A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Istanbul vs. Jammu and Kashmir for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Istanbul or Jammu and Kashmir?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Jammu and Kashmir, 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 Jammu and Kashmir?

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.

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is a mountainous region of the northern Himalayas with sweeping valleys, stunning lakes, and snow-capped scenery dotted with temples. While the region has been known for a border dispute with Pakistan, the unrest has been quieting and tourism is beginning to make a comeback. The area typically draws trekkers, those hoping to visit sacred temples, and others looking to experience Himalayan culture.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Jammu and Kashmir or Istanbul?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $119, while the average daily cost in Jammu and Kashmir is $0.00. 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 Jammu and Kashmir in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Istanbul $45
    Jammu and Kashmir -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Istanbul $90
    Jammu and Kashmir $0.00
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Jammu and Kashmir

Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Jammu and Kashmir? 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.

Hotels in Istanbul


Hotels in Jammu and Kashmir


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Istanbul $52
    Jammu and Kashmir -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:


  • Ferry
    $0.08
  • Local Bus
    $0.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:

  • Sabiha Gokcen Airport Private Arrival Transfer : $5.00
  • Private Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) - Kadıkoy Transfer: $5.49
  • Private Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) Transfer: $5.49
  • Private Istanbul Cruise Port Transfer(Galataport): $5.49
  • Private; Istanbul Cruise Port Transfer (Galataport): $5.49
  • Private; VIP VAN Istanbul Cruise Port Transfer(Galataport): $5.49
  • Princes' Islands Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $14
  • Private Transfer from Istanbul Cruise Port to Istanbul hotels : $19
  • Private Transfer from Istanbul Hotels to Istanbul Cruise Port: $19
  • Istanbul Airport: One-Way Transfer Arrival and Departure: $20
  • Private Economic VIP Transfer to/from Istanbul Airport : $20
  • Private Istanbul Airport (IST) Arrival or Departure Transfer: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Jammu and Kashmir?

Prices for flights to both Jammu and Kashmir 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 day
    Istanbul $30
    Jammu and Kashmir -
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul

Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:


  • Juice
    $0.06
  • Turkish Delight
    $0.02
  • Dessert
    $0.25
  • Pastries
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.

  • Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $18
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $22
  • İstanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Traditional Turkish Show: $23
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $23
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul: $26
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $26
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
  • Istanbul GBosphorus Dinner Cruise and Belly-Dancer Show: $27
  • Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
  • Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
  • All Inclusive; Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Live Shows&Unlimited Drinks: $30
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Istanbul $75
    Jammu and Kashmir -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:


  • Bosphurus Boat (for 2)
    $0.59
  • Yerebatan Cistern for Two
    $0.59
  • Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two
    $0.29
  • Hagia Sofia entrance
    $0.88

Tours and Activities in Istanbul

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:

  • Perri Asian & Mediterranean Restaurant Discount Entry Ticket: $3.01
  • Istanbul Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.20
  • App self-guided tours Istanbul with multilingual audioguide: $4.39
  • Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $5.40
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $5.49
  • City Tour with Audio Guide in your smartphone: $5.49
  • FREE TOUR-Topkapi Palace with access to Skip-the-Line Ticket: $5.62
  • Self Guided City Audio Tour of Istanbul: $5.62
  • Kadikoy's history, theatres and sweet shops: a self-guided audio tour: $5.99
  • Bosphorus Guided Sightseeing Cruise: $6.59
  • Turkey eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $6.66
  • Istanbul's Karaköy Neighbourhood: A Self-Guided Photography Tour: $6.79

Tours and Activities in Jammu and Kashmir

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Jammu and Kashmir are as follows:

  • Full Day Leh Monasteries Tour (Shey, Thiksey & Hemis): $77
  • “Gulmarg Day Tour: Explore the Meadow of Flowers”: $82
  • Kashmir Tour Packages: $440

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Istanbul $14
    Jammu and Kashmir -

Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:

  • Rooftop Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $22
  • Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $30
  • Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
  • Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $253
  • Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Jammu and Kashmir, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Jammu and Kashmir much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Jammu and Kashmir is in Asia, 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 Jammu and Kashmir would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jammu and Kashmir 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 Jammu and Kashmir.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Jammu and Kashmir Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Istanbul or Jammu and Kashmir?

Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Jammu and Kashmir. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Jammu and Kashmir, 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.