Which place is cheaper, Agra or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Agra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Agra, 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: Istanbul or Agra?
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.
Agra
In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.
While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesAgra Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $157Agra $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $157, while the average daily cost in Agra is $49. 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 Istanbul and Agra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $73Agra $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $146Agra $28
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Agra
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Agra? 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Agra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $34Agra $9.05
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Private Cultural Tours, Hotel Transfers Including: $299
- Istanbul Dolmabahçe Palace Private Tour with Transfers: $296
- Istanbul Old City Private Tour With Professional Guide & Transfer: $274
- Private Transfer from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gökcen Airport: $268
- Istanbul Layover Tour: Private & Personalized with Transfers: $190
- Istanbul Private Airport Transfer: $182
- Istanbul Airport Cruise Port Hotel Transfer with Private Vehicle: $175
- Istanbul to Truva Troy Guided Day Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $167
- Private Transfers Between Istanbul New Airport - Istanbul Far Anatolian Side: $166
- Istanbul NEW Airport Private Transfer: $165
- Istanbul Private Airport Transfer: $157
- Private Transfers Between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Ap - Istanbul EU Side Southwest: $154
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra
Also for Agra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Taj Mahal and Agra Day Tour with Transfer: $2.37
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $2.48
- Create Your Own Itinerary - Private Tour & Transfer: $2.54
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $3.38
- Skip The Line Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour with Transfer: $4.28
- From Delhi/Taj Mahal, Agra Tour with Transfers & Lunch: $4.51
- India: Premier High Value Taj Mahal Tickets with Transfers: $4.51
- Private Transfer from Agra railway station to Hotel In Agra: $5.50
- Taj Mahal Skip-the-line Guided tour with Transfer: $6.31
- Jaipur: Same Day Taj Mahal & Agra Fort with transfers: $7.20
- Agra Airport to Agra Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $7.98
- Agra Airport / Agra Train Station to Hotel Transfer: $8.45
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Agra?
Prices for flights to both Agra and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $58Agra $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour: $26
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Live Folk Dance & DJ Experience: $28
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table: $28
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $29
- İstanbul Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show - Pvt. Table: $30
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $30
- Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $31
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $31
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Dinner, Drinks & Show with Pickup: $32
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $33
Typical Food Prices in Agra
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:
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Breakfast for Two$1.89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra
For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking class with taj: $5.64
- Agra's Tea demonstration & Food Tour: $15
- Old Agra Market & Street Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $15
- Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk Ride: $18
- Dine In Indian, home cooked food Agra Food tour My Magic Kitchen: $19
- Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
- Agra Local Arts and Crafts and Food Tours with Guide: $20
- Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra: $20
- Indian Food Private Cooking Class: $21
- Old City & Street Food Tour in Car, Tuk Tuk or Bike: $21
- Agra's best cooking classes: $27
- AI Cooking Class and Much More in a Local Family Home: $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $38Agra $17
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- "Walk Through History: A Bespoke Istanbul Adventure": $149
- 1 Istanbul Tour: Highlights, Street Food & Hidden Pearls: $280
- 1 Perfect Day in Istanbul Private Guided Tour of the City’s Icons: $250
- 1 or 2 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $80
- 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $130
- 1-Day Private Istanbul Layover Tour: $240
- 2 Hours Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise: $12
- 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise ((MORNING TOUR)): $23
- 2-Days Private Walking Tour in Istanbul: $300
- 2-Hour Scenic Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Throughout the Day: $12
- 3 Day Guided Private Tour in Istanbul: $200
- 4 Hours Istanbul Old City Walking & Shopping Tour: $150
Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra
For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entry to the Red Fort for Two$6.29
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Taj Mahal for Two$16
Tours and Activities in Agra
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.
- Private Taj Mahal Tour with 5* Lunch from Delhi/Jaipur: $1.69
- Taj Mahal and Agra Private Guided Tour from Delhi by AC Car: $2.00
- Taj Mahal Tour Fast-Track Entry with Tickets: $2.21
- Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Optional Add-ons: $2.25
- Taj Mahal & Agra Day Tour by Car from Delhi: $2.25
- Taj Mahal Budget Tour for Backpackers: $2.25
- Skip the Line Taj Mahal with photographer & Dress Rent: $2.25
- Agra:Taj Mahal Skip-The-Line Guided Tour with Breakfast: $2.25
- Taj Mahal & Mausoleum Skip-the-Line Tour with Options: $2.25
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise , Agra Fort & Baby Taj Tour: $2.25
- Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line Ticket: Sunrise & Daytime Options: $2.34
- Skip-the-Line: Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Guided Tour: $2.50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $10Agra $8.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Bars, Dancefloors, & Beyond: $17
- Pub Crawler VIP Entry Rooftop Bars&Clubs with Party Bus: $27
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries: $209
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Agra, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Agra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Agra is in Asia, 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 Agra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Agra 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul than you might in Agra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Agra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Agra?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Agra. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Agra, 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.
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.