Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Diyarbakir?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Diyarbakir or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Diyarbakir and Istanbul. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Diyarbakir or Istanbul?
Diyarbakir
Diyarbakır is the largest city in Southeastern Turkey, located on the banks of Tigris River, which is one of two great rivers of the Middle East. The city is known especially for its old city, housed within ancient fortress walls that have been designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within this fortress is a glimpse into the city's ancient history and traditional customs that remain alive today.
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 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Turkey, and The Best Adventure Tours to Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDiyarbakir $117Istanbul $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Diyarbakir is $117, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $126. 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 Diyarbakir and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDiyarbakir $76Istanbul $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDiyarbakir $152Istanbul $94
Compare Hotels in Diyarbakir and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Diyarbakir 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: Diyarbakir Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Diyarbakir $30Istanbul $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry$0.09
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Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Vip Airport Transfer : $50
- İstanbul Private Arrival Transfer : $56
- İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $140
- İstanbul Airport Transfer(Airport to Hotel,Hotel to Airport): $42
- İstanbul Airport Transfer : Your reliable & Stress-Free ride: $54
- İstanbul Airport Private Transfer: $76
- istanbul airport transfer: $27
- VIP Transfer from Hotel to Airport in Istanbul: $27
- Two Ways Istanbul Airport VIP Transfer: $98
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Istanbul HTL-APT (IST): $43
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Istanbul APT-HTL (IST): $43
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Istanbul HTL-APT (SAW): $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Diyarbakir or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Diyarbakir 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 dayDiyarbakir $20Istanbul $31
Typical Food Prices in Diyarbakir
For Diyarbakir, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dessert$0.19
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Lunch for Two$0.59
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice$0.06
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Turkish Delight$0.02
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Dessert$0.26
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Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul: $16
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $21
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $21
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $28
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Diyarbakir $21Istanbul $79
Tours and Activities in Diyarbakir
For Diyarbakir, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- All-inclusive Private Guided Tour of Diyarbakir City: $200
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
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Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
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Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
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Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
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Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $272
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $163
- Dolmabace Palace, Bosphorus Boat Tour , Eyüp Sultan Mosque Tour: $150
- Full Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour: $42
- Istanbul Customized Daily Tour: $200
- City Highlights Tour w/Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque: $35
- Must - See Istanbul Stops 1: Half Day Morning Tour: $138
- 1 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $68
- 1 Tour: Istanbul Highlights Street Food & Hidden Pearls: $201
- 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $250
- 1-Day Private Istanbul Layover Tour : $220
- 2 Continents Tour incl. Beylerbeyi Palace [full-day]: $218
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDiyarbakir $18Istanbul $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl Big Nightout . Rooftop parties,party Bus & Nightlife: $22
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $45
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $83
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $245
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $841
When comparing the travel costs between Diyarbakir and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Diyarbakir Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Diyarbakir or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Diyarbakir. When comparing the sizes of Diyarbakir 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.