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

Should you visit Ephesus or Cinque Terre?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Cinque Terre, 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 Cinque Terre?

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).

Cinque Terre

Located on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline, Cinque Terra consists of five seaside villages exuding a charm that dates back to medieval times. Fishing boats bob in the harbors, bringing fresh seafood to the tables of the region, while age old vineyards make for fragrant signature wines. Cinque Terre is considered to be a National Park, with its five villages earning a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their beauty and timelessness.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Cinque Terre 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 Cinque Terre is $149. 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 Cinque Terre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $70
    Cinque Terre $77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $140
    Cinque Terre $154
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Cinque Terre

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Cinque Terre? 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 Cinque Terre


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 Cinque Terre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $51
    Cinque Terre $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus

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

  • VIP Transfer Kusadasi From/To Bodrum Airport: $128
  • Transfer izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Davutlar: $98
  • Scuba Diving Experience in Kusadasi with Instructor and Transfer: $60
  • Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
  • Private Transfers İzmir City Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Selçuk, Ephesus, Şirince: $131
  • Private Transfers From Kusadasi: $173
  • Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $120
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $22
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $24
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi hotels: $24
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi Hotels: $22
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Izmir Airport (ADB): $58

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cinque Terre

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


  • Ferry Day Pass
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cinque Terre

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

  • Private Transfer from Cinque Terre to La Spezia by car or van: $142

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Cinque Terre?

Prices for flights to both Cinque Terre 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
    Cinque Terre $44
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
  • 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 Cinque Terre

For Cinque Terre, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Whole Pizza
    $10
  • Panini
    $4.02
  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    $56
  • Fresh Focaccia
    $2.27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cinque Terre

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

  • Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Riomaggiore: $195
  • Cinque Terre Food Tour (half day): $273

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ephesus $59
    Cinque Terre $14

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: $76
  • Ephesus Tour from Kusadası Port: $44
  • Ephesus small groups Tour For Cruisers (skip the line): $100
  • Ephesus tours Sirince Village from Kusadasi Port with lunch: $63
  • Ephesus tours and Virgin Mary's House Temple Artemis tours : $67
  • 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
  • "Ephesus Tours" Port Kusadasi lunch guide bus shopping Caravanserai artemis : $58
  • "No Better Way to Explore History - Affordable Ephesus Tour": $30

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cinque Terre

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cinque Terre's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Double Kayak Rental (One Hour)
    $11
  • Bagni Eden Beach Club Umbrella
    $17
  • Cinque Terre Card (One Day)
    $5.36
  • Cinque Terre Card (Three Days)
    $13

Tours and Activities in Cinque Terre

For Cinque Terre, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hour Cinque Terre Sunset Cruise with Swim Stop: $163
  • 2-Hour Boat Tour at sunset in the Cinque Terre with Pesto tasting and focaccia: $104
  • 3-Hour Private Boat Tour of the Cinque Terre: $251
  • Cinque Terre Hybrid Boat Tour: $109
  • Cinque Terre Kayak Adventure from Riomaggiore: $98
  • Cinque Terre Lunch boat tour: $218
  • Cinque Terre Morning Tour: $131
  • Cinque Terre Night Tour: $191
  • Cinque Terre Paddleboarding cruise at sunrise or sunset: $218
  • Cinque Terre Pesto experience in Riomaggiore: $49
  • Cinque Terre Private Boat Tour: $218
  • Cinque Terre Private half day tour with Official Tour Guide: $269

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $15
    Cinque Terre $7.19
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: $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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Cinque Terre

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Cinque Terre:


  • Glass of Local Wine
    $3.11

Sample the Local Flavors in Cinque Terre

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cinque Terre:

  • BarCa Winery Cinqueterre Tour with Wine Tasting & Pesto Class: $60
  • Cinque terre wine tour and tasting with the somelier: $74
  • Eco Hiking and Wine Tasting in Cinque Terre : $97
  • Cinque Terre Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tastings: $169


When comparing the travel costs between Ephesus and Cinque Terre, we can see that Cinque Terre 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 Ephesus Expensive? and Is Cinque Terre Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Cinque Terre?

Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Cinque Terre. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Cinque Terre, 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 Cinque Terre?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ephesus or Cinque Terre in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Cinque Terre. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cinque Terre this time of year.

In the summer, Ephesus is a little warmer than Cinque Terre. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ephesus in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Cinque Terre averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cinque Terre this time of the year. In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Cinque Terre during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ephesus 27°C (81°F) 
    Cinque Terre 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Cinque Terre in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Cinque Terre. Also, many travelers come to Cinque Terre for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Cinque Terre. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 19°C (66°F), and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Cinque Terre. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cinque Terre. Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Cinque Terre. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F) 
    Cinque Terre 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Cinque Terre in the Winter?

Both Cinque Terre and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Cinque Terre in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Ephesus is a little warmer than Cinque Terre in the winter. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Cinque Terre during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cinque Terre. It's quite rainy in Ephesus. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Cinque Terre. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F) 
    Cinque Terre 8°C (46°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Cinque Terre in the Spring?

Both Cinque Terre and Ephesus during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cinque Terre for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Ephesus is around the same temperature as Cinque Terre. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ephesus in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Cinque Terre averages at about 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the spring, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Cinque Terre. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 192 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Cinque Terre. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F) 
    Cinque Terre 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Cinque Terre and Ephesus

Ephesus Cinque Terre
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)