Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Moshi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Moshi or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi or Istanbul, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Moshi or Istanbul?
Moshi
Moshi is a town in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. It’s known as a gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Trails run up the mountain's cloud-ringed, snow-capped dome, through alpine forests and meadows home to elephants and leopards. The noticeably clean capital of the densely populated Kilimanjaro region sits at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro and makes a good introduction to the splendors of the north. It's a low-key place with an appealing blend of African and Asian influences and a self-sufficient, prosperous feel, due in large part to its being the center of one of Tanzania's major coffee-growing regions. Virtually all visitors are here to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or to recover after having done so. Yet there’s much more to do, including cultural tours and hikes on the mountain’s lower slopes.
Istanbul
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 Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Moshi Prices
Tanzania PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoshi $83Istanbul $156
The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $83, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $156. 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 Moshi and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoshi $36Istanbul $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoshi $72Istanbul $144
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Moshi 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Moshi Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moshi $17Istanbul $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi
Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport transfers from any hotel in Zanzibar (Departures): $30
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi: $49
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Transfer/Taxi Services: $53
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) Moshi or Arusha: $55
- Private Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to or from Tanzania: $55
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Tanzania Private Airport Transfer: $67
- Airport Transfer between Moshi and Kilimanjaro International Airport: $82
- Moshi to Arusha or Arusha to Moshi Transfer (Intercity transfer): $93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Şile Marine Beach Day Trip from Istanbul with Round Trip Transfer: $61
- İstanbul Private Arrival Transfer: $71
- İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $108
- İstanbul Airport and Hotel Transfer: $60
- İstanbul Airport Transfer: $70
- istanbul airport transfer: $24
- Viaport Theme Park Ticket with Optional Hotel Transfer: $45
- Viaport Aquarium Ticket with Optional Hotel Transfer: $35
- VIP Transfer: $51
- VIP Experience: Transfers from Istanbul Airport to Anywhere: $75
- VIP Daily Transfer from the Istanbul Airport to Istanbul City: $94
- Unlimited Vialand Theme Park Access with Hotel Transfers: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Moshi 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 dayMoshi $34Istanbul $57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moshi
For Moshi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kili View Tanzanian Cooking Class: $26
- Dee's Private Cooking Class in Tanzania: $50
- Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi with a Local Family: $79
- Private Market Tour and Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi: $109
- Spice Picking with Zanzibar Cooking Class: $193
- 3 Days Chaga Culture: Cooking, NGO Projects, Banana Beer, Hiking: $204
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show: $20
- Show Cruise & Dinner at Window Seat Private Table: $20
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $22
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show – Window Side Table Optional: $22
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $27
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night with Live Shows: $27
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table: $28
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show: $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moshi $18Istanbul $38
Tours and Activities in Moshi
For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Moshi sunset experience: $12
- Roast coffee and tour a chagga owned coffee farm: $25
- Materuni Waterfalls Hiking & Coffee Farms - Tuk Tuk Experiences: $30
- Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation Half Day Tour: $30
- Private guided tour to the night lifestyle of Moshi town: $30
- City tour and local food: $30
- Materuni Waterfall, Coffee & Chagga Culture Tour from Moshi: $35
- Materuni Waterfall & Chemka Hot Springs Day Tour: $35
- Visit Materuni Waterfall with Chimbo (origin) Point & Coffee Tour: $35
- Moshi City Tour: Explore Local Markets, Culture & Hidden Gems: $36
- Moshi - Arusha: Materuni Waterfalls Hike and Organic Coffee Tour: $40
- 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- 1 or 2 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $80
- 1 or 2- Day Istanbul Highlights Tour w/ a Professional Guide: $58
- 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $130
- 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $295
- 1-Day Private Istanbul Layover Tour: $240
- 10 Tastings of Istanbul Foodie Tour: $106
- 2 Continents Tour incl. Beylerbeyi Palace [full-day]: $170
- 2 Day Gallipoli and Troy Tour From Istanbul: $364
- 2 Days Cappadocia Tour From Istanbul by Overnight Bus: $392
- 2 Days Cappadocia Tour by Return Flight From Istanbul: $347
- 2 Full Days Guided Istanbul City Tour With Skip the Line Entry: $200
- 2-Days Private Walking Tour in Istanbul: $300
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoshi $3.35Istanbul $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Pub Crawl in Taksim: $14
- Explore Istanbul Night Life: Pub Crawl: $23
- Pub Crawler VIP Entry Rooftop Bars&Clubs with Party Bus: $27
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim: $31
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $32
- Boat Party & Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $43
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moshi and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Moshi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Moshi is in Africa and Istanbul is in Europe, 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 Moshi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moshi 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 Moshi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moshi Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moshi or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Moshi. When comparing the sizes of Moshi 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.
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.