Which place is cheaper, Coimbra or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Coimbra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Coimbra, 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 Coimbra?
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.
Coimbra
Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $126Coimbra $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, while the average daily cost in Coimbra is $110. 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 Coimbra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $47Coimbra $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $94Coimbra $94
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Coimbra
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Coimbra? 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 Coimbra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $55Coimbra $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry$0.09
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Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Private Arrival Transfer : $56
- İstanbul New Airport Transfer : $87
- İstanbul Airport Transfer(Airport to Hotel,Hotel to Airport): $62
- İstanbul Airport Transfer : Your reliable & Stress-Free ride: $55
- İstanbul Airport Private Transfer: $76
- istanbul airport transfer: $27
- VIP Transfer from Hotel, Airbnb To Istanbul Airport: $60
- VIP Transfer from Hotel to Airport in Istanbul: $27
- Two Ways Sabiha Gokcen Airport VIP Transfer: $87
- Two Ways Istanbul Airport VIP Transfer: $98
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Istanbul HTL-APT (SAW): $52
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Istanbul APT-HTL (SAW): $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147
- Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Coimbra?
Prices for flights to both Coimbra 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 $31Coimbra $51
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice$0.06
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Turkish Delight$0.02
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Dessert$0.26
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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
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $17
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $21
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $29
- Half Day Sunset Luxury Yacht Dinner Cruise Tour in Istanbul: $29
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chanfana: Cooking Traditional Portuguese Cuisine Experience: $49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $79Coimbra $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
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Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
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Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
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Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
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Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $273
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $164
- Full Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour: $42
- Green Bursa ~ Uludag Mountain, private Tour;Solo ;Groups: $60
- Hippodrome and Blue Mosque Guided Tour: $8.73
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $55
- City Highlights Tour w/Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque: $35
- Must - See Istanbul Stops 1: Half Day Morning Tour: $139
- 1 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $68
- 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $250
- 2 Continents Tour incl. Beylerbeyi Palace [full-day]: $218
- 2 Days Private Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour from Istanbul: $432
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
- Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historical Highlights: $6.99
- Tomar: Unveiling the Templar Order with a Self-Guided Tour: $7.62
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Discover Coimbra's Legacy through a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Portugal dos Pequenitos entry ticket: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $15Coimbra $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl Big Nightout . Rooftop parties,party Bus & Nightlife: $22
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $80
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $245
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $844
Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Portugal: $27
When comparing the travel costs between Istanbul and Coimbra, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Coimbra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Coimbra?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Coimbra, 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 Coimbra?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Istanbul or Coimbra in the Summer?
Both Coimbra and Istanbul during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Istanbul is generally around the same temperature as Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Istanbul. In the summer, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Coimbra. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 308 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in July than Coimbra. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Coimbra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Coimbra in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Coimbra. 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.
Istanbul is cooler than Coimbra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Coimbra fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Coimbra during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Coimbra 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Coimbra in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Coimbra. The winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Istanbul is much colder than Coimbra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Coimbra averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In the winter, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Coimbra. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 124 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Coimbra. Istanbul usually gets less rain in January than Coimbra. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Coimbra 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Coimbra in the Spring?
Both Coimbra and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In April, Istanbul is generally cooler than Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Coimbra. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Coimbra during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Coimbra 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Coimbra and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Coimbra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.