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

Should you visit Cappadocia or Dahab?

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

Should I visit Cappadocia or Dahab? 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 Dahab?

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.

Dahab

Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best 2-Week Tours from Istanbul, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Dahab or Cappadocia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cappadocia is $122, while the average daily cost in Dahab is $22. 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 Dahab in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cappadocia $34
    Dahab $8.05
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cappadocia $68
    Dahab $16
Compare Hotels in Cappadocia and Dahab

Looking for a hotel in Cappadocia or Dahab? 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 Dahab


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 Dahab Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cappadocia $33
    Dahab $2.68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cappadocia

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

  • İstanbul Airport Transfer: $67
  • Whirling Dervishes Ceremony Semah With Hotel Transfer: $27
  • Transfer from Kayseri Airport to Cappadocia Hotels (Small Group): $19
  • Transfer between Nevşehir/Kayseri Airports and Cappadocia hotels: $22
  • Shuttle Transfer from Cappadocia Hotels to "Kayseri Erkilet Airport": $31
  • Shared Transfers for Kayseri and Nevşehir Airports: $3.41
  • Shared Shuttle Airport or Hotel Transfer in Cappadocia: $25
  • Red Cappadocia Tour with Hotel transfer, Tickets, Lunch and more!: $70
  • Private transfer in SUBURBAN in punta cana and bavaro cap cana: $60
  • Private transfer from Nevşehir airport (NAV) to any hotel in Cappadocia: $107
  • Private Transfers from to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport: $30
  • Private Transfers Nevşehir Apt to/from Kaymaklı or Özkonak Underground Cities: $131

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

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

  • Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) Airport: $114
  • Private Pickup Transfer From Dahab To St. Catherine: $75
  • Pickup transfer from Dahab To Sharm El Sheikh airport: $70
  • Private Transfer From Dahab To Sharm el Sheikh airport: $65
  • Beginner Scuba Dive at Lighthouse w Photos & Transfer: $58
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour from Dahab with Lunch & Hotel Transfers: $45
  • Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH): $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Cappadocia or Dahab?

Prices for flights to both Dahab 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 $56
    Dahab $11
Typical Food Prices in Cappadocia

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


  • Cookies
    $0.02

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cappadocia

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

  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Show with Dinner and Drinks: $51
  • Cappadocia From Traditional Cooking Class Course: $57
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Show, Dinner & Unlimited Drinks & Pickup: $61
  • Turkish Night at Cave Restaurant with Dinner and Unlimited Drinks: $62
  • Turkish Nights in Cappadocia Dinner & Cultural Show in a Cave: $65
  • Cappadocia Night: Turkish Dance & Dinner: $70
  • Turkish Night Show With Dinner in a Cave Restaurant: $74
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Cultural Show and Dinner: $75
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Show with Dinner & Hotel Transfers: $75
  • Half-Day Private Food Tour in Kayseri: $78
  • 2-Hour Cappadocia Turkish Night Show and Dinner Experience: $79
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night with Dinner and Cultural Show: $79

Typical Food Prices in Dahab

For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $1.72
  • Juice
    $0.09
  • Breakfast for Two
    $0.54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab

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

  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cappadocia $62
    Dahab $5.67
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
    $0.60
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two
    $12
  • Horseback Riding for Two
    $2.31
  • Cappadocia Driving Tour
    $2.46
  • Goreme Museum Entrance Fee
    $0.30
  • Whirling Dervishes Show
    $2.01
  • Turkish Bath
    $1.41
  • Hot air ballooning
    $8.15
  • Goreme open air museum
    $0.40
  • Bellydancing Show
    $2.62

Tours and Activities in Cappadocia

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

  • 1 Day Cappadocia Tour: $96
  • 1 Hour Cappadocia ATV Tour: $11
  • 1, 2 or 3 Days Private Cappadocia Tour Best Seller: $250
  • 1-Hour Valleys and Landscapes through Cappadocia ATV Tour: $18
  • 2 Day Guided Red and South Tour in Cappadocia: $114
  • 2 Days Small Group Cappadocia North and South Tour: $136
  • 2 Days South (Green tour) and North (Red tour) Cappadocia + Lunch: $90
  • 2 Days in Private Tour & Spiritual Dervish Ceremony: $208
  • 2 Hour Cappadocia Atv Experience: $57
  • 2 Hours Sunset ATV Adventure in Cappadocia: $32
  • 2 days Cappadocia Green and ultimate Red Tour: $131
  • 2-Day Cappadocia Highlights Tour (Red & Green Tours Included): $182

Tours and Activities in Dahab

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

  • Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $40
  • Adventure Safari By Horse In Dahab At Laguna Beach: $65
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $43
  • Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $50
  • Dahab Windsurfing Adventure Tour: $75
  • Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour: $40
  • Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
  • luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
  • Full-Day Hike Tour at St. Catherine's Monastery: $35
  • Jerusalem Bethlehem and Dead Sea 1-Day Tour from Dahab: $260
  • Mount Sinai & St. Catherine Sunset and Sunrise combined tour from Dahab: $170
  • Mount Sinai Sunrise and St Catherine Monastery Tour from Dahab: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cappadocia $12
    Dahab $3.36

Sample the Local Flavors in Cappadocia

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cappadocia:

  • Wine tasting in Cappadocia: $67
  • Local Wine Tasting Experience: $68
  • Wine Tasting in Cappadocia Turkey - Introduction of local wines: $72
  • Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys Guided Tour with Local Wine Tasting: $85
  • Cappadocia Vineyard Experience and Wine Tasting: $92
  • Private Wine Tasting and Day Tour w/Göreme Museum: $108
  • Wine Tasting and Sunset in Cappadocia: $204
  • Half-Day Private Cappadocia Wine Tour Experience: $268
  • Ancient Cappadocia's Wine Tasting - Private Tour: $275


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cappadocia and Dahab, we can see that Cappadocia is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cappadocia is in Europe and Dahab is in Africa, 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 Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Dahab.

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


Which is Bigger, Cappadocia or Dahab?

Dahab has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Cappadocia. When comparing the sizes of Cappadocia and Dahab, 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.