Which place is cheaper, Izmir or Haifa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Haifa or Izmir?
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 Izmir. 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 Izmir?
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.
Izmir
Izmir is a metropolitan city of Turkey and the second most populous city on the Aegean Sea after Athens, Greece. Known as Smyrna in antiquity, it was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans, and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Most remnants of this past are gone; however, there are a few archaeological sites in addition to beaches, bustling city streets, and colorful markets.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Israel, The Best Cultural Tours in Israel, The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHaifa $123Izmir $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Haifa is $123, while the average daily cost in Izmir is $105. 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 Izmir in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHaifa $74Izmir $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHaifa $148Izmir $120
Compare Hotels in Haifa and Izmir
Looking for a hotel in Haifa or Izmir? 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 Izmir Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Haifa $4.93Izmir $30
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Izmir
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:
- İzmir Airport Private Transfer Service: $50
- VIP Private Transfer | Izmir Airport to Kusadasi or Selcuk: $46
- Transfer İzmir Airport to/from Kusadasi City Center Area: $75
- Transfer to Izmir airport from Kusadasi: $76
- Transfer From izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Selcuk Ephesus: $82
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Gümüldür, Seferihisar: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Gümüldür, Seferihisar: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Manisa City: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Manisa City: $131
- Private Transfer: Izmir to Izmir Airport (ADB) : $44
- Private Transfer: Izmir Airport (ADB) to Izmir : $44
- Private Transfer | IZMIR City Hotels - Izmir AIRPORT: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Haifa or Izmir?
Prices for flights to both Izmir 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 $44Izmir $24
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Haifa $5.68Izmir $21
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
Tours and Activities in Izmir
Here are a few actual costs in Izmir for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Small Group Ephesus Tour From Izmir Hotels: $100
- Small Group Pamukkale Tour from Izmir Hotels: $126
- 1 Day Ephesus And Pamukkale Tour From Izmir By A Local Expert: $300
- 5 Days Seven Churches Tour Turkey: $1,075
- Alaçatı And Çeşme Private Tour: $100
- Ancient Pergamon Tour From Izmir: $283
- Aphrodisias&Pamukkale Tour from Izmir: $280
- Best Seller Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers : $70
- Biblical Ephesus, Mother Mary House, St John Basilica and Temple of Artemis Tour from Izmir with Private Guide: $272
- Cesme-Alacati Tour from Izmir: $175
- Customized Ephesus Private Tour / FOR CRUISE GUESTS ONLY: $150
- Daily Ephesus & Virgin Mary House Tour from Izmir: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHaifa $13Izmir $8.86
Sample the Local Flavors in Izmir
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Izmir:
- Wine Tasting Tour at Two Wineries in Urla Turkey: $98
- Ancient Ephesus tour with Mother's Mary House and visit to old village Sirince with wine tasting: $152
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Haifa and Izmir, we can see that Haifa is more expensive. And not only is Izmir much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Haifa is in Middle East and Izmir is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Izmir would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Izmir 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 Haifa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Haifa than you might in Izmir.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Haifa Expensive? and Is Izmir Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Haifa or Izmir?
Izmir has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Haifa. When comparing the sizes of Haifa and Izmir, 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 Izmir?
Izmir 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 Izmir in the Summer?
Both Izmir and Haifa during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Haifa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Haifa is around the same temperature as Izmir in the summer. The daily temperature in Haifa averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Izmir fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Izmir, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Haifa. In the summer, Haifa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Izmir. Haifa gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Izmir receives 378 hours of full sun.
Haifa usually gets more rain in July than Izmir. Haifa gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Izmir receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHaifa 27°C (81°F)Izmir 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Haifa or Izmir in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Haifa and Izmir. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Haifa year-round.
In the autumn, Haifa is a little warmer than Izmir. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Haifa in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Izmir averages at about 19°C (67°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Izmir this time of the year. In Haifa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Haifa usually receives more sunshine than Izmir during autumn. Haifa gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Izmir receives 232 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Haifa usually receives less rain than Izmir. Haifa gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Izmir receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHaifa 24°C (75°F)Izmir 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Haifa or Izmir in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Haifa as well as Izmir. Haifa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Haifa is generally much warmer than Izmir. Daily temperatures in Haifa average around 14°C (57°F), and Izmir fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the winter, Haifa often gets more sunshine than Izmir. Haifa gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Izmir receives 131 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Izmir. Haifa receives a lot of rain in the winter. Haifa usually gets less rain in January than Izmir. Haifa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Izmir receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHaifa 14°C (57°F)Izmir 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Haifa or Izmir in the Spring?
Both Izmir and Haifa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Haifa throughout the year.
Haifa is a little warmer than Izmir in the spring. The daily temperature in Haifa averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and Izmir fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Izmir. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Haifa. Haifa usually receives more sunshine than Izmir during spring. Haifa gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Izmir receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Haifa usually receives less rain than Izmir. Haifa gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Izmir receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHaifa 19°C (66°F)Izmir 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Izmir and Haifa
| Haifa | Izmir | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 153 mm (6 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.