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

Should you visit Ephesus or Utrecht?

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

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

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).

Utrecht

Utrecht is both a province and a city in the Netherlands. The city is a unique university city with a lively atmosphere. Imagine Amsterdam but smaller, and with fewer tourists. Utrecht has the same underlying historical/magical feel as Amsterdam, but is full of locals rather than crowds of tourists. It has a population of about 300,000 making it the fourth largest city in the Netherlands.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands.


Which place is cheaper, Utrecht 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 Utrecht is $202. 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 Utrecht in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $70
    Utrecht $114
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $140
    Utrecht $228
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Utrecht

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Utrecht? 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 Utrecht


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 Utrecht Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $51
    Utrecht $24

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Utrecht

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Utrecht:

  • Private transfer from Utrecht to AMS Schiphol Airport: $120
  • Private taxi transfer from Utrecht to Amsterdam: $101
  • Train Transfer Utrecht from/to Rotterdam: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Utrecht?

Prices for flights to both Utrecht 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
    Utrecht $62
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Utrecht

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Utrecht.

  • City Boat Tour & Balkan Restaurant Lunch OR Dinner: $31
  • Vegan Food Tour like a local. Eat, walk, enjoy.: $70
  • Vegan Food Tour by bike in get of the beaten track! : $71
  • Vegan Food Tour like a Local: eat, walk, enjoy Utrecht: $71
  • Guided Food Tour: $79

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ephesus $59
    Utrecht $47

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

Tours and Activities in Utrecht

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Utrecht are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Utrecht Family Walking Tour: $163
  • Captivating Utrecht Family Walking Tour: $321
  • Castles, Canals and Good Folk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Utrecht: $8.99
  • Christmas Joy in Utrecht Walking Tour: $448
  • Christmas Joy in Utrecht Walking Tour: $210
  • Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $11
  • Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $13
  • Discover Utrecht with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour: $27
  • Discover Utrecht’s Zocherpark in this Outside Escape game tour!: $27
  • Discover Utrecht’s city center in this Outside Escape game tour!: $22
  • Explore Gems of Utrecht Walking Tour for Couples: $341
  • Explore Gems of Utrecht Walking Tour for Couples: $174

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $15
    Utrecht $25
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

Sample the Local Flavors in Utrecht

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Utrecht:

  • Utrecht Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
  • Utrecht Private Self-Guided Pub Crawl Pub Quiz: $21


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Utrecht, we can see that Utrecht 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht 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 Utrecht Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Utrecht?

Utrecht has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Utrecht, 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 Utrecht?

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 Utrecht in the Summer?

Both Utrecht and Ephesus during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Utrecht for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Utrecht. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and Utrecht fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the summer, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Utrecht. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Utrecht receives 194 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Utrecht. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ephesus 27°C (81°F) 
    Utrecht 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Utrecht in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Utrecht. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Utrecht because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Ephesus is much warmer than Utrecht in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Utrecht fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Utrecht during autumn. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Utrecht receives 100 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Utrecht. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F) 
    Utrecht 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Utrecht in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Utrecht. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Utrecht this time of year.

It's quite cold in Utrecht in the winter. In the winter, Ephesus is much warmer than Utrecht. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Utrecht averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Utrecht. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Utrecht receives 38 hours of full sun.

Ephesus receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ephesus usually gets more rain in January than Utrecht. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F) 
    Utrecht 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Utrecht in the Spring?

Both Utrecht and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Utrecht for the natural beauty.

In April, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Utrecht. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and Utrecht fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Utrecht during spring. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Utrecht receives 156 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Utrecht. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Utrecht receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F) 
    Utrecht 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Utrecht and Ephesus

Ephesus Utrecht
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)