Should you visit Izmir or Antalya?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Izmir and Antalya. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Izmir
Izmir is a metropolitan city of Turkey and the second most populous city on the Aegean Sea after Athens, Greece. Known as Smyrna in antiquity, it was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans, and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Most remnants of this past are gone; however, there are a few archaeological sites in addition to beaches, bustling city streets, and colorful markets.
Antalya
Antalya is the largest city along Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the eighth largest city in the country with over one million people in the metropolitan area. The city dates back to about 200 BC when it was settled by the Attalid Dynasty of Pergamon and soon conquered by the Romans. The city was ruled by several different groups and most recently was transferred to Italian suzerainty following World War I. It became part of Turkey following the War of Independence. The city has seen an influx of development in recent years and it has grown into a tourism mecca with more than 12 million visitors in 2014.
Which city is cheaper, Antalya or Izmir?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Izmir is $45, while the average daily cost in Antalya is $52. 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 Izmir and Antalya in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $44 for a double occupancy room in Izmir.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $50 in Antalya For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The average traveler spends about $16 per day in Izmir for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
On average, meal and food prices in Antalya cost around $17 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 $6.80.
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Food
Meals for one day
Izmir $16
Antalya $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya
For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner:
$83
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Izmir is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $8.72 per person, per day, on local transportation in Izmir.
Antalya's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $8.34 per person, per day on transportation in Antalya.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Izmir
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:
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İzmir Cigli&Torbalı to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport Private DepartureTransfer:
$68
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Transfer to Kusadasi from Izmir Airport:
$80
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Transfer between Izmir Airport and İzmir Cİty Hotels:
$31
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Transfer From Kusadasi to Izmir Airport:
$129
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Private Transfer: Izmir to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB):
$622
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Private Transfer from Izmir Airport to Selcuk:
$42
-
Private Transfer from Izmir Airport to Bodrum:
$187
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Private Transfer from Izmir Airport to Bergama:
$49
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Private Transfer From Izmır Airport to Izmir Hotels:
$30
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Private Transfer From Izmir Hotels to Izmir Airport:
$37
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Private Transfer From Izmir Airport to Çeşme:
$52
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Private Transfer From Izmir Airport to Kusadasi:
$62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antalya
Also for Antalya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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2 Ways Antalya Airport Transfer to Side, Side Mahallesi, Manavgat:
$47
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Alanya: Gazipaşa Airport Private VIP Transfer:
$48
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Antalya Airport (AYT) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Antalya Hotels or Address):
$55
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Antalya Airport (AYT) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Antalya Hotels or Address):
$48
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Antalya Airport (AYT) Departure Transfer (Alanya Hotels to Antalya Airport):
$108
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Antalya Airport (AYT) Departure Transfer (Antalya Hotels to Antalya Airport):
$48
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Antalya Airport (AYT) Departure Transfer (Antalya Hotels to Antalya Airport):
$55
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Antalya Airport - Antalya City Hotels Private Transfers (Lara, Kundu, Old Town):
$17
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Antalya Airport - Belek Hotels Private Transfers:
$25
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Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Aksu Hotels:
$45
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Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Antalya City Center Hotels:
$35
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Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Konyaalti Hotels:
$51
Is it cheaper to fly into Izmir or Antalya?
Prices for flights to both Antalya and Izmir 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 Izmir typically cost an average of $13 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Antalya can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $14 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Izmir
Here are a few actual costs in Izmir for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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12 Days Best of Turkey Tour:
$1,547
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2 Days Private Byzantine & Ottoman & Ephesus Tour:
$405
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2 Days Private Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour:
$324
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2 Days Private Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour:
$378
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3 Days Private Archaeological Ephesus&Pamukkale&Hierapolis&Pergamon Tour:
$595
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3 Days Private Pamukkale & Miletos & Didyma & Priene & Apollon & Ephesus Tour:
$595
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3-Days Seven Churches of Revelation Private Tour:
$784
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4-Day Small-Group Turkey Tour from Kusadasi: Pamukkale, Ephesus and Hierapolis:
$280
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5 Day Tour from Seven Churches of Asia Minor:
$463
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5 Days : Seven Churches of Asia Minor Tour Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis...:
$463
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6 Days - Seven Churches of Revelation Private Tour:
$1,672
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6 Days Istanbul & Aegean Turkey Tour:
$811
Tours and Activities in Antalya
For Antalya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Skip the Line: Yoruk Parki Kemer Admission Ticket:
$5.75
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Admission Ticket to Sandland Antalya:
$7.46
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Shopping Tour From Kemer:
$10
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Sapadere Canyon Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Alanya:
$28
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Canyoning and Rafting Tours from Antalya:
$29
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Antalya Rafting Tour:
$31
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Antalya Local Bazaar Tour:
$33
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Koprulu Canyon Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch from Antalya:
$34
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Turkey: Day Tour of Ancient Lycia:
$36
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Day Tour to Xanthos City, Saklikent Canyon and Patara Beach:
$36
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Antalya Rafting Tour:
$37
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Rafting Tour:
$44
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Izmir may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $8.84 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typically, people visiting Antalya spend on average $7.75 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Izmir
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Izmir:
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Ancient Ephesus tour with Mother's Mary House and visit to old village Sirince with wine tasting:
$101
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Cesme on Foot and Wine Tasting:
$124
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Car Museum and Wine Tasting:
$149
When comparing the travel costs between Izmir and Antalya, we can see that Antalya is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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