A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Petra vs. Ankara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Petra or Ankara?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Ankara can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Ankara?

Petra

Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.

Ankara

Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Ankara or Petra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $153, while the average daily cost in Ankara is $98. 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 Petra and Ankara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Ankara $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Ankara $80
Compare Hotels in Petra and Ankara

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Ankara? 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.

Hotels in Petra


Hotels in Ankara


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: Petra Hotel Prices and Ankara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Ankara $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Airport Transfer to and from Petra: $92
  • Comfort VIP Private Transfer: Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels: $140
  • Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
  • Fast and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Ma’in Hot Springs: $180
  • From Eilat: Petra Full-Day Guided Tour with Transfers: $219
  • Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
  • Petra Private Transfer To Jerusalem: $290
  • Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
  • Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations By Minivan: $160
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.03
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:

  • Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
  • Private Airport Transfer From/To Ankara Airport to Cankaya Hotels: $41
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $46
  • Ankara Airport & Hotel Transfers: $47
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $50
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $52
  • Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $52
  • Ankara Airport Transfer: Ankara by Private Luxury Vehicle: $63
  • Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $111
  • Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $111
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Ankara?

Prices for flights to both Ankara and Petra 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Petra $66
    Ankara $39
Typical Food Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • Juice
    $1.76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.

  • Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
  • Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150

Typical Food Prices in Ankara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:


  • A Quick Lunch
    $0.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ankara

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ankara.

  • Baklava Cooking Class: $61
  • Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $70
  • Sustainable Home Cooking Class in Ankara: $85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Ankara $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:


  • Entry to Petra for One
    $71

Tours and Activities in Petra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:

  • Self Guided Tour of Petra Main Trail with App (No Tickets): $8.99
  • Guided 3 Hour Tour of Petra's Iconic Landmarks: $44
  • Private Guided Tour in Petra with licensed guide: $70
  • Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .: $75
  • Private 3-Hour Petra Tour: The Treasury & Main Ancient Highlights: $75
  • Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit: $99
  • Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $100
  • Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
  • 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
  • Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $130
  • Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
  • 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145

Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara

Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Underground City
    $0.17

Tours and Activities in Ankara

Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self-Guided Secrets of Ankara Exploration Game Tour: $30
  • Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $34
  • Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $35
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $35
  • Ankara Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $39
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local: $41
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
  • 6-Hour Private Tour with Guide, Car, and Lunch: $175
  • Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $185
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $233
  • Private Ankara Sightseeing Tour: $300
  • Full Day Cappadocia Private Tour: $300

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Ankara $10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Ankara, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Ankara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Ankara 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 Ankara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ankara 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra than you might in Ankara.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Ankara Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Petra or Ankara?

Ankara has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Ankara, 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.

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