Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Barcelona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Barcelona, 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 Barcelona?
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).
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $143Barcelona $169
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is $169. 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 Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Barcelona $104
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Barcelona $208
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Barcelona
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Barcelona? 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 Barcelona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Barcelona $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi Hotels: $22
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi hotels: $24
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $24
- Kusadasi Buggy Car Safari With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $40
- Kusadasi Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer: $40
- Kusadasi Half Day Quad Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
- Kusadasi Samos Ferry Trip With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $55
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Izmir Airport (ADB): $58
- Scuba Diving Experience in Kusadasi with Instructor and Transfer: $60
- Kusadasi Port Private Departure Transfer: $63
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Kusadasi Centrum (All hotels, home...) transfers: $65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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10 Trip Metro Ticket$8.45
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Airport Bus$5.42
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Metro$2.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- Private Transfer Barcelona - Benidorm: $524
- Barcelona Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to PortAventura hotels: $290
- transfer with wheelchair Accessible from Bcn airport/ port/city: $285
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Girona City (or vice versa): $284
- Montserrat RoundTrip Transfer with lunch: $283
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Tarragona Cruise Terminal: $281
- Barcelona to Andorra Private Transfer: $273
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar/ Lloret de Mar: $262
- From 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Lloret de Mar: $256
- Private Transfer From Barcelona To Tarragona With a 2 Hour Stop: $238
- Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona CITY - ROUND TRIP: $221
- Private Cruise Port to Airport Transfer in Barcelona: $218
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona 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 $33Barcelona $35
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
- Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village: $149
- Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $211
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $228
Typical Food Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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Hot Cocoa & Churro$4.50
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Sandwich$1.84
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Baguette & Horchata$4.12
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Tapas on the beach$8.97
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Gelatto$2.71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $21
- Flamenco at El Patio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $27
- Walking Tour + Flamenco + Tapas Dinner (choose options): $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- La Barceloneta: Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Barcelona La Barceloneta Tapas Food Tour: $38
- Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $43
- Boqueria Market & Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $56
- Wine Tasting and Tapas 5-Course Pairing Dinner: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience & Wine: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60
- Barcelona street food tour La Boqueria Market: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ephesus $59Barcelona $36
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- For Cruisers: Skip-the-line Private Free Ephesus Tour : $0.05
- Self-guided Virtual Tour of The Highlights: $6.53
- Entry Free: Drive by Ephesus and Ancient Wonder Tour: $12
- Self-guided Virtual Tour of the ancient pearl of the Mediterranean: $17
- Kusadasi Traditional Turkish Bath Hamam Experience : $17
- SKIP THE LINE :Best Seller Ephesus Private Tour For Cruiser Guest: $19
- Private & Mini Group Classical Ephesus Tour For Cruisers: $19
- Skip the Line - Best of Ephesus: $19
- Time Travel in Affordable and Spectacular Experience: $20
- Kusadasi Quad Safari Adventure: $20
- Best of Ephesus Guided Tour For Cruise Guest : $20
- Kusadasi Scuba Diving Tour By Local Experts: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
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Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass$45
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Souvenir Gaudi Book$9.26
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Admission to Museo Picasso$6.50
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- Barcelona Christmas Walking Tour: $29
- Cruise into Barcelona? Get the Most out of Your Visit!: $117
- Dali Museum, Besalu & Girona Tour from Barcelona by Fast Train : $120
- Girona and Costa Brava with Lunch: VIP Small Group Tour: $16
- Montserrat Mountains Half - Day Private Tour - From Barcelona : $261
- Private Mountain Bike Tour in Barcelona: $33
- Sagrada Familia "Fast Track" Guided Tour in Barcelona: $106
- Sagrada Familia Bike Tour in Small Group: $86
- Skip The Line - Early Picasso Museum and Born Neighborhood: $56
- 'Game Of Thrones' Small Group Tour in Girona with Lunch from Barcelona: $115
- 2 hour Sailing Experience on J80 Racing Yacht in Barcelona: $64
- 2 hour Sunrise Sailing Tour in Barcelona: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Barcelona $18
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: $53
- Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
- Ephesus&Sirince Village with Wine Tasting Shore Ex: $100
- 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: $130
- Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $134
- Virgin Mary Bread and Wine Tour included Lunch: $300
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by King - Bar & Nightclub Hopping Tour: $14
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Nightlife Party Experience: $16
- Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $16
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: 4+ Venues, Free shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
- Barcelona Weekend Pub Crawl with 1.5 hour open bar@Hostel: $27
- Catalan Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour & VIP Club Entry: $29
- Barcelona Wine Tasting: Catalan and Spanish Wines: $32
- Wine Tasting in Barcelona "Voyage en Catalogne" (in French): $33
- Guided City Pub Crawl with 4 Drinks: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona 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 Ephesus Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Barcelona?
Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Barcelona, 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 Ephesus or Barcelona?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Ephesus or Barcelona in the Summer?
Both Barcelona and Ephesus during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the summer, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Barcelona. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Barcelona. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Barcelona 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Barcelona in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Barcelona. Also, many visitors come to Barcelona in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Ephesus is around the same temperature as Barcelona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Barcelona 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Barcelona in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Barcelona. Also, most visitors come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Ephesus is a little warmer than Barcelona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Barcelona averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the winter, Ephesus often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.
Ephesus receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ephesus usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Barcelona 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Barcelona in the Spring?
Both Barcelona and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Barcelona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Barcelona 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Barcelona and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Barcelona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 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.