Which place is cheaper, Meknes or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Meknes?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Meknes, 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 Meknes?
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.
Meknes
So you love a bustling nightlife with fine restaurants and meaningful historical buildings, but you hate all the tourists. Well, it maybe time to visit Meknes, Morocco. Since most travelers head straight to Fez, that leaves Meknes relatively untouched and remains free of the usual hassles that plague other major destinations.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Adventure Tours to Morocco, and The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $126Meknes $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, while the average daily cost in Meknes is $46. 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 Meknes in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $47Meknes $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $94Meknes $52
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Meknes
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Meknes? 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 Meknes Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $55Meknes $1.46
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:
- Private Bosphorus Tour on Luxury Yacht w/transfer: $749
- From 2-Day Cappadocia Trip w/ Flight and Transfers: $466
- From Pamukkale Day Tour With Flights and Transfers: $321
- Istanbul Airport S-Class Premium Luxury Sedan Transfer: $287
- Hagia Sophia, Topkapi & Mosque Tour with Transfer: $286
- Private Guided Istanbul Luxury Tour (Tickets and Transfers): $282
- Troy and Gallipoli Day Guided Tour with Transfer: $280
- Private Transfer to Bursa Uludag Hotels from Sabiha Gokcen airport: $245
- Istanbul Dolmabahçe Palace Private Tour with Transfers: $225
- 3-Day Tours & Transfer Package: $225
- Full-Day Old City Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $210
- Layover Private Guided Istanbul City Tour with Transfers: $192
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Meknes?
Prices for flights to both Meknes 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 $31Meknes $14
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.
- 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 Meknes
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Meknes:
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Popcorn$0.20
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Spices$2.49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Meknes
For Meknes, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fes Medina :Grocery shopping & cooking Class with Fatima: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $79Meknes $3.55
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:
- 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $273
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $164
- Full Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour: $42
- Green Bursa ~ Uludag Mountain, private Tour;Solo ;Groups: $60
- Hippodrome and Blue Mosque Guided Tour: $8.73
- 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: $68
- 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $250
- 2 Continents Tour incl. Beylerbeyi Palace [full-day]: $218
- 2 Days Private Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour from Istanbul: $432
Tours and Activities in Meknes
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Meknes.
- From Fez: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes Full Day Tour: $17
- Fes Volubilis Tour: $45
- From Rabat: Volubilis and Meknes Full-day Tour: $258
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $15Meknes $2.62
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 Meknes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Meknes:
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Bottle of Wine$4.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Meknes, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Meknes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Meknes is in Africa, 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 Meknes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Meknes 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 Meknes.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Meknes Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Meknes?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Meknes. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Meknes, 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 Meknes?
Istanbul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Meknes experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Istanbul or Meknes in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Meknes. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Meknes throughout the year.
In July, Istanbul is generally around the same temperature as Meknes. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Meknes fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Meknes. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Istanbul this time of the year. In the summer, Istanbul often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Meknes. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Meknes receives 330 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in July than Meknes. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Meknes receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Meknes 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Meknes in the Autumn?
Both Meknes and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Meknes because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Istanbul is cooler than Meknes in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Meknes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Meknes. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Meknes during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Meknes receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Meknes. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Meknes receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Meknes 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Meknes in the Winter?
Both Meknes and Istanbul during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Meknes year-round.
In the winter, Istanbul is much colder than Meknes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Meknes averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In the winter, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Meknes. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Meknes receives 165 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than Meknes. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Meknes receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Meknes 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Meknes in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Meknes. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Meknes attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Istanbul is generally cooler than Meknes. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Meknes fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Meknes this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Meknes during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Meknes receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Meknes. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Meknes receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Meknes 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Meknes and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Meknes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 109 mm (4.3 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.