A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Istanbul vs. Calais for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Istanbul or Calais?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Calais, 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.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a beautiful, high-energy, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Istanbul and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Istanbul or Calais?

You'll generally find more things to do in Istanbul than Calais. Istanbul is bigger than Calais, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Istanbul is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Calais is more popular for its beaches. Istanbul is more touristy than Calais and is known for its world class historical sights, stunning mosques, and dynamic energy. Also, Istanbul is famous for The Blue Mosque. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Istanbul different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calais and Istanbul. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Istanbul or Calais?

Istanbul is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Istanbul on the map. With such a long and diverse religious and political history, it has many museums, mosques, churches, and archeological sites that you can visit. Some of the most famous sights include the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Sarayi, and the Blue Mosque.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Istanbul or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Istanbul is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Istanbul is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. From Turkish classics to sweet desserts, the city has it all. Popular dishes include Turkish style pizza, kebabs, and doner, which you'll find everywhere for affordable prices. You'll also find many tourist-centered restaurants in the touristy areas but if you get away from the main sights, you'll find more local options that let you sample high quality food for affordable prices.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Istanbul or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Istanbul is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Istanbul is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Dancing, dining, and partying have all become part of Istanbul's culture. Top nightclubs in the city include Reina, Sortie, and Supperclub. If you're looking for dance clubs and alcohol, your best bet is to head to the Beyoglu district.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Istanbul or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Istanbul is not a beach destination.

Calais has a beach worth visiting. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Istanbul is not a beach destination.

Is Istanbul or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Istanbul is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Istanbul can be explored in its historical center. The Old City in Istanbul is the most historic part of the city. It's where you'll find most of the city's historic sights. The area around Sultanahmet Square is the most popular tourist area to explore.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Istanbul or Calais?

Istanbul is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Istanbul. It is the capital of culture and fashion in Turkey, and there are many shopping areas that carry all kinds of brands. For a more traditional, but touristy experience head to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. For modern brands, Istiklal Caddesi is the most popular area for shopping.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Istanbul or Calais Better for Families?

Istanbul is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Istanbul is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has several kid-friendly museums, a couple of aquariums, and fun theme parks. If the kids need a break from the city, you can spend a day at Vialand Theme Park or LEGOLAND Discovery Center Istanbul. Food in Istanbul is also very kid-friendly with many affordable dishes that young ones will enjoy.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Istanbul or Calais Better for Couples?

Istanbul is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Istanbul frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, culture, and vibrant neighborhoods will enjoy a romantic stay here. The city lights up at night and there are many rooftop dessert cafes where you can take in the view. The waterfront setting is the perfect place to watch the sunset and there are many places to walk and soak up the atmosphere.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Istanbul or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Istanbul is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Istanbul is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels and budget accommodation options, and there's also plenty of ways to meet other travelers. You'll find plenty of hostels concentrated in the Sultanahmet area.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Istanbul or Calais Better for Students?

Istanbul is well known for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Istanbul is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Students appreciate the city's vibrant neighborhoods, constant activity, and diverse population.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is Istanbul or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Istanbul is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Istanbul has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. It has a comprehensive and diverse public transit system that includes buses, trams, minibuses, ferries, funicular, and more.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Istanbul or Calais a more walkable city?

Istanbul is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Istanbul is a very walkable destination. Although it is huge, most of the neighborhoods that tourists visit are incredibly walkable and pedestrian-friendly.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Istanbul Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Istanbul?

How long in Istanbul or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Istanbul and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Istanbul than in Calais. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Istanbul, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Istanbul than Calais. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Istanbul, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Istanbul than Calais. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Istanbul that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Istanbul than Calais if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Istanbul.

One day in Istanbul or Calais?

Istanbul is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Calais offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Istanbul or Calais?

Istanbul is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Calais is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Istanbul or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Istanbul. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Istanbul or Calais?

Istanbul is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Calais is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Calais?

Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Calais, 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 Istanbul or Calais?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Istanbul or Calais in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Calais. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Istanbul is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Calais this time of the year. In Istanbul, it's very sunny this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Calais during summer. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Calais. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Istanbul or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Calais. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Istanbul is a little warmer than Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Calais. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Istanbul usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Istanbul or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. In the winter, Istanbul is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Calais during winter. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Calais. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Istanbul or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Istanbul during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Istanbul is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Calais. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Istanbul usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Istanbul