Which place is cheaper, Islamabad or Izmir?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Izmir or Islamabad?
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 Islamabad. 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 Islamabad?
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.
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIzmir $105Islamabad $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Izmir is $105, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is $42. 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 Islamabad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIzmir $60Islamabad $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIzmir $120Islamabad $40
Compare Hotels in Izmir and Islamabad
Looking for a hotel in Izmir or Islamabad? 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.
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 Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Izmir $30Islamabad $7.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Izmir
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:
- Private Transfer From Izmir Airport to Pamukkale : $295
- Private Transfer from Izmir Airport to Bodrum: $295
- Fethiye-Oludeniz Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $241
- Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Fethiye-Oludeniz Hotels: $230
- Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Bozbuk Bay (Akbuk) Hotels: $213
- Izmir Airport (ADB) to Ayvalık - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $177
- Izmir International Airport (ADB): Private Transfer to Çeşme: $168
- Bodrum Akyaka Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $147
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Gümüldür, Seferihisar: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Manisa City: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Gümüldür, Seferihisar: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Manisa City: $131
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Izmir or Islamabad?
Prices for flights to both Islamabad 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
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Food Meals for one dayIzmir $24Islamabad $15
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Izmir $21Islamabad $9.48
Tours and Activities in Izmir
Here are a few actual costs in Izmir for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Small Group Ephesus Tour From Izmir Hotels: $100
- Small Group Pamukkale Tour from Izmir Hotels: $126
- 1 Day Ephesus And Pamukkale Tour From Izmir By A Local Expert: $300
- 5 Days Seven Churches Tour Turkey: $1,075
- Alaçatı And Çeşme Private Tour: $100
- Ancient Pergamon Tour From Izmir: $283
- Aphrodisias&Pamukkale Tour from Izmir: $280
- Best Seller Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers : $70
- Biblical Ephesus, Mother Mary House, St John Basilica and Temple of Artemis Tour from Izmir with Private Guide: $272
- Cesme-Alacati Tour from Izmir: $175
- Customized Ephesus Private Tour / FOR CRUISE GUESTS ONLY: $150
- Daily Ephesus & Virgin Mary House Tour from Izmir: $147
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
- Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
- Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
- Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIzmir $8.86Islamabad $2.88
Sample the Local Flavors in Izmir
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Izmir:
- Wine Tasting Tour at Two Wineries in Urla Turkey: $98
- Ancient Ephesus tour with Mother's Mary House and visit to old village Sirince with wine tasting: $152
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Izmir and Islamabad, we can see that Izmir is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Izmir is in Europe and Islamabad is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Izmir would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Izmir than you might in Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Izmir Expensive? and Is Islamabad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Izmir or Islamabad?
Izmir has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Izmir and Islamabad, 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.
When is the best time to visit Izmir or Islamabad?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Izmir or Islamabad in the Summer?
Both Islamabad and Izmir during the summer are popular places to visit.
The heat can be very extreme in Islamabad. Izmir is cooler than Islamabad in the summer. The daily temperature in Izmir averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Islamabad fluctuates around 32°C (90°F).
In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Izmir. In the summer, Izmir often gets more sunshine than Islamabad. Izmir gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamabad receives 247 hours of full sun.
Islamabad gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Izmir usually gets less rain in July than Islamabad. Izmir gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIzmir 28°C (82°F)Islamabad 32°C (90°F)
Should I visit Izmir or Islamabad in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Izmir and Islamabad.
In the autumn, Izmir is cooler than Islamabad. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Izmir in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Islamabad averages at about 26°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In Izmir, it's very sunny this time of the year. Izmir usually receives less sunshine than Islamabad during autumn. Izmir gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Islamabad receives 287 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Izmir usually receives more rain than Islamabad. Izmir gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIzmir 19°C (67°F)Islamabad 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Izmir or Islamabad in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Izmir as well as Islamabad.
In January, Izmir is generally much colder than Islamabad. Daily temperatures in Izmir average around 9°C (48°F), and Islamabad fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. In the winter, Izmir often gets less sunshine than Islamabad. Izmir gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamabad receives 213 hours of full sun.
Izmir receives a lot of rain in the winter. Izmir usually gets more rain in January than Islamabad. Izmir gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIzmir 9°C (48°F)Islamabad 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Izmir or Islamabad in the Spring?
Both Islamabad and Izmir are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
Izmir is much colder than Islamabad in the spring. The daily temperature in Izmir averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Islamabad fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Islamabad. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Izmir. Izmir usually receives less sunshine than Islamabad during spring. Izmir gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Islamabad receives 258 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Izmir usually receives more rain than Islamabad. Izmir gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIzmir 16°C (61°F)Islamabad 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Islamabad and Izmir
| Izmir | Islamabad | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.