A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ephesus vs. Agra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ephesus or Agra?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Agra, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Ephesus or Agra?

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).

Agra

In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.

While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Agra or Ephesus?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Agra is $44. 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 Ephesus and Agra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $70
    Agra $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $140
    Agra $32
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Agra

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Agra? 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 Ephesus


Hotels in Agra


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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Agra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $51
    Agra $10

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra

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

  • Delhi: One-Way Private Transfer to/from Agra: $3,200
  • Private transfer Agra to Varnashi: $230
  • Private Transfer- Agra city to Delhi via Mathura: $193
  • Transfer from Delhi to Jaipur with Tajmahal sight seeing: $187
  • Private transfer from Agra to Varanasi by Car: $161
  • Private One Way Transfer From Agra To Udaipur: $150
  • Budget Transfer by Car from Agra to Varanasi Hotel: $146
  • From Jaipur Transfer via Visiting Abhaneri: $144
  • A Taste of Agra for Foodies with Private Transfer: $130
  • Private Transfer Agra to Varanasi by Car: $130
  • Agra to Delhi airport transfer by air-conditioned car: $130
  • Private Transfers Agra To Lucknow Drop: $123

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Agra?

Prices for flights to both Agra and Ephesus 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
    Ephesus $33
    Agra $16
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:


  • Sandwiches
    $0.15
  • Dessert
    $0.17
  • Lunch at Beach (for 2)
    $0.59
  • 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

Typical Food Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:


  • Breakfast for Two
    $2.15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra

For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Agra best Cooking class after Taj Mahal: $6.00
  • Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk: $12
  • Home Hosted Luch or dinner by Indian local Family: $18
  • Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra Including Lunch or Dinner: $20
  • Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
  • Indian Food Private Cooking Class: $22
  • Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family: $23
  • Old City Food Tour with Local Guide and Tastings: $23
  • Indian Home Visit Cooking Demo: $25
  • The Spirit of Agra - Old Market Walking and Food Tour: $26
  • Cooking classes Tour Including Pickup And Dropping To Hotel: $28
  • Cooking Workshop and Vegetarian Dinner in Agra with Family: $30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ephesus $59
    Agra $20

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra

For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entry to the Red Fort for Two
    $7.18
  • Taj Mahal for Two
    $18

Tours and Activities in Agra

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

  • Agra Local Tour with Taj Mahal : $30
  • Jaipur Overnight Tour from Agra : $300
  • Private 6 Hours: Agra Temples and Spiritual Sites Tour: $38
  • Private Agra Local Sightseeing Tour: $47
  • Private Full Day Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour With Agra Fort: $30
  • Private Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Day Tour: $42
  • Taj Mahal Sunrise & Agra Fort Private Tour - All Inclusive: $21
  • Tajmahal Sunrise And Sunset Tour in Agra with Fatehpur Sikri: $37
  • 05-Hours Taj Mahal & Agra Day Tour by TUK TUK: $5.00
  • 06 Hours Agra City Tour - Private: $85
  • 08 Days Taj Mahal Tour With Hemis National Park: $552
  • 1 Day Private Tour of Agra - Taj Mahal & More: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $15
    Agra $9.63
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:


  • 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 Ephesus and Agra, we can see that Ephesus is more expensive. And not only is Agra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ephesus is in Europe and Agra is in Asia, 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 Agra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Agra 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 Ephesus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ephesus than you might in Agra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Agra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Agra?

Agra has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Agra, 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.