Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Dahab?
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 Dahab or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Dahab and Istanbul can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Dahab or Istanbul?
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.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Dahab Prices
Egypt PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDahab $22Istanbul $149
The average daily cost (per person) in Dahab is $22, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $149. 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 Dahab and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDahab $8.05Istanbul $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDahab $16Istanbul $138
Compare Hotels in Dahab and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Dahab 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: Dahab Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dahab $2.68Istanbul $32
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 Airport (SSH): $34
- Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour from Dahab with Lunch & Hotel Transfers: $45
- Beginner Scuba Dive at Lighthouse w Photos & Transfer: $58
- Private Transfer From Dahab To Sharm el Sheikh airport: $65
- Pickup transfer from Dahab To Sharm El Sheikh airport: $70
- Private Pickup Transfer From Dahab To St. Catherine: $75
- Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) Airport: $114
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Private Arrival Transfer: $68
- İstanbul Airports Transfer Services (Ceyhan Arslan Travel Agency): $61
- İstanbul Airport Transfer: $51
- istanbul airport transfer: $23
- istanbul Airport Transfer: $69
- Vip Airport Transfer to/from Istanbul City Center: $63
- Viaport Theme Park Ticket with Optional Hotel Transfer: $45
- Viaport Aquarium Ticket with Optional Hotel Transfer: $35
- Viaport Aquapark Ticket with Optional Hotel Transfer: $65
- VIP Experience: Transfers from Istanbul Airport to Anywhere: $75
- VIP Daily Transfer from the Istanbul Airport to Istanbul City: $91
- VIP Airport Transfer: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Dahab 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 dayDahab $11Istanbul $55
Typical Food Prices in Dahab
For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Seafood Dinner (for 2)$1.72
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Juice$0.09
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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
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
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $29
- Bosphorus Night Cruise Dinner and Dance Show,Transfer included: $30
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $30
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Show with Private Table: $30
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Turkish Night Show Experience: $30
- Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dahab $5.67Istanbul $36
Tours and Activities in Dahab
For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
- Full-Day Hike Tour at St. Catherine's Monastery: $35
- Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour: $40
- Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $40
- luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
- Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $43
- Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $50
- Mount Sinai Sunrise and St Catherine Monastery Tour from Dahab: $50
- Private Day Tour To Blue Lagoon And Ras Abu Galum From Dahab: $65
- Adventure Safari By Horse In Dahab At Laguna Beach: $65
- Private City Tour In Sharm El Sheikh From Dahab: $65
- Saint Catherine's Monastery half-day Tour with Lunch from Dahab: $70
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- "Walk Through History: A Bespoke Istanbul Adventure": $149
- 1 Istanbul Tour: Highlights, Street Food & Hidden Pearls: $274
- 1 Perfect Day in Istanbul Private Guided Tour of the City’s Icons: $250
- 1 or 2 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $80
- 1, 2 Or 3 Days Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $75
- 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $130
- 10 Tastings of Istanbul Foodie Tour: $103
- 2 - Hours Bosphorus Yacht Cruise: $299
- 2 Day Cappadocia Tour with Istanbul Flights &Hot Air Balloon Tour: $285
- 2 Days Cappadocia Tour with Hotel Flights and Hot Air Balloon: $200
- 2 Full Days Guided Istanbul City Tour With Skip the Line Entry: $194
- 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise ((MORNING TOUR)): $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDahab $3.36Istanbul $9.85
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Bars, Dancefloors, & Beyond: $16
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Pub Crawl Original Istanbul Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $30
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Taksim Pera Wine Tasting 3 Hour Guided Tour: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dahab and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dahab is in Africa and Istanbul is in Europe, 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 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 Dahab.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dahab Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dahab or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 1400 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Dahab 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.