Which place is cheaper, Taormina or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Taormina?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Taormina, 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 Taormina?
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).
Taormina
A quaint hillside town on the eastern side of Sicily, Taormina is arguably one of the most popular tourist resorts on the island. It's peak season is the months of July and August when Italian and European tourists alike flock to the beaches. During this time it can be crowded and hot, but if you visit during the spring or fall months you might find the crowds slightly less and the weather more comfortable. The town is popular with package tours, which stay at the beach resorts around Giardini Naxos to the south or Letojanni to the north.
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 Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $143Taormina $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Taormina is $116. 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 Taormina in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Taormina $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Taormina $150
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Taormina
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Taormina? 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 Taormina Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Taormina $4.59
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 Taormina
Also for Taormina, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Roundtrip Transfer from Messina: $41
- Sicily Catania Airport: Bus Transfer to and from Taormina: $7.49
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Taormina?
Prices for flights to both Taormina 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 $33Taormina $35
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 $59Taormina $12
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 Taormina
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Taormina.
- 5 Hours Private Tour of Taormina from Messina: $606
- From Catania or Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Tour: $743
- From Catania: Guided Tour of Mount Etna and Taormina: $57
- From Catania: Guided Tour of Taormina and Castelmola: $106
- Sicily: Best of Taormina and Castelmola Private Tour: $213
- Small Group Sicily Food & Wine Lovers Tour: 8 Days: $2,668
- Small Group Tour of Sicily Highlights: 8 Days: $2,668
- Taormina & Castelmola: Shore tour from Messina cruise port: $428
- Taormina Walking Tour & Ancient theather Private or shared: $588
- Taormina private tour: $160
- Taormina. Highlights Tour with Isolabella and Castelmola: $267
- Tour Messina Taormina Castelmola: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Taormina $9.18
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Taormina
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taormina:
- Mt Etna Private guided walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $181
- Catania: Mt. Etna Private Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $299
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Taormina, we can see that Ephesus is more expensive. And not only is Taormina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Taormina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Taormina 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 Taormina.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Taormina Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Taormina?
Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Taormina, 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 Taormina?
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 Taormina in the Summer?
Both Taormina and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Ephesus is around the same temperature as Taormina. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ephesus in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Taormina averages at about 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Taormina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 332 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Taormina. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Taormina 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Taormina in the Autumn?
Both Taormina and Ephesus during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Taormina in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Ephesus is generally around the same temperature as Taormina. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 19°C (66°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 189 hours of full sun.
Taormina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Taormina. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Taormina 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Taormina in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Taormina. Also, most visitors come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Ephesus is cooler than Taormina in the winter. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Taormina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 115 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 Taormina. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Taormina 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Taormina in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Taormina. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Ephesus is around the same temperature as Taormina. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ephesus in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Taormina averages at about 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the spring, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 207 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Taormina. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Taormina 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Taormina and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Taormina | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 87 mm (3.4 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.