Which place is cheaper, Ephesus or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Beirut or Ephesus?
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 Ephesus. 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 Ephesus?
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.
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 Cultural Tours in Turkey, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.26Ephesus $143
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.26, while the average daily cost in Ephesus is $143. 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 Ephesus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Ephesus $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Ephesus $140
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Ephesus
Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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: Beirut Hotel Prices and Ephesus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Ephesus $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $201
- Hiking Day Trip to Chouwen Lake with Hotel Transfers: $86
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $46
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $15
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer: $13
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
- Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vip Transfer Kusadasi To/From Izmir Airport: $67
- Transfer from/to Izmir Airport ADB to/from Didim Area: $186
- Transfer: $66
- Scuba Diving Experience in Kusadasi with Instructor and Transfer: $60
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Selçuk, Ephesus, Şirince: $131
- Private Transfers From Kusadasi: $174
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $24
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Port to Adnan Menderes Airport ADB: $64
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi hotels: $24
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi Hotels: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Ephesus?
Prices for flights to both Ephesus 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 $0.71Ephesus $33
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: $30
- Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist: $72
- Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
- Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:
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Sandwiches$0.15
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Dessert$0.17
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Lunch at Beach (for 2)$0.59
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Snacks$0.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus
For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110
- Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $211
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $228
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Ephesus $59
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Days Lebanon Holiday Tour Package: $250
- 3 Hours ATV Rental Guided Tour in Nature: $130
- 3 days tour package : Jeita grotto-Byblos-Baalbek & Beirut tour: $295
- 3-Day Tour of Beirut with Pick Up: $250
- ATV (2 Seat) Full Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $150
- ATV (2 Seat) Half Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $120
- All in 1 Lebanon Local Multi day Tour, 3 days: $289
- Baalbek Tour: $111
- Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara Group Tour: $95
- Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara Guided Full-Day Tour from Beirut: $90
- Baatara Gorge Waterfall, Jeita Grotto and Byblos Tour: $170
- Beirut 3 museums + mini walking tour: $50
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- Ephesus Half Day Small Group Tour: $40
- Ephesus Shared Tour from Kuşadası Port: $130
- Ephesus Tour With Small Group From Kusadasi: $77
- Ephesus Tour from Kusadası Port: $44
- Ephesus small groups Tour For Cruisers (skip the line): $200
- Ephesus tours and Virgin Mary's House Temple Artemis tours : $67
- Private Pergamum Tour from Izmir or Kusadasi: $274
- Private Tour Ephesus for Cruise Guests : $250
- Private Tour to Ephesus, Virgin Mary, and Artemis Temple From Cruise Ship/Hotel: $120
- Small Group Pamukkale Day Tour from Selcuk or Kusadası : $93
- ( Skip The Line - Max 10 Pax) Small Group Ephesus Tour for Cruise Passengers : $25
- -e Bike Tour Through Vineyards with Ephesus Visit: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Ephesus $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour at Chateau Musar and Ixsir : $50
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $56
- Uncorking Splendor: A Journey Through Private Wine Tasting Tours: $60
- Budget Wine Tasting Tour at the Bekaa Valley Wineries: $60
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
- Wine Tasting and Culture : $69
- Wine Tasting and Hiking in the Cedars forest : $69
- From Full Day Wine Tasting in the Bekaa Valley Tour: $90
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
- Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $103
- Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110
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$0.12
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 & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $54
- Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
- Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $100
- Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House: $131
- Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $134
- Full-Day Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting from Kusadasi: $149
- Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi with Private Guide and Van: $218
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Ephesus, we can see that Ephesus 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 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 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 Ephesus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ephesus 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 Ephesus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Ephesus?
Beirut has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Beirut 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 Beirut or Ephesus?
Ephesus has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Beirut experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Beirut or Ephesus in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Ephesus. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round.
Beirut is around the same temperature as Ephesus in the summer. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Ephesus fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In Beirut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beirut usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ephesus during summer. Beirut gets 369 hours of sunny skies, while Ephesus receives 378 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Beirut usually receives more rain than Ephesus. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeirut 27°C (81°F)Ephesus 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Ephesus in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Ephesus. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Beirut is a little warmer than Ephesus. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beirut in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Ephesus averages at about 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beirut this time of the year. In the autumn, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Ephesus. Beirut gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ephesus receives 232 hours of full sun.
Beirut usually gets more rain in October than Ephesus. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeirut 25°C (77°F)Ephesus 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Ephesus in the Winter?
Both Ephesus and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year.
In January, Beirut is generally a little warmer than Ephesus. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 13°C (55°F), and Ephesus fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Ephesus during winter. Beirut gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Ephesus receives 131 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. It's quite rainy in Beirut. In January, Beirut usually receives less rain than Ephesus. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeirut 13°C (55°F)Ephesus 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Ephesus in the Spring?
Both Ephesus and Beirut during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Beirut is a little warmer than Ephesus in the spring. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Ephesus fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beirut. In the spring, Beirut often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ephesus. Beirut gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ephesus receives 231 hours of full sun.
Beirut usually gets more rain in April than Ephesus. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeirut 17°C (63°F)Ephesus 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Ephesus and Beirut
| Beirut | Ephesus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.