A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amman vs. Athens for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Amman or Athens?

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 Amman and Athens. 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: Amman or Athens?

Amman

Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.

Athens

Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Athens or Amman?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $135, while the average daily cost in Athens is $176. 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 Amman and Athens in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amman $49
    Athens $72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amman $98
    Athens $144
Compare Hotels in Amman and Athens

Looking for a hotel in Amman or Athens? 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 Amman


Hotels in Athens


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: Amman Hotel Prices and Athens Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amman $24
    Athens $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:


  • Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.71
  • RIde to Airport
    $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman

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

  • Petra or WadiRum transfer to/from Amman, Airport, Madaba, Deadsea: $240
  • Queen Alia International Airport Transfers To Amman, Petra.: $235
  • Private Transfer From Amman Airport To Petra: $190
  • Private Transfer From Amman Airport To Petra: $190
  • From Dead Sea and Petra Day Trip with Transfers: $187
  • Amman Private Transfer to Jerusalem with VIP Service: $175
  • Private Transfer from Allenby King Hussein Bridge to Aqaba Airport: $173
  • From Amman Transfer to Petra: $169
  • Amman Airport to Petra Shuttle, Comfortable & Affordable Transfer: $160
  • Private Transfer: Amman Airport to Aqaba Airport: $153
  • Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Araba Border: $153
  • Private Transfer: Amman Airport to Wadi Rum: $133

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:


  • Airport Bus for Two
    $7.32
  • Metro
    $1.71
  • Metro
    $2.29
  • Metro from Airport to City Center
    $9.14
  • Taxi from Airport
    $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens

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

  • VipTransfer From /To Athens Airport - Lavrio Port: $220
  • Vip Transfer From/To Athens Center - Lavrio Port: $290
  • VIP Ferry Ticket From Piraeus Port To Santorini & Private Transfer Included: $266
  • Transfers and Guided Tours in all over Greece, sightseeing and Private hire!!: $104
  • Transfer from or to Athens Airport: $93
  • Transfer from Piraeus port to Athens hotel or Glyfada Riviera hotel: $116
  • Transfer from Piraeus port to Athens Airport and Vice Versa 22:30PM - 06:29AM: $162
  • Transfer from Athens/Pireaus/ATH Airport/Suburbs to Mati/Marathon/Nea Makri: $174
  • Transfer from Athens-Pireaus-Athens Airport to Corinth-Loutraki-Agioi Theodoroi: $232
  • Transfer from Athens City Center to Athens Airport (ATH): $51
  • Transfer from Athens Airport to Vouliagmeni: $110
  • Transfer from Athens Airport (ATH) to Athens City Center: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Athens?

Prices for flights to both Athens and Amman 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
    Amman $58
    Athens $74
Typical Food Prices in Amman

For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Pastries
    $4.23
  • Tea
    $5.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman

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

  • private cooking with local chef: $40
  • Guided Food Tour in Downtown: $70
  • Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $80
  • Women-Led Food Tour Through Amman’s Culinary Scene: $80
  • The Best Culture&Food Tour With Majd The Local Guide: $81
  • Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman: $107
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Arak Experience: $140
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Wine Experience: $147
  • Private Food Tour in Amman by Day (inc Citadel & Roman Theatre): $199

Typical Food Prices in Athens

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


  • Ice cream
    $3.43
  • Souvlaki
    $2.51

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens

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

  • Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $49
  • Street Food Tour - Sample the Food the Locals Love: $68
  • Athens's original vegan food tour: $75
  • Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $76
  • Athens Street Food Tour: Taste the best street food: $79
  • Sunset Tour to Temple of Poseidon with Dinner Stop from Athens: $80
  • Athens, Greek food tour including market visit: $80
  • Small Group Greek Traditional Food Tour in Athens 20+ Tastings: $81
  • Taste of Athens Small-Group Food Tour: $81
  • Athens Food Tour: Flavors of Asia Minor (private group): $81
  • Greek Cooking Class near Poseidon’s Temple in Sounio with Antonia: $90
  • Eat like an Athenian food tour of Athens: $92

