Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Istanbul or Guayaquil?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Guayaquil, 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 Guayaquil?
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.
Guayaquil
Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and seaport. From a tourist perspective, the city acts primarily as a transportation gateway to the country and the Galapagos Islands. While the city can be skipped altogether, should you have a free day to spend here, there are a few noteworthy things to do, as well as some terrific dining and nightlife options. Guayaquil’s main tourist attraction is Las Penas, a hill with old, colorfully painted buildings at the north end of the Malecon, where you can walk the 400 steps to the lighthouse at the top for good views of the city. The neighborhood is filled with cafes, bars, restaurants, and art galleries and is relatively safe. Other important sights include the Malecon 2000, a massive urban development project that has brought new life to the riverside in the city center and the Parque Seminario, filled with fountains, trees and iguanas, located at 10 de Agosto Ave and Chile Ave.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
-
Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesGuayaquil Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $179Guayaquil $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $179, while the average daily cost in Guayaquil is $116. 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 Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $83Guayaquil $32
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $166Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Guayaquil? 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 Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $39Guayaquil $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $90
- istanbul Airport Transfer: $39
- VIP Transfer: $52
- Turkish Night Tour with Meyhane Experience and Transfer: $119
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Istanbul APT-HTL (IST): $43
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Istanbul HTL-APT (SAW): $52
- Troy Full-Day Guided Tour incl. Transfer, Ferry Tickets w/Lunch : $138
- Transfer from Istanbul Port to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport(SAW: $44
- Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Luxury Sedan: $144
- Transfer Istanbul City Center to Istanbul Ataturk Airport: $29
- Transfer Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ISL) to City Center: $29
- Sapanca and Masukiye Day Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfer: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil 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 dayIstanbul $66Guayaquil $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $24
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Night Cruise with Dinner, Shows and Party : $30
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table: $31
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Dinner, Drinks & Show with Pickup: $32
- Dinner Cruise On The Bosphorus with Turkish night show: $34
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Entertaintment & Private Table & Wi-Fi: $36
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $36
- Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Shows Private Table & Free Wi-Fi: $36
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Drinks and Shows: $41
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $42
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $43Guayaquil $21
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $180
- Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
- Bosphorus Morning or Sunset Guided Cruise Tour: $26
- Digital Experience Museum Skip the Line Entry: $35
- Discover the Magic of Old City – A Walking Tour Through Time: $60
- Full day old city tour (LT1): $179
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $95
- Istanbul Self Guided Walking Tour : $5.00
- Istanbul Wonders FullDay Skipping Lines Private Guided City Tour: $128
- Istanbul's Hidden Gems Private Walking City Tour: $144
- Private Guided Istanbul Walking Tour: $170
- "Classic Wonders" Tour: $120
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $12Guayaquil $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Nightlife Pub Crawl Pub and İstanbul Club Adventure: $30
- Pub Crawl Istanbul / Rooftop Clubs & Party Bus: $30
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Adults-Only Nightlife Adventure: $31
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Guayaquil, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Guayaquil is in South 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 Guayaquil would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Guayaquil?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Guayaquil. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Guayaquil, 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 Guayaquil?
Istanbul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Guayaquil experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Istanbul or Guayaquil in the Summer?
Both Guayaquil and Istanbul during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.
In July, Istanbul is generally around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Istanbul usually gets less rain in July than Guayaquil. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Guayaquil. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Istanbul is cooler than Guayaquil in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In October, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Guayaquil in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Guayaquil. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.
In the winter, Istanbul is much colder than Guayaquil. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. Istanbul usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Guayaquil in the Spring?
Both Guayaquil and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Istanbul is generally much colder than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In April, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°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.