Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Istanbul, 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 Istanbul?
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).
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Antalya, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Turkey, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Turkey, and The Best Historical Tours in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $143Istanbul $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $126. 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 Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Istanbul $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Istanbul $94
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Istanbul? 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 Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Istanbul $55
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 Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer: $40
- 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
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Port to Adnan Menderes Airport ADB: $64
- Transfer: $65
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Kusadasi Centrum (All hotels, home...) transfers: $66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry$0.09
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Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Private Bosphorus Tour on Luxury Yacht w/transfer: $745
- From Pamukkale Day Tour With Flights and Transfers: $319
- Istanbul Airport S-Class Premium Luxury Sedan Transfer: $286
- Hagia Sophia, Topkapi & Mosque Tour with Transfer: $286
- Private Guided Istanbul Luxury Tour (Tickets and Transfers): $283
- Troy and Gallipoli Day Guided Tour with Transfer: $280
- Istanbul Dolmabahçe Palace Private Tour with Transfers: $225
- Istanbul Airport Transfer: Sabiha Airport SAW to Istanbul in Luxury Car: $224
- Istanbul Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST in Luxury Car: $224
- 3-Day Tours & Transfer Package: $223
- Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Airport Private Transfer or Vice Versa (1-13pax): $218
- Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Airport Private Transfer or Vice Versa (1-10pax): $211
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul 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 $33Istanbul $31
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
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $227
- Kusadasi Gourmet & Street Food Tour From Port: $279
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice$0.06
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Turkish Delight$0.02
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Dessert$0.26
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Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $21
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $26
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $29
- Half Day Sunset Luxury Yacht Dinner Cruise Tour in Istanbul: $29
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
- Turkish Night on the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ephesus $59Istanbul $79
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- Self-guided Virtual Tour of The Highlights: $6.50
- Entry Free: Drive by Ephesus and Ancient Wonder Tour: $12
- Self-guided Virtual Tour of the ancient pearl of the Mediterranean: $17
- Half-Day Ancient City of Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi Port: $18
- Skip the Line:Private& Small Group Ephesus Tour For Cruise Guest : $19
- SKIP THE LINE :Best Seller Ephesus Private Tour For Cruiser Guest: $19
- Private & Mini Group Classical Ephesus Tour For Cruisers: $19
- Time Travel in Affordable and Spectacular Experience: $20
- Best of Ephesus Guided Tour For Cruise Guest : $20
- Kusadasi Scuba Diving Tour By Local Experts: $20
- For Cruise Guests: Best of Ephesus Tour: $21
- For Cruisers: Best of Ephesus & Shopping Tour: $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
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Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
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Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
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Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
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Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- 2 Hours Ultimate Kebab Experience in Galata, Istanbul: $128
- 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $273
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $164
- Full Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour: $42
- Green Bursa ~ Uludag Mountain, private Tour;Solo ;Groups: $60
- Istanbul City Tour Full Day (ASIA AND EUROPE) and Bosphorus Tour: $120
- Istanbul Customized Daily Tour: $200
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $55
- City Highlights Tour w/Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque: $35
- Must - See Istanbul Stops 1: Half Day Morning Tour: $139
- 1 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $68
- 1-Day Private Istanbul Layover Tour : $220
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Istanbul $15
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&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 Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $45
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $84
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $246
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $840
When comparing the travel costs between Ephesus and Istanbul, we can see that Ephesus 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 Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Istanbul, 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 Istanbul?
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 Istanbul in the Summer?
Both Istanbul and Ephesus during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In July, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
In Istanbul, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the summer, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Istanbul. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 333 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Istanbul. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Istanbul 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Istanbul in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Istanbul. Furthermore, many travelers come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Ephesus is a little warmer than Istanbul in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Istanbul fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Istanbul during autumn. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Istanbul 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Istanbul in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Istanbul. Additionally, many visitors come to Istanbul in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Ephesus is much warmer than Istanbul. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Istanbul averages at about 6°C (43°F).
In the winter, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Istanbul. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 75 hours of full sun.
Ephesus receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ephesus usually gets more rain in January than Istanbul. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Istanbul 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Istanbul in the Spring?
Both Istanbul and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Istanbul for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Istanbul during spring. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Istanbul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Istanbul and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Istanbul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 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.