Which place is cheaper, Messina or Izmir?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Izmir or Messina?
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 Messina. 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 Messina?
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.
Messina
Messina is a city in the northwest area of Sicily. There are only five kilometers across the Straits of Messina to the Calabria region of mainland Italy. You can reach Messina by boats which travel every hour from the town of Villa San Giovanni in mainland Italy. There are also a couple of hydrofoils that make the trip every day from Reggio di Calabria. During the summer season don't be surprised to see cruise ships arriving with crowds of tourists. They are usually docked right downtown and are therefore hard to miss. Messina is also connected to mainland Italy by train, which are transported across the Straits of Messina by ferry.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIzmir $105Messina $127
The average daily cost (per person) in Izmir is $105, while the average daily cost in Messina is $127. 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 Messina in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIzmir $60Messina $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIzmir $120Messina $140
Compare Hotels in Izmir and Messina
Looking for a hotel in Izmir or Messina? 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 Messina Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Izmir $30Messina $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Izmir
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:
- Izmir Airport - Kusadasi Private Transfer: $100
- Arrival Transfer Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport ADB to Izmir by Van: $41
- Arrival Transfer Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Izmir by Minibus: $46
- 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
- Dalaman Airport Transfer Vip & Private : $57
- Ephesus Guided Tour From Izmir With Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $130
- From Izmir Airport: One-way Private Transfer to Alacati: $96
- From Izmir Airport: One-way Private Transfer to Kusadasi: $88
- From Ephesus Guided Day Trip with Transfer & Lunch: $106
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Messina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Messina:
- From Private Air-Conditioned Transfer to Taormina: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Izmir or Messina?
Prices for flights to both Messina 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 $24Messina $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Messina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Messina.
- Private Home Cooking Demo with a Four-Course Meal: $112
- Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Messina: $115
- Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $149
- Messina Private Home Cooking Class: $155
- Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Messina: $158
- Market Tour, Private Home Cooking Class and Dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Izmir $21Messina $23
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
- PRIVATE PHOTO TOUR IN IZMIR - Photo & Video Experience in iZMiR: $49
- Half-Day Izmir City Tour: $55
- Ephesus Tour: $56
- "Ephesus tours" the "house of virgin mary tours" Tours from KUSADASI CRUİSE PORT: $67
- Deluxe Ephesus with Terrace Houses tour from Izmir Hotel , Cruise Ports, Airport: $69
- Ephesus and Virgin Mary's House from Izmir Hotels , Airport ,Cruise Port: $69
- Izmir City Tour: $70
- Best Seller Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers : $70
Tours and Activities in Messina
Here are a few actual costs in Messina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Alfotour 2/3 hour tour with swimming stop: $32
- 2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour: $46
- Guided City Highlights Walking Tour: $47
- The Godfather Movie Tour from Messina: $84
- Messina Taormina: cultural heritage experience: $85
- Messina and Taormina City Tour from Messina - Private tour: $87
- Taormina Shore Excursion from Messina - Shared tour: $87
- Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina: $98
- 3-Hour Messina Segway PT Authorized Tour: $118
- Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion: $120
- Etna Alcantara tour: the majestic lava landscape : $126
- Taormina and Castelmola: Private tour: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIzmir $8.86Messina $19
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Izmir and Messina, we can see that Messina 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 Messina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Messina 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 Messina Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Izmir or Messina?
Izmir has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Messina. When comparing the sizes of Izmir and Messina, 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 Messina?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Izmir or Messina in the Summer?
Both Messina and Izmir are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Izmir is around the same temperature as Messina in the summer. The daily temperature in Izmir averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Messina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Messina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Izmir. Izmir usually receives more sunshine than Messina during summer. Izmir gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 332 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Izmir usually receives less rain than Messina. Izmir gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIzmir 28°C (82°F)Messina 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Izmir or Messina in the Autumn?
Both Messina and Izmir during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Messina this time of year.
In the autumn, Izmir is around the same temperature as Messina. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Izmir in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Messina averages at about 21°C (69°F).
It's quite sunny in Izmir. In the autumn, Izmir often gets more sunshine than Messina. Izmir gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 189 hours of full sun.
Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Izmir usually gets less rain in October than Messina. Izmir gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIzmir 19°C (67°F)Messina 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Izmir or Messina in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Izmir and Messina. Furthermore, many travelers come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Izmir is generally cooler than Messina. Daily temperatures in Izmir average around 9°C (48°F), and Messina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Izmir usually receives more sunshine than Messina during winter. Izmir gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.
Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. Izmir gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Izmir usually receives more rain than Messina. Izmir gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIzmir 9°C (48°F)Messina 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Izmir or Messina in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Izmir as well as Messina. Additionally, many visitors come to Messina in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
Izmir is around the same temperature as Messina in the spring. The daily temperature in Izmir averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Messina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Izmir this time of the year. In the spring, Izmir often gets more sunshine than Messina. Izmir gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 207 hours of full sun.
Izmir usually gets less rain in April than Messina. Izmir gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIzmir 16°C (61°F)Messina 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Messina and Izmir
| Izmir | Messina | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 14 mm (0.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 117 mm (4.6 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.