Which place is cheaper, Olympos or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Olympos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Olympos, 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 Olympos?
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.
Olympos
Olympos was an ancient city in Lycia, situated in a river valley near the coast. Its ruins are located south of the modern town Cirali in the Kumluca district of Antalya Province, Turkey. An important Lycian city in the 2nd century BC, Olympos is more famous these days for being the beach resort of choice for backpackers. Staying in an Olympos 'tree house' at one of the dozen-or-so camps that line the path to the ruins and beach has long been the stuff of travel legend. The former hippy-trail hot-spot has been considerably renovated in past years and during summer can be pretty overcrowded. Olympos offers good value and an up-for-it party atmosphere in a lovely setting.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $126Olympos $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, while the average daily cost in Olympos is $95. 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 Olympos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $47Olympos $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $94Olympos $86
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Olympos
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Olympos? 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 Olympos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $55Olympos $30
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: $745
- From Pamukkale Day Tour With Flights and Transfers: $319
- Istanbul Airport S-Class Premium Luxury Sedan Transfer: $286
- Hagia Sophia, Topkapi & Mosque Tour with Transfer: $286
- Private Guided Istanbul Luxury Tour (Tickets and Transfers): $283
- Troy and Gallipoli Day Guided Tour with Transfer: $280
- Istanbul Dolmabahçe Palace Private Tour with Transfers: $225
- Istanbul Airport Transfer: Sabiha Airport SAW to Istanbul in Luxury Car: $224
- Istanbul Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST in Luxury Car: $224
- 3-Day Tours & Transfer Package: $223
- Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Airport Private Transfer or Vice Versa (1-13pax): $218
- Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Airport Private Transfer or Vice Versa (1-10pax): $211
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Olympos
Also for Olympos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kemer Full Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch and Optional Transfer: $10
- Kemer Pirate Boat Trip with transfer from Belek: $15
- Kemer Pirate Boat Trip With Lunch & Free Hotel Transfer: $20
- Suluada Boat Tour From Antalya (Maldives of Turkey) with Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $20
- Kemer Mega Star Boat Trip With Hotel Transfer and Lunch : $20
- Kemer Suluada Boat Tour (Maldives of Turkey) With Hotel Transfer: $20
- Kemer to Antalya Ariport (AYT) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer with Lunch and Transfer: $22
- Kemer Pirate Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $27
- Kemer Jeep Safari With Free Hotel Transfer & Lunch: $40
- Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer with Lunch and Transfer: $40
- Kemer Horse Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Olympos?
Prices for flights to both Olympos 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 $31Olympos $30
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 Olympos
For Olympos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Olympos, Cirali, Chimera Night Tour with Dinner at Ulupinar : $33
- Pamukkale tour w. Entrance, Lunch, Dinner & Transfer from Kemer: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $79Olympos $29
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:
- 2 Hours Ultimate Kebab Experience in Galata, Istanbul: $128
- 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
- Istanbul City Tour Full Day (ASIA AND EUROPE) and Bosphorus Tour: $120
- Istanbul Customized Daily Tour: $200
- 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 Private Istanbul Layover Tour : $220
Tours and Activities in Olympos
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Olympos.
- Goynuk Canyon Tour with Entrance Ticket: $17
- Spa Experience in Kemer with Pickup: $18
- Turkish Bath Experience in Kemer: $20
- Full Day Rafting Experience From Kemer: $20
- 2-in-1 Canyoning and White Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch From Kemer: $25
- Pirate Boat Tour on the Beautiful Bays of Kemer: $27
- Olympos Teleferik Cable Car Antalya Ticket: $29
- Kemer Scuba Diving Experience: Two Dives with Lunch : $30
- Antalya Full-Day City Tour From Kemer With Cable Car : $30
- Safari Adventure in the mountains from Kemer: $31
- Canyoning and Rafting Tours from Kemer: $33
- Full-day Boat Tour from Kemer with Lunch and Foam Party: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $15Olympos $18
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 Olympos, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Olympos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Olympos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Olympos 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 Olympos.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Olympos Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Istanbul or Olympos?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Istanbul or Olympos in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Olympos. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Istanbul is cooler than Olympos in the summer. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 24°C (74°F) in July, and Olympos fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Olympos. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Istanbul this time of the year. In the summer, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Olympos. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 385 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in July than Olympos. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Olympos 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Olympos in the Autumn?
Both Olympos and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 cooler than Olympos. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Istanbul in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Olympos averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Olympos. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Olympos during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 249 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Olympos. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Olympos 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Olympos in the Winter?
Both Olympos and Istanbul during the winter are popular places to visit. 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 Olympos. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 6°C (43°F), and Olympos fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the winter, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Olympos. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 147 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than Olympos. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Olympos 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Olympos in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Olympos. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
Istanbul is cooler than Olympos in the spring. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Olympos fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Olympos this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Olympos during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Olympos. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Olympos 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Olympos and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Olympos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 9 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.