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

Should you visit Ephesus or Lisbon?

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

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

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).

Lisbon

Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Lisbon 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 Lisbon is $140. 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 Lisbon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $70
    Lisbon $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $140
    Lisbon $126
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Lisbon

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Lisbon? 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 Lisbon


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 Lisbon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $51
    Lisbon $26

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 Lisbon

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $6.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

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

  • Lisbon to Seville private transfer one way max 6 persons: $738
  • Full Day Tour - Transfer to Porto from Lisbon with Stops: $722
  • Full Day Tour - Transfer to Algarve from Lisbon with Stops: $668
  • From Private Transfer to Six Senses Douro Valley: $642
  • Lisboa - Porto Private Transfer, with 2 visits on the way: $631
  • One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport - Lagos: $588
  • One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport - Faro: $588
  • From the Algarve to Lisbon; Guided transfer with extra Wow!: $556
  • To/From the Lisbon Airport: Faro Private Transfer: $535
  • One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport - Albufeira: $535
  • One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport and Portimão: $535
  • Private Transfer Porto > Lisbon with stop Nazaré & Óbidos: $535

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Lisbon?

Prices for flights to both Lisbon 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
    Lisbon $45
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 Lisbon

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


  • Coffee
    $2.68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

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

  • Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
  • Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
  • Tapas Food Tour: $42
  • Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
  • Lisbon Food Tour: $53
  • Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $53
  • 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $53
  • Legendary Beer Dinner: $53
  • No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
  • Original Morning Food Tour: $63
  • Lisbon Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks and Food inlcuded: $70
  • Tipsy Food Crawl Walking Tour with Dinner: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ephesus $59
    Lisbon $26

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 Lisbon

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

  • Óbidos - Nazaré - Mafra (National Palace of Mafra)Private tour from Lisbon: $217
  • 2-Hour Night Sailing Tour in Lisbon with a Drink: $49
  • Divine Journey : Fatima Full Day Private Tour: $164
  • Lisbon Full Day Small Group City Tour: $71
  • Lisbon by Heart Private Walking Tour: $65
  • Saint George Castle Guided Tour from Lisbon: $34
  • Sintra or Cascais Half-day Private Tour - The real portuguese essence!: $120
  • Street Art Walking Tour in Lisbon - Parque das Nações: $16
  • Évora Private Tour - Cork Factory and Wine Estate Included: $245
  • Évora Tour - Évora Town and Surroundings Private Tour: $243
  • Évora Tour - The heart of Alentejo region: $104
  • Évora Unveiled: A Half-Day Discovery| Premium Private Experience : $109

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $15
    Lisbon $20
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

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

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

  • Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
  • 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $21
  • Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
  • Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
  • Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
  • Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
  • Wine Tasting at Quinta das Murgas: $38
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl in Lisbon with Local Guide: $43


When comparing the travel costs between Ephesus and Lisbon, 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 Lisbon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Lisbon?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Lisbon, 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 Lisbon?

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 Lisbon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Lisbon. Also, most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Ephesus is a little warmer than Lisbon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ephesus in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Lisbon averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lisbon during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Lisbon. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ephesus 27°C (81°F) 
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Lisbon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Lisbon. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Ephesus is generally around the same temperature as Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 19°C (66°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Lisbon. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 213 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Lisbon. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F) 
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Lisbon in the Winter?

Both Lisbon and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.

Ephesus is cooler than Lisbon in the winter. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Lisbon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Ephesus usually receives less sunshine than Lisbon during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. It's quite rainy in Ephesus. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Lisbon. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F) 
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Lisbon in the Spring?

Both Lisbon and Ephesus during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Ephesus is around the same temperature as Lisbon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ephesus in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Lisbon averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the spring, Ephesus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lisbon. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 235 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Lisbon. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F) 
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Lisbon and Ephesus

Ephesus Lisbon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)