Which place is cheaper, Olympos or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Olympos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Olympos, 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 Olympos?
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).
Olympos
Olympos was an ancient city in Lycia, situated in a river valley near the coast. Its ruins are located south of the modern town Cirali in the Kumluca district of Antalya Province, Turkey. An important Lycian city in the 2nd century BC, Olympos is more famous these days for being the beach resort of choice for backpackers. Staying in an Olympos 'tree house' at one of the dozen-or-so camps that line the path to the ruins and beach has long been the stuff of travel legend. The former hippy-trail hot-spot has been considerably renovated in past years and during summer can be pretty overcrowded. Olympos offers good value and an up-for-it party atmosphere in a lovely setting.
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 $143Olympos $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Olympos is $95. 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 Olympos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Olympos $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Olympos $86
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Olympos
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Olympos? 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 Olympos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Olympos $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Kusadasi to Pamukkale: $196
- Transfer from/to Izmir Airport ADB to/from Didim Area: $185
- Private Transfers From Kusadasi: $173
- Kusadasi Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $168
- Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $163
- Milas Bodrum Airport (BJV) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $140
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
- Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $119
- Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $114
- Kusadasi Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport: $100
- Transfer izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Davutlar: $98
- Kusadasi Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Olympos
Also for Olympos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfers Between Antalya Airport - Çıralı & Olympos & Adrasan Resorts: $299
- Private Transfers Between Antalya Airport - Beldibi & Göynük & Kemer Resorts: $240
- Private Transfers Between Antalya Airport - Kiriş & Çamyuva & Tekirova Resorts: $240
- Two Days Tour to Cappadocia with HB Hotel & Transfer from Kemer: $192
- Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Camyuva Hotels: $98
- Private Transfer From Beldibi / Göynük / Kemer / Kiriş To Antalya Airport: $91
- Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Kiris Hotels: $81
- Antalya Camyuva Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $81
- Antalya Kiris Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $81
- Antalya Beldibi Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $65
- Kemer Horse Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
- Kemer Pirate Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Olympos?
Prices for flights to both Olympos 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 $33Olympos $30
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
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $227
- Kusadasi Gourmet & Street Food Tour From Port: $279
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Olympos
For Olympos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Olympos, Cirali, Chimera Night Tour with Dinner at Ulupinar : $33
- Kemer Olympos & Yanartas Sunset Jeep Tour with Dinner: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ephesus $59Olympos $29
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 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
- ( Skip The Line - Max 10 Pax) Small Group Ephesus Tour for Cruise Passengers : $25
Tours and Activities in Olympos
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Olympos.
- 2 Hour Olympos Cable Car Tour to Tahtali Mountains from Kemer: $66
- 2-in-1 Canyoning and White Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch From Kemer: $25
- 9 Hours Rafting, Buggy Safari and Zipline Adventure from Kemer: $38
- Antalya Full-Day City Tour From Kemer With Cable Car : $30
- Buggy Safari and Rafting Adventure from Kemer: $38
- Canyoning and Rafting Tours from Kemer: $33
- Cappadocia 3 Day Tour from Kemer: $151
- Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip From Kemer: $36
- Full Day Demre Myra Kekova Culture Tour from Kemer with Lunch: $79
- Full Day Rafting Experience From Kemer: $20
- Full-day Boat Tour from Kemer with Lunch and Foam Party: $33
- Goynuk Canyon Tour with Entrance Ticket: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Olympos $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&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
- Full-Day Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting from Kusadasi: $148
- Virgin Mary Bread and Wine Tour included Lunch: $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Olympos, we can see that Ephesus is more expensive. And not only is Olympos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Olympos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Olympos 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 Ephesus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ephesus than you might in Olympos.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Olympos Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Ephesus or Olympos?
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 Olympos in the Summer?
Both Olympos and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In July, Ephesus is generally around the same temperature as Olympos. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and Olympos fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Olympos. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Olympos during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 385 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Olympos. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Olympos 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Olympos in the Autumn?
Both Olympos and Ephesus during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Ephesus is around the same temperature as Olympos in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Olympos fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In Olympos, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Olympos. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 249 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets more rain in October than Olympos. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Olympos 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Olympos in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Olympos.
In the winter, Ephesus is cooler than Olympos. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Olympos averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Ephesus usually receives less sunshine than Olympos during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 147 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 Olympos. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Olympos 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Olympos in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Olympos.
In April, Ephesus is generally around the same temperature as Olympos. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and Olympos fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Olympos. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the spring, Ephesus often gets less sunshine than Olympos. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 250 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets more rain in April than Olympos. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Olympos 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Olympos and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Olympos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 9 mm (0.4 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.