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

Should you visit Ankara or Cesis?

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 Cesis. 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 Cesis?

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.

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Cesis 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 $98, while the average daily cost in Cesis is $160. 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 Cesis in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ankara $40
    Cesis $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ankara $80
    Cesis $110
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Cesis

Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Cesis? 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 Cesis


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ankara $26
    Cesis $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara

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


  • Metro Ride
    $0.03
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:

  • Ankara Airport & Hotel Transfers: $47
  • Ankara Airport Transfer: Ankara by Private Luxury Vehicle: $63
  • Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $111
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $46
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $111
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $50
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $52
  • Private Airport Transfer From/To Ankara Airport to Cankaya Hotels: $41
  • Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
  • Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $52
  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Cesis?

Prices for flights to both Cesis 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 $39
    Cesis $83
Typical Food Prices in Ankara

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


  • A Quick Lunch
    $0.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ankara

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

  • Baklava Cooking Class: $61
  • Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $70
  • Sustainable Home Cooking Class in Ankara: $85

Typical Food Prices in Cesis

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


  • Lunch in town for two
    $7.75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ankara $24
    Cesis $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
    $0.17

Tours and Activities in Ankara

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

  • Self-Guided Secrets of Ankara Exploration Game Tour: $30
  • Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $34
  • Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $35
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $35
  • Ankara Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $39
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local: $41
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
  • 6-Hour Private Tour with Guide, Car, and Lunch: $175
  • Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $185
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $233
  • Private Ankara Sightseeing Tour: $300
  • Full Day Cappadocia Private Tour: $300

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ankara $10
    Cesis $20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Cesis, we can see that Cesis 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 Cesis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cesis 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 Cesis Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ankara or Cesis?

Ankara has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Ankara and Cesis, 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.