A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Addis Ababa vs. Thessaloniki for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Thessaloniki?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Thessaloniki, 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.

Where Should I go: Addis Ababa or Thessaloniki?

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, and The Best Contiki Tours to Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Thessaloniki or Addis Ababa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Addis Ababa Prices
    Ethiopia Prices
    Thessaloniki Prices
    Greece Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Addis Ababa $28
    Thessaloniki $185

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $28, while the average daily cost in Thessaloniki is $185. 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 Addis Ababa and Thessaloniki in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $15
    Thessaloniki $89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $30
    Thessaloniki $178
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Thessaloniki

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Thessaloniki? 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.

Hotels in Addis Ababa


Hotels in Thessaloniki


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: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and Thessaloniki Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $2.74
    Thessaloniki $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport: $23
  • Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $147
  • Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer: $55
  • Luxury Private Mercedes Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $75
  • City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $39
  • Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers: $65
  • Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer: $62
  • Golf Club Experience with Hotel Transfer: $100
  • Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers: $55
  • Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers: $44
  • Airport Pickup and transfer: $18
  • Addis Ababa Full Day Private Car Rental or Airport Transfer: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki

Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer: $519
  • Private Transfer from Kavala to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $247
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki to Meteora with 2h Stop: $213
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Danai Beach Resort & Villas Private Transfer: $205
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Anthemus Sea Beach Hotel and Spa Private Transfer: $148
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Afitis Boutique Hotel Private Transfer: $114
  • Thessaloniki Airport to TUI Blue Lagoon Hotels Private Transfer: $108
  • Private transfer to IKOS OLIVIA: $102
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Pomegranate Hotel: $91
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Portes Lithos Luxury Resort Private Transfer: $85
  • Private Transfers from and to Thessaloniki Airport SKG: $61
  • Thessaloniki Airport or Cruise Port Private Departure Transfer: $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Thessaloniki?

Prices for flights to both Thessaloniki and Addis Ababa 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
    Addis Ababa $11
    Thessaloniki $81
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:


  • Slice of Cake
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Ethiopian Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
  • Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
  • Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
  • Addis Ababa Food Tour: Ethiopian Cuisine, Coffee & Drinks: $50
  • Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $50
  • Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $50
  • Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa: $55
  • Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
  • Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $60
  • Addis Ababa Ethiopian Food Cooking Class and Kitchen Tour: $60
  • Addis Ababa Cooking, Coffee & Traditional Drink Tasting: $65
  • Ethiopian Cultural Dinner in Addis Ababa with LIVE Traditional Dance Show: $65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki

For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $51
  • Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $52
  • Cooking Experience with Local Greek Family: $68
  • Sweet Taste Of Thessaloniki - Food Tour With A Local: $73
  • Sweet Taste Of Thessaloniki - Food Tour With A Local: $74
  • Food Tour with Rooftop Views: $75
  • Guided Food Tour: $81
  • Thessaloniki Food Tour: A Feast of Local Delicacies: $87
  • Get a Taste of Thessaloniki - Food tour to local tastes: $88
  • Thessaloniki Food Tour: A Feast of Local Delicacies: $88
  • Authentic Greek Home Cooking with a Local Family in Thessaloniki: $90
  • Kavala Food Tour and Cooking Workshop: $91

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $2.83
    Thessaloniki $29

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.

  • • Ethiopia Danakil Experience: Fire, Salt & Color Adventure: $450
  • • Explore the Wild: 5-Day Chebera Churchura Adventure Tours: $1,775
  • "Awash National Park Safari Experience": $280
  • 1 Day Addis Ababa City Tour: $180
  • 14-Days Northern Ethiopia Tours: $1,580
  • 2-Day Wenchi Crater Lake & Ethiopian Highland Experience: $300
  • 2-Day: Addis Ababa city tour & Debre Libanos with Lunch: $265
  • 2-Night 3-Day Danakil Depression Tour without Flights: $300
  • 3 Day Private Meskel Festival, Addis Ababa City and Debre Libanos Monastery Tour: $300
  • 3 Days Meskel Festival Package-Addis Ababa City Tour/Debre Libanos Monastery: $256
  • 3-Day Addis Ababa — Monastery, Gorge & Crater Lake Tour: $1,650
  • 3-Day Awash National Park Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour: $730

Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki

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

  • 1 Day Chortiatis mt Thessaloniki Hiking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $91
  • Alexander the Great Experience: Private Tour Vergina and Pella: $182
  • Alexander the Great Private Tour at Pella and Vergina: $137
  • Ancient Macedonia Private Tour Pella Vergina and Dion: $97
  • Ancient Philippi Guided Tour from Kavala Port: $171
  • Best of Thessaloníki: Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
  • Best of Private Guided Tour: $69
  • Best of Tour by Local: $68
  • Chalkidiki Snorkeling Adventure in Sithonia: $63
  • Day Tour at Royal Tombs of Aigai and Museum of Pella with pickup: $125
  • Day Tour in Petralona Cave and Chalkidiki without guide: $267
  • Delhi: Private Full-Day City Tour of Old and New Delhi: $36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $2.34
    Thessaloniki $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:

  • Pastry, Chocolate, and Wine Tour with Pickup: $60

Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki

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

  • Saturday Night Pub Crawl in Thessaloniki, Greece: $25
  • Cellar Wine Tasting of Greek Varieties: $55
  • From Pozar Baths & Wine Tasting: $63
  • Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $96
  • Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $97
  • Kavala: Winery tour & Wine Tasting with food pairings in Kavala: $108
  • Greek Wine Tasting & Tour at Ktima Gerovasiliou: $110
  • Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $110
  • Thessaloniki Wine Tour Winery Visit and Wine Tasting: $120
  • Private Day Trip to Petralona Cave and Afytos with Wine Tasting: $137
  • Halkidiki Wine Tour with Aristotle's Park: $577


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Thessaloniki Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Thessaloniki?

Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Thessaloniki, 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.