Which place is cheaper, Ephesus or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dubai or Ephesus?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Ephesus can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Ephesus?
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $248Ephesus $143
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Ephesus is $143. 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 Dubai and Ephesus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Ephesus $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Ephesus $140
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Ephesus
Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Ephesus? 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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Ephesus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Ephesus $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Burj Khalifa: Skip-the-Line Entry, Gourmet Meal, & Transfer: $799
- From Private Van Transfer in Maybach: $735
- Dubai Parasailing Tour With Private Transfers: $300
- Guided Abu Dhabi City Tour Private Transfer: $300
- Hot Air Balloon Flight with 4X4 Transfers: $299
- Hot Air Balloon with 60 Minutes Balloon Ride with Transfers: $299
- The Dubai Mall Tour with Private Transfers : $299
- Jet Car Ride for 2 Pax with Optional Transfer: $299
- Sky Dining Experience at Dubai Marina with Optional Transfers: $290
- 4 Seater Jet Car Adventure in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $280
- Jet Ski Self Ride in Dubai With Private Transfers: $280
- Afternoon High Tea in Burj Al Arab with Transfer: $275
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer In Ephesus: $205
- Transfer from/to Izmir Airport ADB to/from Didim Area: $186
- Private Transfers From Kusadasi: $174
- Kusadasi Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $169
- Milas Bodrum Airport (BJV) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $140
- Kusadasi to Pamukkale Hotels Private Transfer: $137
- Private Transfers İzmir City Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Selçuk, Ephesus, Şirince: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
- Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $115
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $100
- Kusadasi International Golf Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $93
- Kusadasi Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Ephesus?
Prices for flights to both Ephesus and Dubai 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 dayDubai $56Ephesus $33
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Premium Dinner Cruise Al-Seef: $12
- Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $14
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet in Dubai: $14
- Dubai:Desert Safari BBQ dinner, Dune bashing,Camel&Sandboarding: $14
- Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $14
- 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
- Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner in Dubai Creek: $17
- Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner: $18
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet: $18
- Desert Safari with Dinner and Live Show: $18
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner: $19
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:
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Sandwiches$0.15
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Dessert$0.17
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Lunch at Beach (for 2)$0.59
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Snacks$0.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus
For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110
- Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $211
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $228
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Ephesus $59
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- 60 Minutes Dubai Yellow Boat Marina Tour: $78
- Abu Dhabi City Tour Including Ferrari World Ticket : $170
- Bur Dubai Abra Tour and Boat Ride with Museum of Illusions : $135
- Burj Khalifa Observation deck Dubai Admission Ticket : $71
- Classical Dubai Highlights City Tour : $44
- DXB Tour and Aquaventure water park & lost Chambers PRIVATE tour: $215
- Dubai (Marina Luxury Yacht) Tour with BF : $95
- Dubai (Marina Luxury Yacht) Tour with Breakfast: $105
- Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Explorer Tickets: $95
- Dubai City Tour : Half Day: $45
- Dubai City Tour(Full Day) with Burj Khalifa Ticket 'At the Top' : $225
- Dubai Frame Entry Ticket: $22
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- Ephesus Half Day Small Group Tour: $40
- Ephesus Shared Tour from Kuşadası Port: $130
- Ephesus Tour With Small Group From Kusadasi: $77
- Ephesus Tour from Kusadası Port: $44
- Ephesus small groups Tour For Cruisers (skip the line): $200
- Ephesus tours and Virgin Mary's House Temple Artemis tours : $67
- Private Pergamum Tour from Izmir or Kusadasi: $274
- Private Tour Ephesus for Cruise Guests : $250
- Private Tour to Ephesus, Virgin Mary, and Artemis Temple From Cruise Ship/Hotel: $120
- Small Group Pamukkale Day Tour from Selcuk or Kusadası : $93
- ( Skip The Line - Max 10 Pax) Small Group Ephesus Tour for Cruise Passengers : $25
- -e Bike Tour Through Vineyards with Ephesus Visit: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Ephesus $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $66
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:
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Beer$0.12
Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus
Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skip-the-line Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $54
- Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
- Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $100
- Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House: $131
- Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $134
- Full-Day Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting from Kusadasi: $149
- Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi with Private Guide and Van: $218
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Ephesus, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Ephesus 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 Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Ephesus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Ephesus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Ephesus?
Dubai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Ephesus, 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.
When is the best time to visit Dubai or Ephesus?
Ephesus has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Dubai or Ephesus in the Summer?
Both Ephesus and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year.
Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Ephesus. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Ephesus fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In July, Dubai usually receives more rain than Ephesus. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDubai 35°C (95°F)Ephesus 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Ephesus in the Autumn?
Both Ephesus and Dubai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Dubai is much warmer than Ephesus in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Ephesus fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Ephesus. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDubai 29°C (84°F)Ephesus 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Ephesus in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Ephesus. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round.
In the winter, Dubai is much warmer than Ephesus. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Ephesus averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Ephesus receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Ephesus. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDubai 19°C (66°F)Ephesus 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Ephesus in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Ephesus. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Dubai is generally much warmer than Ephesus. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Ephesus fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Ephesus. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDubai 26°C (79°F)Ephesus 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Ephesus and Dubai
| Dubai | Ephesus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
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.