Which place is cheaper, Karachi or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Karachi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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.
Where Should I go: Istanbul or Karachi?
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.
Karachi
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $126Karachi $26
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.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $47Karachi $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $94Karachi $22
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Karachi
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.
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 Karachi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $55Karachi $4.58
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry$0.09
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Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Airport Transfer Sabiha Gökçen Airport Transfer: $13
- Princes' Islands Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $13
- Private Transfer from Istanbul Hotels to Istanbul Cruise Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Istanbul Cruise Port to Istanbul hotels : $19
- Istanbul City to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)-Departure Private Transfer: $20
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $20
- Private Economic VIP Transfer to/from Istanbul Airport : $20
- Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ISL) to Istanbul hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- Istanbul Hotels to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ISL) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Istanbul to Istanbul Airport (SAW) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Istanbul Airport Private Transfers: $22
- Princes' Islands Cruise w/Music, Lunch & Transfer: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Karachi?
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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayIstanbul $31Karachi $11
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice$0.06
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Turkish Delight$0.02
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Dessert$0.26
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Pastries$0.05
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: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $21
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $26
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $29
- Half Day Sunset Luxury Yacht Dinner Cruise Tour in Istanbul: $29
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
- Turkish Night on the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $93
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $79Karachi $5.07
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
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Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
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Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
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Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
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Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.19
- City Tour with Audio Guide in your smartphone: $5.32
- Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.32
- Hagia Sophia Exclusive Digital Audio Guided Tour: $5.32
- Self Guided City Audio Tour of Istanbul: $5.46
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.38
- Istanbul Outdoor Escape Game: The Royal Adventure: $7.09
- Istanbul in a day: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.77
- Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- App self-guided tours Istanbul with multilingual audioguide: $9.58
- Self Guided Virtual Tour of Hagia Sophia The Highlights: $9.82
- The Royal Adventure Highlights Exploration Game: $11
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $161
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $194
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $15Karachi $3.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $45
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $84
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $246
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $840
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?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Karachi?
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.
When is the best time to visit Istanbul or Karachi?
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.
Should I visit Istanbul or Karachi in the Summer?
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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Karachi 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Karachi in the Autumn?
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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Karachi 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Karachi in the Winter?
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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Karachi 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Karachi in the Spring?
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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Karachi 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Karachi and Istanbul
| 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) |
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.