Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Petra?
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 Petra or Istanbul?
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 Istanbul can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Istanbul?
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.
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 Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Petra Prices
Jordan PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $153Istanbul $149
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $153, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $149. 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 Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Istanbul $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Istanbul $138
Compare Hotels in Petra and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Petra 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Istanbul $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Private Transfer From or To Airport, Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea: $33
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional: $88
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
- Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
- Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer from Ma'in Hotel to Aqaba Airport: $120
- Comfort VIP Private Transfer: Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels: $140
- Private Transfers from Petra Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $176
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Sapanca & Masukiye Day Tour from Istanbul with Lunch & Transfer: $12
- Full Day Sapanja Mashokiya & Mahmudia Tour with lunch +Transfer: $23
- istanbul airport transfer: $23
- Princes Islands Tour with Hotel Transfer & Lunch: $23
- Private Istanbul Airport Transfer IST and SAW: $23
- Istanbul IST Airport Transfer to or from Old City & Taksim Hotels: $25
- Guided Half Day Afternoon Istanbul Bosphorus Tour With Transfer: $29
- Private Istanbul Cruise Port(Galataport) Transfer hotel-airport: $30
- Private Transfer: Istanbul Airports & Cruise Port to/from Hotels: $30
- Istanbul Airport Private Departure Transfer: $31
- Istanbul Airport Private Transfer: $32
- Istanbul Airport & Hotel Transfers: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul 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
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Food Meals for one dayPetra $66Istanbul $55
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Authentic Jordanian Cooking, Taste of Comfort With Family: $28
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Food Tour 30 Tasting Stops with Audio Maps Written Guide: $8.00
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $29
- Bosphorus Night Cruise Dinner and Dance Show,Transfer included: $30
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $30
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Show with Private Table: $30
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Turkish Night Show Experience: $30
- Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47Istanbul $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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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
- Petra 3-Hour Private Tour with a Local Guide: $60
- Private Guided Tour in Petra with licensed guide: $70
- Guided 3 Hour Tour of Petra's Iconic Landmarks: $70
- Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .: $75
- Full day Petra and Wadi Rum tour, returning to Amman Or Airport: $84
- Private Multilingual Guided Tour in Petra: $90
- 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
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Daily Bursa and Uludag Tour from Istanbul with lunch: $3.00
- Istanbul Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.02
- Istanbul Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise from Europe: $5.89
- Istanbul Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.30
- Istanbul Üsküdar: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.79
- Istanbul Fatih: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.79
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour Exploring Two Empires: $6.84
- Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $6.99
- Istanbul Bosphorus Tour With Whirling Dervish Show: $7.17
- 2-Hour Scenic Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Throughout the Day: $7.53
- Bosphorus Cruise 2-3 Hour Cruises with Optional Asia Stop & Meal: $7.99
- Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset and Day Time Sightseeing Cruise: $7.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Istanbul $9.85
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Bars, Dancefloors, & Beyond: $16
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Pub Crawl Original Istanbul Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $30
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Taksim Pera Wine Tasting 3 Hour Guided Tour: $130
When comparing the travel costs between Petra and Istanbul, 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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 800 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra 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.
When is the best time to visit Petra or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Petra experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Petra or Istanbul in the Summer?
Both Istanbul and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is a little warmer than Istanbul. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Istanbul averages at about 24°C (74°F).
It's quite sunny in Istanbul. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Istanbul during summer. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 333 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Petra usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Istanbul 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Petra or Istanbul in the Autumn?
Both Istanbul and Petra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Istanbul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Petra is generally much warmer than Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Petra. In the autumn, Petra often gets more sunshine than Istanbul. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 169 hours of full sun.
Petra usually gets less rain in October than Istanbul. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Istanbul 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Petra or Istanbul in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Istanbul. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Istanbul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Petra is much warmer than Istanbul in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Istanbul fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Istanbul during winter. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 75 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Petra usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Istanbul 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Petra or Istanbul in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Petra as well as Istanbul. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Petra is much warmer than Istanbul. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Istanbul averages at about 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the spring, Petra often gets more sunshine than Istanbul. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 180 hours of full sun.
Petra usually gets less rain in April than Istanbul. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Istanbul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Istanbul and Petra
| Petra | Istanbul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 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.