A Travel Price Comparison for Turkey Izmir vs. Cappadocia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Izmir or Cappadocia?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Izmir and Cappadocia. 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, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Izmir or Cappadocia?

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.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is in Central Anatolia, between the mountains Erciyes, Melendiz and Hasan. It is famous for its underground cities, fairy chimneys, and caves. The landscape of the area is some of the most unique you'll ever see. The fairy chimneys are bizarrely shaped rock outcroppings that have evolved from the unique geography in the area. There are hiking trails through the series of valleys that make up the area. It's a great place to explore for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Istanbul, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Istanbul.


Which place is cheaper, Cappadocia or Izmir?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Izmir is $86, while the average daily cost in Cappadocia is $132. 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 Izmir and Cappadocia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Izmir $43
    Cappadocia $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Izmir $86
    Cappadocia $74
Compare Hotels in Izmir and Cappadocia

Looking for a hotel in Izmir or Cappadocia? 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.

Hotels in Izmir


Hotels in Cappadocia


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Izmir Hotel Prices and Cappadocia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Izmir $21
    Cappadocia $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Izmir

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:

  • Private Transfer from Izmir Airport to Bergama: $283
  • Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Fethiye-Oludeniz Hotels: $248
  • Fethiye-Oludeniz Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $248
  • Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Ayvalik Resort: $242
  • Private Transfer from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Didim: $241
  • Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Bozbuk Bay (Akbuk) Hotels: $230
  • Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Yalikoy (Didim) Hotels: $206
  • Izmir Airport (ADB) to Çeşme, Alaçatı Round-Trip Private Transfer: $177
  • VIP Private Transfer | Izmir Airport to Kusadasi or Selcuk: $170
  • Luxury Private Izmir Airport Transfer Service: $160
  • Izmir Airport to Didim Hotels – Private Airport Transfer: $153
  • Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Kusadasi International Golf Hotels: $142

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cappadocia

Also for Cappadocia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Cappadocia 2-Hours Sunset ATV Quad Tour w/ Hotel Transfer: $50
  • Cappadocia 2-Hours Sunset ATV Quad Tour w/Free Hotel Transfer: $41
  • Cappadocia ATV Safari Sunrise Sunset Daytime Hotel Transfer: $25
  • Cappadocia ATV Tour with Hotel Transfer: $9.50
  • Cappadocia ATV tour with transfer and guide: $13
  • Cappadocia Airport Private Transfer: $142
  • Cappadocia Airport Private Transfer NAV: $71
  • Cappadocia Airport Transfer: $118
  • Cappadocia Airport Transfer Private Service NAV ASR: $17
  • Cappadocia Airport Transfer to/from Kayseri/Nevşehir (ASR or NAV): $14
  • Cappadocia Balloon Watching & Sunrise Hike - Hotel transfer!: $106
  • Cappadocia Flying Dress Photo Shoot with Transfer: $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Izmir or Cappadocia?

Prices for flights to both Cappadocia 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Izmir $30
    Cappadocia $60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Izmir

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Izmir.

  • Authentic Turkish Home Cooking Class with Locals: $76
  • Authentic Dinner Cooking with a Local Family in İzmir: $90
  • Private Food tour in Europe and Asian Side of Istanbul: $295

Typical Food Prices in Cappadocia

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


  • Cookies
    $0.02

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cappadocia

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

  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Show with Dinner and Drinks: $39
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night With Unlimited Drinks And Dinner: $50
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night wTransfer,Dinner &Unlimited Drinks: $59
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Show with Dinner: $60
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Show, Dinner & Unlimited Drinks & Pickup: $64
  • Turkish Night Show In Cappadocia (with Dinner): $64
  • Turkish Night at Cave Restaurant with Dinner and Unlimited Drinks: $65
  • Turkish Nights in Cappadocia Dinner & Cultural Show in a Cave: $65
  • Romantic Cappadocia Private Sunset Dinner With Wild Food: $68
  • Turkish Night Show: Unlimited Alcohol, Dinner and Transfer: $70
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Show with Dinner and Unlimited Drinks: $72
  • Turkish Night Show With Dinner in a Cave Restaurant: $77

