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

Should you visit Istanbul or Vancouver?

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

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

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.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Istanbul?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $142. 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 Vancouver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Istanbul $47
    Vancouver $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Istanbul $94
    Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Vancouver

Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Vancouver? 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 Vancouver


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 Vancouver Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Istanbul $55
    Vancouver $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul

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


  • Ferry
    $0.09
  • 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: $753
  • From 2-Day Cappadocia Trip w/ Flight and Transfers: $469
  • From Pamukkale Day Tour With Flights and Transfers: $323
  • Private Full Day Walking Tour in Istanbul with Transfer: $294
  • Hagia Sophia, Topkapi & Mosque Tour with Transfer: $286
  • Private Guided Istanbul Luxury Tour (Tickets and Transfers): $283
  • Troy and Gallipoli Day Guided Tour with Transfer: $280
  • 3-Day Tours & Transfer Package: $226
  • Istanbul Dolmabahçe Palace Private Tour with Transfers: $225
  • Istanbul Airport Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Car: $224
  • Istanbul Airport Transfer: Sabiha Airport SAW to Istanbul in Luxury Car: $224
  • Istanbul Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW in Luxury Car: $224

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver

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


  • SkyTrain from Airport
    $6.40
  • Taxi from Airport to Downtown
    $21
  • 15 min Taxi Ride
    $8.78
  • SkyTrain DayPass
    $6.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver

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

  • Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
  • Vancouver Airport-Cypress/Grouse Mountain Private Transfer: $38
  • Vancouver Airport (YVR) to White Rock - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
  • Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
  • Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Canada Place Port - Arrival Transfer: $55
  • City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $61
  • Vancouver to Victoria: Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
  • Vancouver to Victoria, Coach Bus Transfer: $74
  • Private Transfer from Canada Place Cruise Terminal to any Hotel: $74
  • Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Whistler - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
  • Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Hotel Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Vancouver?

Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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 $31
    Vancouver $31
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul

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


  • Juice
    $0.06
  • Turkish Delight
    $0.02
  • Dessert
    $0.26
  • 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

Typical Food Prices in Vancouver

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:


  • All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch
    $8.87

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver

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

  • A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
  • The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $94
  • Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
  • Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
  • North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
  • Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
  • VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
  • Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $142
  • 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $153
  • Evening Cruise with Dinner Buffet: $153
  • Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
  • Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Istanbul $79
    Vancouver $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:


  • Bosphurus Boat (for 2)
    $0.62
  • Yerebatan Cistern for Two
    $0.62
  • Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two
    $0.31
  • Hagia Sofia entrance
    $0.93

Tours and Activities in Istanbul

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

  • 2 Hours Ultimate Kebab Experience in Galata, Istanbul: $160
  • 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $273
  • All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $164
  • Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
  • Dolmabace Palace, Bosphorus Boat Tour , Eyüp Sultan Mosque Tour: $150
  • Highlights of Cappadocia with Mehmet ( Private Tour ): $95
  • 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: $75
  • 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $75
  • 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $250

Tours and Activities in Vancouver

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.

  • Vancouver self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.31
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.75
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.82
  • Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Fort Langley: a Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
  • Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.19
  • Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.46
  • Historic Walking Tours of Vancouver with Then & Now Images!: $6.68
  • Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.68
  • Vancouver Downtown: Espionage Adventure Outdoor Escape Game: $6.99
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.31
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Istanbul $15
    Vancouver $16

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:

  • Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl ROUTE B: $18
  • Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
  • Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $26
  • 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $88
  • Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
  • Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
  • From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
  • From Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $139
  • Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
  • Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $165
  • Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
  • Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167


When comparing the travel costs between Istanbul and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Istanbul is in Europe and Vancouver is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Vancouver?

Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Vancouver. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Istanbul or Vancouver in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Vancouver. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Istanbul is a little warmer than Vancouver in the summer. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 24°C (74°F) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Istanbul this time of the year. In the summer, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.

Istanbul usually gets less rain in July than Vancouver. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Istanbul 24°C (74°F) 
    Vancouver 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Istanbul or Vancouver in the Autumn?

Both Vancouver and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Istanbul is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Istanbul in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Vancouver averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Istanbul 16°C (61°F) 
    Vancouver 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Istanbul or Vancouver in the Winter?

Both Vancouver and Istanbul during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Vancouver can be very cold. In January, Istanbul is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 6°C (43°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Istanbul usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Istanbul 6°C (43°F) 
    Vancouver 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Istanbul or Vancouver in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Vancouver. The spring months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Istanbul is a little warmer than Vancouver in the spring. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Istanbul usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Istanbul 13°C (55°F) 
    Vancouver 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Istanbul

Istanbul Vancouver
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (43°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 4°C (40°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 6°C (44°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (42°F) 179 mm (7.1 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 9°C (49°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 21°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 24°C (74°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 24°C (74°F) 26 mm (1 in) 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 20°C (69°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 11°C (51°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Dec 9°C (47°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 4°C (40°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)