A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ephesus vs. Puerto de la Cruz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ephesus or Puerto de la Cruz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Puerto de la Cruz, 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 Puerto de la Cruz?

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).

Puerto de la Cruz

The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, and The Best Luxury Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz is $120. 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 Puerto de la Cruz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $70
    Puerto de la Cruz $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $140
    Puerto de la Cruz $110
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Puerto de la Cruz

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Puerto de la Cruz? 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 Puerto de la Cruz


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 Puerto de la Cruz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $51
    Puerto de la Cruz $43

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Puerto de la Cruz?

Prices for flights to both Puerto de la Cruz 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
    Puerto de la Cruz $36
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
    Puerto de la Cruz $30

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $15
    Puerto de la Cruz $5.36
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Puerto de la Cruz, we can see that Ephesus is more expensive. And not only is Puerto de la Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto de la Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Puerto de la Cruz Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Puerto de la Cruz?

Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Puerto de la Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Puerto de la Cruz, 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 Puerto de la Cruz?

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 Puerto de la Cruz in the Summer?

Both Puerto de la Cruz and Ephesus during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Ephesus is a little warmer than Puerto de la Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ephesus in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto de la Cruz averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Puerto de la Cruz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the summer, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 334 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Puerto de la Cruz. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ephesus 27°C (81°F) 
    Puerto de la Cruz 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Puerto de la Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Puerto de la Cruz.

In October, Ephesus is generally cooler than Puerto de la Cruz. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 19°C (66°F), and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz during autumn. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 218 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F) 
    Puerto de la Cruz 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Puerto de la Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Puerto de la Cruz.

Ephesus is much colder than Puerto de la Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the winter, Ephesus often gets less sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 180 hours of full sun.

Ephesus receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ephesus usually gets more rain in January than Puerto de la Cruz. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F) 
    Puerto de la Cruz 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Puerto de la Cruz in the Spring?

Both Puerto de la Cruz and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Ephesus is cooler than Puerto de la Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ephesus in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Puerto de la Cruz averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Puerto de la Cruz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto de la Cruz during spring. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 229 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F) 
    Puerto de la Cruz 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto de la Cruz and Ephesus

Ephesus Puerto de la Cruz
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)