Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Beirut or Istanbul?
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 Istanbul. 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 Istanbul?
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.
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.26Istanbul $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.26, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $126. 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 Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Istanbul $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Istanbul $94
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Beirut or Istanbul? 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 Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Istanbul $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
- 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: $13
- Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $15
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Beirut to Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport: $46
- Hiking Day Trip to Chouwen Lake with Hotel Transfers: $86
- Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $201
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry$0.09
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Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht W/Transfer: $47
- İstanbul Vip Airport Transfer : $50
- İstanbul Private Arrival Transfer : $56
- İstanbul Airport Transfer : Your reliable & Stress-Free ride: $55
- VIP Transfer from Hotel to Airport in Istanbul: $27
- Two Ways Istanbul Airport VIP Transfer: $98
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Istanbul APT-HTL (IST): $43
- Transfer from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport(SAW)to Istanbul Port: $31
- Transfer from Istanbul Port to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport(SAW: $31
- Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Minivan : $60
- Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Eco-Sedan: $49
- Transfer for Istanbul Airport(EUROPEAN SIDE): $82
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul 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 $0.71Istanbul $31
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
- Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal and Hotel Transfers: $142
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice$0.06
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Turkish Delight$0.02
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Dessert$0.26
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Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $21
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $26
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $29
- Half Day Sunset Luxury Yacht Dinner Cruise Tour in Istanbul: $29
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
- Turkish Night on the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Istanbul $79
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discovering Lebanon: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $15
- Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $15
- City Sightseeing Beirut Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
- Beirut Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Half-Day Private Tour to Jeita Grotto and Harissa: $35
- Small Daily Tours in Beirut City: $40
- Small-Group Beirut Historical Tour: $40
- Beirut Full Day Walking Tour: $41
- Private Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $48
- From Jeita, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $50
- Full-Day Private Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harissa And Baatara Waterfall: $50
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
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Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
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Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
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Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
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Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- 2 Hours Ultimate Kebab Experience in Galata, Istanbul: $128
- 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $273
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $164
- Full Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour: $42
- Green Bursa ~ Uludag Mountain, private Tour;Solo ;Groups: $60
- Istanbul City Tour Full Day (ASIA AND EUROPE) and Bosphorus Tour: $120
- Istanbul Customized Daily Tour: $200
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $55
- City Highlights Tour w/Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque: $35
- Must - See Istanbul Stops 1: Half Day Morning Tour: $139
- 1 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $68
- 1-Day Private Istanbul Layover Tour : $220
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Istanbul $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Budget Wine Tasting Tour at the Bekaa Valley Wineries: $60
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
- Byblos & Chateau Musar: History and Wine Tour: $65
- From Full Day Wine Tasting in the Bekaa Valley Tour: $90
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $150
- Wine Tasting and Culture : $150
- Private Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch from Beirut: $150
- Wine Tasting and Hiking in the Cedars forest : $150
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $45
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $84
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $246
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $840
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul 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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Beirut. When comparing the sizes of Beirut and Istanbul, 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 Istanbul?
Istanbul 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 Istanbul in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Istanbul. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Beirut is generally a little warmer than Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 27°C (81°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Istanbul. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beirut this time of the year. In the summer, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Istanbul. Beirut gets 369 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 333 hours of full sun.
Beirut usually gets less rain in July than Istanbul. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeirut 27°C (81°F)Istanbul 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Istanbul in the Autumn?
Both Istanbul and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Beirut is much warmer than Istanbul in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Istanbul fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Istanbul during autumn. Beirut gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Beirut usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeirut 25°C (77°F)Istanbul 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Istanbul in the Winter?
Both Istanbul and Beirut during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In the winter, Beirut is much warmer than Istanbul. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beirut in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Istanbul averages at about 6°C (43°F).
In the winter, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Istanbul. Beirut gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 75 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually gets more rain in January than Istanbul. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeirut 13°C (55°F)Istanbul 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Istanbul in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Istanbul. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Also, many travelers come to Istanbul for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Beirut is generally a little warmer than Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 17°C (63°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Beirut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Istanbul during spring. Beirut gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Beirut usually receives around the same amount of rain as Istanbul. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeirut 17°C (63°F)Istanbul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Istanbul and Beirut
| Beirut | Istanbul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 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.