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

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Should you visit Istanbul or Warsaw?

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

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

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 $47, while the average daily cost in Warsaw is $67. 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 Warsaw in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Istanbul $29
    Warsaw $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Istanbul $58
    Warsaw $80

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Istanbul $2.75
    Warsaw $3.44
Typical Local Transportation prices in Istanbul

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


  • Ferry
    $0.16
  • Local Bus
    $0.18

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
  • From Pamukkale Day Tour With Flights and Transfers: $334

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
  • Private Transfer to/from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW): $28
  • Unique Private Transfer from Warsaw Hotels to Warsaw Airport: $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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Istanbul $12
    Warsaw $16
Typical Food prices in Istanbul

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


  • Juice
    $0.12
  • Turkish Delight
    $0.04
  • Dessert
    $0.50
  • Pastries
    $0.09

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 (All Inclusive): $36
  • Bosphorus Dinner Show Cruise With Non Alcoholic Menu ISTANBUL Dinner cruise: $36
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise An Unforgettable Experience in Istanbul: $36
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul: $37
  • Istanbul Cruise&Show with Dinner: $37
  • Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorus: $38
  • Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show: $39
  • Istanbul Dinner Cruise with Sema Ceremony: $40

Typical Food prices in Warsaw

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • Lunch for Two
    $9.59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Warsaw

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

  • Polish Food Tour: $56
  • Traditional Polish Cooking Class in Warsaw: $64
  • Traditional Food Tour with Old Town Sightseeing: $71
  • 4-Hour Polish Food Tour: $90
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Istanbul $17
    Warsaw $5.15
Typical Entertainment prices in Istanbul

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


  • Bosphurus Boat (for 2)
    $1.17
  • Yerebatan Cistern for Two
    $1.17
  • Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two
    $0.58
  • Hagia Sofia entrance
    $1.75

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 Royal Route: Public Tour: $13
  • Old Town Guided Walking Tour: $15
  • Christmas Tour: $23
  • Evening vistula river cruise: $28
  • Highlights Guided Retro Bus Tour: $28
  • Warsaw's Alternative Side: Praga District Private Tour: $36
  • 3-Hour Morning Historical Sites Bus and Walking Tour: $40
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Istanbul $4.21
    Warsaw $7.66

Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:

  • Daily Tekirdag Wine Tasting Tour from Istanbul: $427

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Warsaw, we can see that Warsaw 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 Warsaw would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Warsaw than you might in Istanbul.

Budget Your Trip

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Istanbul vs. Warsaw Travel Comparison

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