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

Should you visit Istanbul or Roatan?

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

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

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.

Roatan

Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.

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 Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.


Which place is cheaper, Roatan 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 $161, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Roatan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Istanbul $75
    Roatan $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Istanbul $150
    Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Roatan

Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Roatan? 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 Roatan


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 Roatan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Istanbul $35
    Roatan $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul

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


  • Metro Cards
    $4.65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:

  • Fast & Luxury VIP Private Transfer | IST Airport & Hotel pickup: $8.25
  • Istanbul VIP Shopping Experience with Transfers and Refreshments: $9.00
  • Sapanca & Masukiye Day Tour from Istanbul with Lunch & Transfer: $15
  • Princess Islands Day Trip w Hotel Transfer & Lunch: $18
  • Narita Airport to Tokyo one way Transfer: $26
  • Private Transfer to/from Istanbul Airport (IST): $27
  • Transfer Istanbul City Center to Istanbul Ataturk Airport: $28
  • Reliable & Safe Istanbul Airport Taxi Transfer – VIP Service: $30
  • Istanbul Airport Private Departure Transfer: $31
  • Private Minivan Transfer from Istanbul Airport: $33
  • Istanbul to Istanbul Airport (IST) - Departure Private Transfer: $34
  • Istanbul Airport (IST) to Istanbul - Arrival Private Transfer: $34

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

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


  • Water Taxi
    $3.95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:

  • Transfers to West End by night from hotels in West Bay or Sandy Bay: $25
  • Ultimate West Bay Beach Day: Pass & Transfers Included: $55
  • Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan - Arrival Private Transfer: $57
  • Let's Go Native Roatan City Cultural Tour, Transfer: $80
  • West Bay Beach Day Pass & Private Transfer – Roatán: $89
  • Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $99
  • Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel: $110
  • Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $113
  • South Side Horseback Riding, Beach Break & Roundway Transfer: $120
  • Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $123
  • King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
  • Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $153

Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Roatan?

Prices for flights to both Roatan 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
    Roatan $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul

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

  • Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show: $20
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour: $24
  • Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
  • Bosphorus Night Cruise: Dinner, Drinks & Hotel Pickup: $29
  • 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
  • Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show with Private Table: $30
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Shows and Drinks: $30
  • Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $31
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show in Istanbul: $31
  • Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan

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

  • Roatan Cooking Class and Cultural Experience: $125
  • Cooking classes from a Local!: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Istanbul $39
    Roatan $25

Tours and Activities in Istanbul

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

  • Self Guided Walking Tour of Istanbul with Audio Guide: $4.72
  • Kadikoy's history, theatres and sweet shops: a self-guided audio tour: $6.31
  • Walking Tour in Istanbul with Audio and Written Guide Pera: $8.00
  • Istanbul Highlights Self guided scavenger hunt and Walking Tour: $8.24
  • Ihlamur Pavilion Skip-the-Line Ticket with Audio Guide: $11
  • 2-Hour Scenic Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Throughout the Day: $12
  • Bosphorus Night Lights: Guided Cruise With Tea and Cookies: $12
  • Enjoy Istanbul’s Bosphorus:2-Hour Daytime, Sunset & Night Cruises: $12
  • Bursa and Uludag Tour from Istanbul: $12
  • Istanbul's Golden Hour: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise By Boat: $12
  • 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise with Audio Guide: $14
  • Istanbul Unfiltered Cihangir, Antiques & Galata Walking Tour: $14

Tours and Activities in Roatan

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

  • Organized trips and adventures: $26
  • Roatan Fun Bus Group Sightseeing Island Private Tour: $37
  • Roatan Private and Public Action Snorkel Tours and Charters: $39
  • Roatan Island Tours, Sightseeing and Shopping Adventures: $39
  • Roatán Ron and Chocolate Custom Tour.: $40
  • Private Customize Roatán Island Tour chocolate Rum local guide: $42
  • Roatan Zipline & Eco walk/Suspension Bridge Combo Tours: $43
  • Roatan Comprehensive Real Estate Tour Experience: $45
  • Roatán Private costume Tour Chocolate Rum Culture & Local Snacks: $45
  • Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
  • Roatan Private Tour , Culture and Views Experience: $45
  • Roatan VIP island tour: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Istanbul $11
    Roatan $6.56

Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:

  • Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
  • Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78

Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:

  • Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80


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

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


Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Roatan?

Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 1490 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Roatan, 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.