A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aegina vs. Ephesus for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aegina or Ephesus?

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

Should I visit Aegina or Ephesus? 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: Aegina or Ephesus?

Aegina

The island of Aegina is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece located in the Saronic Gulf. It is named for the mother of the hero Aeacus, who was born on the island and eventually became its king. The legend goes that the god Zeus swept Aegina away from her husband to the island where her son was born-hence the island's name became Aegina.

Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Honeymoon Tours in Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Antalya, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Ephesus or Aegina?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Aegina is €92, while the average daily cost in Ephesus is €122. 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 Aegina and Ephesus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aegina 43
    Ephesus 59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aegina 86
    Ephesus 118
Compare Hotels in Aegina and Ephesus

Looking for a hotel in Aegina or Ephesus? 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 Aegina


Hotels in Ephesus


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: Aegina Hotel Prices and Ephesus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aegina 24
    Ephesus 43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus

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

  • Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $167
  • Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Kusadasi Centrum (All hotels, home...) transfers: $78
  • Kusadasi Boat trip with BBQ Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer : $47
  • Kusadasi International Golf Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $95
  • Kusadasi to Pamukkale Small Group Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $70
  • Pamucak Beach Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $106
  • Private Airport Transfer In Ephesus: $205
  • Private Guided Ephesus Tour with Lunch and Cruise port Transfers: $69
  • Private Transfer From Kusadasi to Pamukkale: $201
  • Private Transfer Kusadasi, Port, Hotel From/To Izmir Airport: $74
  • Private Transfer from Izmir Airport to Kusadasi: $100
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Izmir Airport (ADB): $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Aegina or Ephesus?

Prices for flights to both Ephesus and Aegina 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
    Aegina 34
    Ephesus 28

Typical Food Prices in Ephesus

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


  • Sandwiches
    0.13
  • Dessert
    0.14
  • Lunch at Beach (for 2)
    0.50
  • Snacks
    0.21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus

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

  • Private Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village: $169
  • Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $216
  • Kusadasi Gourmet & Street Food Tour From Port: $279

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aegina 13
    Ephesus 50

Tours and Activities in Aegina

Here are a few actual costs in Aegina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Aegina Discovery Tour: $97
  • Aegina Walking Tour: $32
  • Organic Pistachio Orchard Tour with Snacks: $54
  • Coffee Roaster Tour & Greek Coffee Tasting: $24

Tours and Activities in Ephesus

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

  • Ephesus Private Tour Guide: $5.00
  • Private Ephesus, Artemis and Mary's House Tour: $15
  • Ephesus PrivateTours from Cruise Port Kusadasi Shore Excursions : $15
  • Ephesus Temple of Artemis and House of Mary Private Half Day Tour: $15
  • Ephesus Archaeological Museum Virtual Live Guided Tour : $17
  • Best of Ephesus Guided Tour For Cruise Guest : $17
  • Best of Ephesus Tour for Cruisers : $17
  • Private Ephesus Tour For Cruisers : $18
  • Ephesus, House of Mary, Artemis Temple Tour w/ lunch: $19
  • FOR CRUISERS Private Ephesus Tour Skip-the-Line & On-Time Return: $19
  • Ancient City of Ephesus §The Virgin Mary's House Tour For Cruise: $19
  • EPHESUS PRIVATE TOUR for Cruise Guests / Skip-the-Line & Lunch: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aegina 8.57
    Ephesus 13

Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:


  • Beer
    0.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus

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

  • Skip-the-line Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $43
  • Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting & Lunch: $111


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

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


Which is Bigger, Aegina or Ephesus?

Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Aegina and Ephesus, 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.


When is the best time to visit Aegina or Ephesus?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aegina or Ephesus in the Summer?

Both Ephesus and Aegina during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Aegina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Aegina is generally around the same temperature as Ephesus. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 27°C (81°F), and Ephesus fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Aegina. In the summer, Aegina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ephesus. Aegina gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ephesus receives 378 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets more rain in July than Ephesus. Aegina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Aegina 27°C (81°F) 
    Ephesus 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Aegina or Ephesus in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Aegina and Ephesus. Many visitors come to Aegina in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Aegina is around the same temperature as Ephesus in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Ephesus fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In Aegina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aegina usually receives less sunshine than Ephesus during autumn. Aegina gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Ephesus receives 232 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Aegina usually receives more rain than Ephesus. Aegina gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Aegina 19°C (67°F) 
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Aegina or Ephesus in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Aegina as well as Ephesus. Most visitors come to Aegina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Aegina is around the same temperature as Ephesus. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aegina in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Ephesus averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the winter, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Ephesus. Aegina gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ephesus receives 131 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ephesus. Aegina usually gets less rain in January than Ephesus. Aegina gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Aegina 10°C (51°F) 
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Aegina or Ephesus in the Spring?

Both Ephesus and Aegina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Aegina because of the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, Aegina is generally around the same temperature as Ephesus. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 16°C (60°F), and Ephesus fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Ephesus. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aegina. Aegina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ephesus during spring. Aegina gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Ephesus receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Aegina usually receives less rain than Ephesus. Aegina gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Aegina 16°C (60°F) 
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Ephesus and Aegina

Aegina Ephesus
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 25 mm (1 in) 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 51 mm (2 in) 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)