Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Guatemala City, 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 Guatemala City?
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.
Guatemala City
Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
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 Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesGuatemala City Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $156Guatemala City $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $156, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $56. 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 Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $72Guatemala City $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $144Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Guatemala City? 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 Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $34Guatemala City $6.30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Princes Islands Tour with Hotel Transfer & Lunch: $5.78
- Private; Istanbul Cruise Port Transfer (Galataport): $5.78
- Princes' Islands Cruise with Lunch & Transfer: $6.25
- Istanbul VIP Shopping Experience with Transfers and Refreshments: $9.00
- Sapanca & Masukiye Day Tour from Istanbul with Lunch & Transfer: $15
- Princess Islands Day Trip w Hotel Transfer & Lunch: $16
- Princes' Islands Tour with Hotel Transfers: $17
- Princess Islands Day Trip w Hotel Transfer & Lunch: $18
- Istanbul Princes Island Tour with Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $20
- Princes’ Islands Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $21
- Istanbul:Sultanahmet Old City Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $23
- Best of Old City Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Private Transfer La Aurora Airport GUA to Guatemala City Hotel: $19
- One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
- Private Departure Transfer:Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport(GUA): $24
- Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $26
- Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $26
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $30
- Private Transfer from Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $32
- Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
- La Aurora Airport (GUA): One-Way Private Transfer to Antigua: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua – One-Way: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City 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 $57Guatemala City $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show: $20
- Show Cruise & Dinner at Window Seat Private Table: $20
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $22
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show – Window Side Table Optional: $22
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $27
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night with Live Shows: $27
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table: $28
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $29
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show: $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- Cooking Experience in Guatemala from Market to Table: $23
- Guatemala: Wine and Pizza Tasting Experience: $35
- Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $80
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Pacaya Volcano Tour with Pizza Made on Volcanic Heat: $120
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Surrounded by The Volcano: $195
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza with Great Volcano Views: $205
- Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $38Guatemala City $1.23
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Istanbul Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.52
- Daily Bursa and Uludag Tour from Istanbul with lunch: $5.00
- Small Group Evening Bosphorus Cruise & Snacks: $5.21
- Bosphorus Cruise from Europe or Asia & Audio Guide: $5.65
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option: $5.78
- Bosphorus Sunset & Day Time Cruise, Drinks & Snack: $5.78
- Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Istanbul Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.44
- Bosphorus Tour With Whirling Dervish Show: $6.78
- Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $6.99
- Bosphorus Cruise Boat Tour in Istanbul: $7.05
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide: $7.81
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City: $20
- Historic Center Walking Tour; Art and History: $27
- Volcano-Grown Coffee Tasting Experience: $28
- Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
- Walking Tour: $35
- Walking Tour of Guatemala City's Historical Center: $35
- Guatemala city walking tour everyday 2 persons and up: $39
- Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $40
- Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
- City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
- Night Photo Tour in Guatemala City: $50
- Historical and natural bike tour in Guatemala City: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $10Guatemala City $6.98
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Pub Crawl in Taksim: $14
- Explore Istanbul Night Life: Pub Crawl: $23
- Pub Crawler VIP Entry Rooftop Bars&Clubs with Party Bus: $27
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim: $31
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $32
- Boat Party & Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $43
- Wine Tasting with Indigenous Local Varieties: $54
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries: $210
Sample the Local Flavors in Guatemala City
Also in Guatemala City, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guatemala City Legends Tour + Craft Beers at El Cadejo Brewery: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Guatemala City, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Guatemala City is in Central America, 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 Guatemala City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Guatemala City?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Guatemala City. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Guatemala City, 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.