A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tallinn vs. Istanbul for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Tallinn or Istanbul?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn or Istanbul, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down 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 €45. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tallinn and Istanbul in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tallinn €40
    Istanbul €28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tallinn €80
    Istanbul €56

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tallinn €9.68
    Istanbul €2.62
Typical Local Transportation prices in Tallinn

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Tallinn:


  • 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:

  • Ultra - Tallinn Private Transfer from Tallinn Cruise Port to City Centre: $8.71
  • Ultra - Tallinn Private Transfer from City Centre to Tallinn Cruise Port: $8.71
  • Private Airport Transfer: Tallinn Airport (TLL) to Tallinn: $14
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Tallinn to Tallinn Airport (TLL): $14
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Tallinn TLL Airport to Tallinn City: $15
  • Private Departure Transfer from Tallinn City to Tallinn TLL Airport: $15
  • Arrival Private Transfer Tallinn Airport (TLL) to Tallinn City: $23
  • Departure Private Transfer Tallinn City to Tallinn TLL by Car: $23
  • Private Tallinn TLL Airport - Tallinn City Round-Trip Transfer: $29
  • City Transfer Tallinn: $33
  • Tallinn TLL Airport Luxury Van Private Arrival Transfer: $35
  • 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:


  • Ferry
    €0.16
  • Local Bus
    €0.17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:

  • İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $19
  • İstanbul Airport Transfer: $45
  • istanbul airport transfer-sabiha gokcen airport transfer-vip transfer: $28
  • istanbul airport cheapest vip transfer by private car: $14
  • istanbul airport & sabiha gokcen airport transfer by private car: $30
  • VIP Transfer Services for Airports, Hotels or Other Location: $80
  • VIP Airport Transfer and Shuttle: $62
  • VIP Airport Transfer: $56
  • Turkish Bath in Istanbul with transfer: $199
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Istanbul Old City to Sabiha Gokcen Airport: $57
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Istanbul Old City to Istanbul Airport: $51
  • 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tallinn €25
    Istanbul €11
Typical Food prices in Tallinn

For Tallinn, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    €7.68
  • 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:

  • Estonian food tour in Tallinn: $12
  • Tallinn Sunset Dinner Cruise: $73
  • Tallinn Beer House Dinner: $75
  • Tallinn Russian Dinner: $96
  • Tallinn 3-Hour Estonian Food Tour: $106
  • Tallinn Food Tour with Round-trip Transfer Port-City: $131
  • 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:


  • Juice
    €0.11
  • Turkish Delight
    €0.03
  • Dessert
    €0.47
  • Pastries
    €0.08

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.

  • Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show: $29
  • Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show: $30
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Inc. Dinner and Belly Dance Show with Hotel Transfer: $34
  • Alaturca Ottoman Dramatic Stage Show & Dinner Cruise ( Non - Alcoholic ): $35
  • Bosphorus Dinner & Show Cruise (All Inclusive): $36
  • Bosphorus Dinner Show Cruise With Non Alcoholic Menu ISTANBUL Dinner cruise: $36
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise An Unforgettable Experience in Istanbul: $36
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul: $37
  • Istanbul Cruise&Show with Dinner: $37
  • Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorus: $38
  • Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show: $39
  • Istanbul Dinner Cruise with Sema Ceremony: $40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tallinn €4.50
    Istanbul €16

Tours and Activities in Tallinn

For Tallinn, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Pioneer Street Art Tour in Tallinn Telliskivi Creative City: $12
  • Tallinn Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Tour to the Paljassaare Special Protection Area: $16
  • Skip the Line: Tallinn TV Tower Entrance Ticket: $16
  • Skip the Line: Tallinn Legends Interactive Museum Entrance Ticket: $17
  • Tallinn National Unity Tour on E-bike: $19
  • 1-Hour Good Morning Tallinn Running Tour: $19
  • Tallinn TV Tower: Fast-Lane Ticket: $19
  • Tallinn Bay Sightseeing Cruise: $22
  • Tallinn Day Cruise: TOWERS OF TALLINN: $22
  • Tallinn Ghost and Legends Walking Tour: $24
  • Tallinn Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $28

Typical Entertainment prices in Istanbul

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:


  • Bosphurus Boat (for 2)
    €1.11
  • Yerebatan Cistern for Two
    €1.11
  • Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two
    €0.56
  • Hagia Sofia entrance
    €1.67

Tours and Activities in Istanbul

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:

  • 1 Day - Istanbul Tour: $315
  • 1 Day Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour From Istanbul: $300
  • 1 Day Istanbul & Ephesus Tour By Plane - YK230: $419
  • 1 Day Regular Cappadocia Tour by Plane - YK0011: $384
  • 1 Day Tour - Sapanca: $300
  • 1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour: $496
  • 1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Travel from Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour: $509
  • 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
  • 1 Night 2 Days Cappadocia Trip from/to Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour: $521
  • 1 Night 2 Days Ephesus, Kusadasi, Hierapolis & Pamukkale Tour from/to Istanbul: $372
  • 1 Night Cappadocia Trip with Hot Air Balloon Tour: $525

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tallinn €12
    Istanbul €4.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Tallinn

Also in Tallinn, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl: $33
  • Nudist Winery Wine Tasting and Winery tour in Tallinn: $44
  • Tallinn Brewery Fiesta: $77
  • Tallinn Guided Bar Crawl: $77
  • Tallinn Bar Crawl: $85
  • 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:

  • Daily Tekirdag Wine Tasting Tour from Istanbul: $427

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tallinn and Istanbul, we can see that Tallinn is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Tallinn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tallinn than you might in Istanbul.

Budget Your Trip

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Tallinn vs. Istanbul Travel Comparison

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