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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Turkey, and The Best Luxury Tours to Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Ankara or Petra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Ankara is $116. 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 $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Ankara $114
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 $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
  • Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
  • Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
  • Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
  • Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
  • Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
  • Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara

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


  • Metro Ride
    $0.04
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:

  • Private transfer: Ankara Airport (ESB) to Ankara: $39
  • Private transfer: Ankara to Ankara Airport (ESB): $39
  • Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $60
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $64
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $71
  • Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
  • Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $76
  • Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $109
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $109
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $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 $38
    Ankara $32
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. : $45
  • Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300

Typical Food Prices in Ankara

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


  • A Quick Lunch
    $0.36

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Ankara $34
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:

  • 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
  • Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
  • Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
  • Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
  • Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
  • 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
  • Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
  • Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
  • Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
  • Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276

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
    $0.25

Tours and Activities in Ankara

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

  • Family-Friendly Smartphone Walking Tour: $6.00
  • Quick Tour, Essentials of Ankara: $6.00
  • Inns and Baths City Sightseeing Mobile Audio Guide: $6.00
  • Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $32
  • Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $33
  • Private Tour with a Local: $37
  • Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour: $48
  • Istanbul: Half-Day Tour with Topkapi Palace: $145
  • Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
  • İstanbul: Full-Day Tour with Grand Bazaar: $180
  • Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $218

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


When comparing the travel costs between Petra and Ankara, we can see that Petra is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Petra is in Middle East and Ankara is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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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