Should you visit Istanbul or Berlin?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Istanbul and Berlin can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Berlin
Berlin is the capital and largest city in Germany. As such, travelers can expect typical European prices for everything from hotels to food to sights and attractions. While it's possible to experience this city on a cheaper budget, don't expect to get much without paying a decent amount.
Which city is cheaper, Berlin or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $99, while the average daily cost in Berlin is $120. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Istanbul and Berlin in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Istanbul is about $122 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $110 in Berlin For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
Food in Istanbul costs travelers about $25 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
Food in Berlin costs travelers about $48 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Istanbul
$25
Berlin
$48
Typical Food prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Juice
$0.25
-
Turkish Delight
$0.07
-
Dessert
$1.05
-
Pastries
$0.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
-
3 Hour Evening Food Tour in Kadıkoy:
$90
-
Bosphorus: Dinner Cruise with Live Performances Experience:
$47
-
Orient Bosphorus Dinner and Show Cruise:
$51
-
Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise with Dinner and Entertainment:
$53
-
4-Hour Bosphorus Dinner and Cruise:
$97
-
Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorus:
$55
-
Istanbul New Year 2022 Dinner and Party Cruise on the Bosphorus:
$0.00
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$29
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show:
$30
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Inc. Dinner and Belly Dance Show with Hotel Transfer:
$34
Typical Food prices in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
English Comedy Ticket including Pizza in Berlin Mitte:
$16
-
English Comedy Showcase Including Pizza in Berlin Mitte:
$25
-
Bitemojo Self Guided Food Tour New To Berlin:
$40
-
Dinner Cruise – “This is the CHEF talking”:
$49
-
Berlin Kreuzberg - Food Tour:
$53
-
Berlin Mitte - Food Tour:
$53
-
Berlin Food Tour:
$55
-
Withlocals 10 Tastings: Covid-19 Regulated Private Food Tour:
$57
-
History Bites: The Berlin History and Food Tour:
$61
-
Berlin Dinner Cruise.:
$61
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Istanbul is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.79 per person, per day, on local transportation in Istanbul.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Berlin than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $15 on transportation in Berlin on average per day.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Ferry
$0.34
-
Local Bus
$0.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
-
Istanbul Airport Private Transfer:
$59
-
Private Istanbul New Airport Transfer Service:
$4.36
-
Private Transfer from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul:
$65
-
Istanbul Transfers: Airport, Hotel or Return Trip:
$55
-
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport Private Transfers:
$48
-
Istanbul Airport Transfers:
$73
-
Istanbul Airport Transfer / Private Airport Transfer:
$3.73
-
Istanbul Airports Transfer:
$6.22
-
istanbul airport cheapest vip transfer by private car:
$14
-
Safe Airport transfer service in istanbul:
$16
Typical Local Transportation prices in Berlin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Berlin:
-
Short Trip Metro Ticket
$1.66
-
Bahn Ticket
$3.55
-
Short Taxi Ride
$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berlin
Also for Berlin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Departure Transfer from Berlin City Center to Berlin Tegel Airport:
$24
-
Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) to Berlin - Arrival Private Van Transfer:
$27
-
Berlin to Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) - Departure Private Van Transfer:
$27
-
Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) to Berlin - Round-Trip Private Van Transfer:
$27
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Berlin to Schonefeld Airport (SXF):
$30
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Berlin to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER):
$30
-
Transfer from Berlin Tegel Airport to Berlin city (any hotel or address):
$32
-
Berlin Schonefeld Airport (SXF) to Berlin - Departure Private Van Transfer:
$34
-
Private Transfer from Berlin City Center to Schönefeld Airport:
$36
-
Premium Transfer from Berlin Tegel Airport to Accommodation in Berlin:
$37
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Istanbul typically cost an average of $36 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Sightseeing expenses in Berlin, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $15 per day, per person.
Typical Entertainment prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
-
Grand Bazaar Tour with Expert:
$42
-
The Highlights of Istanbul Tour:
$44
-
Samatya - Armenian District Walking Tour:
$85
-
Dolmabahce Palace and Grand Bazaar Tour:
$107
-
Private Istanbul Tour with Car and Guide:
$333
-
2-Day Cappadocia Tour From Istanbul Optional Balloon Flight:
$339
-
Dolmabahçe Palace Admission and Guided Tour:
$21
-
Istanbul Food on Foot Tour:
$151
-
Istanbul Private Guided Tour:
$53
-
Highlights of 1 or 2-Day Private Guided Tour:
$84
Typical Entertainment prices in Berlin
Below are a few samples prices from actual travelers for Berlin's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Berlin
For Berlin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Berlin Reichstag and Glass Dome Private Tour:
$231
-
Potsdam: 2-Hour Wannsee Cruise:
$22
-
DDR Museum Tickets:
$12
-
Dalí - The Exhibition at Potsdamer Platz Entry Ticket:
$15
-
Berlin Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: 24 or 48-Hour Ticket:
$19
-
Berlin Christmas Markets with Culinary Tour:
$0.00
-
Rude Bastards tour of Berlin:
$1.87
-
Music of Berlin Private Tour: Communist Berlin Exploration Game:
$3.72
-
Berlin Private Tour: Third Reich & the Cold War Exploration Game:
$4.96
-
Ku'damm Couture and Currywurst Self-guided Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.48
Alcohol
The average person spends about $8.86 on alcoholic beverages in Istanbul per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $12 on alcoholic beverages in Berlin per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
-
Daily Tekirdag Wine Tasting Tour from Istanbul:
$427
Typical Alcohol prices in Berlin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Berlin from other travelers:
Sample the Local Flavors in Berlin
Also in Berlin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Berlin Pub Crawl And Night Life Tour:
$15
-
#1 Berlin Pub Crawl:
$25
-
Sean's Wine Tasting Events:
$66
-
Welcome to Berlin tour! Sightseeing, souvenirs and visit of a German brewery:
$236
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Berlin, we can see that Berlin is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Berlin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berlin than you might in Istanbul.
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