Should you visit Istanbul or Interlaken?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Interlaken, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Interlaken
Interlaken is a small city that is located in the Bernese Highlands Region of central Switzerland. It sits pleasantly between two Alpine Lakes, Brienzersee and Thunersee. This scenic setting and its easy accessibility make it a popular base camp for travel into the Bernese Oberland Alps. It has become a top tourist destination in Switzerland and it is also a hub for outdoor sports enthusiasts, as there are plenty of things to do in Interlaken in the summer. Interlaken is a great hoping off point to explore many of the nearby mountains, lakes, and valleys. It offers easy transportation to most major Swiss cities by train or car.
Which city is cheaper, Interlaken or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $95, while the average daily cost in Interlaken is $184. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Istanbul and Interlaken in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Istanbul is about $118 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $212 in Interlaken For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Istanbul cost around $24 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $9.60.
The average traveler spends about $51 per day in Interlaken for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Istanbul $24
Interlaken $51
Typical Food prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice
$0.24
-
Turkish Delight
$0.07
-
Dessert
$1.00
-
Pastries
$0.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
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Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$29
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Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show:
$30
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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Inc. Dinner and Belly Dance Show with Hotel Transfer:
$34
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Alaturca Ottoman Dramatic Stage Show & Dinner Cruise ( Non - Alcoholic ):
$35
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Bosphorus Dinner Show Cruise With Non Alcoholic Menu ISTANBUL Dinner cruise:
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner & Show Cruise (All Inclusive):
$36
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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise An Unforgettable Experience in Istanbul:
$36
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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul:
$37
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Istanbul Cruise&Show with Dinner:
$37
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Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$39
-
Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Soft Drinks:
$40
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise&Show:
$40
Typical Food prices in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Istanbul is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.56 per person, per day, on local transportation in Istanbul.
To get around in Interlaken, the average visitor spends $10 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Ferry
$0.33
-
Local Bus
$0.35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
-
İstanbul Private Airport Transfer:
$19
-
İstanbul Airport Transfer:
$45
-
istanbul airport transfer-sabiha gokcen airport transfer-vip transfer:
$28
-
istanbul airport cheapest vip transfer by private car:
$14
-
istanbul airport & sabiha gokcen airport transfer by private car:
$30
-
VIP Transfer Services for Airports, Hotels or Other Location:
$80
-
VIP Airport Transfer and Shuttle:
$62
-
VIP Airport Transfer:
$56
-
Turkish Bath in Istanbul with transfer:
$199
-
Transfer in Private Vehicle from Istanbul Old City to Sabiha Gokcen Airport:
$57
-
Transfer in Private Vehicle from Istanbul Old City to Istanbul Airport:
$51
-
Transfer in Private Minivan from Istanbul Old City to Sabiha Gokcen Airport:
$61
Typical Local Transportation prices in Interlaken
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Interlaken are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Interlaken
Also for Interlaken, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer from interlaken City to Lucerne City:
$174
-
Private transfer from Interlaken to Zurich Airport:
$485
-
Private Transfer from Interlaken to Geneva Airport:
$670
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Interlaken?
Prices for flights to both Interlaken 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Istanbul typically cost an average of $35 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
In Interlaken, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $83 per person, per day.
Typical Entertainment prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
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1 Day - Istanbul Tour:
$315
-
1 Day Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour From Istanbul:
$300
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1 Day Istanbul & Ephesus Tour By Plane - YK230:
$419
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1 Day Regular Cappadocia Tour by Plane - YK0011:
$384
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1 Day Tour - Sapanca:
$300
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1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$496
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1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Travel from Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$509
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1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Trip from/to Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$513
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1 Night 1 Day Trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$490
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1 Night 2 Days Cappadocia Trip from/to Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$521
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1 Night 2 Days Ephesus, Kusadasi, Hierapolis & Pamukkale Tour from/to Istanbul:
$372
-
1 Night Cappadocia Trip with Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$525
Tours and Activities in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm:
$19
-
Private Lake Thun and Lake Brienz Express Tour from Interlaken:
$30
-
High Ropes Adventure Park Admission in Interlaken:
$46
-
Trümmelbach Waterfalls Small-Group Tour from Interlaken:
$80
-
Aare River Gorge Walk Small-Group Tour from Interlaken:
$106
-
Schilthorn Piz Gloria (James Bond Location) Small Group Tour from Interlaken:
$159
-
GAILY TOUR in INTERLAKEN - Gay & Lesbian Tour:
$187
-
Tandem Paragliding Experience from Interlaken:
$196
-
Tandem Paragliding Experience with Transport from Interlaken:
$196
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Self-Guided Tour: Schilthorn Piz Gloria (James Bond world) from Interlaken:
$217
-
Aare River Gorge Walk Private Tour from Interlaken:
$238
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Aare River Gorge Walk plus Lake Brienz Cruise - Private Tour from Interlaken:
$238
Alcohol
The average person spends about $8.51 on alcoholic beverages in Istanbul per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typically, people visiting Interlaken spend on average $14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
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Daily Tekirdag Wine Tasting Tour from Istanbul:
$427
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Interlaken would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Interlaken than you might in Istanbul.
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