Which place is cheaper, Havana 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 Havana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Havana, 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 Havana?
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.
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesHavana Prices
Cuba Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $179Havana $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $179, while the average daily cost in Havana is $74. 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 Havana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $83Havana $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $166Havana $84
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Havana
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Havana? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $39Havana $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Full Day Sapanca Tour with Lunch and Transfer From Istanbul: $30
- Istanbul Airport Private Transfer from Fatih Taksim Beşiktas: $42
- Istanbul Airport Transfer by Private Minivan + Meet & Greet Service: $95
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $35
- Airport Transfer: $66
- Airport Transfer Hotel Transfer Istanbul Transfer: $66
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Business Car: $72
- Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Van: $78
- Arrival Transfer Istanbul New Airport(IST) to Istanbul European Side City Hotels: $43
- Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Transfers: $60
- Bursa Tour with Lunch, transfer and Cable Car: $45
- Bursa Uludağ Mountain Tour From Istanbul w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Havana?
Prices for flights to both Havana 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 $66Havana $18
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
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $43Havana $11
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Istanbul Culture History and UNESCO Treasures Kickstart Tour: $3.59
- Highlights of Istanbul Walking Tour: $3.61
- Istanbul Self Guided Walking Tour : $5.00
- Alternative Tour; Daily Life, Customs, Stories - Tip Based Tour: $5.00
- Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $5.40
- Bosphorus Explorer: 3-Hour Cruise with Asian Side Visit: $7.21
- Bosphorus Boat Tour 3 Hour with Asian Side Stop in Istanbul: $7.21
- Istanbul Bosphorus Tour With Whirling Dervish Show: $7.55
- Kadikoy's history, theatres and sweet shops: a self-guided audio tour: $8.99
- Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Istanbul Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide: $9.02
- Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar Walk Tour: $9.61
Tours and Activities in Havana
Here are a few actual costs in Havana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private: City Tour with Lunch, Rum, and Chocolate: $2,000
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $12Havana $5.76
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Havana, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Havana?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Havana. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Havana, 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 Havana?
Istanbul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Istanbul or Havana in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Havana. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Istanbul is generally cooler than Havana. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In July, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Havana. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Havana 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Havana in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Havana. The autumn months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
Istanbul is much colder than Havana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Istanbul usually gets less rain in October than Havana. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Havana 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Havana in the Winter?
Both Havana and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Istanbul is much colder than Havana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Havana averages at about 21°C (70°F).
In January, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Havana. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Havana 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Havana in the Spring?
Both Havana and Istanbul during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
In April, Istanbul is generally much colder than Havana. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Istanbul usually gets more rain in April than Havana. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Havana 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Havana and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Havana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.