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Izmir $14
    Cappadocia $67

Tours and Activities in Izmir

Here are a few actual costs in Izmir for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Day Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour from Izmir Hotels: $295
  • Alaçatı & Çeşme Chill Tour: Vibes, Streets & Snapshots: $120
  • BEST SELLER Small Group Ephesus Tour from Izmir: $117
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
  • Budget - Friendly Ephesus Tour from Izmir: $41
  • Cesme-Alacati Tour from Izmir: $71
  • Customized Ephesus Private Tour / FOR CRUISE GUESTS ONLY: $170
  • Customized Ephesus Tour with Lunch: $189
  • Daily Ephesus & Virgin Mary House Tour from Izmir: $159
  • EPHESUS PRIVATE TOUR From Izmir Port: $117
  • Ephesus & Sirince Village Tour from İzmir: $145
  • Ephesus Ancient City Tour from Izmir Explore Historic Landmarks: $240

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cappadocia

For Cappadocia, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Underground City Entrance for Two
    $0.65
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two
    $13
  • Horseback Riding for Two
    $2.50
  • Cappadocia Driving Tour
    $2.67
  • Goreme Museum Entrance Fee
    $0.33
  • Whirling Dervishes Show
    $2.18
  • Turkish Bath
    $1.53
  • Hot air ballooning
    $8.83
  • Goreme open air museum
    $0.44
  • Bellydancing Show
    $2.84

Tours and Activities in Cappadocia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cappadocia.

  • Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Tour in Cappadocia - Göreme Experience: $3.53
  • Cappadocia Green Tour Lunch + Guide + Museum Tickets /Small Group: $3.53
  • Cappadocia Horseback Riding Tour with Hotel Pickup & Helmet: $3.53
  • Skip the Line: Guray Museum Admission Ticket: $4.72
  • Private Cappadocia Tour with Guide & Driver: $5.00
  • Sunset or Daytime ATV Adventure Tour: $5.28
  • Cappadocia Artisan & Local Craft Experience: $9.00
  • Private Pottery Workshop Experience and Guiding: $9.43
  • Cappadocia Top Sights Tour Skip the Line Guided Experience: $11
  • Sunset Horseback Riding Tour in Cappadocia: $13
  • Horseback Riding Experience in Beautiful Valleys of Cappadocia: $13
  • Cappadocia Sunset Horseback Ride Two Hour Fairy Chimneys Tour: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Izmir $6.26
    Cappadocia $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Izmir

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Izmir:

  • Wine Tour with Metropolis Ancient City: $124
  • Wine Tasting Tour at Two Wineries in Urla Turkey: $277

Sample the Local Flavors in Cappadocia

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cappadocia:

  • Signature Local Wine Tasting in Cappadocia: $11
  • Guided Bar Crawl with Hotel Pickup and Snack: $33
  • Cappadocia Wine Tasting Experience: $41
  • Cappadocia Vineyard Experience and Wine Tasting: $54
  • Combo Tour with Wine Tasting and Adventure Tours: $59
  • Cappadocia Wine Tasting Experience: $60
  • Cappadocia - Avanos Clay Workshop and Wine Tour: $64
  • Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys Guided Tour with Local Wine Tasting: $88
  • SKIP-THE-LINE: Cappadocia Tour w/wine tasting and clay shaping: $90
  • Cappadocia Private Wine Tasting Tour: $130
  • Cappadocia Private Tour-Mixed Tour+Home-made Wine Tasting: $219


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Izmir and Cappadocia, we can see that Cappadocia is more expensive. And not only is Izmir much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Izmir would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Izmir 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 Cappadocia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cappadocia than you might in Izmir.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Izmir Expensive? and Is Cappadocia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Izmir or Cappadocia?

Izmir has a larger population, and is about 390 times larger than the population of Cappadocia. When comparing the sizes of Izmir and Cappadocia, 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.