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

Should you visit Istanbul or La Paz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or La Paz, 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 La Paz?

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.

La Paz

La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.

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 Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Istanbul?

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 La Paz is $44. 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 La Paz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Istanbul $47
    La Paz $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Istanbul $94
    La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and La Paz

Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or La Paz? 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 La Paz


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 La Paz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Istanbul $55
    La Paz $9.47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul

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


  • Ferry
    $0.09
  • Local Bus
    $0.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:

  • İstanbul Vip Airport Transfer : $50
  • İstanbul Private Arrival Transfer : $56
  • İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $140
  • İstanbul Airports Transfer Services: $43
  • İstanbul Airport Transfer(Airport to Hotel,Hotel to Airport): $63
  • İstanbul Airport Transfer : Your reliable & Stress-Free ride: $55
  • İstanbul Airport Private Transfer: $46
  • VIP Transfer from Hotel to Airport in Istanbul: $27
  • Two Ways Sabiha Gokcen Airport VIP Transfer: $87
  • Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Luxury Sedan: $131
  • Transfer from Airports in Istanbul to Hotels by Private Eco-Sedan: $49
  • Sabiha Gokcen Airport: Private Transfer Service to Istanbul: $65

Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz

Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Airport to Hotels Service 24/7: $21
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from La Paz City - La Paz Airport (LPB): $21
  • Airport Transfer In_ Day: $25
  • Bus Station Transfer Out_day: $25
  • Bus Station Transfer Out_night : $25
  • One-Way Private Transfer from La Paz Hotels to Airport : $27
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $27
  • Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City by MiniVan/Bus: $28
  • Private transfer 24/7 El Alto Airport - Hotels La Paz: $28
  • Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $43
  • Airport Transfer In_night: $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or La Paz?

Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $31
    La Paz $17
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul

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


  • Juice
    $0.06
  • Turkish Delight
    $0.02
  • Dessert
    $0.26
  • Pastries
    $0.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul

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

  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul: $16
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Turkish Night Show All inclusive: $16
  • Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $21
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $22
  • Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise with All inclusive Dinner and Belly-Dancer Show : $27
  • Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
  • Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
  • 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29

Typical Food Prices in La Paz

For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Fruit
    $0.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz

For La Paz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • La Paz Food Tour + Cable Car Cultural City tour: $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Istanbul $79
    La Paz $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul

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


  • Bosphurus Boat (for 2)
    $0.62
  • Yerebatan Cistern for Two
    $0.62
  • Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two
    $0.31
  • Hagia Sofia entrance
    $0.93

Tours and Activities in Istanbul

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

  • 2 Hours Ultimate Kebab Experience in Galata, Istanbul: $160
  • 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $273
  • All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $164
  • Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
  • Dolmabace Palace, Bosphorus Boat Tour , Eyüp Sultan Mosque Tour: $150
  • Highlights of Cappadocia with Mehmet ( Private Tour ): $95
  • Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $55
  • City Highlights Tour w/Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque: $35
  • Must - See Istanbul Stops 1: Half Day Morning Tour: $139
  • 1 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $75
  • 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $75
  • 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $250

Tours and Activities in La Paz

For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Walking city tour La Paz: $2.69
  • La Paz Half-Day Walking Tour: $3.00
  • City Walking Tour in La Paz: $8.00
  • City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
  • Live Virtual City Tour - La Paz : $10
  • City Highlights Walking Tour with Cable Car Ride: $10
  • La Paz Walking City tour plus Cable cars: $10
  • Gastronomic Tour Vivencial Tour de las Caseras: $13
  • Private Cable Car City Tour: $18
  • Cable Car, Cemetery, Shaman, and El Alto Tour: $20
  • City Tour Essential: $22
  • La Paz, Tiahuanaco tour compartido visita guiada: $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Istanbul $15
    La Paz $11

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 : $50
  • Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $84
  • 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
  • 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: $849

Sample the Local Flavors in La Paz

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:

  • Cultural Pub Crawl La Paz Nightlife Tour : $50


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

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


Which is Bigger, Istanbul or La Paz?

Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and La Paz, 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.