Which place is cheaper, Islamabad or Ankara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Ankara or Islamabad?
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 Islamabad. 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 Islamabad?
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.
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.
-
Ankara Prices
Turkey PricesIslamabad Prices
Pakistan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAnkara $91Islamabad $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $91, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is $53. 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 Islamabad in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAnkara $37Islamabad $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAnkara $74Islamabad $42
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Islamabad
Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Islamabad? 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: Ankara Hotel Prices and Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ankara $24Islamabad $7.70
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$0.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- 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
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $108
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $108
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $69
- Ankara Airport Transfer: Ankara by Private Luxury Vehicle: $62
- Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $55
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $51
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $51
- Ankara Airport Transfer Meet Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
- Islamabad Private Door to Door Airport Transfer: $54
- Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Islamabad?
Prices for flights to both Islamabad 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 dayAnkara $37Islamabad $26
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
-
A Quick Lunch$0.23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ankara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ankara.
- Sustainable Home Cooking Class in Ankara: $75
- Home Cooking Class, Sustainable Tables & Stories: $104
- Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $291
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ankara $22Islamabad $9.51
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$0.16
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4-Day Eastern Anatolia Tour on the Touristic Eastern Express: $1,922
- Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $33
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $34
- Ankara Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $33
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Local: $27
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $228
- Ankara Private Walking Tour: Hidden Gems & Highlights: $24
- Ankara Walking Tour with a Local: $30
- Ankara Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $39
- 6-Hour Private Tour with Guide, Car, and Lunch: $17,285
- Atakule Tower Observation Deck Ticket: $13
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $35
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Islamabad and Rawalpindi Sightseeing Tour: $70
- Islamabad Offbeat, Private City Tour Islamabad: $72
- Exclusive Luxury Private Tour: Discover the Gems of Islamabad: $80
- Half Day Private Instagram Guided City Tour: $80
- Private Tour: Islamabad Full Day Customized Exploration Tour: $90
- Best of One-Day Sightseeing Tour: $90
- Full Day Islamabad & Taxila UNESCO Site Tour: $92
- Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- Discover Taxila Private City Tour of World Heritage Unesco Sites: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Full Day Islamabad Guided City Tour: $100
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAnkara $9.79Islamabad $2.89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Islamabad, we can see that Ankara is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ankara is in Europe and Islamabad is in Asia, 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ankara Expensive? and Is Islamabad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ankara or Islamabad?
Ankara has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Ankara and Islamabad, 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.
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.