A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Izmir vs. Kerala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Izmir or Kerala?

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 Kerala. 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 Kerala?

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.

Kerala

Palm trees, sandy beaches, and vibrant culture. You'll find all of these things in Kerala, India. Located in the south of the country, Kerala is known as one of the top ten paradises in the world.

This area is covered in a beautiful, natural ecosystem including backwaters, mountains, coconuts and spices. The heavy, yearlong rains provide lush and gorgeous vegetation, and earn the area a spot on the list of the wettest spots on earth.

Kerala is very different from the rest of India. For one, this area is the most literate and diverse area in in the country with churches, mosques, Hindu temples and even synagogues. This states' education and healthcare are far beyond the rest of the country- putting them on par with many Western areas of the world. However, even though this area is incredibly diverse and progressive, do not expect everyone to speak or understand English.

The best part is that this area is by far the safest in all of India. There is almost no incidence of tourists being cheated or taken for granted.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best Luxury Tours to India, and The Best Budget Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Kerala or Izmir?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Izmir is $105, while the average daily cost in Kerala is $0.00. 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 Kerala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Izmir $60
    Kerala -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Izmir $120
    Kerala $0.00
Compare Hotels in Izmir and Kerala

Looking for a hotel in Izmir or Kerala? 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 Kerala


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Izmir $30
    Kerala -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Izmir

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:

  • Izmir Airport - Kusadasi Private Transfer: $100
  • Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Fethiye-Oludeniz Hotels: $230
  • Balikesir Airport Transfers to Balikesir Ayvalik Hotels: $93
  • Bodrum Airport Luxury Private Minivan By Meet Transfer : $42
  • Bodrum Akyaka Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $147
  • Canakkale Airport Transfers to Lapseki Hotels: $87
  • Cesme-Alacati Transfer: $66
  • Dalaman Airport Transfer Vip & Private : $57
  • Ephesus Guided Tour From Izmir With Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $130
  • Fethiye-Oludeniz Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $241
  • From Izmir Airport: One-way Private Transfer to Alacati: $97
  • From Izmir Airport: One-way Private Transfer to Kusadasi: $88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:

  • Affordable Trivandrum Airport Transfer: $15
  • Affordable transfer from Kochi to Munnar: $40
  • Airport Transfer: Cochin Port Cruise Terminal to Cochin International Airport: $35
  • Cochin - private arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $25
  • Cochin - private departure transfer from hotel to airport: $39
  • Fort Kochi Hotels to Cochin Airport Private Transfer: $40
  • Kochi Airport Transfer: $15
  • Kochi Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $18
  • Private Transfer from Kochi (COK) Airport to Kochi City: $41
  • Private Transfer from Trivandrum (TRV) Airport to Trivandrum City: $35
  • Private Transfer from Trivandrum Airport to City Hotel: $23
  • Private Transfer from Trivandrum Airport to Kovalam Hotel: $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Izmir or Kerala?

Prices for flights to both Kerala 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 $24
    Kerala -

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kerala

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

  • Enjoy the best Food tour in kochi with a local !: $19
  • Private candle light dinner: $22
  • 4-Hour Private Cooking Class in Munnar: $26
  • Cooking classes @ Aryavilla heritage, Varkala: $33
  • Hands-on Authentic Keralite Cooking Class - Learn, Cook, Eat & Enjoy!: $35
  • Tyndis Fort Cochin Traditional Culinary Experience - Homely Food Tour in Kochi: $47
  • Kathakali Dance Show in Kochi with Dinner and Hotel Pick Up: $61
  • Traditional Kerala Cooking Class in a Local Home in Kochi: $66
  • Kochi Over View & Kathakali & Dinner.Tour: $75
  • Cooking experience in Kochi, a half day tour: $128
  • Kathakali Classical Dance Performance with Dinner: $141
  • Philipkutty's Farm Culinary Tour including Lunch and Cooking Demo: $284

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Izmir $21
    Kerala -

Tours and Activities in Izmir

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

  • Olive Oil Tasting Experience in Turkey : $3.16
  • Quick Tour, Essentials of Izmir With Audio Guide: $6.00
  • Mini Group Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary Tour (Max. 10 guests): $25
  • Skip Line Private Ephesus- Temple Of Artemis-Virgin Mary Tour: $32
  • Half-Day Izmir City Tour: $55
  • Ephesus Tour: $56
  • Ephesus and Virgin Mary's House from Izmir Hotels , Airport ,Cruise Port: $69
  • Deluxe Ephesus with Terrace Houses tour from Izmir Hotel , Cruise Ports, Airport: $69
  • Izmir City Tour: $70
  • Best Seller Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers : $70
  • Small Group Ephesus Tour: $71
  • Izmir City Tour : $71

Tours and Activities in Kerala

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

  • Medium Hard Trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours ) : $8.60
  • Local and personalized Tours of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry by Tuk Tuk: $10
  • Shikara Boat Alleppey Backwater Kuttanad Fantastic Boat Cruise : $11
  • Half day trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours ): $11
  • Tuk Tuk Kochi Tours with pickup from Cruise Ship: $11
  • Half Day Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochi - Private Tour with Hotel Pick up: $12
  • Fort Kochi Local Sightseeing Tour: $12
  • 3-4 hours Kochi Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pickup from Cruise Ships: $12
  • KOCHI LOCAL SIGHTSEEING TUK-TUK Tours: $12
  • Kochi Tuk Tuk Tour by Experienced Story Teller : $12
  • 4 Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochi From Cruise terminal: $12
  • Kochi Stories Group Tour: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Izmir $8.87
    Kerala -

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 Kerala, we can see that Izmir is more expensive. And not only is Kerala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Izmir is in Europe and Kerala 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 Kerala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kerala 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 Kerala.

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


Which has a larger population, Izmir or Kerala?

Kerala has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Izmir. When comparing the sizes of Izmir and Kerala, 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.