Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Izmir?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Izmir and Varanasi. 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.
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.
Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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 Varanasi is $30. 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 Varanasi in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Izmir or Varanasi? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Varanasi 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.
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Izmir for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Izmir:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Izmir and Varanasi, we can see that Izmir is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Izmir is in Europe and Varanasi 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 Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Varanasi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Izmir Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Izmir has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Izmir and Varanasi, 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.