Which city is cheaper, Venice or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Venice, 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.
Istanbul is a beautiful, historic, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.
Venice is a magical, historic, and beautiful city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Venice and Istanbul. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Both Istanbul and Venice have interesting landmarks and museums for visitors.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Istanbul that are not to be missed. With such a long and diverse religious and political history, it has many museums, mosques, churches, and archeological sites that you can visit. Some of the most famous sights include the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Sarayi, and the Blue Mosque.
The museums and tourist attractions in Venice are world-renowned. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.
Most foodies will appreciate the restaurant options in Istanbul a bit more than Venice.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Istanbul is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. From Turkish classics to sweet desserts the city has it all. Popular dishes include Turkish style pizza, kebabs, and doner, which you'll find everywhere for affordable prices.
Venice has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.
Party-goers will usually choose Istanbul over Venice.
Istanbul has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Dancing, dining, and partying have all become part of Istanbul's culture. Top nightclubs in the city include Reina, Sortie, and Supperclub.
Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Venice. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.
Istanbul and Venice both have historical old towns that attract visitors.
Istanbul offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The Old City in Istanbul is the most historic part of the city. It's where you'll find most of the city's historic sights. The area around Sultanahmet Square is the most popular tourist area to explore.
Venice has a world-famous historical area. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.
Both Istanbul and Venice are good shopping destinations.
Istanbul is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It is the capital of culture and fashion in Turkey, and there are many shopping areas that carry all kinds of brands. For a more traditional, but touristy experience head to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. For modern brands, Istiklal Caddesi is the most popular area for shopping.
Known for shopping, Venice draws large crowds to its stores. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.
Istanbul and Venice are both fun destinations for the whole family.
Istanbul is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has several kid-friendly museums, a couple of aquariums, and fun theme parks.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Venice is very family-friendly. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.
Istanbul and Venice are both fun to visit as a couple.
Istanbul is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, culture, and vibrant neighborhoods will enjoy a romantic stay here.
Venice is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.
Both Istanbul and Venice are popular destinations for backpackers.
Istanbul is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels and budget accommodation options, and there's also plenty of ways to meet other travelers. You'll find plenty of hostels concentrated in the Sultanahmet area.
Many backpackers visit Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.
Istanbul and Venice are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.
Istanbul is a great city to visit as a student. Students appreciate the city's vibrant neighborhoods, constant activity, and diverse population.
Venice is a very popular city for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.
Both Istanbul and Venice offer public transit options.
Public transit in Istanbul is top-notch. It has a comprehensive and diverse public transit system that includes buses, trams, minibuses, ferries, funicular, and more.
Venice has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.
Istanbul and Venice both are comparable when exploring on foot.
Istanbul is very walkable. Although it is huge, most of the neighborhoods that tourists visit are incredibly walkable and pedestrian-friendly.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Venice. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.
Both Istanbul and Venice have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Istanbul is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Venice is 2-7 days.
Istanbul is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
The beautiful city of Venice offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Istanbul is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Venice is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Venice, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Istanbul. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Venice is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Venice, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Istanbul is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Venice is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Venice has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $65, while the average daily cost in Venice is $247. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Istanbul and Venice in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Venice? 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Venice:
Also for Venice, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Venice 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Venice:
For Venice, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
For Venice, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Venice.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Venice:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Venice:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Venice, we can see that Venice is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice than you might in Istanbul.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Venice. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Venice because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Istanbul is generally around the same temperature as Venice. Temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Venice stays around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Venice. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Istanbul this time of the year. In the summer, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Venice. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets less rain in July than Venice. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Venice and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Venice this time of year.
Istanbul is a little warmer than Venice in the autumn. The temperature in Istanbul is usually 16°C (61°F) in October, and Venice stays around 14°C (57°F).
Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Venice during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Istanbul usually receives around the same amount of rain as Venice. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Venice and Istanbul during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Venice for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Venice. In the winter, Istanbul is much warmer than Venice. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January are around 6°C (43°F), and Venice is about 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Venice. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than Venice. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Venice. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Venice in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Istanbul is generally around the same temperature as Venice. Temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Venice stays around 13°C (55°F).
Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Venice during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Venice. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Istanbul | Venice | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 50 mm (1.9 in) |
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