Which place is cheaper, Heidelberg or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Heidelberg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?
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).
Heidelberg
Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is a top travel destination in Germany. It's picturesquely situated in the Neckar River Valley and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city has a population of over 148,000 and it's home to Germany's oldest university, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, which has a student population of approximately 28,000.
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 Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $143Heidelberg $152
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Heidelberg is $152. 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 Heidelberg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Heidelberg $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Heidelberg $198
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Heidelberg
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Heidelberg? 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 Heidelberg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Heidelberg $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer In Ephesus: $205
- Private Transfer From Kusadasi to Pamukkale: $196
- Private Transfers From Kusadasi: $173
- Kusadasi Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $169
- Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $164
- Milas Bodrum Airport (BJV) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $140
- Kusadasi to Pamukkale Hotels Private Transfer: $136
- 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
- VIP Transfer Kusadasi From/To Bodrum Airport: $128
- Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $120
- Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $115
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heidelberg
Also for Heidelberg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Private Transfer from Mannheim to Frankfurt : $251
- Privat Transfer From Basel EuroAirport BSL To Badenweiler : $126
- Airport transfer from Karlsruhe Airport to Baden-Baden: $105
- Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Mannheim City by Van: $64
- Private Transfer from Badenweiler Thermal to Basel EuroAirport: $63
- Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to BadenBaden Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to Baden-Baden - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Heidelberg?
Prices for flights to both Heidelberg 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 $33Heidelberg $40
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heidelberg
For Heidelberg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Heidelberg crime dinner to solve the mystery with a delicious 3-course menu: $64
- Craft Beer and Street Food Tour: $598
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ephesus $59Heidelberg $12
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
Tours and Activities in Heidelberg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Heidelberg.
- 2 1/2h Guided Bicycle Tour Discover Heidelberg: $46
- Alternative Heidelberg Tour.: $71
- Amazing Schwetzingen Garden Tour: $238
- Beer and Old Town Tour: $98
- Bicycle Tour from Heidelberg to quaint Ladenburg.: $120
- Culinary city tour in Heidelberg with delicious samples: $43
- E.Bike Tours around Heidelberg: $153
- Evening Heidelberg tour with historical night watchman: $17
- Experience the Local Food around Mannheim: $64
- Fascinating Heidelberg Sightseeing Walking Tour: $217
- Food & Fables Tour of Heidelberg : $131
- Guided Tour of Student Rabble, Whore Pack and the French War: $373
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Heidelberg $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 Heidelberg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Heidelberg:
- Highlights of the romantic Black Forest & brewery, private tour: $295
When comparing the travel costs between Ephesus and Heidelberg, we can see that Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Heidelberg?
Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?
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 Heidelberg in the Summer?
Both Heidelberg and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Ephesus is a little warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ephesus in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 21°C (69°F).
It's quite sunny in Heidelberg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Heidelberg 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Heidelberg in the Autumn?
Both Heidelberg and Ephesus during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 19°C (66°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Heidelberg. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Heidelberg 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Heidelberg in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Heidelberg. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
The weather in Heidelberg can be very cold. Ephesus is much warmer than Heidelberg in the winter. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.
Ephesus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Heidelberg 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Heidelberg in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Heidelberg. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.
In the spring, Ephesus is a little warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ephesus in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 11°C (52°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the spring, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Heidelberg. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Heidelberg 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Heidelberg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.