Which place is cheaper, Kerala 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 Kerala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Kerala, 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 Kerala?
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.
Kerala
Palm trees, sandy beaches, and vibrant culture. You'll find all of these things in Kerala, India. Located in the south of the country, Kerala is known as one of the top ten paradises in the world.
This area is covered in a beautiful, natural ecosystem including backwaters, mountains, coconuts and spices. The heavy, yearlong rains provide lush and gorgeous vegetation, and earn the area a spot on the list of the wettest spots on earth.
Kerala is very different from the rest of India. For one, this area is the most literate and diverse area in in the country with churches, mosques, Hindu temples and even synagogues. This states' education and healthcare are far beyond the rest of the country- putting them on par with many Western areas of the world. However, even though this area is incredibly diverse and progressive, do not expect everyone to speak or understand English.
The best part is that this area is by far the safest in all of India. There is almost no incidence of tourists being cheated or taken for granted.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Luxury Tours to India, and The Best Budget Tours to India.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesKerala Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $157Kerala $29
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $157, while the average daily cost in Kerala is $29. 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 Kerala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $73Kerala $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $146Kerala $22
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Kerala
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Kerala? 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 $34Kerala $4.36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Airport Transfer: $62
- Airport Transfer Hotel Transfer Istanbul Transfer: $62
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Luxury Van: $76
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW by Business Car: $69
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW by Luxury Van: $75
- Airport Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Business Car: $70
- Airport Transfer: Sabiha Airport SAW to Istanbul by Business Car: $69
- Airport Transfer: Sabiha Airport SAW to Istanbul by Luxury Van: $75
- Arrival Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Business Car: $69
- Best Airport Transfer Company Istanbul Meet Transfer: $52
- Best Istanbul Sultanahmet Old City Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $58
- Best of Istanbul City Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:
- Kochi: Kathakali, Theyyam & Kalaripayattu Show with Transfers: $11
- Cochin Airport One Way Transfer(Private): $13
- Kochi Taxi Service and Airport Transfers: $14
- Affordable Trivandrum Airport Transfer: $15
- Theyyam and Kalaripayattu Show in Kochi with Transfer: $17
- Kochi Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $18
- Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Fort Kochi/City Hotels: $20
- Cochin - private arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $25
- Private Arrival Transfer: Trivandrum Airport to City Hotels: $30
- Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Kochi Hotels: $32
- Airport Transfer: Cochin Port Cruise Terminal to Cochin International Airport: $35
- Private Transfer: Trivandrum Airport (TRV) to Kovalam Hotels: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Kerala?
Prices for flights to both Kerala 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 $58Kerala $13
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 Tour: $26
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Live Folk Dance & DJ Experience: $28
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table: $28
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $29
- İstanbul Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show - Pvt. Table: $30
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $30
- Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $31
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $31
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Dinner, Drinks & Show with Pickup: $32
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kerala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kerala.
- Enjoy the best Food tour in kochi with a local !: $19
- Private candle light dinner: $19
- Kerala Traditional Village Cooking Class in Munnar: $19
- WE COOKS- Home Cooking Class in Munnar: $23
- Cooking classes @ Aryavilla heritage, Varkala: $34
- Hands-on Authentic Keralite Cooking Class - Learn, Cook, Eat & Enjoy!: $35
- Biryani Cooking class with House Chef: $53
- Biryani - Cooking Class in Fort Kochi: $53
- Private Traditional Home Cooking Class in Kochi with Archana: $70
- Group Kerala Cooking Demo & Home Dining Experience in Kochi: $75
- Authentic Kerala Syrian Christian Cooking Class in a Cochin Home: $79
- Tour of Kochi with Lunch: Kathakali and Dinner With Evening Tour.: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $38Kerala $8.55
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $5.40
- Walking Tour in Istanbul with Audio and Written Guide Old City: $8.00
- Istanbul's Old Town Through Time: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Sapanca and Masukiye Tour: $10
- Ihlamur Pavilion Skip-the-Line Ticket with Audio Guide: $10
- Istanbul Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- 2-Hour Scenic Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Throughout the Day: $12
- Istanbul's Golden Hour: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise By Boat: $12
- 2 Hours Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise: $12
- Bursa and Uludag Tour from Istanbul: $12
- Enjoy Istanbul’s Bosphorus:2-Hour Daytime, Sunset & Night Cruises: $12
- TOP Istanbul : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
Tours and Activities in Kerala
Here are a few actual costs in Kerala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 5 Days Luxury Kerala Tour with Houseboat Experience Private Tour: $4.26
- Tuk-Tuk Shopping Tour in Kochi – Spices,Crafts,Silks & Souvenirs: $6.00
- Local Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: $8.00
- Half Day Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochi - Private Tour with Hotel Pick up: $8.50
- Fort Kochi Tuk-Tuk Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $8.50
- Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: $8.51
- Fort Kochi Local Sightseeing Tour: $9.00
- Half-Day Private Tuk Tuk Tour in Fort Kochi: $9.13
- Shikara Boat Tour Alleppey Backwater Fantastic Boat Cruise: $9.31
- Authentic Tuk Tuk Heritage Tour of Kochi with Local Guide: $9.57
- Fort Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: $9.57
- Tuk Tuk Kochi Tours with pickup from Cruise Ship: $9.59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $10Kerala $4.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Bars, Dancefloors, & Beyond: $17
- Pub Crawler VIP Entry Rooftop Bars&Clubs with Party Bus: $27
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries: $209
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Kerala, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Kerala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Kerala 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 Kerala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kerala 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 Kerala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Kerala Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Istanbul or Kerala?
Kerala has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Istanbul. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Kerala, 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.
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.