A Travel Price Comparison for Turkey Antalya vs. Ankara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


Which place is cheaper, Ankara or Antalya?

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 Antalya is $139, while the average daily cost in Ankara is $110. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antalya $52
    Ankara $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antalya $104
    Ankara $108
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.

Hotels in Antalya


Hotels in Ankara


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antalya $104
    Ankara $35

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: $89
  • Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - TOP VIP Minibus: $134
  • Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - VIP Minibus: $119
  • Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - VIP Minivan: $104
  • Pamukkale Tour with 3-meals, Entrance & Transfer from Antalya: $60
  • Private Transfer From Antalya Airport To Denizyaka / Gündoğdu / Çolaklı: $76
  • Private Transfer From Antalya Airport To Titreyengöl / Sorgun: $91
  • ANTALYA:Private Transfer Cappadocia & Antalya City Center: $536
  • AYT - Konyaaltı | Private Transfer Between Antalya Airport: $38
  • Adana Airport Transfers to Ceyhan Hotels: $105
  • Adana Airport Transfers to Mersin Hotels: $116
  • Airport Private Transfer from Antalya to Side/Belek/Kundu: $67

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:

  • Private transfer: Ankara to Ankara Airport (ESB): $40
  • Private transfer: Ankara Airport (ESB) to Ankara: $40
  • 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: $111
  • Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $111
  • Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $75
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $61
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $105

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Antalya $24
    Ankara $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya

For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Pamukkalea and Salda Lake Tour with Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner: $40
  • Suluada Island Cruise with Dinner and Sunset: $70
  • Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner: $74

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antalya $43
    Ankara $32

Tours and Activities in Antalya

For Antalya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Antalya Sightseeing City Tour with Cable Car and Boat Trip: $5.00
  • Antalya City Tour Full-Day Boat Tour Cable Car and Waterfall Peerless&Excellent: $7.76
  • Antalya Scavenger Hunt And Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.23
  • Antalya Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Spa and Skin Care Experience with Massage and Drink: $9.01
  • City Tour, Waterfalls, and Boat Tour with Lunch: $9.16
  • Self-Guided Audio City Tour on Your Phone: $11
  • Antalya Full Day City Tour - With Waterfalls and Cable Car: $11
  • Antalya/Kemer: Suluada Island Boat Tour with Lunch: $13
  • City Tour with Cable Car, Boat Trip, and Waterfall: $16
  • City Tour with Waterfall, Lunch and Cable Car: $16
  • Old Town Harbor Sightseeing Cruise: $16

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 : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $33
  • Ankara Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $32
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour: $272
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $222
  • Private Tour with a Local: $38
  • Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $33
  • Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
  • Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
  • Istanbul: Half-Day Tour with Topkapi Palace: $145
  • Konya and Cappdocia Tour 3 Days-2 Nights from Ankara: $447
  • Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280
  • Private Tour: Ankara Sightseeing: $235

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antalya $19
    Ankara $14


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.