Which place is cheaper, Ankara or Beirut?
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 Beirut or Ankara?
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 Beirut and Ankara. 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: Beirut or Ankara?
Beirut
Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.
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 Budget Tours to Turkey, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey.
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Beirut Prices
Lebanon PricesAnkara Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.77Ankara $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.77, while the average daily cost in Ankara is $94. 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 Beirut and Ankara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Ankara $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Ankara $76
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Ankara
Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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: Beirut Hotel Prices and Ankara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Ankara $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $200
- Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $25
- Beirut-Rafic Hariri Airport Luxury Car Transfer: $70
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- Private Arrival Transfer | Beirut Airport to Your Hotel: $10
- Private Departure Transfer | Beirut Hotel to Airport: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: From your hotel in Beirut to Airport: $10
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $50
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$0.03
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Short Taxi Ride$0.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- 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: $53
- Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Ankara Airport to Cankaya Hotels: $41
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $53
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $69
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $113
- Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $55
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $113
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Ankara?
Prices for flights to both Ankara and Beirut 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 dayBeirut $1.23Ankara $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut
For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $35
- Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist: $72
- Beirut Street Food Tour, Lebanon: $85
- Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
- Beirut Street Food Tour | Hummus, Knefeh & Manoushe: $135
- Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142
- Beirut Street Food Tour | 4 Neighbourhoods · All Inclusive: $150
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$0.24
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: $89
- Home Cooking Class, Sustainable Tables & Stories: $104
- Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $291
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Ankara $23
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Small Group Tour: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos with Hotel Pickup: $30
- Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos: Small Group Tour with Hotel pickup: $30
- Hop-On Hop-Off Citysightseeing Tour & Audio Guide: $30
- Jeita Grotto, Harissa & Byblos Small-Group Tour | From Beirut: $30
- Small-Group Tour: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos with Hotel Pickup: $30
- New Cost Saver Small-Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harissa & Byblos: $30
- Beirut Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Private Tour - Explore Anjar Lebanon: $35
- Beirut Walking Tour - Discover Beirut by foot: $35
- Sidon, Tyre & Maghdouche Small-Group Tour | Lunch Included: $45
- Jeita Grotto, Harissa & Byblos Small-Group Tour | Lunch Included: $45
- Guided Small-Group Tour to Jeita, Harissa, Byblos with Lunch: $45
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$0.17
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: $34
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $36
- Ankara Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $33
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Local: $27
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $237
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Ankara $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut (Entrance Fee Included): $91
- Private Bekaa Wine Tour | Saint Thomas, Kefraya & Ksara · Beirut: $100
- Private Wine Tour | Chateau Musar, Ixsir & Batroun from Beirut: $100
- Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour | 3 Wineries from Beirut: $100
- Private Bekaa Wine Tour | 3 Wineries · St Thomas, Kefraya & Ksara: $100
- Private Wine Tour | Chateau Musar & Ixsir Winery from Beirut: $100
- PRIVATE Wine Tour in Central Bekaa Valley: $113
- Discover Wine Tasting Lebanese Tour Experience: $170
- Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $232
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Ankara, we can see that Ankara is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut is in Middle East and Ankara 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 Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Beirut.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beirut Expensive? and Is Ankara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Ankara?
Ankara has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Beirut. When comparing the sizes of Beirut 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.