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

Should you visit Istanbul or Maribor?

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

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

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.

Maribor

Located near the Austrian border is Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia. Maribor is surrounded by hills that are filled with wine vineyards, as well as the Mariborsko Pohorje mountain. The city is split in half by the Drava River. On the left bank of the river you'll find the city's old town.

The city draws tourists from all over the world who come to enjoy the world renowned wine, old town culture, and outdoor activities which include hiking and skiing. The city is a great jumping off point for many outdoor activities and for those hoping to see the countryside. If you're more the city type, Maribor also has plenty to offer. Head to the theater for a show, sip some wine in a town square, or soak in the beauty of a cathedral while you're in the area.

Maribor's climate is humid continental with warm summers and cold winters. During the winter months the average temperature hovers around freezing. The warmest month is July, when average temperatures often exceed 20 degrees Celsius. Maribor is also one of the sunniest cities in Slovenia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovenia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Slovenia.


Which place is cheaper, Maribor 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 Maribor is $81. 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 Maribor in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Maribor? 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 Maribor


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 Maribor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Istanbul $55
    Maribor $9.35
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:

  • Istanbul Airport Transfer by Private Minivan + Meet & Greet Service: $85
  • Istanbul Cruise Port(Galataport) Private Transfer Service: $35
  • Saw Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfers for Old City & Taksim Hotels: $55
  • 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Sabiha Gokcen Airport: $75
  • Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $20
  • Airport Istanbul Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport : $34
  • Airport transfer Istanbul: $46
  • Arrival & Departure Private Transfer in Istanbul: $43
  • Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Van: $70
  • Bursa Uludağ Mountain Tour From Istanbul w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $35
  • CARPEDIEM : SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT LUXURY TRANSFER (Arrival/Departure): $45
  • Daily Green Bursa Tour with Cable Car & Transfer from Istanbul: $73

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Maribor

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Maribor:


  • Gondola (for 2)
    $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maribor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maribor:

  • Private transfer from Maribor to Ljubljana city: $250
  • Private Transfer from Maribor to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $252

Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Maribor?

Prices for flights to both Maribor 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
    Maribor $28
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
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $17
  • 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 Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
  • Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $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

Typical Food Prices in Maribor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Maribor:


  • Restaurant Dinner (for 2)
    $26
  • Gostilnica Navogalu Cafe Lunch
    $8.04

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Istanbul $79
    Maribor $9.18
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:

  • App self-guided tours Istanbul with multilingual audioguide: $2.14
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Tour with Audio Guide in your smartphone: $5.35
  • Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.35
  • Hagia Sophia Exclusive Digital Audio Guided Tour: $5.35
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Istanbul Outdoor Escape Game: The Royal Adventure: $7.08
  • Istanbul in a day: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87
  • Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide: $8.06
  • Hippodrome and Blue Mosque Guided Tour: $8.73
  • Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide: $9.62
  • The Royal Adventure Highlights Exploration Game: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Istanbul $15
    Maribor $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:

  • Istanbul Pub Crawl Big Nightout . Rooftop parties,party Bus & Nightlife: $22
  • Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
  • Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $27
  • Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
  • Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
  • Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $80
  • 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
  • Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $245
  • Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
  • Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $844

Typical Alcohol Prices in Maribor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Maribor:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $12


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

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


Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Maribor?

Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Maribor. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Maribor, 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 Maribor?

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 Maribor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Maribor. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Istanbul is generally around the same temperature as Maribor. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Maribor fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maribor this time of the year. In Istanbul, it's very sunny this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Maribor during summer. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies, while Maribor receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Maribor. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Istanbul 24°C (74°F) 
    Maribor 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Istanbul or Maribor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Maribor. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Istanbul is a little warmer than Maribor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Maribor fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Maribor. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maribor receives 133 hours of full sun.

Istanbul usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Maribor. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Istanbul 16°C (61°F) 
    Maribor 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Istanbul or Maribor in the Winter?

Both Maribor and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Maribor can be very cold. In the winter, Istanbul is much warmer than Maribor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Maribor averages at about 1°C (35°F).

Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Maribor during winter. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies, while Maribor receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Maribor. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Istanbul 6°C (43°F) 
    Maribor 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Istanbul or Maribor in the Spring?

Both Maribor and Istanbul during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Istanbul is generally around the same temperature as Maribor. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Maribor fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Maribor. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maribor receives 163 hours of full sun.

Istanbul usually gets less rain in April than Maribor. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Istanbul 13°C (55°F) 
    Maribor 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Maribor and Istanbul

Istanbul Maribor
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (43°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 1°C (35°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 6°C (44°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 21°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 20°C (69°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jul 24°C (74°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 24°C (74°F) 26 mm (1 in) 22°C (71°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Sep 20°C (69°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 9°C (47°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)