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

Should you visit Ephesus or Sighisoara?

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

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

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).

Sighisoara

Located in the historic region of Transylvania in Romania, Sighisoara takes its roots from German craftsmen and merchants, called the Transylvanian Saxons, who were invited by the King of Hungary during the 12th century to settle and defend the area. Today it is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and stands as a preserved example of a small fortified city from the medieval era.

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 Romania, and The Best Budget Tours to Romania.


Which place is cheaper, Sighisoara 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 Sighisoara is $60. 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 Sighisoara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $70
    Sighisoara $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $140
    Sighisoara $56
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Sighisoara

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Sighisoara? 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 Sighisoara


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 Sighisoara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $51
    Sighisoara $18

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 Sighisoara

Also for Sighisoara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sighisoara to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $472
  • Bucharest to Sighisoara - Private Transfer: $430

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Sighisoara?

Prices for flights to both Sighisoara 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
    Sighisoara $22
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
    Sighisoara $7.87

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 Sighisoara

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sighisoara.

  • 3 Days Private Guided Tour in Romania: $859
  • City Tour Sighisoara in English: $43
  • From Bucharest: Private 6-Day Dracula Tour in Transylvania: $1,396
  • From Half-Day Tour to Malancrav & Biertan: $84
  • Half-Day Tour to Malancrav & Biertan from Sighisoara: $86
  • Sighisoara Citadel super - private walking tour: $97
  • Sighisoara private tour, citadel visit, museum entrance free: $64
  • 2-Hour City Tour: $42
  • Candlelight Tour of Dracula's Home Town: $30
  • City Walking Tour and Dracula House Visit: $56
  • Transylvania Castles & Fortified Churches 4-Day Private Tour: $929

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $15
    Sighisoara $6.42
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 Sighisoara, we can see that Ephesus is more expensive. And not only is Sighisoara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sighisoara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sighisoara 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 Sighisoara.

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


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Sighisoara?

Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sighisoara. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Sighisoara, 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.