A Travel Price Comparison for Turkey Cappadocia vs. Istanbul for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Cappadocia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cappadocia is $150, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $125. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cappadocia $52
    Istanbul $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cappadocia $104
    Istanbul $94
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.

Hotels in Cappadocia


Hotels in Istanbul


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cappadocia $50
    Istanbul $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cappadocia

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

  • Cappadocia Shared Transfer from/to Kayseri Erkilet Airport: $9.97
  • Cappadocia Shuttle Transfer From/To Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport: $11
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer(Kayseri ASR - Nevsehir NAV Airport to Hotel): $13
  • Cappadocia Shared Transfer From/To Kayseri and Nevşehir Airport: $13
  • Shared Airport Transfer From Nevsehir/Kayseri Airports to Hotels: $13
  • Private/Shared Transfers Kayseri or Nevşehir Airports: $14
  • Transfer from Kayseri Airport to Cappadocia Hotels (Small Group): $17
  • Transfer between Nevşehir/Kayseri Airport and Cappadocia hotels: $17
  • Shuttle Transfer from Cappadocia hotels to "Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport": $20
  • Kapadokya Airport Transfers: $25
  • 2-Hour Sunset Quad Bike Tour in Cappadocia with Transfer (1 ATV for 2 persons): $44
  • ATV Safari Experience in Cappadocia with roundtrip hotel transfer: $47

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:


  • Ferry
    $0.09
  • Local Bus
    $0.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:

  • Private Bosphorus Tour on Luxury Yacht w/transfer: $539
  • From 2-Day Cappadocia Trip w/ Flight and Transfers: $475
  • From Pamukkale Day Tour With Flights and Transfers: $424
  • Troy and Gallipoli Day Guided Tour with Transfer: $280
  • Private Guided Istanbul Luxury Tour (Tickets and Transfers): $277
  • 3-Day Tours & Transfer Package: $229
  • Istanbul Dolmabahçe Palace Private Tour with Transfers: $228
  • Istanbul Airport Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Car: $227
  • Istanbul Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW in Luxury Car: $227
  • Istanbul Airport Transfer: Sabiha Airport SAW to Istanbul in Luxury Car: $227
  • Istanbul Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST in Luxury Car: $227
  • Full-Day Old City Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $210

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cappadocia $49
    Istanbul $31
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:

  • 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

Typical Food Prices in Istanbul

Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:


  • Juice
    $0.06
  • Turkish Delight
    $0.02
  • Dessert
    $0.26
  • Pastries
    $0.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.

  • Turkish Night on the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: $16
  • Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $22
  • Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $27
  • Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $30
  • İstanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Traditional Turkish Show: $30
  • Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Shows Private Table & Free Wi-Fi: $31
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folklore Show & Belly Dancers: $32
  • Pasha Istanbul Dinner Cruise: $33

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cappadocia $95
    Istanbul $79
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
    $0.92
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two
    $18
  • Horseback Riding for Two
    $3.52
  • Cappadocia Driving Tour
    $3.75
  • Goreme Museum Entrance Fee
    $0.46
  • Whirling Dervishes Show
    $3.07
  • Turkish Bath
    $2.15
  • Hot air ballooning
    $12
  • Goreme open air museum
    $0.61
  • Bellydancing Show
    $3.99

Tours and Activities in Cappadocia

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

  • Cappadocia Private Tour (Car & Guide): $5.00
  • Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Watching Experience: $15
  • Cappadocia Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Watching Experience: $17
  • Cappadocia Private Tour with Car & Guide : $19
  • Cappadocia Horseback Riding Tour: $20
  • Cappadocia Red Tour ( Shared Group ) : $20
  • 2 Hour Sunset Quad Bike (ATV) Tour in Cappadocia: $22
  • Private Mix Tour in Cappadocia: $22
  • Horseback sunset tour in the unique valleys of Cappadocia: $25
  • 1 Hour ATV Tour: $27
  • Cappadocia Horse Riding Experience Sunrise Sunset Daytime: $30
  • Cappadocia Sunset ATV Tour: $30

Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:


  • Bosphurus Boat (for 2)
    $0.61
  • Yerebatan Cistern for Two
    $0.61
  • Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two
    $0.31
  • Hagia Sofia entrance
    $0.92

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: $166
  • Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
  • Bosphorus Morning or Sunset Guided Cruise Tour: $24
  • Dolmabace Palace, Bosphorus Boat Tour , Eyüp Sultan Mosque Tour: $150
  • Hagia Sophia Private Tour - Skip the Ticket Line : $199
  • Must - See Istanbul Stops 1: Half Day Morning Tour: $140
  • 1 Day Private Guided Highlights of Istanbul Tour: $165
  • 1 Tour: Istanbul Highlights Street Food & Hidden Pearls: $204
  • 1 or 2- Day Istanbul Highlights Tour w/ a Professional Guide: $54
  • 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $75
  • 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $250
  • 1-Day Private Guided Tour of Istanbul: $199

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cappadocia $18
    Istanbul $15

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:

  • Pub and Rooftop Bar Crawl: $27
  • Pub Crawl Istanbul / Rooftop Parties & Party Bus: $28
  • #1 Rated Istanbul Party Pub Crawl w Party Bus/Sultanahmet&Taksim: $29
  • Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $30
  • Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $249
  • Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
  • Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $859


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

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.