Comparison · Dubai vs Istanbul · United Arab Emirates / Turkey
Dubai vs Istanbul
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: imran shahabuddin, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Dubai for Burj Khalifa, Luxury hotels and a milder winter; choose Istanbul for Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus ferries and lower day-to-day costs. Istanbul is generally less expensive, and the two are about 2,994 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 2,994 km
- Less expensive
- Istanbul
- Best time for Dubai
- November–March
- Best time for Istanbul
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Dubai | Istanbul | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United Arab Emirates | Turkey |
| Known for | Burj Khalifa, Luxury hotels and Shopping malls | Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus ferries and Grand Bazaar |
| Best time to visit | November–March | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $200–$380 | $120–$230 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 41°C (106°F) | July, 29°C (84°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 24°C (75°F) | January, 9°C (48°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | Kite Beach | Kilyos |
| Airports | DXB, DWC, SHJ | IST, SAW |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Dubai for…
Burj Khalifa, Luxury hotels and a milder winter. Dubai grew from a pearling and trading port on Dubai Creek into a city of skyscrapers stretched along the Gulf coast. The old quarters of Al Fahidi and Deira keep wind-tower houses, gold and spice souks and wooden abras crossing the creek, while Downtown has…
Choose Istanbul for…
Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus ferries and lower day-to-day costs. Istanbul spreads across both banks of the Bosphorus, the strait that divides Europe from Asia. The historic peninsula of Sultanahmet holds Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar within a 15-minute walk of each other, while Galata…
Top sights compared
| # | Dubai | Istanbul |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burj Khalifa – At the Top | Hagia Sophia |
| 2 | Dubai Mall | Topkapı Palace |
| 3 | Dubai Fountain | Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) |
| 4 | Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood | Basilica Cistern |
| 5 | Abra ride across Dubai Creek | Grand Bazaar |
Food compared
| Dubai | Istanbul |
|---|---|
| Shawarma | Simit |
| Machboos | Turkish breakfast |
| Harees | Fish sandwich |
| Luqaimat | Meze and rakı |
Which is cheaper?
Istanbul is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $120–$230 per person there, against $200–$380 in Dubai (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Istanbul on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 2,994 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 11 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Dubai or Istanbul cheaper?
Istanbul is usually less expensive: about $120–$230 a day mid-range against $200–$380 (estimates).
+Is Dubai or Istanbul better for a first trip?
Pick Dubai for Burj Khalifa, Luxury hotels and a milder winter, or Istanbul for Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus ferries and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Dubai from Istanbul?
About 2,994 km in a straight line.