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

Should you visit Ephesus or Playa Blanca?

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

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

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).

Playa Blanca

Located on the southern tip of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a resort area popular with families and couples seeking a quieter vacation alternative to the lively neighbor resort of Puerto del Carmen. The resort's white sandy beaches are peaceful and sheltered from the higher winds found on other parts of the island. Timanfaya National Park is also nearby, as well as a number of other spectacular volcanic features.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca is $166. 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 Playa Blanca in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $70
    Playa Blanca $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $140
    Playa Blanca $174
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Playa Blanca

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Playa Blanca? 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 Playa Blanca


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 Playa Blanca Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $51
    Playa Blanca $52

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Playa Blanca?

Prices for flights to both Playa Blanca 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
    Playa Blanca $48
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ephesus $59
    Playa Blanca $21

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $15
    Playa Blanca $9.95
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


When comparing the travel costs between Ephesus and Playa Blanca, we can see that Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Playa Blanca?

Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Playa Blanca. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Playa Blanca, 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 Playa Blanca?

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 Playa Blanca in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Playa Blanca.

Ephesus is a little warmer than Playa Blanca in the summer. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa Blanca this time of the year. In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Playa Blanca during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Ephesus or Playa Blanca in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Playa Blanca.

In the autumn, Ephesus is cooler than Playa Blanca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ephesus in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Playa Blanca averages at about 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa Blanca. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa Blanca. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 224 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets more rain in October than Playa Blanca. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F) 
    Playa Blanca 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Playa Blanca in the Winter?

Both Playa Blanca and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In January, Ephesus is generally much colder than Playa Blanca. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 10°C (50°F), and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa Blanca. Ephesus usually receives less sunshine than Playa Blanca during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 204 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Ephesus. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F) 
    Playa Blanca 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Playa Blanca in the Spring?

Both Playa Blanca and Ephesus during the spring are popular places to visit.

Ephesus is cooler than Playa Blanca in the spring. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Playa Blanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the spring, Ephesus often gets less sunshine than Playa Blanca. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 250 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets more rain in April than Playa Blanca. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F) 
    Playa Blanca 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Playa Blanca and Ephesus

Ephesus Playa Blanca
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)