Which place is cheaper, Istanbul 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 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 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Beirut Prices
Lebanon PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.77Istanbul $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.77, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $179. 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 $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Istanbul $166
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 $39
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
- Airport Departure Transfer From Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: From your hotel in Beirut to Airport: $10
- Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Beirut-Rafic Hariri Airport Luxury Car Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $50
- Private Transfer from Beirut to Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $90
- istanbul Airport Transfer: $39
- VIP Transfer: $52
- Turkish Night Tour with Meyhane Experience and Transfer: $119
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Istanbul APT-HTL (IST): $43
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Istanbul HTL-APT (SAW): $52
- Troy Full-Day Guided Tour incl. Transfer, Ferry Tickets w/Lunch : $138
- Transfer from Istanbul Port to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport(SAW: $44
- Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Luxury Sedan: $144
- Transfer Istanbul City Center to Istanbul Ataturk Airport: $29
- Transfer Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ISL) to City Center: $29
- Sapanca and Masukiye Day Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfer: $23
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 $1.23Istanbul $66
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $24
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Night Cruise with Dinner, Shows and Party : $30
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table: $31
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Dinner, Drinks & Show with Pickup: $32
- Dinner Cruise On The Bosphorus with Turkish night show: $34
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Entertaintment & Private Table & Wi-Fi: $36
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $36
- Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Shows Private Table & Free Wi-Fi: $36
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Drinks and Shows: $41
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $42
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Istanbul $43
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: $10
- Small Group Tour to Sidon, Tyre and Maghdouche with hotel pickup: $10
- Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $10
- Small Group Tour: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos with Hotel Pickup: $15
- Small-Group Tour: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos with Hotel Pickup: $15
- Small-Group Tour: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos with Hotel pickup: $20
- Beirut Walking Tour - Discover Beirut by foot: $30
- New Cost Saver Small-Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harissa & Byblos: $30
- Guided Small-Group Tour to Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara with Lunch: $30
- Beirut Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Beirut : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $37
- Chouwen Lake Hike Adventure: A Scenic Day Trip from Beirut: $50
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $180
- Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
- Bosphorus Morning or Sunset Guided Cruise Tour: $26
- Digital Experience Museum Skip the Line Entry: $35
- Discover the Magic of Old City – A Walking Tour Through Time: $60
- Full day old city tour (LT1): $179
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $95
- Istanbul Self Guided Walking Tour : $5.00
- Istanbul Wonders FullDay Skipping Lines Private Guided City Tour: $128
- Istanbul's Hidden Gems Private Walking City Tour: $144
- Private Guided Istanbul Walking Tour: $170
- "Classic Wonders" Tour: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Istanbul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Day Tour from Beirut: $50
- Byblos & Chateau Musar: History and Wine Tour: $65
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
- Wine Tasting and Culture : $100
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $104
- Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110
- PRIVATE Wine Tour in Central Bekaa Valley: $113
- Half-Day Private Chateau Musar and Ixsir Wine Tour from Beirut: $187
- Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $235
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Nightlife Pub Crawl Pub and İstanbul Club Adventure: $30
- Pub Crawl Istanbul / Rooftop Clubs & Party Bus: $30
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Adults-Only Nightlife Adventure: $31
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $210
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.