Which place is cheaper, Ankara or Ephesus?
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 Ephesus or Ankara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Ankara, 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 Ankara?
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).
Ankara
Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Turkey, and The Best Luxury Tours to Turkey.
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Ephesus Prices
Turkey PricesAnkara Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $117Ankara $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $117, while the average daily cost in Ankara is $98. 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 Ankara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $49Ankara $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $98Ankara $80
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Ankara
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Ankara? 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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Ankara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $36Ankara $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $122
- Didim Quad or Buggy Safari Adventure Tour with Return Transfers: $74
- From-to Izmir AirPort to-from Kusadası Private Airport Transfer: $90
- Horse Riding Experience in Kusadasi for Everyone with Transfers: $45
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Kusadasi Centrum (All hotels, home...) transfers: $93
- Kusadasi & National Park Boat Tours with Lunch and Transfer: $38
- Kusadasi Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer: $55
- Kusadasi Boat trip with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $53
- Kusadasi Buggy Adventure Tour with Hotel Transfer: $58
- Kusadasi Buggy Car Safari With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $50
- Kusadasi Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $99
- Kusadasi Scuba Diving Experience w/Instructor incl. Transfer: $64
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:
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Metro Ride$0.03
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Short Taxi Ride$0.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $110
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $110
- Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
- Ankara Airport Transfer: Ankara by Private Luxury Vehicle: $63
- Ankara Airport & Hotel Transfers: $56
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $52
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $52
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $50
- Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Ankara?
Prices for flights to both Ankara 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
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Food Meals for one dayEphesus $40Ankara $39
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:
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Sandwiches$0.11
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Dessert$0.12
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Lunch at Beach (for 2)$0.41
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Snacks$0.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus
For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals: $229
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
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A Quick Lunch$0.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ankara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ankara.
- Baklava Cooking Class: $61
- Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $70
- Sustainable Home Cooking Class in Ankara: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ephesus $41Ankara $24
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- Best-Seller PRIVATE EPHESUS & SHOPPING Tour FOR CRUISERS: $5.79
- Private Ephesus Tour from Cruise Port - Lunch & Skip The Lines: $7.00
- Small Group Tour Ephesus and House of Mary with Lunch: $10
- Ephesus and Sirince Village Tour For Cruisers: $11
- Kusadasi Walking City Tour from Kusadasi Port Turkiye: $12
- Skip-the-Line Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers with Opt Tickets: $13
- Private Ephesus Shore Excursion from Kusadasi with Ticket Option: $13
- FOR CRUISERS: TAILOR MADE Private Ephesus Shore Excursion: $14
- Ephesus and Mary’s House with Entry Tickets Opt. For Cruisers: $14
- Top-Rated Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tour for Cruisers: $15
- Epic Ephesus Artemis Temple House of Mary Half Day Private Tour: $15
- Ephesus Tour For Cruise Guests: $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara
Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Underground City$0.17
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $34
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $35
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $232
- Ankara Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $39
- 6-Hour Private Tour with Guide, Car, and Lunch: $175
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $35
- Private Walking Tour with a Local: $41
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
- Full Day Cappadocia Private Tour: $300
- Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $185
- Private Ankara Sightseeing Tour: $300
- Self-Guided Secrets of Ankara Exploration Game Tour: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $10Ankara $10
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$0.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus
Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- LGBTQ+ Friendly Ephesus Shore Excursion & Local Wine Tasting: $30
- FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $34
- Ephesus Shore Excursion & Wine Tasting + Lunch - Opt Turkish Bath: $35
- FOR CRUISERS:Kusadasi Port Private Wine Tasting and Ephesus Tour: $45
- POTTERY PAINTING & WINE TASTING Tour from Kusadasi Port: $49
- Kusadasi Shore Excursions Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tours: $70
- Private Ephesus and Sirince Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $92
- Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting and Traditional Turkish Lunch: $130
- Private Ephesus Tour & Wine Tasting at Boutique Winery & Lunch: $149
- Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $176
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Ankara, we can see that Ephesus is more expensive. And not only is Ankara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ankara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ankara 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 Ankara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Ankara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Ankara?
Ankara has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Ankara, 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.