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

Should you visit Ankara or Kyoto?

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 Kyoto. 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 Kyoto?

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.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Ankara?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $116, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $96. 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 Kyoto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ankara $57
    Kyoto $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ankara $114
    Kyoto $126
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Kyoto

Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Kyoto? 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 Kyoto


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 Kyoto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ankara $37
    Kyoto $7.56
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 City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $76
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $71
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $64
  • Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $60
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $109
  • Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $109
  • 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
  • Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
  • Private transfer: Ankara Airport (ESB) to Ankara: $39
  • Private transfer: Ankara to Ankara Airport (ESB): $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:

  • Chubu Centrair Airport to/from Kyoto Private Transfer: $572
  • From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $327
  • Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
  • Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $274
  • Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $230
  • Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
  • Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $505
  • One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $327
  • Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $220
  • Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $141
  • Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $229
  • Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $110

Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Kyoto?

Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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 $32
    Kyoto $24
Typical Food Prices in Ankara

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


  • A Quick Lunch
    $0.36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto

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

  • Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $41
  • Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $46
  • Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $47
  • Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
  • Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $58
  • Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
  • Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $61
  • Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $61
  • Japanese Cooking Class: $62
  • Sushi - Authentic Japanese Cooking Class - the best souvenir from Kyoto!: $64
  • Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $64
  • Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ankara $34
    Kyoto $13
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
    $0.25

Tours and Activities in Ankara

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

  • Family-Friendly Smartphone Walking Tour: $6.00
  • Quick Tour, Essentials of Ankara: $6.00
  • Inns and Baths City Sightseeing Mobile Audio Guide: $6.00
  • Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $32
  • Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $33
  • Private Tour with a Local: $38
  • Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour: $48
  • 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: $218

Tours and Activities in Kyoto

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

  • Arashiyama self guided tour app multilingual audio guide: $2.15
  • Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket: $6.14
  • Audio guide tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace & surroundings: $6.54
  • Nijo Castle & Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Auidio Guide Tour: $6.54
  • Audio Guide Tour through Gion: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji: $6.54
  • Audio Guide Tour of Kinkaku-ji & Ryōan-ji Areas ~ Zen Echoe: $6.54
  • Audio Guide Tour: Unveiling Kyoto Station Surroundings: $6.54
  • Audio Guide Tour Sanjusangen-do & Chishaku-in: $6.54
  • Arashiyama: Self-Guided Audio Tour through History & Nature: $6.54
  • Kyoto Gion Night Walking Tour. Up to 6 people!: $6.54
  • Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket: $7.19
  • Kyoto self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $8.61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ankara $15
    Kyoto $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto

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

  • Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
  • Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $40
  • Sake Brewery &Great Yakitori Experience: $78
  • Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $82
  • Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $84
  • Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $85
  • Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $100
  • Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $159
  • Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $187
  • Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $195
  • Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $196
  • Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $223


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Kyoto, we can see that Ankara is more expensive. And not only is Kyoto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ankara is in Europe and Kyoto 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 Kyoto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kyoto 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 Kyoto.

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


Which is Bigger, Ankara or Kyoto?

Ankara has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kyoto. When comparing the sizes of Ankara and Kyoto, 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.