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amman $32
    Athens $41

Tours and Activities in Amman

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

  • 1Day Private spiritual Tour to Amman Madaba Baptism site Dead Sea: $100
  • 2 Day Petra Shobak Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Madaba and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Madaba and Mount Nebo Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Mount Nebo and Dead Sea Private Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Shobak Castle and Kerak Castle Private Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Amman City Tour Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Baptism Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Bubble Experience: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $185
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Tour: $175

Tours and Activities in Athens

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

  • "A Must-See" Anc. Epidaurus, Mycenae & Nafplion Premium Full Day Tour By Locals: $209
  • "Athens City Tour - 4 Hours": $165
  • "Athens Highlights Tour : Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and more.": $173
  • "Athens Night Experience - 4Hours": $165
  • "Athens in a Day: A Full-Day Tour of the City’s Top Highlights": $252
  • "Athens in a Glimpse with Cruise Port Pickup & Drop-Off": $173
  • "Discover Argolis: All-Day Tour to Nafplio,Mycenae & Epidaurus": $299
  • "Full-Day Tour of Delphi and Picturesque Livadia": $299
  • "Spetses in a Day from Athens : A Cosmopolitan Island Experience”: $299
  • "Tour of Ancient Corinth:Follow in the footsteps of Apostle Paul": $197
  • 1 Day Hymettus Athens Private Hiking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $174
  • 1 Day Parnitha Athens Private Hiking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $174

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amman $14
    Athens $26

Sample the Local Flavors in Athens

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:

  • Greek Honey Tasting Experience at our Old Distillery: $13
  • Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting.: $16
  • Athens Rooftop Pub Crawl Acropolis Views and Nightclub Fun: $17
  • Athens Party Pub Crawl w/ 1-hour Open Bar & VIP Nightclub Access: $21
  • Athens Exclusive Hellenic Wine Tasting Experience at Brettos: $37
  • Athens Small Group Wine Tasting with a Sommelier: $52
  • Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $57
  • Athens bar crawl: $58
  • Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store: $65
  • Athens Olive oil Honey and Wine Tasting with Snacks Experience: $88
  • Wine tasting tour of Athens Greece: $122
  • Athens Highlights: Private Half-Day Tour With Wine Tasting: $123


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

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


Which is Bigger, Amman or Athens?

Amman has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Amman and Athens, 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 Amman or Athens?

Athens has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Amman experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Amman or Athens in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Amman and Athens. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amman year-round. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year.

In the summer, Amman is around the same temperature as Athens. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amman in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Athens averages at about 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In Amman, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amman usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Athens during summer. Amman gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Athens receives 357 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amman usually receives more rain than Athens. Amman gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Athens receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Amman 25°C (77°F) 
    Athens 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Amman or Athens in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Amman as well as Athens. Amman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Amman is generally around the same temperature as Athens. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 20°C (68°F), and Athens fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amman this time of the year. In the autumn, Amman often gets more sunshine than Athens. Amman gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Athens receives 206 hours of full sun.

Amman usually gets less rain in October than Athens. Amman gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Athens receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Amman 20°C (68°F) 
    Athens 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Amman or Athens in the Winter?

Both Athens and Amman are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amman throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Amman is cooler than Athens in the winter. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Athens fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Amman usually receives more sunshine than Athens during winter. Amman gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Athens receives 143 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Amman. In January, Amman usually receives more rain than Athens. Amman gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Athens receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Amman 8°C (46°F) 
    Athens 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Amman or Athens in the Spring?

Both Athens and Amman during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Amman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Amman is around the same temperature as Athens. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amman in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Athens averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Amman. In the spring, Amman often gets more sunshine than Athens. Amman gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Athens receives 226 hours of full sun.

Amman usually gets less rain in April than Athens. Amman gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Athens receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Amman 16°C (61°F) 
    Athens 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Athens and Amman

Amman Athens
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (46°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 10°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 9°C (48°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 25 mm (1 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 26 mm (1 in) 19°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)