Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Cappadocia?
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 Cappadocia or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cappadocia or Istanbul? 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 Istanbul?
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.
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 10-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best 2-Week Tours from Istanbul, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Antalya, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Turkey.
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Cappadocia Prices
Turkey PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCappadocia $128Istanbul $156
The average daily cost (per person) in Cappadocia is $128, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $156. 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 Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCappadocia $36Istanbul $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCappadocia $72Istanbul $144
Compare Hotels in Cappadocia and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Cappadocia 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: Cappadocia Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cappadocia $35Istanbul $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cappadocia
Also for Cappadocia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cappadocia Transfer From/To Nevsehir and Kayseri Airport: $3.52
- Cappadocia Shared Transfer From/To Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport: $3.52
- Cappadocia Private Airport Transfers from Kayseri & Nevşehir: $3.52
- Cappadocia Airport Transfer to/from Kayseri/Nevsehir (ASR or NAV): $8.77
- Cappadocia ATV Quad Tour with Transfer: $11
- Horseback Tour in Cappadocia Valleys and Transfers: $11
- Cappadocia Shared Transfer From/To Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport: $12
- Cappadocia ATV tour with transfer and guide: $13
- Cappadocia Shared Transfer From/To Kayseri and Nevşehir Airport: $14
- Private Airport Transfer in Nevsehir and Kayseri: $16
- Cappadocia Pottery Workshop Class with Hotel Transfer: $16
- Cappadocia Luxury Private Airport Transfer: $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Private Bosphorus Tour on Luxury Yacht w/transfer: $634
- Private Guided Istanbul Luxury Tour (Tickets and Transfers): $348
- Istanbul Dolmabahçe Palace Private Tour with Transfers: $299
- From 2-Day Cappadocia Trip w/ Flight and Transfers: $299
- Istanbul Old City Private Tour With Professional Guide & Transfer: $276
- Private Transfer to Bursa Uludag Hotels from Sabiha Gokcen airport: $245
- Miniatürk Istanbul Private Guided Tour & Optional Transfers: $243
- Private Guided Tour with Hotel Pickup & Transfers: $230
- Istanbul Airport Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Car: $229
- First Class Airport Transfer Services in Istanbul: $205
- Istanbul Roundtrip Airport Transfer and 1 Day Chauffeur Service: $205
- Layover Private Guided Istanbul City Tour with Transfers: $198
Is it cheaper to fly into Cappadocia or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul 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 $58Istanbul $57
Typical Food Prices in Cappadocia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cappadocia:
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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 Traditional Turkish Night Show and Dinner: $47
- Cappadocia Turkish Night Show with Dinner and Drinks: $53
- Cappadocia Turkish Night Show, Dinner & Unlimited Drinks & Pickup: $64
- Turkish Night at Cave Restaurant with Dinner and Unlimited Drinks: $65
- Cappadocia Turkish Night Cultural Show and Dinner: $68
- Cappadocia Turkish Night Show with Dinner and Unlimited Drinks: $72
- Cappadocia Turkish Night Show With Dinner and Transfer: $72
- Turkish Night Show With Dinner in a Cave Restaurant: $77
- Turkish night show with dinner and unlimited free alcohol: $79
- Cappadocia Turkish Night with Dinner and Cultural Show: $82
- 2-Hour Cappadocia Turkish Night Show and Dinner Experience: $82
- Cooking class at the Local Village House in Cappadocia: $86
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Food Tour 30 Tasting Stops with Audio Maps Written Guide: $8.00
- Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show: $20
- Show Cruise & Dinner at Window Seat Private Table: $20
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show – Window Side Table Optional: $22
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $22
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night with Live Shows: $27
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show: $30
- Taste of Istanbul Food Tour: Street Food & Culture: $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cappadocia $65Istanbul $38
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$0.63
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Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two$12
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Horseback Riding for Two$2.42
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Cappadocia Driving Tour$2.58
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Goreme Museum Entrance Fee$0.32
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Whirling Dervishes Show$2.10
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Turkish Bath$1.47
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Hot air ballooning$8.52
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Goreme open air museum$0.42
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Bellydancing Show$2.74
Tours and Activities in Cappadocia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cappadocia.
- Cappadocia Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Tour - Göreme Experience: $3.52
- Cappadocia Red Tour Lunch + Guide + Museum Tickets /Small Group: $3.52
- Cappadocia Sunrise Balloon Watching Tour with Hotel Pickup: $3.52
- Cappadocia Green Tour Lunch + Guide + Museum Tickets /Small Group: $3.52
- Cappadocia Horseback Riding Tour with Hotel Pickup & Helmet: $3.52
- Private Cappadocia Tour with Guide & Driver: $5.00
- Cappadocia Horse Tour: $6.95
- Cappadocia Private Tour - Cappadocia's All Highlights in 1 Day: $7.20
- Full Day Private Cappadocia Tour (Luxury Van + Private Guide ): $7.20
- Private Tour : All Highlights of Cappadocia 1 Day: $8.00
- One Day Cappadocia Private Tour: $9.00
- Cappadocia Artisan & Local Craft Experience: $9.00
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- 1 Istanbul Tour: Highlights, Street Food & Hidden Pearls: $282
- 1 Perfect Day in Istanbul Private Guided Tour of the City’s Icons: $250
- 1 or 2 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $80
- 1 or 2- Day Istanbul Highlights Tour w/ a Professional Guide: $58
- 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $295
- 1-Day Private Istanbul Layover Tour: $240
- 2 Day Gallipoli and Troy Tour From Istanbul: $363
- 2 Days Cappadocia Tour From Istanbul by Overnight Bus: $391
- 2 Days Cappadocia Tour by Return Flight From Istanbul: $346
- 2 Full Days Guided Istanbul City Tour With Skip the Line Entry: $200
- 2 Hours Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise: $12
- 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise ((MORNING TOUR)): $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCappadocia $13Istanbul $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Cappadocia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cappadocia:
- Cappadocia - Avanos Clay Workshop and Wine Tour: $43
- Cappadocia Wine Tasting Experience: $60
- Wine Tasting in Cappadocia Turkey - Introduction of local wines: $75
- Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys Guided Tour with Local Wine Tasting: $88
- SKIP-THE-LINE: Cappadocia Tour w/wine tasting and clay shaping: $90
- Cappadocia Private Wine Tasting Tour: $130
- Cappadocia Private Tour-Mixed Tour+Home-made Wine Tasting: $219
- Ancient Cappadocia's Wine Tasting - Private Tour: $275
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Pub Crawl in Taksim: $14
- Explore Istanbul Night Life: Pub Crawl: $23
- Pub Crawler VIP Entry Rooftop Bars&Clubs with Party Bus: $27
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim: $31
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $32
- Boat Party & Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $43
- Wine Tasting with Indigenous Local Varieties: $54
- 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 Cappadocia and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Cappadocia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cappadocia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cappadocia 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 Cappadocia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cappadocia Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cappadocia or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 1760 times larger than the population of Cappadocia. When comparing the sizes of Cappadocia 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.
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.