Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Reykjavik?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?
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).
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $143Reykjavik $243
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is $243. 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 Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Reykjavik $138
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Reykjavik $276
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Reykjavik
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Reykjavik? 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 Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Reykjavik $45
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Reykjavík: South Coast Guided Day Trip by Jeep with Transfer: $1,765
- From Reykjavik Port: Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $1,050
- Blue Lagoon with Private Roundtrip Transfer: $473
- Door to Door Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $306
- From ATV Ride and Blue Lagoon Tour with Transfer: $287
- Lava Tunnel Caving & Snorkeling in Silfra with Transfer | Free Photos: $283
- Lava Tunnel Caving with Transfer | Small Group: $283
- Private Luxury Airport Transfer Service: $278
- Private transfer: Reykjavik to Keflavik International Airport (KEF): $277
- Private Transfer from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport : $273
- Private Airport Transfer: $271
- Private Airport Transfer from Reykjavik: $270
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik 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 $33Reykjavik $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
- Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $211
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $228
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)$176
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Icelandic Food Tour: $123
- Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market: $125
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $127
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $129
- Reykjavik Market & Lunch Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $142
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $144
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour: $145
- Icelandic Cooking Class in Downtown Reykjavik with Musical Hosts: $296
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ephesus $59Reykjavik $71
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$11
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Wine and Spa$29
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- WWII History Tour with a 1940's British Officer in Reykjavik: $148
- #1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos: $145
- 1 hour Reykjavík E-Scooter Adventure: $58
- 1-Hour ATV Quad Tour from Reykjavik: $131
- 1-Hour Helicopter Tour in Iceland: The Geothermal Tour: $435
- 1hr ATV & Golden Circle Adventure from Reykjavik: $276
- 1hr Buggy Adventure from Reykjavik: $172
- 2hr Buggy 'Lava Field Adventure' from Reykjavik: $219
- 3-Hour Private Discover Reykjavik Photography Tour: $172
- 3hr Volcanic Springs ATV Adventure from Reykjavik: $299
- ATV - QUAD Adventure: $174
- Adventure in Landmannalaugar and Hot Springs - Reykjavík & Hella: $174
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Reykjavik $28
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 Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer$8.67
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Gin Distillery tour and tasting: $25
- Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting: $32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik than you might in Ephesus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Reykjavik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Reykjavik?
Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?
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 Reykjavik in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Reykjavik. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.
In July, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Reykjavik 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Reykjavik in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Reykjavik. Additionally, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. Ephesus is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Reykjavik 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Reykjavik in the Winter?
Both Reykjavik and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Ephesus is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).
Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Ephesus. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Reykjavik -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Reykjavik in the Spring?
Both Reykjavik and Ephesus during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months.
Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. In April, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the spring, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Reykjavik 3°C (38°F)
Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Reykjavik | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.