Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Saint John's?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Saint John's, 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 Saint John's?
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.
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $126Saint John's $222
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $222. 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 Saint John's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $47Saint John's $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $94Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Saint John's? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $55Saint John's $17
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:
- Istanbul Airport Transfer by Private Minivan + Meet & Greet Service: $85
- Private Airport Transfer in Istanbul: $109
- Saw Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfers for Old City & Taksim Hotels: $55
- 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Sabiha Gokcen Airport: $75
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $20
- Airport Istanbul Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport : $40
- Arrival & Departure Private Transfer in Istanbul: $43
- Arrival Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport to Istambul, Levent or Taksim by Bus: $65
- Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Van: $70
- Bursa Uludağ Mountain Tour From Istanbul w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $35
- CARPEDIEM : SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT LUXURY TRANSFER (Arrival/Departure): $45
- Daily Green Bursa Tour with Cable Car & Transfer from Istanbul: $73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
- Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
- Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Airport (ANU): $50
- Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $50
- Airport Transfer from/to all resorts in Antigua - Water Inc.: $60
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
- Island to Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU)- Private Transfer: $78
- Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU) to island Private Transfer: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's 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 $31Saint John's $68
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
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Turkish Night Show All inclusive: $16
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $21
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $22
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise with All inclusive Dinner and Belly-Dancer Show : $27
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $79Saint John's $103
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:
- App self-guided tours Istanbul with multilingual audioguide: $2.15
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.38
- City Tour with Audio Guide in your smartphone: $5.38
- Hagia Sophia Exclusive Digital Audio Guided Tour: $5.38
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Istanbul Outdoor Escape Game: The Royal Adventure: $7.09
- Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide: $8.12
- Guided Boat Tour on the Bosphorus: $8.44
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide: $9.69
- Self Guided Virtual Tour of Hagia Sophia The Highlights: $9.82
- Hagia Sophia & Hippdrome Tour with Local Expert: $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chariot City Tour Antigua: $20
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Small-Group Hiking Experience in Antigua: $70
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Stingray City Experience Antigua - ONLY TICKET: $73
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Kayak Eco Adventures Glass Kayak Nature and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- Authentic Antiguan Experience: $79
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- TRIPLE ACTIVITY TOUR, Bike Kayak Hike, ANTIGUA : $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $15Saint John's $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 : $50
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $84
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- 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: $849
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Istanbul.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Saint John's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Saint John's?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 460 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Saint John's, 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 Saint John's?
Istanbul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Istanbul or Saint John's in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Saint John's. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Istanbul is cooler than Saint John's. Typically, the summer temperatures in Istanbul in July average around 24°C (74°F), and Saint John's averages at about 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In Istanbul, it's very sunny this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Saint John's during summer. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun in the summer.
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Saint John's in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Saint John's. 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. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
In October, Istanbul is generally much colder than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 16°C (61°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In the autumn, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. Istanbul usually gets less rain in October than Saint John's. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Saint John's in the Winter?
Both Saint John's and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Istanbul is much colder than Saint John's in the winter. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Saint John's fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during winter. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Saint John's. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Saint John's in the Spring?
Both Saint John's and Istanbul during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
In the spring, Istanbul is much colder than Saint John's. Typically, the spring temperatures in Istanbul in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Saint John's averages at about 26°C (78°F).
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun.
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Istanbul usually gets less rain in April than Saint John's. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.