Should you visit Istanbul or Warsaw?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Warsaw, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. It has a population of 1.7 million, making it the country's largest city. Located on the Vistula River, it is a popular tourist destination for its interesting architecture and culture. The right bank of the river was the first area to become populated in the 9th or 10 century. Today, however, the city's central district is on the left bank of the river. The Old Town, where you will find many sights and attractions, is fully contained within the city center.
Which city is cheaper, Warsaw or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $95, while the average daily cost in Warsaw is $76. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Istanbul and Warsaw in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Istanbul is about $118 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Travelers usually pay around $92 for a double occupancy room in Warsaw If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Istanbul cost around $24 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $9.60.
In Warsaw travelers spend around $18 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Istanbul $24
Warsaw $18
Typical Food prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Juice
$0.24
-
Turkish Delight
$0.07
-
Dessert
$1.00
-
Pastries
$0.18
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:
$29
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show:
$30
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Inc. Dinner and Belly Dance Show with Hotel Transfer:
$34
-
Alaturca Ottoman Dramatic Stage Show & Dinner Cruise ( Non - Alcoholic ):
$35
-
Bosphorus Dinner Show Cruise With Non Alcoholic Menu ISTANBUL Dinner cruise:
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner & Show Cruise (All Inclusive):
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise An Unforgettable Experience in Istanbul:
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul:
$37
-
Istanbul Cruise&Show with Dinner:
$37
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$39
-
Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Soft Drinks:
$40
-
Istanbul Dinner Cruise&Show:
$40
Typical Food prices in Warsaw
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Warsaw:
-
Dinner for Two
$14
-
Lunch for Two
$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Warsaw
For Warsaw, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Lunch or Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe with Skip-the-Line:
$22
-
Traditional Polish Cooking Class in Warsaw:
$64
-
Warsaw Food Tour small group tour by retro minibus:
$91
-
Warsaw 6h Private Tour + Traditional Polish Dinner:
$118
-
Nicolaus Copernicus Legacy: Private Tour from Warsaw to Torun + Polish Dinner:
$274
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Istanbul is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.56 per person, per day, on local transportation in Istanbul.
To get around in Warsaw, the average visitor spends $3.91 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Ferry
$0.33
-
Local Bus
$0.35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
-
Private Transfer from Istanbul to Bodrum:
$1,244
-
Istanbul 5-Day City Package with Hotel, City Tours and Airport Transfers:
$722
-
Transfer From Istanbul to Bodrum:
$722
-
Transfer From Istanbul to Izmir:
$653
-
Transfer From Istanbul to Kusadasi:
$647
-
2-Hour Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Transfers:
$500
-
4-Day Wonderful Istanbul Including Accommodation Plus Transfer:
$474
-
Istanbul Airport to Kartalkaya Transfer:
$460
-
Safe Istanbul Airport Transfer in Luxury with English Speaking Chauffeur:
$355
-
4-Day Istanbul City Package including Full-Day Istanbul City Tour plus Airport Transfers:
$350
-
Istanbul to Bursa Uludag private minivan transfer service:
$348
-
Private Luxury Transfer from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul City:
$317
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Warsaw
Also for Warsaw, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Warsaw to Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW):
$16
-
Private Warsaw Chopin Airport One Way Transfer:
$17
-
Luxury Departure Airport Transfer from Warsaw Center to Warsaw Chopin Airport:
$18
-
Private transfer from any location in Warsaw to Central Railway Station:
$22
-
Private transfer from Warsaw city center to Chopin Airport WAW:
$25
-
Private transfer from Central Railway Station to any location in Warsaw:
$25
-
Private Transfer: Warsaw to Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW):
$27
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Warsaw to Modlin Airport (WMI):
$28
-
Warsaw Chopin Airport One Way Private Transfer:
$28
-
Unique Private Transfer from Warsaw Hotels to Warsaw Airport:
$30
-
Unique Private Transfer from Warsaw Airport to Warsaw Hotels:
$30
-
Private transfer with pick-up from Chopin Airport WAW to Warsaw city center:
$30
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Warsaw?
Prices for flights to both Warsaw 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Istanbul typically cost an average of $35 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
In Warsaw, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $5.87 per person, per day.
Typical Entertainment prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
-
1 Day - Istanbul Tour:
$315
-
1 Day Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour From Istanbul:
$300
-
1 Day Istanbul & Ephesus Tour By Plane - YK230:
$419
-
1 Day Regular Cappadocia Tour by Plane - YK0011:
$384
-
1 Day Tour - Sapanca:
$300
-
1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$496
-
1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Travel from Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$509
-
1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Trip from/to Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$513
-
1 Night 1 Day Trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$490
-
1 Night 2 Days Cappadocia Trip from/to Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$521
-
1 Night 2 Days Ephesus, Kusadasi, Hierapolis & Pamukkale Tour from/to Istanbul:
$372
-
1 Night Cappadocia Trip with Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$525
Tours and Activities in Warsaw
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Warsaw.
-
Skip the Line: Neon Muzeum Admission Ticket:
$5.52
-
Skip the Line: Museum of Life Under Communism Ticket:
$6.22
-
World of Illusion Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$9.18
-
Warsaw Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$22
-
Evening vistula river cruise:
$28
-
Warsaw's Alternative Side: Praga District Private Tour:
$36
-
Warsaw Afternoon, guided, social-distance bus, city tour with pick up&drop off:
$44
-
Small-Group Historical Guided Tour of Warsaw with pick up/drop off. Public Tour.:
$44
-
Warsaw Morning, Guided, social-distance bus, city tour with hotel pickup&dropoff:
$44
-
Historic Private Tour in Retro Fiat:
$47
-
Historical Tour of Communist Warsaw In A Nysa 522 With Pickup:
$51
-
Warsaw Evening Tour (history and pubs) by retro minibus:
$54
Alcohol
The average person spends about $8.51 on alcoholic beverages in Istanbul per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Warsaw, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $8.73.
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
-
Daily Tekirdag Wine Tasting Tour from Istanbul:
$427
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Warsaw, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Warsaw much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Warsaw would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Warsaw 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 Warsaw.
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