A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Istanbul vs. Chandigarh for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Istanbul or Chandigarh?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Chandigarh, 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 Chandigarh?

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.

Chandigarh

As India's first planned city, Chandigarh is a city very distinct from the rest of the country. Much of its architecture is very modern and sits against a backdrop of the Shivalik Hills. Some of the best known attractions of Chandigarh include its rock garden, rose garden, and Sukhna Lake.

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


Which place is cheaper, Chandigarh or Istanbul?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, while the average daily cost in Chandigarh is $42. 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 Chandigarh in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Istanbul $47
    Chandigarh $18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Istanbul $94
    Chandigarh $36
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Chandigarh

Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Chandigarh? 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.

Hotels in Istanbul


Hotels in Chandigarh


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Istanbul $55
    Chandigarh $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:


  • Ferry
    $0.09
  • Local Bus
    $0.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:

  • Istanbul Airport Transfer by Private Minivan + Meet & Greet Service: $85
  • Private Airport Transfer in Istanbul: $109
  • Saw Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfers for Old City & Taksim Hotels: $55
  • 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Sabiha Gokcen Airport: $75
  • Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $20
  • Airport Istanbul Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport : $34
  • Arrival & Departure Private Transfer in Istanbul: $43
  • Arrival Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport to Istambul, Levent or Taksim by Bus: $65
  • Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Van: $70
  • Bursa Uludağ Mountain Tour From Istanbul w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $35
  • CARPEDIEM : SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT LUXURY TRANSFER (Arrival/Departure): $45
  • Daily Green Bursa Tour with Cable Car & Transfer from Istanbul: $73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chandigarh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chandigarh:

  • Chandigarh to Chandigarh Airport Transfer: $16
  • Chandigarh Airport Transfer: $25
  • Chandigarh Airport (IXC) to Manali Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $27
  • One-Way Transfer: Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $36
  • Private Transfer from Chandigarh City to Chandigarh (IXC) Airport: $37
  • Private Transfer from Chandigarh to Delhi: $39
  • Chandigarh Airport IXC to Manali Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $55
  • From Delhi: One way Private Transfer Service to Agra: $64
  • Delhi to Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
  • Private Transfer to/from Chandigarh and Amritsar: $71
  • From Amritsar: Amritsar to Chandigarh Transfer: $80
  • Affordable Chandigarh to Manali Transfer: $98

Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Chandigarh?

Prices for flights to both Chandigarh 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Istanbul $31
    Chandigarh $15
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul

Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:


  • Juice
    $0.06
  • Turkish Delight
    $0.02
  • Dessert
    $0.26
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Istanbul $79
    Chandigarh $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:


  • Bosphurus Boat (for 2)
    $0.62
  • Yerebatan Cistern for Two
    $0.62
  • Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two
    $0.31
  • Hagia Sofia entrance
    $0.93

Tours and Activities in Istanbul

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:

  • App self-guided tours Istanbul with multilingual audioguide: $2.15
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.38
  • City Tour with Audio Guide in your smartphone: $5.38
  • Hagia Sophia Exclusive Digital Audio Guided Tour: $5.38
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
  • Istanbul Outdoor Escape Game: The Royal Adventure: $7.09
  • Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide: $8.12
  • Guided Boat Tour on the Bosphorus: $8.44
  • Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide: $9.69
  • Self Guided Virtual Tour of Hagia Sophia The Highlights: $9.82
  • Hagia Sophia & Hippdrome Tour with Local Expert: $11

Tours and Activities in Chandigarh

Here are a few actual costs in Chandigarh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Nature Walk of Chandigarh( 2 Hours Walking Tour): $13
  • Chandigarh Walking Tour : $14
  • Walking Tour of Chandigarh City ( 2 Hour Guided Experience): $14
  • Chandigarh Nature Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Experience): $14
  • Nature Walk of Chandigarh( 2 Hours Walking Tour): $17
  • Chandigarh Walking Tour (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
  • Explore Chandigarh in Nightlights (3 Hours Guided Tour): $24
  • Chandigarh Museum Tour with Tuk Tuk ride: $25
  • Chandigarh Nightlife Tour with shopping and food tasting: $25
  • Chandigarh Museum Tour with Tuk Tuk ride: $34
  • Chandigarh Nightlife Tour with shopping and food tasting: $34
  • Private Taj Mahal and Agra Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Istanbul $15
    Chandigarh $8.19

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Chandigarh, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Chandigarh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Chandigarh 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 Chandigarh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chandigarh 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 Chandigarh.

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


Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Chandigarh?

Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Chandigarh. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Chandigarh, 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.