Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Rabat?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Rabat, 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 Rabat?
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.
Rabat
While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $126Rabat $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, while the average daily cost in Rabat is $44. 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 Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $47Rabat $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $94Rabat $54
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Rabat
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Rabat? 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 Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $55Rabat $2.10
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
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Taxi to Sale$3.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Rabat to Rabat Salé Airport: $22
- Transfer Rabat to Rabat Airport: $22
- Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
- Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat Medina : $25
- Private Transfer from or to Salé and Rabat: $26
- 1-Way Private Transfer to or from Rabat Airport: $31
- Private Transfer From Rabat Airport to Rabat City: $32
- Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat City: $41
- Private Transfer from Rabat City to Rabat (RBA) Airport: $43
- Transfer Rabat to Kenitra: $51
- Rabat Hotels to Casablanca Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Rabat Hotels to Casablanca Airport : Private Transfer: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat 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 $31Rabat $12
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
- Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
- Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
- Walking Food Tour: $75
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $75
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat with a Local Family: $110
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
- Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $79Rabat $2.84
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 Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- Guided Bike Tour: $1.55
- SUP Adventure Rabat (kayaking, stand up paddle , boating) VIP: $15
- Rabat old Medina ,Hassan Tower and Kasbah Oudaya Walking tour : $40
- Private Cultural Walking Tour of Rabat with Licensed Tour Guide: $42
- Private Surf Experience in Rabat: $44
- Rabat tour ;Small Group Guided Walking tour in the City of Light: $44
- Private Boat Tour of the Bouregreg River, a Traditional Boat: $45
- Private Walking Guided Cultural Stroll with Licensed Tour Expert: $53
- Rabat Shopping Tour: $55
- Private Guided City Walking Tour: $62
- 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
- Private Boat Exploration Tour in Rabat: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $15Rabat -
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Rabat, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Rabat 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 Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Rabat.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Rabat?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Rabat. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Rabat, 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 Rabat?
Istanbul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Rabat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Istanbul or Rabat in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Rabat. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.
In the summer, Istanbul is around the same temperature as Rabat. Typically, the summer temperatures in Istanbul in July average around 24°C (74°F), and Rabat averages at about 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. 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 Rabat. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 315 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in July than Rabat. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Rabat 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Rabat in the Autumn?
Both Rabat 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 Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Istanbul is generally cooler than Rabat. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 16°C (61°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Rabat. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Rabat. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Rabat 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Rabat in the Winter?
Both Rabat 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 Rabat year-round.
Istanbul is much colder than Rabat in the winter. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Rabat fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the winter, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 182 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than Rabat. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Rabat 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Rabat in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Rabat. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Istanbul is cooler than Rabat. Typically, the spring temperatures in Istanbul in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Rabat averages at about 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Rabat. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Rabat 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Rabat and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Rabat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 102 mm (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.