Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Sighisoara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sighisoara 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 Sighisoara and Istanbul can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sighisoara or Istanbul?
Sighisoara
Located in the historic region of Transylvania in Romania, Sighisoara takes its roots from German craftsmen and merchants, called the Transylvanian Saxons, who were invited by the King of Hungary during the 12th century to settle and defend the area. Today it is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and stands as a preserved example of a small fortified city from the medieval era.
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 Luxury Tours to Romania, The Best Budget Tours to Romania, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySighisoara $60Istanbul $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Sighisoara is $60, 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 Sighisoara and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSighisoara $28Istanbul $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSighisoara $56Istanbul $94
Compare Hotels in Sighisoara and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Sighisoara 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: Sighisoara Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sighisoara $18Istanbul $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sighisoara
Also for Sighisoara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bucharest to Sighisoara - Private Transfer: $430
- Sighisoara to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $472
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry$0.09
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Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Private Bosphorus Tour on Luxury Yacht w/transfer: $749
- From 2-Day Cappadocia Trip w/ Flight and Transfers: $466
- From Pamukkale Day Tour With Flights and Transfers: $321
- Istanbul Airport S-Class Premium Luxury Sedan Transfer: $287
- Hagia Sophia, Topkapi & Mosque Tour with Transfer: $286
- Private Guided Istanbul Luxury Tour (Tickets and Transfers): $282
- Troy and Gallipoli Day Guided Tour with Transfer: $280
- Private Transfer to Bursa Uludag Hotels from Sabiha Gokcen airport: $245
- Istanbul Dolmabahçe Palace Private Tour with Transfers: $225
- 3-Day Tours & Transfer Package: $225
- Full-Day Old City Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $210
- Layover Private Guided Istanbul City Tour with Transfers: $192
Is it cheaper to fly into Sighisoara or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Sighisoara 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 daySighisoara $22Istanbul $31
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice$0.06
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Turkish Delight$0.02
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Dessert$0.26
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Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul: $16
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $17
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $21
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $29
- Half Day Sunset Luxury Yacht Dinner Cruise Tour in Istanbul: $29
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sighisoara $7.87Istanbul $79
Tours and Activities in Sighisoara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sighisoara.
- Candlelight Tour of Dracula's Home Town: $30
- 2-Hour City Tour: $42
- City Tour Sighisoara in English: $43
- City Walking Tour and Dracula House Visit: $56
- Sighisoara private tour, citadel visit, museum entrance free: $64
- From Half-Day Tour to Malancrav & Biertan: $84
- Half-Day Tour to Malancrav & Biertan from Sighisoara: $86
- Sighisoara Citadel super - private walking tour: $97
- 3 Days Private Guided Tour in Romania: $859
- Transylvania Castles & Fortified Churches 4-Day Private Tour: $929
- From Bucharest: Private 6-Day Dracula Tour in Transylvania: $1,396
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
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Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
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Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
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Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
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Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $273
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $164
- Full Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour: $42
- Green Bursa ~ Uludag Mountain, private Tour;Solo ;Groups: $60
- Hippodrome and Blue Mosque Guided Tour: $8.73
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $55
- City Highlights Tour w/Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque: $35
- Must - See Istanbul Stops 1: Half Day Morning Tour: $139
- 1 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $68
- 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $250
- 2 Continents Tour incl. Beylerbeyi Palace [full-day]: $218
- 2 Days Private Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour from Istanbul: $432
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySighisoara $6.42Istanbul $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl Big Nightout . Rooftop parties,party Bus & Nightlife: $22
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $80
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $245
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $844
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sighisoara and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Sighisoara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sighisoara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sighisoara 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 Sighisoara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sighisoara Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sighisoara or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 360 times larger than the population of Sighisoara. When comparing the sizes of Sighisoara 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.