilbao City Hotels: $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Bilbao?

Prices for flights to both Bilbao and Ankara 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 day
    Ankara $51
    Bilbao $81
Typical Food Prices in Ankara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:


  • A Quick Lunch
    $0.32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.

  • Basque Food Tour with Guide: $81
  • Bilbao Food Tour with Pintxos & Drinks with a Local: $92
  • Bilbao Food Tour with Pintxos & Drinks with a Local: $94
  • The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $98
  • The High End Bilbao Food Tour for Foodies: $103
  • The High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $105
  • Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao: $105
  • Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $105
  • The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local: $108
  • Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class with Open Bar: $108
  • Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $129
  • Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $137

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ankara $31
    Bilbao $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara

Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Underground City
    $0.22

Tours and Activities in Ankara

Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Ankara Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $30
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $31
  • Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $31
  • Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $32
  • Private Tour with a Local: $36
  • Istanbul: Half-Day Tour with Topkapi Palace: $145
  • Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
  • İstanbul: Full-Day Tour with Grand Bazaar: $180
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $211
  • Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
  • Private Tour: Ankara Sightseeing: $235
  • Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280

Tours and Activities in Bilbao

Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bilbao´s Old Town Responsible Walking Tour (Tip based): $2.07
  • 30-Minute Entry Ticket to a Cat Café: $7.23
  • Vitoria-Gasteiz Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.99
  • Secrets of Casco Viejo in Quest Experience: $11
  • Year of Love in Quest Experience: $11
  • San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $17
  • Old Town Bilbao Tour in small group: $21
  • Bilbao Historical Tour: $21
  • Bilbao old town walking tour: $21
  • Bilbao night tour: $21
  • Self Guided Bike Tour in Getxo (Scenic Bilbao's Seaside): $26
  • Bilbao Tour + Artxanda Funicular in Spanish: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ankara $14
    Bilbao $22

Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao

Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Unique Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier - In Bilbao: $51
  • Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier (close to Guggenheim museum): $52
  • Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $76
  • From La Rioja Wineries Day Trip with Wine Tastings: $77
  • Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $142
  • Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $170
  • Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $181
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $237
  • Marques de Riscal and Ysios Architecture Wine Tour w/ Lunch, Bio: $241
  • Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Vitoria: $242
  • Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Bilbao: $242
  • Architectural Rioja Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao : $247


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Ankara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ankara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ankara 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao than you might in Ankara.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ankara Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ankara or Bilbao?

Ankara has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Ankara and Bilbao, 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.