Which place is cheaper, Karachi or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Karachi, 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.
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.
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, and The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, while the average daily cost in Karachi is $26. 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 Karachi in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Karachi? 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
Prices for flights to both Karachi 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Karachi, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Karachi 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 Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Karachi Expensive?.
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Istanbul. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Karachi, 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.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Karachi and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Istanbul is cooler than Karachi in the summer. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 24°C (74°F) in July, and Karachi fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Istanbul. Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Karachi during summer. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies, while Karachi receives 155 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Karachi. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Karachi and Istanbul during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Istanbul is much colder than Karachi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Istanbul in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Karachi averages at about 29°C (84°F).
In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Karachi. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karachi receives 284 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in October than Karachi. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Karachi. The winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Istanbul is generally much colder than Karachi. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 6°C (43°F), and Karachi fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karachi this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Karachi during winter. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies, while Karachi receives 271 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Karachi. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Karachi. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
Istanbul is much colder than Karachi in the spring. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Karachi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. In the spring, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Karachi. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karachi receives 277 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in April than Karachi. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Istanbul | Karachi | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |