Which place is cheaper, Ankara or Antalya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Antalya or Ankara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Antalya or Ankara? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Antalya or Ankara?
Antalya
Antalya is the largest city along Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the eighth largest city in the country with over one million people in the metropolitan area. The city dates back to about 200 BC when it was settled by the Attalid Dynasty of Pergamon and soon conquered by the Romans. The city was ruled by several different groups and most recently was transferred to Italian suzerainty following World War I. It became part of Turkey following the War of Independence. The city has seen an influx of development in recent years and it has grown into a tourism mecca with more than 12 million visitors in 2014.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Turkey, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Turkey, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntalya $147Ankara $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Antalya is $147, while the average daily cost in Ankara is $116. 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 Antalya and Ankara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntalya $55Ankara $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntalya $110Ankara $114
Compare Hotels in Antalya and Ankara
Looking for a hotel in Antalya or Ankara? 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: Antalya Hotel Prices and Ankara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antalya $110Ankara $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antalya
Also for Antalya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - Economy: $88
- Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - VIP Minibus: $117
- Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - VIP Minivan: $102
- Private Transfer From Antalya Airport To Titreyengöl / Sorgun: $91
- AYT - Konyaaltı | Private Transfer Between Antalya Airport: $37
- Adana Airport Transfers to Adana city Hotels: $54
- Adana Airport Transfers to Tarsus city Hotels: $81
- Airport Private Transfer from Antalya to Side/Belek/Kundu: $65
- Alanya City Tour, Boat Trip & Cable Car with Transfer from Side: $63
- Alanya/Mahmutlar: Private Transfer to/from Antalya Airport: $42
- Alanya: Private Airport Transfer: $88
- All Inclusive Antalya Pirate Boat Trip ,Lunch, Drinks & Transfer: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:
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Metro Ride$0.04
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Short Taxi Ride$0.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- Private transfer: Ankara to Ankara Airport (ESB): $39
- Private transfer: Ankara Airport (ESB) to Ankara: $39
- Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $109
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $109
- Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $60
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $64
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $71
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Antalya or Ankara?
Prices for flights to both Ankara and Antalya 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
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Food Meals for one dayAntalya $25Ankara $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya
For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Turkish Tastes at Antalya Food Tour: $47
- Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner: $72
- Full day trip to Pamukkale from Side with dinner: $103
- Pamukkale tour w. Entrance, Lunch, Dinner & Transfer from Antalya: $118
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
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A Quick Lunch$0.36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antalya $46Ankara $34
Tours and Activities in Antalya
For Antalya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Antalya Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $3.20
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- Bazaar Self-Guided Smartphone App Tour: $6.00
- Antalya Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Antalya Scavenger Hunt And Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Antalya Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Self-Guided Audio City Tour on Your Phone: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- White Water Rafting Tour from Antalya: $11
- Sulu Island and Adrasan Bay: Boat Tour with Lunch: $13
- Full-Day Private Rafting Adventure in Karabük Türkiye: $13
- Pamukkale Tour From Antalya : $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara
Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Underground City$0.25
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour: $48
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $33
- Ankara Private Walking Tour: $266
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $218
- Family-Friendly Smartphone Walking Tour: $6.00
- Inns and Baths City Sightseeing Mobile Audio Guide: $6.00
- Private Tour with a Local: $37
- Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $32
- Quick Tour, Essentials of Ankara: $6.00
- From Konya and Cappdocia Tour (3 Days-2 Nights): $438
- Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
- Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntalya $20Ankara $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Ankara, we can see that Antalya 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 Antalya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antalya 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 Antalya Expensive? and Is Ankara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antalya or Ankara?
Ankara has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Antalya. When comparing the sizes of Antalya and Ankara, 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.