Which place is cheaper, Ankara or Tehran?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tehran or Ankara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Tehran and Ankara. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Tehran or Ankara?
Tehran
The capital of Iran, Tehran is a cosmopolitan city with great museums, art galleries, parks, restaurants, and more. It is located in the northernmost part of Central Iran at the foot of the towering Alborz mountain range. Some of the most popular attractions include the Treasury of the National Jewels, Golestan Palace, and the Tajrish Bazaar.
Ankara
Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Turkey, and The Best Luxury Tours to Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTehran $78Ankara $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Tehran is $78, while the average daily cost in Ankara is $116. 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 Tehran and Ankara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTehran $62Ankara $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTehran $124Ankara $114
Compare Hotels in Tehran and Ankara
Looking for a hotel in Tehran or Ankara? 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: Ankara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tehran $0.38Ankara $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:
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Metro Ride$0.04
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Short Taxi Ride$0.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $109
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $109
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $76
- Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $71
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $64
- Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $60
- Private transfer: Ankara Airport (ESB) to Ankara: $39
- Private transfer: Ankara to Ankara Airport (ESB): $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Tehran or Ankara?
Prices for flights to both Ankara and Tehran 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 dayTehran $14Ankara $32
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
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A Quick Lunch$0.36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tehran $4.59Ankara $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara
Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Underground City$0.25
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour: $48
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $33
- Ankara Private Walking Tour: $266
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $218
- Family-Friendly Smartphone Walking Tour: $6.00
- Inns and Baths City Sightseeing Mobile Audio Guide: $6.00
- Private Tour with a Local: $37
- Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $32
- Quick Tour, Essentials of Ankara: $6.00
- From Konya and Cappdocia Tour (3 Days-2 Nights): $438
- Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
- Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTehran -Ankara $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tehran and Ankara, we can see that Ankara is more expensive. And not only is Tehran much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tehran is in Middle East and Ankara is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Tehran would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tehran 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 Ankara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ankara than you might in Tehran.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tehran Expensive? and Is Ankara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tehran or Ankara?
Tehran has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ankara. When comparing the sizes of Tehran and Ankara, 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.