Should you visit Tallinn or Istanbul?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn or Istanbul, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Tallinn
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. It has a population of more than 430,000 people and is a charming, yet cosmopolitan place to visit. The Old Town is at the center of the city's tourism, and the beauty and architecture is very impressive. The city's close proximity to Helsinki makes it a popular day trip from Finland, but cheap plane flights have also encouraged visitors from around Europe to spend several days in this city. In particular, summer months can become quite crowded.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Istanbul or Tallinn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tallinn is €74, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is €80. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Tallinn and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Tallinn can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €40, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €80.
A hotel room in Istanbul is about €100 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
Tallinn food costs typically run travelers around €25 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
On average, meal and food prices in Istanbul cost around €20 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €8.00.
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Food
Meals for one day
Tallinn €25
Istanbul €20
Typical Food prices in Tallinn
For Tallinn, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two
€7.68
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Dessert
€1.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tallinn
For Tallinn, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Estonian food tour in Tallinn:
$12
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Tallinn Sunset Dinner Cruise:
$73
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Tallinn Beer House Dinner:
$75
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Tallinn Russian Dinner:
$96
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Tallinn 3-Hour Estonian Food Tour:
$106
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Tallinn Food Tour with Round-trip Transfer Port-City:
$131
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Tallinn Segway and Food Tour:
$156
-
Vegan Food Tours Tallinn:
$242
Typical Food prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice
€0.20
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Turkish Delight
€0.06
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Dessert
€0.85
-
Pastries
€0.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
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Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$29
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Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show:
$30
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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Inc. Dinner and Belly Dance Show with Hotel Transfer:
$34
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Alaturca Ottoman Dramatic Stage Show & Dinner Cruise ( Non - Alcoholic ):
$35
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Bosphorus Dinner Show Cruise With Non Alcoholic Menu ISTANBUL Dinner cruise:
$36
-
Bosphorus Dinner & Show Cruise (All Inclusive):
$36
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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise An Unforgettable Experience in Istanbul:
$36
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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul:
$37
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Istanbul Cruise&Show with Dinner:
$37
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Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$39
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Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Soft Drinks:
$40
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Istanbul Dinner Cruise&Show:
$40
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Tallinn than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €9.68 on transportation in Tallinn on average per day.
The cost of a taxi ride in Istanbul is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €4.71 per person, per day, on local transportation in Istanbul.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Tallinn
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Tallinn:
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Tram Around Town for Two
€1.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tallinn
Also for Tallinn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Ultra - Tallinn Private Transfer from Tallinn Cruise Port to City Centre:
$8.71
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Ultra - Tallinn Private Transfer from City Centre to Tallinn Cruise Port:
$8.71
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Private Airport Transfer: Tallinn Airport (TLL) to Tallinn:
$14
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Private Airport Transfer: from Tallinn to Tallinn Airport (TLL):
$14
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Private Arrival Transfer from Tallinn TLL Airport to Tallinn City:
$15
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Private Departure Transfer from Tallinn City to Tallinn TLL Airport:
$15
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Arrival Private Transfer Tallinn Airport (TLL) to Tallinn City:
$23
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Departure Private Transfer Tallinn City to Tallinn TLL by Car:
$23
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Private Tallinn TLL Airport - Tallinn City Round-Trip Transfer:
$29
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City Transfer Tallinn:
$33
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Tallinn TLL Airport Luxury Van Private Arrival Transfer:
$35
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Tallinn TLL Airport Luxury Van Private Departure Transfer:
$35
Typical Local Transportation prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry
€0.28
-
Local Bus
€0.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
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İstanbul Private Airport Transfer:
$19
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İstanbul Airport Transfer:
$45
-
istanbul airport transfer-sabiha gokcen airport transfer-vip transfer:
$28
-
istanbul airport cheapest vip transfer by private car:
$14
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istanbul airport & sabiha gokcen airport transfer by private car:
$30
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VIP Transfer Services for Airports, Hotels or Other Location:
$80
-
VIP Airport Transfer and Shuttle:
$62
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VIP Airport Transfer:
$56
-
Turkish Bath in Istanbul with transfer:
$199
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Transfer in Private Vehicle from Istanbul Old City to Sabiha Gokcen Airport:
$57
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Transfer in Private Vehicle from Istanbul Old City to Istanbul Airport:
$51
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Transfer in Private Minivan from Istanbul Old City to Sabiha Gokcen Airport:
$61
Is it cheaper to fly into Tallinn or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Tallinn 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Tallinn, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €4.50 per day, per person.
Entertainment and activities in Istanbul typically cost an average of €29 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Tallinn
For Tallinn, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Pioneer Street Art Tour in Tallinn Telliskivi Creative City:
$12
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Tallinn Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$15
-
Tour to the Paljassaare Special Protection Area:
$16
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Skip the Line: Tallinn TV Tower Entrance Ticket:
$16
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Skip the Line: Tallinn Legends Interactive Museum Entrance Ticket:
$17
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Tallinn National Unity Tour on E-bike:
$19
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1-Hour Good Morning Tallinn Running Tour:
$19
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Tallinn Bay Sightseeing Cruise:
$22
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Tallinn Day Cruise: TOWERS OF TALLINN:
$22
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Tallinn Ghost and Legends Walking Tour:
$24
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Tallinn Bicycle Sightseeing Tour:
$29
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City Sightseeing Tallinn Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$31
Typical Entertainment prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
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1 Day - Istanbul Tour:
$315
-
1 Day Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour From Istanbul:
$300
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1 Day Istanbul & Ephesus Tour By Plane - YK230:
$419
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1 Day Regular Cappadocia Tour by Plane - YK0011:
$384
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1 Day Tour - Sapanca:
$300
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1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$496
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1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Travel from Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$509
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1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Trip from/to Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$513
-
1 Night 1 Day Trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$490
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1 Night 2 Days Cappadocia Trip from/to Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$521
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1 Night 2 Days Ephesus, Kusadasi, Hierapolis & Pamukkale Tour from/to Istanbul:
$372
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1 Night Cappadocia Trip with Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$525
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Tallinn spend on average €12 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about €7.20 on alcoholic beverages in Istanbul per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Tallinn
Also in Tallinn, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Nudist Winery Wine Tasting and Winery tour in Tallinn:
$44
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Tallinn Brewery Fiesta:
$77
-
Tallinn Guided Bar Crawl:
$77
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Tallinn Bar Crawl:
$85
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Tallinn Beer House Brewery Fiesta:
$90
-
City tour Craft Brewery visit and tasting of craft beers ciders and cheeses:
$90
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
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Daily Tekirdag Wine Tasting Tour from Istanbul:
$427
When comparing the travel costs between Tallinn and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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