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

Should you visit Ankara or Cartagena?

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 Cartagena. 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 Cartagena?

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.

Cartagena

The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Turkey, The Best Luxury Tours to Turkey, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Cartagena 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 $110, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $50. 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 Cartagena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ankara $54
    Cartagena $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ankara $108
    Cartagena $50
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Cartagena

Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Cartagena? 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 Cartagena


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 Cartagena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ankara $35
    Cartagena $6.88
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
    $0.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:

  • Ankara - Cappadocia Private Transfer (Mercedes Vito): $370
  • Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $105
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport to Ankara City Hotels Private Arrival Transfer: $67
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $105
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $61
  • Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $75
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $111
  • Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
  • Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $111
  • 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 Cartagena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:

  • 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
  • 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
  • 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
  • Airport Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $7.00
  • Airport Hotel Transfer: $24
  • Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $24
  • Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
  • Airport Transfers Cartagena: $34
  • Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minibus: $127
  • Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $92
  • Baru: Rafael Nunez International Airport Private Transfer: $83
  • TRANSFER CARTAGENA TO BARRANQUILLA OR VICEVERSA SHARED CAR: $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Cartagena?

Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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 $31
    Cartagena $16
Typical Food Prices in Ankara

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


  • A Quick Lunch
    $0.34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena

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

  • Street food tour Cartagena: $30
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $39
  • Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
  • Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
  • Cooking class, Caribbean lunch at our place: $47
  • Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
  • Fenix Beach Island Dinner: $58
  • Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60
  • Street food tour: $61
  • 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
  • Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $65
  • Getsemaní District at Night (with dinner included): $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ankara $32
    Cartagena $19
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
    $0.23

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: $32
  • Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $33
  • Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $33
  • Private Tour with a Local: $38
  • Istanbul: Half-Day Tour with Topkapi Palace: $145
  • Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
  • İstanbul: Full-Day Tour with Grand Bazaar: $180
  • Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $222
  • Private Tour: Ankara Sightseeing: $235
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour: $272
  • Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280

Tours and Activities in Cartagena

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

  • Trendy Cartagena photo/ Video Tour Free: $0.02
  • Bay Tour by Sports Boat: $0.02
  • The First Tour of Getsemani: Artistic and Resistant District: $5.18
  • Cartagena's Most Complete Old Walled City Walking Tour: $5.18
  • Gabriel García Marquez & Barrio San Diego Walking Tour: $5.18
  • Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Walking Tour to San Felipe de Barajas Castle Cartagena: $6.59
  • Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $8.59
  • Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $8.59
  • Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.59
  • Night party in authentic Colombian chiva with bilingual tour guide: $9.41
  • Historic Free Tour Slavery and Gethsemane Heritage: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ankara $14
    Cartagena $8.46

Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena

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

  • Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $17
  • Pub Crawl Getsemaní: $18
  • Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $21
  • Cartagena, Colombia: Thursday Night Bar Crawl: $23
  • Cartagena, Colombia: Friday & Saturday Night Bar Crawl: $23
  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
  • Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
  • Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
  • Get the Nightlife Vibe & Bar crawl: $52
  • Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $59
  • Pub Crawl: $70


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

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


Which is Bigger, Ankara or Cartagena?

Ankara has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Ankara and Cartagena, 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.