Which place is cheaper, Lake Garda or Izmir?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Izmir or Lake Garda?
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 Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda?
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.
Lake Garda
As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIzmir $105Lake Garda $178
The average daily cost (per person) in Izmir is $105, while the average daily cost in Lake Garda is $178. 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 Lake Garda in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIzmir $60Lake Garda $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIzmir $120Lake Garda $180
Compare Hotels in Izmir and Lake Garda
Looking for a hotel in Izmir or Lake Garda? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Izmir $30Lake Garda $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Izmir
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:
- izmir kusadasi transfer: $82
- Vip Airport Transfer: $98
- VIP Private Transfer | Izmir Airport to Kusadasi or Selcuk: $46
- Transfer İzmir Airport to/from Kusadasi City Center Area: $75
- Transfer to Kusadasi from Izmir Airport: $75
- Transfer from Izmir to Fethiye: $153
- Transfer From izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Selcuk Ephesus: $82
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Gümüldür, Seferihisar: $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
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Manisa City: $131
- Private Transfer: Izmir to Izmir Airport (ADB) : $44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Garda
Also for Lake Garda, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Verona VRN Airport to Lake Garda: $109
- Verona Opera Arena: Transfer from Lake Garda & Opera Ticket: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Izmir or Lake Garda?
Prices for flights to both Lake Garda 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 $24Lake Garda $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Fresh Pasta and Tiramisù Private Cooking Class with Meal : $65
- Valpolicella Wine and Food Tour: $75
- Cusina - Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta with wine tasting: $86
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cecina with Show Cooking: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Izmir $21Lake Garda $32
Tours and Activities in Izmir
Here are a few actual costs in Izmir for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Highlights of Ephesus Tour from Izmir Port : $131
- Small Group Ephesus Tour From Izmir Hotels: $100
- Small Group Pamukkale Tour from Izmir Hotels: $126
- "Ephesus tours" the "house of virgin mary tours" Tours from KUSADASI CRUİSE PORT: $67
- 1 Day Ephesus And Pamukkale Tour From Izmir By A Local Expert: $300
- 2-Day Small-Group Tour Highlights of Ephesus from Izmir: $169
- 5 Days Seven Churches Tour Turkey: $1,068
- Ancient Pergamon Tour From Izmir: $282
- 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: $174
Tours and Activities in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Gardaland SEA LIFE Aquarium: Open Date Entry Ticket: $9.62
- Lake Garda Mini Cruise: Sirmione Peninsula: $13
- Hotel Villa Cariola Pool Entry Ticket: $20
- From San Felice del Benaco: Islands Boat Tour: $27
- Sunset Tour in Sirmione : $27
- Tour in the Winery and tasting: $32
- Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $37
- Lazise: Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience: $42
- Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $43
- Winery Tour and Tasting of Garda Wines in Lazise: $44
- Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione from Garda/Bardolino: $48
- From Garda/Bardolino: 4-hour Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIzmir $8.86Lake Garda $21
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
- Wine Tour with Metropolis Ancient City: $114
- Ancient Ephesus tour with Mother's Mary House and visit to old village Sirince with wine tasting: $152
Sample the Local Flavors in Lake Garda
Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bardolino: Wine tasting at Cantina Valetti: $26
- Wine Tasting and Tour of Lugana Wines in Sirmione: $32
- Wine Tasting with Local Food in Lazise Countryside: $32
- Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting: $42
- Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting: $42
- Wine Tasting in Historical Center of Lazise: $44
- Art Experience with Food and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $55
- E-Bike Tour and wine tasting in Lazise Countryside: $87
- E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $87
- Lazise: Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $90
- Castles boat tour with Bardolino wine tasting and nibbles: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Izmir and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Izmir or Lake Garda?
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 Lake Garda in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Izmir as well as Lake Garda. Additionally, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Izmir is a little warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the summer temperatures in Izmir in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lake Garda. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Izmir this time of the year. In the summer, Izmir often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Izmir gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.
Izmir usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Izmir gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIzmir 28°C (82°F)Lake Garda 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Izmir or Lake Garda in the Autumn?
Both Lake Garda and Izmir are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Izmir is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Izmir average around 19°C (67°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Izmir. Izmir usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Izmir gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Izmir usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Izmir gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIzmir 19°C (67°F)Lake Garda 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Izmir or Lake Garda in the Winter?
Both Lake Garda and Izmir during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Lake Garda can be very cold during winter. Izmir is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Izmir averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Izmir often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Izmir gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Izmir. Izmir usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Izmir gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIzmir 9°C (48°F)Lake Garda 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Izmir or Lake Garda in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Izmir and Lake Garda. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Izmir is a little warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the spring temperatures in Izmir in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In Izmir, it's very sunny this time of the year. Izmir usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Izmir gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Izmir usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Izmir gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIzmir 16°C (61°F)Lake Garda 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Izmir
| Izmir | Lake Garda | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 51 mm (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.