Which place is cheaper, Islamabad or Moscow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moscow 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 Moscow 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: Moscow or Islamabad?
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.
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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoscow $63Islamabad $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $63, 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 Moscow and Islamabad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoscow $40Islamabad $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoscow $80Islamabad $40
Compare Hotels in Moscow and Islamabad
Looking for a hotel in Moscow 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: Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moscow $6.18Islamabad $7.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Moscow
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
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Two Metro Passes$1.47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Balai Batu Sadara to Padang Airport (PDG): $168
- Private Transfer from Tanjung Alam to Padang Airport (PDG): $135
- Private Transfer from Nagari Sikucur to Padang Airport (PDG): $135
- Private Transfer from Batusangkar to Padang Airport (PDG): $135
- Private Transfer from Nagari Sungai Asam to Padang Airport (PDG): $135
- Private Transfer from 8 ILIR to Palembang Airport (PLM): $93
- Private Transfer from Palembang Airport (PLM) to Karya Baru: $93
- Private Transfer from Palembang Airport (PLM) to Talang Jambe: $93
- Private Transfer from Palembang Airport (PLM) to Kebun Bunga: $93
- Private Transfer from Palembang Airport (PLM) to Duku: $93
- Private Transfer from Palembang to Palembang Airport (PLM): $93
- Private Transfer from Palembang Airport (PLM) to Palembang: $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
- Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Moscow or Islamabad?
Prices for flights to both Islamabad and Moscow 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 dayMoscow $14Islamabad $15
Typical Food Prices in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$6.00
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Lunch in the Center Market$3.27
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Breakfast for 2$11
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moscow $16Islamabad $9.48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Moscow
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Theater Tickets$13
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Kremlin Entry (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Moscow
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Days Private Tour to See Bull Race and Raflesia Arnoldi Flower: $250
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
- From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
- From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
- From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoscow $7.94Islamabad $2.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moscow and Islamabad, we can see that Moscow is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Moscow 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 Moscow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moscow 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 Moscow Expensive? and Is Islamabad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moscow or Islamabad?
Moscow has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Moscow 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 Moscow or Islamabad?
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 Moscow or Islamabad in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and Islamabad.
The heat can be very extreme in Islamabad. Moscow is much colder than Islamabad in the summer. The daily temperature in Moscow averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Islamabad fluctuates around 32°C (90°F).
Islamabad receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Moscow usually receives less rain than Islamabad. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMoscow 19°C (67°F)Islamabad 32°C (90°F)
Should I visit Moscow or Islamabad in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Moscow as well as Islamabad.
In the autumn, Moscow is much colder than Islamabad. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Moscow in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Islamabad averages at about 26°C (80°F).
Moscow usually gets more rain in October than Islamabad. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMoscow 6°C (43°F)Islamabad 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Moscow or Islamabad in the Winter?
Both Islamabad and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
It's quite cold in Moscow in the winter. In January, Moscow is generally much colder than Islamabad. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around -8°C (17°F), and Islamabad fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In January, Moscow usually receives more rain than Islamabad. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMoscow -8°C (17°F)Islamabad 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Moscow or Islamabad in the Spring?
Both Islamabad and Moscow during the spring are popular places to visit.
Moscow is much colder than Islamabad in the spring. The daily temperature in Moscow averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Islamabad fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Moscow usually gets more rain in April than Islamabad. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMoscow 7°C (45°F)Islamabad 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Islamabad and Moscow
| Moscow | Islamabad | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (17°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (23°F) | 52 mm (2 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.