A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cappadocia vs. Carcassonne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cappadocia or Carcassonne?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Cappadocia or Carcassonne? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Cappadocia or Carcassonne?

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is in Central Anatolia, between the mountains Erciyes, Melendiz and Hasan. It is famous for its underground cities, fairy chimneys, and caves. The landscape of the area is some of the most unique you'll ever see. The fairy chimneys are bizarrely shaped rock outcroppings that have evolved from the unique geography in the area. There are hiking trails through the series of valleys that make up the area. It's a great place to explore for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a hilltop town in southern France. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Carcassonne is located in the Aude plain between historic trade routes, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrenees. The Romans recognized its strategic importance and occupied its hilltop until the demise of the Western Roman Empire and was later taken over in the fifth century by the Visigoths who founded the city. Its desirable location led successive rulers to expand its fortifications until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. It is famous for its medieval citadel, La Cite, which has numerous watchtowers and double-walled fortifications. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times, with major additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries. With its position on a rocky hilltop, zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets, the fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children's storybook when it's seen from afar. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, it's most people's idea of the perfect medieval castle. It attracts over four million visitors every year, peaking in high summer. Time your visit for late in the day (or even better in spring or fall) to truly appreciate the old town's medieval charm.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best 2-Week Tours from Istanbul, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Carcassonne or Cappadocia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cappadocia is $151, while the average daily cost in Carcassonne is $114. 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 Cappadocia and Carcassonne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cappadocia $53
    Carcassonne $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cappadocia $106
    Carcassonne $130
Compare Hotels in Cappadocia and Carcassonne

Looking for a hotel in Cappadocia or Carcassonne? 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.

Hotels in Cappadocia


Hotels in Carcassonne


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: Cappadocia Hotel Prices and Carcassonne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cappadocia $51
    Carcassonne $7.65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cappadocia

Also for Cappadocia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Whirling Dervishes Show in Cappadocia w/ Free Hotel Transfer: $20
  • Transfer from Kayseri Airport to Cappadocia Hotels (Small Group): $16
  • Shuttle Transfer from Cappadocia Hotels to "Kayseri Erkilet Airport": $22
  • Shared Shuttle Airport or Hotel Transfer in Cappadocia: $16
  • Shared Airport Transfer to Nevsehir Airport From Cappadocia: $22
  • Shared Airport Transfer from Nevsehir Airport to Cappadocia: $22
  • Shared Airport Transfer From Nevsehir/Kayseri Airports to Hotels: $15
  • Private Transfers Nevşehir Apt to/from Kaymaklı or Özkonak Underground Cities: $131
  • Private Transfers Kayseri Erkılet Airport to/from Cappadocia Region: $131
  • Private Transfers Kayseri Apt to/from Kaymaklı or Özkonak Underground Cities: $131
  • Private Transfer from Nevşehir (NAV) Airport to Cappadocia Hotels: $87
  • Private Transfer from Cappadocia Hotels to Nevşehir(NAV) Airport: $82

Is it cheaper to fly into Cappadocia or Carcassonne?

Prices for flights to both Carcassonne and Cappadocia 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cappadocia $50
    Carcassonne $41
Typical Food Prices in Cappadocia

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cappadocia:


  • Cookies
    $0.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cappadocia

For Cappadocia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Turkish Night Show in Cave Restaurant with Dinner and Transfer: $44
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night in Avanos Dinner Included: $48
  • Cappadocia Traditional Turkish Night with Dinner (in Authentic Cave Restaurant): $53
  • Turkish Night Show With Dinner in a Cave Restaurant: $55
  • Cappadocia Night: Turkish Dance & Dinner : $60
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Show with Dinner and Entertainments: $62
  • Cappadocian cooking - hands-on class with pickup: $64
  • Romantic Cappadocia Sunset Dinner and Wine : $65
  • Turkish night show with dinner and unlimited free alcohol: $69
  • Cappadocia Cave Restaurant for Dinner and Turkish Entertainments: $71
  • Half-Day Private Food Tour in Kayseri: $75
  • Romantic Cappadocia Private Sunset Dinner With Wild Food : $78

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cappadocia $95
    Carcassonne $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cappadocia

For Cappadocia, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Underground City Entrance for Two
    $0.93
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two
    $18
  • Horseback Riding for Two
    $3.55
  • Cappadocia Driving Tour
    $3.78
  • Goreme Museum Entrance Fee
    $0.46
  • Whirling Dervishes Show
    $3.09
  • Turkish Bath
    $2.16
  • Hot air ballooning
    $13
  • Goreme open air museum
    $0.62
  • Bellydancing Show
    $4.02

Tours and Activities in Cappadocia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cappadocia.

  • 2 Days Cappadocia Red & Erciyes Ski Tour: $220
  • 2 days Cappadocia Full Turkish night Show, Atv & Red Tour: $175
  • Cappadocia Red Tour Small Group: $98
  • Cappadocia relax tour car and driver: $131
  • Private Day Tour Natural Beauties of Cappadocia and Underground Caves: $283
  • 1-Hour Hot Air Balloon Tour in Cappadocia Goreme Valley: $250
  • 2 Days Private Guided Cappadocia Tour with Pick Up: $225
  • 2 Days Red and Green tour: $163
  • 2 Hour Cappadocia Atv Experience : $40
  • 2 Hour Cappadocia Jeep Safari Tour: $101
  • 2 Hour Cappadocia Private Classic Car Tour: $128
  • 2 Hour Sunset Quad Bike (ATV) Tour in Cappadocia: $22

Tours and Activities in Carcassonne

For Carcassonne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • A Self-Guided Tour of Carcassonne’s Ancient Basilica: $20
  • Best of Cathar Country: Full-Day Private Tour.: $207
  • Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Tour: $20
  • Carcassonne Private Guided Walking Tour: $294
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour : $201
  • Castle and Ramparts Entry Ticket: $12
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Fortress Walking Tour: $171
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.42
  • Medieval Walls Self-Guided Smartphone App Tour: $20
  • Photoshoot Experience: $160
  • Private Walking Tour with Cité de Carcassonne: $187

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cappadocia $18
    Carcassonne $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Cappadocia

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cappadocia:

  • Cappadocia Nightlife Experience: Bar and Pub Crawl Tour: $32
  • Wine tasting in Cappadocia: $64
  • Cappadocia Wine Cellar and Wine Yard with Wine Tasting: $79
  • Full-day Cappadocia Tour with wine tasting and clay shaping : $90
  • Wine Tasting and Sunset in Cappadocia: $196

Sample the Local Flavors in Carcassonne

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Carcassonne:

  • Wine tour Cathar country: $471


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cappadocia and Carcassonne, we can see that Cappadocia is more expensive. And not only is Carcassonne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carcassonne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carcassonne 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 Cappadocia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cappadocia than you might in Carcassonne.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cappadocia Expensive? and Is Carcassonne Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cappadocia or Carcassonne?

Carcassonne has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cappadocia. When comparing the sizes of Cappadocia and Carcassonne, 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.