Which place is cheaper, Plitvice Lakes National Park or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Plitvice Lakes National Park, 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?
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).
Plitvice Lakes National Park
One of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe, Plitvice Lakes National Park is an area of green forests laced with a system of interconnected turquoise lakes. It was set aside as a national park in 1949, and was later designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $143Plitvice Lakes National Park $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Plitvice Lakes National Park is $133. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Plitvice Lakes National Park $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Plitvice Lakes National Park $128
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Plitvice Lakes National Park
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Plitvice Lakes National Park? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Plitvice Lakes National Park $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer In Ephesus: $205
- Private Transfer From Kusadasi to Pamukkale: $196
- Private Transfers From Kusadasi: $173
- Kusadasi Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $169
- Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $164
- Milas Bodrum Airport (BJV) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $140
- Kusadasi to Pamukkale Hotels Private Transfer: $136
- 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
- VIP Transfer Kusadasi From/To Bodrum Airport: $128
- Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $120
- Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $115
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Also for Plitvice Lakes National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $271
- Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zagreb Airport (ZAG): $232
- Plitvice lakes Guiding with Transfer: $182
- From Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb private one-way transfer: $150
- From Zadar: Round-Trip Transfer to Plitvice Lakes: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Prices for flights to both Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 $33Plitvice Lakes National Park $43
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ephesus $59Plitvice Lakes National Park $36
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 Plitvice Lakes National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Plitvice Lakes National Park.
- 3,5 hours Guided Buggy Tour in Plitvice lakes: $76
- Abandoned military airbase Zeljava -2h guided tour: $55
- Croatia Walking Tour in a Wonderland: $174
- E-Bike tour Plitvice Big Waterfall Viewpoints & Tito's Villa: $87
- From Split and Trogir: Plitvice Lakes Economy Group Tour: $48
- From Split: Plitvice Lakes Guided tour: $70
- Full Day Private Tour of Plitvice Lakes from Split & Trogir: $738
- Half day tour around Plitvice Lakes: $29
- PLITVICE LAKES FULL DAY TOUR WITH LOCAL: $182
- Plitvice Countryside Bike Tour with Barac Caves: $76
- Plitvice Guided Tour- Tickets only RESERVED: $44
- Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Plitvice Lakes National Park $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 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park, 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Ephesus or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?
Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Plitvice Lakes National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?
Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Ephesus during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of year.
Ephesus is a little warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Furthermore, many travelers come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Plitvice Lakes National Park. In the winter, Ephesus is much warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 1°C (35°F).
Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Additionally, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the spring, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 163 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Plitvice Lakes National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.