Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Ouarzazate, 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 Ouarzazate?
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.
Ouarzazate
Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesOuarzazate Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $149Ouarzazate $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $149, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is $55. 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 Ouarzazate in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $69Ouarzazate $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $138Ouarzazate $44
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Ouarzazate
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Ouarzazate? 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 Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $32Ouarzazate $3.46
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $35
- Airport Transfer: $61
- Airport Transfer 1 to 6 Passengers: $57
- Airport Transfer Hotel Transfer Istanbul Transfer: $63
- Airport Transfer to Istanbul City with Minivan: $40
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Business Car: $65
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Luxury Van: $70
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW by Luxury Van: $69
- Airport Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Luxury Van: $70
- Airport Transfer: Sabiha Airport SAW to Istanbul by Business Car: $64
- Airport transfer Istanbul: $57
- Arrival Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Business Car: $64
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:
- Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
- Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $46
- Private transfer from Ouarzazate to Ait Ben Haddou (round Trip): $78
- Ouarzazate to Marrakech Private Transfer: $115
- Private Transfert Between Marrakech & Ouarzazate: $187
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Ouarzazate?
Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate 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 $55Ouarzazate $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Food Tour 30 Tasting Stops with Audio Maps Written Guide: $8.00
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $29
- Bosphorus Night Cruise Dinner and Dance Show,Transfer included: $30
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $30
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Show with Private Table: $30
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Turkish Night Show Experience: $30
- Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $31
Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ouarzazate:
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Dinner for Two$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ouarzazate.
- Private Moroccan Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $36Ouarzazate $11
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Daily Bursa and Uludag Tour from Istanbul with lunch: $3.00
- Istanbul Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.02
- Istanbul Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise from Europe: $5.89
- Istanbul Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.30
- Istanbul Üsküdar: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.79
- Istanbul Fatih: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.79
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour Exploring Two Empires: $6.84
- Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $6.99
- Istanbul Bosphorus Tour With Whirling Dervish Show: $7.17
- 2-Hour Scenic Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Throughout the Day: $7.53
- Bosphorus Cruise 2-3 Hour Cruises with Optional Asia Stop & Meal: $7.99
- Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset and Day Time Sightseeing Cruise: $7.99
Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate
Here are a few actual costs in Ouarzazate for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Day Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga with Luxury Camp: $5.68
- Ouzoud Waterfalls Guided Tour and Boat Ride: $14
- Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $23
- Half Day Private Tour in Sidiflah Gorge: $24
- 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
- Private tour in the oasis of Skoura with pottery workshop: $28
- guided tour of the Skoura palm grove by mountain bike: $34
- Private Skoura Oasis Walking Tour and Homemade Meal with Locals: $35
- Private tour of Skoura by ATV or E-bike Half-day with guide: $35
- Private half-day mountain bike tour discover Palmeraie Skoura: $36
- Ait Ben Haddou to Fint Oasis - Full-Day Quad Adventure: $36
- Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $9.85Ouarzazate -
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Bars, Dancefloors, & Beyond: $16
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Pub Crawl Original Istanbul Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $30
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Taksim Pera Wine Tasting 3 Hour Guided Tour: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Ouarzazate, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Ouarzazate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Ouarzazate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Ouarzazate?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Ouarzazate, 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.