Which place is cheaper, Palermo or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Palermo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Palermo, 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 Palermo?
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).
Palermo
Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $143Palermo $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Palermo is $99. 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 Palermo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Palermo $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Palermo $120
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Palermo
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Palermo? 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 Palermo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Palermo $6.04
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 Buggy Car Safari With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $40
- Kusadasi Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer: $40
- Kusadasi Half Day Quad Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
- 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
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Kusadasi Centrum (All hotels, home...) transfers: $65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:
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Bus to Monreale$3.21
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Bus From Airport$6.43
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90 Minute Bus Pass$1.39
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Short Taxi Ride$4.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Verdura Resort Sciacca or vice versa: $233
- Transfer from Palermo Airport to Verdura Resort: $214
- Private Golf Club Class w/ Transfer, Ticket, & Food: $176
- Palermo Airport (PMO) Departure Transfer (Palermo Hotels or address to Airport): $156
- Private Transfer Palermo Airport to/from Adler SPA Resort Sicily: $149
- Private Transfer Trapani or San Vito lo Capo to Palermo Airport by Car or Van: $146
- Palermo Private Transfer from or to Palermo Airport in Sicily : $137
- Transfer from Palermo Airport to Palermo: $131
- Private Transfer from Palermo (PMO) Airport to Santa Flavia: $124
- Private Transfer Palermo Airport to/from San Vito Lo Capo, Macari: $109
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Marsala port or vice versa: $109
- Transfers From / to Palermo Airport: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Palermo?
Prices for flights to both Palermo 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 $33Palermo $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
- 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 Palermo
Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$34
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Fast Food Lunch$5.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.
- Street Food Tour: $42
- Street Food Tour: $65
- Explore Palermo's with a Food Tour & Pizza Making Class: $68
- Small Group Night Street Food Tour: $68
- Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine: $74
- Palermo Traditional Food Tour: $74
- Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making: $75
- Night Street Food Tour of Palermo : $75
- Secret Food Tours Palermo: $85
- Street Food Tour in Ballarò and Vucciria Markets: $86
- Walking Street Food Tour with the Chef: $91
- Sicilian Cooking Class: $101
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ephesus $59Palermo $18
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- For Cruisers: Skip-the-line Private Free Ephesus Tour : $0.05
- Self-guided Virtual Tour of The Highlights: $6.53
- Entry Free: Drive by Ephesus and Ancient Wonder Tour: $12
- Self-guided Virtual Tour of the ancient pearl of the Mediterranean: $17
- Kusadasi Traditional Turkish Bath Hamam Experience : $17
- SKIP THE LINE :Best Seller Ephesus Private Tour For Cruiser Guest: $19
- Private & Mini Group Classical Ephesus Tour For Cruisers: $19
- Skip the Line - Best of Ephesus: $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
- Kusadasi Quad Safari Adventure: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:
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Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)$6.43
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Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)$13
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Theater Tickets (for Two)$53
Tours and Activities in Palermo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:
- 4 Hours Private Architectural Tour in Palermo: $165
- Agrigento - Private Tour to the Valley of the Temples from Palermo: $295
- Agrigento Valley of the Temples and Villa Romana del Casale Tour from Palermo: $133
- Ballaro 'street food market tour & Santa Rosalia Sanctuary: $208
- Cappella Palatina and Palazzo dei Normanni Tour: $91
- Captivating Agrigento Sunset Tour of Valle dei Templi: $43
- Capuchin Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral Private Tour: $192
- Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Palermo: $152
- Discover the Charm of A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour: $38
- Eating Street Food & Market Tour: $117
- English or Spanish tour to immersive museum + lunch: $37
- Entrance ticket to the Radici Piccolo Museo Della Natura: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Palermo $12
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:
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Beer$2.74
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Bottle of Quality Wine$12
Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:
- Pub Crawl Palermo: $16
- Wine Tasting with Snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $41
- Natural Local Wine Tasting & Sicilian Tapas: $49
- Natural Wine Tasting with snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $53
- Eating Palermo Food & Wine Tour: $82
- 2-Hour Sicilian Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour: $128
- From Erice and Marsala Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $181
- Wine Tasting for Small Groups in the Palermo Countryside: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Palermo, we can see that Ephesus is more expensive. And not only is Palermo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palermo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palermo 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 Palermo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Palermo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Palermo?
Palermo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Palermo, 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 Palermo?
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 Palermo in the Summer?
Both Palermo and Ephesus during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Palermo for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Ephesus is a little warmer than Palermo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ephesus in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Palermo averages at about 25°C (76°F).
In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the summer, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Palermo. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palermo receives 347 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Palermo. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Palermo 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Palermo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Palermo. Also, many visitors come to Palermo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Ephesus is generally around the same temperature as Palermo. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 19°C (66°F), and Palermo fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palermo this time of the year. In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Palermo during autumn. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Palermo receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Palermo. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Palermo 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Palermo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Palermo. Also, most visitors come to Palermo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Ephesus is cooler than Palermo in the winter. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Palermo fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the winter, Ephesus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palermo receives 133 hours of full sun.
Ephesus receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ephesus usually gets more rain in January than Palermo. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Palermo 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Palermo in the Spring?
Both Palermo and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Palermo because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Ephesus is around the same temperature as Palermo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ephesus in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Palermo averages at about 15°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Palermo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo during spring. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Palermo receives 219 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Palermo. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Palermo 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Palermo and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Palermo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 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.