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

Should you visit Istanbul or Pune?

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

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

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.

Pune

Located in Maharashtra, Pune is the state's second largest city and cultural capital. Not only is it a hub for museums, temples, beaches, and scenic overlooks, but it also has a thriving nightlife and general atmosphere due to the student population.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Cultural Tours in India, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Pune or Istanbul?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $159, while the average daily cost in Pune is $52. 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 Pune in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Istanbul $74
    Pune $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Istanbul $148
    Pune $38
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Pune

Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Pune? 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 Pune


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 Pune Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Istanbul $35
    Pune $8.52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul

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


  • Metro Cards
    $4.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:

  • İstanbul Airport Transfer: $52
  • İstanbul Airport Transfer: $87
  • İstanbul Airport Transfer: $51
  • istanbul airport transfer: $37
  • istanbul Airport Transfer: $49
  • Viaport Aquapark Ticket with Optional Hotel Transfer: $65
  • Trusted Istanbul Airport Transfer to city center: $41
  • Troy Full-Day Guided Tour incl. Transfer, Ferry Tickets w/Lunch: $146
  • Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Eco-Sedan: $50
  • Transfer Istanbul City Center to Istanbul Ataturk Airport: $28
  • Sabiha Gokcen Airport transfers to Kadikoy hotels: $58
  • Sabiha Gokcen Airport transfers to Besiktas hotels: $76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pune

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

  • Affordable transfer from Pune to Mumbai Airport: $28
  • Private Transfer from Pune (PNQ) Airport to Pune City: $40
  • Pune Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Pune?

Prices for flights to both Pune 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 $59
    Pune $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul

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

  • Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour: $23
  • Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Live Folk Dance & DJ Experience: $28
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
  • Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show with Private Table: $30
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show in Istanbul: $30
  • Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $31
  • Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $31
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $33
  • Istanbul Turkish Coffee Cooking and Tasting with Locals at Home: $33
  • Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkis Night Show in Istanbul: $34
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pune

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

  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $29
  • Coral Island, Promthep Cape & Sunset Dinner with Power Catamaran: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Istanbul $39
    Pune $15

Tours and Activities in Istanbul

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

  • "Classic Wonders" Tour: $117
  • "Walk Through History: A Bespoke Istanbul Adventure": $149
  • 1 Istanbul Tour: Highlights, Street Food & Hidden Pearls: $280
  • 1 or 2 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $72
  • 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $130
  • 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $295
  • 1-Day Private Istanbul Layover Tour: $240
  • 10 Tastings of Istanbul Foodie Tour: $105
  • 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise ((MORNING TOUR)): $23
  • 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise with Audio Guide: $14
  • 2 Hours Small Group Guided Bosphorus Luxury Yacht Cruise: $33
  • 2-Hour Scenic Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Throughout the Day: $12

Tours and Activities in Pune

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

  • Pune Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $3.80
  • Skip the Line: Meher Retreat Day Picnic Ticket, Near Pune: $9.61
  • Shaniwar Wada Walking Tour: $12
  • Night Walk Tour Pune: $12
  • Walking Tour of Pune (2 Hours Guided Walk): $12
  • Pune Walking Tour with a Punekar: $21
  • Food Walk Tour Pune (2 Hours Guided Food Tasting Walk): $22
  • Heritage/Divine Half Day Tour with Snacks (AC Car Tour): $33
  • Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Pune: $36
  • Pune Food & Snack Tasting Walking Tour: $36
  • Pune Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $39
  • Pune Food & Snack Tasting Walking Tour (Non - Vegetarian): $48

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Istanbul $11
    Pune $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:

  • Istanbul Pub Crawl: Bars, Dancefloors, & Beyond: $18
  • Pub Crawler VIP Entry Rooftop Bars&Clubs with Party Bus: $27
  • Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
  • Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim: $30
  • Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
  • Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries: $209


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

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


Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Pune?

Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pune. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Pune, 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.