Which place is cheaper, Islamabad or Cappadocia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cappadocia or Islamabad?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cappadocia or Islamabad? 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 Islamabad?
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.
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best 2-Week Tours from Istanbul, The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCappadocia $150Islamabad $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Cappadocia is $150, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is $42. 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 Islamabad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCappadocia $52Islamabad $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCappadocia $104Islamabad $40
Compare Hotels in Cappadocia and Islamabad
Looking for a hotel in Cappadocia or Islamabad? 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: Cappadocia Hotel Prices and Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cappadocia $50Islamabad $7.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cappadocia
Also for Cappadocia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cat Valley Ballon Tour In Cappadocia With Free Hotel Transfer: $280
- Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour with Private Transfer: $263
- Private Transfer Between Kayseri Airport and Cappadocia Hotels.: $240
- All in One Private Cappadocia Tour By Optional Airport Transfer : $222
- Private Transfer from Cappadocia to Antalya : $213
- 2 Days 1 Night Cappadocia Tour (Airport Transfer, Hotel, Daily Tour And Atv): $212
- Cappadocia Package Tour withTransfers + 1 Night Hotel,1 Day Tour: $194
- Cappadocia Balloon Ride with Breakfast, Champagne and Transfers: $172
- Kayseri Airport ASR Transfers to Hacibektas Hotels: $172
- Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport NAV Transfers to Guzelyurt Hotels: $161
- Cappadocia Private Transfer round trip NAV&ASR Airports to Hotels: $158
- Transfer from Cappadocia Hotels to Nevşehir or Kayseri Airport (private): $151
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Islamabad Airport Transfers : $54
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Cappadocia or Islamabad?
Prices for flights to both Islamabad 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
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Food Meals for one dayCappadocia $49Islamabad $15
Typical Food Prices in Cappadocia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cappadocia:
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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:
- Cappadocia Turkish Night With Unlimited Drinks And Dinner: $30
- Cappadocia Night: Turkish Dance & Dinner : $55
- Turkish night show with dinner and unlimited free alcohol: $59
- Romantic Cappadocia Private Sunset Dinner With Wild Food : $64
- Turkish Night Unlimited Drinks & Dinner in Cappadocia: $64
- Cappadocian cooking - hands-on class with pickup: $65
- Cappadocia Cave Restaurant for Dinner and Turkish Entertainments: $72
- Romantic Cappadocia Sunset Dinner and Wine : $75
- Half-Day Private Food Tour in Kayseri: $77
- 2-Hour Cappadocia Turkish Night Show and Dinner Experience: $78
- Turkish Night Show & Dinner: $82
- Turkish Home Cooking Class in Cappadocia with Hotel Transfers: $104
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cappadocia $95Islamabad $9.47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cappadocia
For Cappadocia, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Underground City Entrance for Two$0.92
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Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two$18
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Horseback Riding for Two$3.52
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Cappadocia Driving Tour$3.75
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Goreme Museum Entrance Fee$0.46
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Whirling Dervishes Show$3.07
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Turkish Bath$2.15
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Hot air ballooning$12
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Goreme open air museum$0.61
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Bellydancing Show$3.99
Tours and Activities in Cappadocia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cappadocia.
- "Cappadocia ATV Sunrise or Sunset Adventure": $70
- ATV (Quad) Tour in Cappadocia-2 Hours: $49
- Cappadocia ATV Tour: $37
- Cappadocia relax tour car and driver: $133
- Highlights of Cappadocia All in One Tour: $222
- Private Cappadocia Tour (Guide & Driver): $33
- Private Half Day Guided Tour Visit to Cappadocia: $169
- 1 Hour ATV Tour: $27
- 1, 2 or 3 Days Private Cappadocia Tour Best Seller: $250
- 2 Days Cappadocia Tour from Ankara: $266
- 2 Hour Cappadocia Jeep Safari Tour: $101
- 2 Hour Sunset Quad Bike (ATV) Tour in Cappadocia: $22
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
- Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,635
- From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,650
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
- From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
- From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,990
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $100
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
- Full Day Private Tour Top 10 Wonders of Islamabad: $200
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCappadocia $18Islamabad $2.88
Sample the Local Flavors in Cappadocia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cappadocia:
- Wine Tasting in Cappadocia Turkey - Introduction of local wines: $25
- Wine tasting in Cappadocia: $65
- 3-Hour Private Wine Tasting Tour in Cappadocia: $189
- Wine Tasting and Sunset in Cappadocia: $200
- Private Tour: Best of Cappadocia with Wine Tasting: $288
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cappadocia and Islamabad, we can see that Cappadocia is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cappadocia is in Europe and Islamabad is in Asia, 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cappadocia Expensive? and Is Islamabad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cappadocia or Islamabad?
Islamabad has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Cappadocia. When comparing the sizes of Cappadocia and Islamabad, 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.
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.