Should you visit Istanbul or Zurich?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Zurich, 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.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
Which city is cheaper, Zurich 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 Zurich is $211. 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 Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Istanbul is about $118 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $266 for a double occupancy room in Zurich.
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.
Zurich food costs typically run travelers around $49 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Istanbul $24
Zurich $49
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 Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
-
Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner:
$154
-
Overnight Mount Titlis including 4-course dinner:
$545
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.
The average price of local transportation around Zurich is $28 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
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:
-
Istanbul Airport Transfer / Private Airport Transfer:
$3.73
-
Private Istanbul New Airport Transfer Service:
$4.36
-
Istanbul Airports Transfer:
$6.22
-
istanbul airport cheapest vip transfer by private car:
$14
-
Safe Airport transfer service in istanbul:
$16
-
Private Airport Transfer Arrival or Departure in Istanbul:
$17
-
Sabiha Airport Arrival Or Departure Hotel Transfer:
$17
-
PRIVATE DEPARTURE TRANSFER - Istanbul European Side To Istanbul New Airport:
$18
-
Istanbul New Airport Private Transfer:
$18
-
New Istanbul Airport Private Transfer:
$18
-
Istanbul Airport Arrival Or Departure Hotel Transfer:
$19
-
İstanbul Private Airport Transfer:
$19
Typical Local Transportation prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Transfer from Train Station to Zurich City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Train Station:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Train Station to Zurich Airport ZRH:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Transfer from Zurich City Centre to Train Station:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from City Centre to Zurich Airport ZRH:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Davos Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Davos:
$9.41
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Zurich Airport to Hotel:
$31
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Zurich Airport:
$31
-
Private Arrival Transfer from ZRH Zurich Airport to Zurich City:
$39
-
Private Departure Transfer from Zurich City to ZRH Zurich Airport:
$39
-
Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Zurich Airport:
$39
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich 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.
Zurich's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $28 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
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:
-
Just Hagia Sophia Tour /Skip The Lines:
$8.71
-
VR Dervish Experience:
$10
-
Museum of Illusions Istanbul Ticket:
$11
-
Piri Self-Guided Audio Tour: Istanbul, Historical Peninsula:
$11
-
Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Guided Tour:
$12
-
Bosphorus Cruise from Eminonu Pier with Audio App:
$12
-
Basilica Cistern VIP Tickets:
$12
-
Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque&Hippodrome Guided Tours Everyday /No que / No line!:
$12
-
Vip Ticket For Hagi̇a Sophi̇a:
$12
-
SEA LIFE Istanbul Entry Ticket:
$14
-
Istanbul LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Admission Ticket:
$15
-
Hagia Sophia: Entry with Guided Tour:
$16
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
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Zurich Private Tour: Albert Einstein Old Town Exploration Game:
$7.45
-
Historical Zürich: An audio tour through the city of a thousand fountains:
$9.99
-
Museum Rietberg Zurich Entrance Ticket:
$21
-
Zurich Old Town Walking Tour:
$30
-
Shopping and History Tour of Zurich:
$30
-
Zürich Historic District Tour:
$30
-
Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich:
$36
-
Zurich City Tour Experience:
$40
-
Zurich Highlights Tour:
$40
-
Zurich Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$45
-
Private Tuk-Tuk City Tour:
$49
-
The Best of Zurich Including Panoramic Views in a Small Group Walking Tour:
$58
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.
The average person spends about $23 on alcoholic beverages in Zurich per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
-
Daily Tekirdag Wine Tasting Tour from Istanbul:
$427
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Istanbul.
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