Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Tbilisi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tbilisi or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tbilisi 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: Tbilisi or Istanbul?
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the "Mother of Georgia." Tbilisi’s eternal charms of a dramatic setting in the deep valley of the swift Mtkvari River, picturesque architecture, an ever-lively arts and cultural scene, and the welcoming Georgian lifestyle have been added a whole new 21st-century dimension of inviting cafes and restaurants serving ever better food, up-to-date lodgings from backpacker hostels to international five-stars, interesting bars and clubs, spruced-up museums, galleries, parks, plazas and whole streets, modernized transport and a sprinkling of eye-catching contemporary architecture. The mix of modern and ancient elements makes Tbilisi the beating heart of the South Caucasus and it is well worth a visit.
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 dayTbilisi $29Istanbul $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Tbilisi is $29, 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 Tbilisi and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTbilisi $13Istanbul $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTbilisi $26Istanbul $94
Compare Hotels in Tbilisi and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Tbilisi 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.Tbilisi $6.20Istanbul $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tbilisi
Also for Tbilisi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Tbilisi City to Tbilisi Airport: $10
- Transfer from Tbilisi Airport to Tbilisi: $10
- Kutaisi Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Tbilisi: $10
- Kutaisi: BUS Transfer to/from Tbilisi: $10
- 24/7 Taxi Airport Shuttle and Transfer Private Service: $14
- Airport Shuttle and Transfer Service: $14
- Airport transfer by Visit-geo: $16
- Batumi airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tbilisi: $16
- Tbilisi Airport Shuttle And Transfer Service: $18
- Tbilisi Airport Arrival Private Transfer To Accommodation & Hotel: $19
- Tbilisi International Airport Departure Transfer From Tbilisi: $19
- Tbilisi Airport Private Transfers: $20
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:
- İstanbul Vip Airport Transfer : $50
- İstanbul Private Arrival Transfer : $56
- İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $140
- İstanbul Airports Transfer Services: $43
- İstanbul Airport Transfer(Airport to Hotel,Hotel to Airport): $63
- İstanbul Airport Transfer : Your reliable & Stress-Free ride: $55
- İstanbul Airport Private Transfer: $46
- VIP Transfer from Hotel to Airport in Istanbul: $27
- Two Ways Sabiha Gokcen Airport VIP Transfer: $87
- Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Luxury Sedan: $131
- Transfer from Airports in Istanbul to Hotels by Private Eco-Sedan: $49
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport: Private Transfer Service to Istanbul: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Tbilisi or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Tbilisi 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 dayTbilisi $8.03Istanbul $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tbilisi
For Tbilisi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Natural Wine Degustation and Tasting with Georgian Dinner Option: $20
- Small-Group Khinkali and Khachapuri Cooking Class in Tbilisi: $24
- Georgian Cooking Class with Khinkali and Khachapuri: $25
- Adjarian Khachapuri Making Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
- Traveling Spoon Georgian Dumplings Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Cooking Class with a Local Family: $49
- Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour with 9 Tastings and Wine: $70
- Full Day Tbilisi Tour with Cooking Class & Wine Tasting Activity: $95
- In Georgian Cooking Masterclass by Local: $102
- Half-Day Food Tour of Tbilisi Dezerter's Bazaar: $125
- Private Cooking Class with a Georgian Grandmother in Tbilisi: $130
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
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Turkish Night Show All inclusive: $16
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $21
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $22
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise with All inclusive Dinner and Belly-Dancer Show : $27
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tbilisi $15Istanbul $79
Tours and Activities in Tbilisi
For Tbilisi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Experimentorium Ticket: $5.45
- Virtual tour to Georgia: $10
- Walking Tour in Old Tbilisi - Group Tour: $12
- Highlands Tour: Kazbegi, Ananuri, Gudauri, and Zhinvali: $12
- Exploring Tbilisi Walking Tour: $12
- 3 Hour Walking Tour in Tbilisi: $13
- Afternoon Walking tour of Old Town: $13
- Tbilisi Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Underground Printing House Museum Tour in Tbilisi: $14
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Tbilisi City Tour: $15
- Revolutionary Tbilisi Walking Tour: $15
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:
- 2 Hours Ultimate Kebab Experience in Galata, Istanbul: $160
- 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $273
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $164
- Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
- Dolmabace Palace, Bosphorus Boat Tour , Eyüp Sultan Mosque Tour: $150
- Highlights of Cappadocia with Mehmet ( Private Tour ): $95
- 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: $75
- 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $75
- 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTbilisi $18Istanbul $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Tbilisi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tbilisi:
- 3 Hours Walk Around Wine Tasting of 12 Different Wines in Tbilisi: $10
- Tbilisi.First impression of Tbilisi-evening walking,wine tasting: $11
- One-day tour of Kakheti from Tbilisi, free wine tasting: $14
- Tbilisi Walking Tour Including Wine Tasting Cable Car and Bakery: $14
- Tbilisi Walking Tour with Cable Cars, Wine Tasting and Traditional Bakery: $15
- Kakheti Day Group Tour: Free Wine Tasting: $15
- Full Day Wine Tour Bodbe , Sighnaghi , Telavi: $16
- Wine Tasting Feel the Difference of Qvevri or Classical Wine: $16
- Kakheti Wine Tour, Кахетия -Винный Тур: $19
- Kakheti: Sighnaghi city of love, Bodbe, Telavi, Free wine tasting: $19
- Full Day Bodbe Sighnaghi and Telavi Wine Tasting Tour: $20
- Whole day Wine Tour to Kakheti from Tbilisi: $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $84
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $246
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $849
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tbilisi and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Tbilisi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tbilisi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tbilisi 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 Tbilisi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tbilisi Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tbilisi or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Tbilisi. When comparing the sizes of Tbilisi 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.