Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Sochi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sochi or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sochi or Istanbul? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Sochi or Istanbul?
Sochi
Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.
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 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySochi $60Istanbul $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi 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 Sochi and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSochi $14Istanbul $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSochi $28Istanbul $94
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Sochi 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sochi -Istanbul $55
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:
- Istanbul Airport Transfer by Private Minivan + Meet & Greet Service: $85
- Istanbul Cruise Port(Galataport) Private Transfer Service: $35
- Saw Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfers for Old City & Taksim Hotels: $55
- 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Sabiha Gokcen Airport: $75
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $20
- Airport Istanbul Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport : $34
- Airport transfer Istanbul: $46
- Arrival & Departure Private Transfer in Istanbul: $43
- Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Van: $70
- Bursa Uludağ Mountain Tour From Istanbul w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $35
- CARPEDIEM : SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT LUXURY TRANSFER (Arrival/Departure): $45
- Daily Green Bursa Tour with Cable Car & Transfer from Istanbul: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Sochi 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 daySochi $17Istanbul $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.Sochi $112Istanbul $79
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:
- App self-guided tours Istanbul with multilingual audioguide: $2.14
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Tour with Audio Guide in your smartphone: $5.35
- Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.35
- Hagia Sophia Exclusive Digital Audio Guided Tour: $5.35
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Istanbul Outdoor Escape Game: The Royal Adventure: $7.08
- Istanbul in a day: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87
- Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide: $8.06
- Hippodrome and Blue Mosque Guided Tour: $8.73
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide: $9.62
- The Royal Adventure Highlights Exploration Game: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySochi -Istanbul $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 Sochi and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Sochi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sochi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sochi 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 Sochi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sochi Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sochi or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sochi. When comparing the sizes of Sochi 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 Sochi or Istanbul?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Sochi or Istanbul in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Istanbul. Furthermore, many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sochi is generally around the same temperature as Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 23°C (73°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
In July, Sochi usually receives more rain than Istanbul. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 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 JulySochi 23°C (73°F)Istanbul 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Istanbul in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Istanbul. Additionally, most visitors come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Sochi is around the same temperature as Istanbul in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Istanbul fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Sochi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sochi usually gets more rain in October than Istanbul. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 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 OctoberSochi 16°C (60°F)Istanbul 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Istanbul in the Winter?
Both Istanbul and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Sochi is around the same temperature as Istanbul. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sochi in January average around 6°C (44°F), and Istanbul averages at about 6°C (43°F).
It's quite rainy in Sochi. In January, Sochi usually receives more rain than Istanbul. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 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 JanuarySochi 6°C (44°F)Istanbul 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Istanbul in the Spring?
Both Istanbul and Sochi during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In April, Sochi is generally around the same temperature as Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 13°C (55°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. Sochi usually gets more rain in April than Istanbul. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 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 AprilSochi 13°C (55°F)Istanbul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Istanbul and Sochi
| Sochi | Istanbul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (44°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 202 mm (8 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.