Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Moscow?
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 Moscow and Istanbul. 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.
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.
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $62, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $126. 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 Istanbul in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Moscow or Istanbul? 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 typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
Prices for flights to both Istanbul 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.
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moscow and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Moscow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moscow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moscow 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul than you might in Moscow.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moscow Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Moscow. When comparing the sizes of Moscow and Istanbul, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Moscow as well as Istanbul. Additionally, most visitors come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Moscow is cooler than Istanbul in the summer. The daily temperature in Moscow averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Istanbul fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
Moscow usually gets more rain in July than Istanbul. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Istanbul and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Moscow is much colder than Istanbul. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Moscow in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Istanbul averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In October, Moscow usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Istanbul and Moscow during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
The weather in Moscow can be very cold. In January, Moscow is generally much colder than Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around -8°C (17°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Moscow usually gets less rain in January than Istanbul. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and Istanbul. Also, many travelers come to Istanbul for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Moscow is much colder than Istanbul in the spring. The daily temperature in Moscow averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Istanbul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In April, Moscow usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Moscow | Istanbul | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -8°C (17°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
May | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
Dec | -5°C (23°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |