Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Haifa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Haifa or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Haifa and Istanbul. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Haifa or Istanbul?
Haifa
Located on the northern Mediterranean coast of Israel, Haifa is Israel's third largest city. It is also a beautiful and strategically located city near the border with Lebanon. The population of Haifa, which is approximately 300,000, is surprisingly diverse. There are Jews, Muslim, and Christian Arabs throughout the city. While Haifa is an industrial city with a strong work ethic and a good job base, it is also a beautiful city with many gardens and a stunning coastline. Today the job base has increasingly become technology based with some large companies such as Google and Microsoft offering employment in the area. Haifa University is also the country's top technology university.
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Israel, The Best Cultural Tours in Israel, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHaifa $124Istanbul $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Haifa is $124, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $126. 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 Haifa and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHaifa $75Istanbul $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHaifa $150Istanbul $94
Compare Hotels in Haifa and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Haifa or Istanbul? 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: Haifa Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Haifa $5.00Istanbul $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Haifa
Also for Haifa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV): $173
- Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv City: $173
- Transfers all over the Holyland: Haifa, TLV, Airport, JLM, Jordan: $195
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry$0.09
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Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Vip Airport Transfer : $50
- İstanbul Private Arrival Transfer : $56
- İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $140
- İstanbul Airports Transfer Services: $43
- İstanbul Airport Transfer(Airport to Hotel,Hotel to Airport): $63
- İstanbul Airport Transfer : Your reliable & Stress-Free ride: $55
- İstanbul Airport Private Transfer: $46
- VIP Transfer from Hotel to Airport in Istanbul: $27
- Two Ways Sabiha Gokcen Airport VIP Transfer: $87
- Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Luxury Sedan: $131
- Transfer from Airports in Istanbul to Hotels by Private Eco-Sedan: $49
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport: Private Transfer Service to Istanbul: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Haifa or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Haifa 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 dayHaifa $45Istanbul $31
Typical Food Prices in Haifa
For Haifa, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$27
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice$0.06
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Turkish Delight$0.02
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Dessert$0.26
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Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul: $16
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Turkish Night Show All inclusive: $16
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $21
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $22
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise with All inclusive Dinner and Belly-Dancer Show : $27
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Haifa $5.77Istanbul $79
Tours and Activities in Haifa
For Haifa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Haifa Port Shore Excursion: Nazareth and Sea of Galilee Day Tour from Haifa Port: $120
- Haifa Private Tour: $161
- Haifa, Acre & Rosh Anikra Grottos Haifa Port FullDay Shared Tour: $231
- Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour from Haifa Port 2024 - Small Group: $255
- Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour from Haifa Port. Private Tour: $256
- Romantic Walking Tour In Haifa for Couples: $290
- Full Day Tour to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee: $290
- Christianity Day Tour: Haifa Port to Nazareth and Sea of Galilee : $295
- Haifa Port: Full-Day Christianity Cruise to Galilee: $400
- Haifa, Acre and Rosh Anikra for Cruises with Licensed Guide: $417
- Caesarea, Haifa, Acre, Rosh Hanikra Private Day Tour: $705
- Wine private tour of Central Israel: $949
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
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Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
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Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
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Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
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Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- 2 Hours Ultimate Kebab Experience in Galata, Istanbul: $160
- 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $273
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $164
- Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
- Dolmabace Palace, Bosphorus Boat Tour , Eyüp Sultan Mosque Tour: $150
- Highlights of Cappadocia with Mehmet ( Private Tour ): $95
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $55
- City Highlights Tour w/Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque: $35
- Must - See Istanbul Stops 1: Half Day Morning Tour: $139
- 1 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $75
- 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $75
- 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHaifa $13Istanbul $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $84
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $246
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $849
When comparing the travel costs between Haifa and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Haifa is in Middle East and Istanbul is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Haifa Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Haifa or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Haifa. When comparing the sizes of Haifa and Istanbul, 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 Haifa or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Haifa experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Haifa or Istanbul in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Haifa as well as Istanbul. Haifa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Haifa is a little warmer than Istanbul in the summer. The daily temperature in Haifa averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Istanbul fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Istanbul. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Haifa this time of the year. In the summer, Haifa often gets more sunshine than Istanbul. Haifa gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 333 hours of full sun.
Haifa usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Istanbul. Haifa gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHaifa 27°C (81°F)Istanbul 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Haifa or Istanbul in the Autumn?
Both Istanbul and Haifa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Haifa throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Haifa is a little warmer than Istanbul. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Haifa in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Istanbul averages at about 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Haifa. Haifa usually receives more sunshine than Istanbul during autumn. Haifa gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Haifa usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Haifa gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHaifa 24°C (75°F)Istanbul 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Haifa or Istanbul in the Winter?
Both Istanbul and Haifa during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Haifa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In January, Haifa is generally much warmer than Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Haifa average around 14°C (57°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In the winter, Haifa often gets more sunshine than Istanbul. Haifa gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 75 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Haifa. Haifa usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Istanbul. Haifa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHaifa 14°C (57°F)Istanbul 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Haifa or Istanbul in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Haifa and Istanbul. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Haifa year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Istanbul for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Haifa is much warmer than Istanbul in the spring. The daily temperature in Haifa averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and Istanbul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Haifa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Haifa usually receives more sunshine than Istanbul during spring. Haifa gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Haifa usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Haifa gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHaifa 19°C (66°F)Istanbul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Istanbul and Haifa
| Haifa | Istanbul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 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.