Which place is cheaper, Ephesus or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Aqaba or Ephesus?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Ephesus, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Ephesus?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesEphesus Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Ephesus $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Ephesus is $118. 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 Aqaba and Ephesus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Ephesus $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Ephesus $98
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Ephesus
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Ephesus? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Ephesus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Ephesus $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Amman/Death Sea: 1-Way Transfer to/from Wadi Rum in Private: $266
- Petra by Night Tour with Private Transfer: $198
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Sheikh Hussein Border or vice versa: $193
- Private Transfer to Petra with Wi-Fi and Water: $191
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Allenby King Hussein Bridge: $173
- Private Car Transfer with Wadi Rum Jeep Safari: $169
- Private Transfer Aqaba Airport to Amman Queen Alia Airport: $153
- Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border: $153
- Hassle-Free Aqaba South Beach to Wadi Rum Transfer – 24/7 Service: $150
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Wadi rum: $140
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Amman Hotels: $133
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Amman Airport: $133
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $177
- Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $124
- Didim Quad or Buggy Safari Adventure Tour with Return Transfers: $75
- From-to Izmir AirPort to-from Kusadası Private Airport Transfer: $90
- Horse Riding Experience in Kusadasi for Everyone with Transfers: $46
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $100
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Kusadasi Centrum (All hotels, home...) transfers: $94
- Kusadasi & National Park Boat Tours with Lunch and Transfer: $38
- Kusadasi Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer: $55
- Kusadasi Buggy Adventure Tour with Hotel Transfer: $59
- Kusadasi Buggy Car Safari With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $45
- Kusadasi Buggy Safari Adventure Included Transfer: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Ephesus?
Prices for flights to both Ephesus and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Ephesus $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- 4h Jeep Tour + Bedouin Night (Dinner & Breakfast): $65
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $100
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $110
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:
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Sandwiches$0.11
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Dessert$0.12
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Lunch at Beach (for 2)$0.41
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Snacks$0.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus
For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals: $160
- Kusadasi Selcuk Ephesus Gourmet and Street Food Tour: $236
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Ephesus $41
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Jordan: 3-Day Tour of Ancient Sites, Nature,&Local Culture": $317
- 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $61
- 04 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $73
- 06 Hours Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum: $84
- 1 Day & 1 Night | Stay & Jeep + Camel Tour in Wadi Rum | Magic Bedouin Star: $99
- 1 Day Camel tour with lunch: $75
- 2 Days 1 Night in Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $204
- 2 Days Guided Hiking Tour To Wadi Rum Jebal Al Hash: $103
- 2 Days Tour | Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea From Amman.: $190
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- 2 To 5 Hours Glass Bottom Boat Private Tour At Read Sea: $90
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- Best-Seller PRIVATE EPHESUS & SHOPPING Tour FOR CRUISERS: $5.90
- Private Ephesus Tour from Cruise Port - Lunch & Skip The Lines: $7.00
- Skip-the-Line Ephesus Tour with Lunch: $7.08
- Mini Group Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary Tour (Max. 10 guests): $9.90
- Small Group Tour Ephesus and House of Mary with Lunch: $10
- FOR CRUISERS: Best of Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi port: $11
- Ephesus and Sirince Village Tour For Cruisers: $11
- Skip the Line: Ephesus Tour For Cruise Guest: $12
- Kusadasi Walking City and Shopping Tour from Kusadasi Port: $12
- Private Ephesus and Temple of Artemis Tour from Kusadasi Port: $13
- Skip-the-Line Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers with Opt Tickets: $13
- Private Ephesus Shore Excursion from Kusadasi with Ticket Option: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Ephesus $10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:
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Beer$0.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus
Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skip-the-Line: Ephesus Shore Excursion & Wine Tasting: $21
- PRIVATE & GROUP: EPHESUS TOUR with Wine Tasting (SKIP-THE-LINE): $29
- LGBTQ+ Friendly Ephesus Shore Excursion & Local Wine Tasting: $30
- FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $34
- Ephesus Shore Excursion & Wine Tasting + Lunch - Opt Turkish Bath: $35
- FOR CRUISERS:Kusadasi Port Private Wine Tasting and Ephesus Tour: $45
- POTTERY PAINTING & WINE TASTING Tour from Kusadasi Port: $49
- Wine Tasting-Village Shore Excursion from Kusadasi Port: $50
- Sirince Village and Wine Tour with Artemis Temple: $58
- Kusadasi Shore Excursions Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tours: $70
- Private Ephesus and Sirince Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $92
- FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus Ruins & Sirince Village Wine Tasting Tour: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Ephesus, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Ephesus is in Europe, 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 Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Ephesus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Ephesus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Ephesus?
Aqaba has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Ephesus, 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.
When is the best time to visit Aqaba or Ephesus?
Ephesus has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Aqaba experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Aqaba or Ephesus in the Summer?
Both Ephesus and Aqaba during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ephesus this time of year.
It's very hot in Aqaba this time of the year. Aqaba is a little warmer than Ephesus in the summer. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Ephesus fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Aqaba. In the summer, Aqaba often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ephesus. Aqaba gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ephesus receives 378 hours of full sun.
Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than Ephesus. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAqaba 33°C (91°F)Ephesus 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Ephesus in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Ephesus. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Also, many travelers come to Ephesus for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Aqaba is a little warmer than Ephesus. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aqaba in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Ephesus averages at about 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Ephesus during autumn. Aqaba gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Ephesus receives 232 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Ephesus. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAqaba 26°C (79°F)Ephesus 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Ephesus in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Ephesus. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Ephesus in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Aqaba is generally a little warmer than Ephesus. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 14°C (57°F), and Ephesus fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In the winter, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Ephesus. Aqaba gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ephesus receives 131 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Ephesus. Aqaba usually gets less rain in January than Ephesus. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAqaba 14°C (57°F)Ephesus 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Ephesus in the Spring?
Both Ephesus and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year.
Aqaba is much warmer than Ephesus in the spring. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Ephesus fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Ephesus. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Ephesus during spring. Aqaba gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Ephesus receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Ephesus. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAqaba 24°C (75°F)Ephesus 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Ephesus and Aqaba
| Aqaba | Ephesus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
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.