Which place 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 high-energy, 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.
You'll generally find more things to do in Istanbul than Venice. Istanbul is bigger than Venice, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Istanbul is better known for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Venice is more popular for its shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Istanbul is well known for its world class historical sights, stunning mosques, and dynamic energy. Also, Istanbul is famous for The Blue Mosque. Venice is well known for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges.
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 terrific 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.
Istanbul is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Istanbul has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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. You'll also find many tourist-centered restaurants in the touristy areas but if you get away from the main sights, you'll find more local options that let you sample high quality food for affordable prices.
Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.
Istanbul is great for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.
Many people head to Istanbul for the nightlife scene. Dancing, dining, and partying have all become part of Istanbul's culture. Top nightclubs in the city include Reina, Sortie, and Supperclub. If you're looking for dance clubs and alcohol, your best bet is to head to the Beyoglu district.
Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. 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 terrific 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.
Venice is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Istanbul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.
Venice is a famous shopping destination with plenty of 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 is well-known for its shopping. 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.
Istanbul and Venice are both excellent destinations for the whole family.
Istanbul is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has several kid-friendly museums, a couple of aquariums, and fun theme parks. If the kids need a break from the city, you can spend a day at Vialand Theme Park or LEGOLAND Discovery Center Istanbul. Food in Istanbul is also very kid-friendly with many affordable dishes that young ones will enjoy.
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.
Venice is an amazing city to visit for romance. Also, Istanbul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.
Venice has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.
Istanbul makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history, culture, and vibrant neighborhoods will enjoy a romantic stay here. The city lights up at night and there are many rooftop dessert cafes where you can take in the view. The waterfront setting is the perfect place to watch the sunset and there are many places to walk and soak up the atmosphere.
Istanbul is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.
A large number of backpackers visit Istanbul, as it is a very popular city for 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.
Backpackers come from all over to 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.
Venice is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Istanbul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.
Venice is a great destination 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.
Students come from all over to stay in Istanbul. Students appreciate the city's vibrant neighborhoods, constant activity, and diverse population.
Both Istanbul and Venice offer terrific 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.
Venice is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Istanbul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.
It is easy to get around Venice on foot. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.
Istanbul is a very walkable city. Although it is huge, most of the neighborhoods that tourists visit are incredibly walkable and pedestrian-friendly.
For even more information, also check out Is Istanbul Worth Visiting? and Is Venice Worth Visiting?.
Both Istanbul and Venice have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Venice has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Venice than Istanbul. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Istanbul, and 2-7 days is enough time in Venice.
Couples should spend more time in Venice than Istanbul. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Venice that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Istanbul than Venice if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Istanbul.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.
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 Venice is $248. 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 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Venice Expensive?.
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Venice, 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.
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. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Venice fluctuates 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 daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Venice fluctuates 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 average around 6°C (43°F), and Venice averages at 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. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Venice fluctuates 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) |