Should you visit Antalya or Crete?
Should I visit Antalya or Crete? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Antalya
Antalya is the largest city along Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the eighth largest city in the country with over one million people in the metropolitan area. The city dates back to about 200 BC when it was settled by the Attalid Dynasty of Pergamon and soon conquered by the Romans. The city was ruled by several different groups and most recently was transferred to Italian suzerainty following World War I. It became part of Turkey following the War of Independence. The city has seen an influx of development in recent years and it has grown into a tourism mecca with more than 12 million visitors in 2014.
Crete
The largest and most populous island of Greece, Crete has become a frequent vacation destination for many visitors. The terrain of the place is quite varied - very mountainous stretching east to west, with lush valleys, fertile plateaus, gorges, and famous caves like Idaion, the birthplace of the Greek god Zeus. The surrounding smaller islands and beaches are key attractions as well.
Which city is cheaper, Crete or Antalya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Antalya is $42, while the average daily cost in Crete is $92. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Antalya and Crete in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $40 in Antalya For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $43. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Crete the cost is $86 on average.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Antalya cost around $14 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $5.60.
On average, meal and food prices in Crete cost around $31 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $12.
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Food
Meals for one day
Antalya $14
Crete $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya
For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner:
$83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Crete
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Crete.
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Heraklion: Cretan Cooking Lesson with Dinner in Arolithos:
$113
Local Transportation
Antalya's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $6.72 per person, per day on transportation in Antalya.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $21 per day to get around in Crete.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antalya
Also for Antalya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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2 Ways Antalya Airport Transfer to Side, Side Mahallesi, Manavgat:
$47
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Alanya: Gazipaşa Airport Private VIP Transfer:
$48
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Antalya Airport (AYT) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Antalya Hotels or Address):
$55
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Antalya Airport (AYT) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Antalya Hotels or Address):
$48
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Antalya Airport (AYT) Departure Transfer (Alanya Hotels to Antalya Airport):
$108
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Antalya Airport (AYT) Departure Transfer (Antalya Hotels to Antalya Airport):
$55
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Antalya Airport (AYT) Departure Transfer (Antalya Hotels to Antalya Airport):
$48
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Antalya Airport - Antalya City Hotels Private Transfers (Lara, Kundu, Old Town):
$17
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Antalya Airport - Belek Hotels Private Transfers:
$25
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Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Aksu Hotels:
$45
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Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Antalya City Center Hotels:
$35
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Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Konyaalti Hotels:
$51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Crete
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Crete:
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Acqua Plus Water Park Admission with Optional Transfer:
$32
Is it cheaper to fly into Antalya or Crete?
Prices for flights to both Crete and Antalya 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Antalya can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $11 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $23 per person, per day in Crete. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Antalya
For Antalya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Skip the Line: Yoruk Parki Kemer Admission Ticket:
$5.75
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Admission Ticket to Sandland Antalya:
$7.46
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Shopping Tour From Kemer:
$10
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Smartphone Audio City Tour:
$14
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Sapadere Canyon Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Alanya:
$28
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Canyoning and Rafting Tours from Antalya:
$29
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Antalya Rafting Tour:
$31
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Antalya Local Bazaar Tour:
$33
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Koprulu Canyon Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch from Antalya:
$34
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Turkey: Day Tour of Ancient Lycia:
$34
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Day Tour to Xanthos City, Saklikent Canyon and Patara Beach:
$36
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Antalya Rafting Tour:
$37
Tours and Activities in Crete
Here are a few actual costs in Crete for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Chania, 90-Minute Segway Night Tour:
$56
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Chania: 3-Hour Guided Segway Tour:
$96
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Chania: Guided Halepa Segway Tour:
$51
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Classic and Authentic Day Tour of Crete:
$137
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Heraklion Archaeological Museum Ticket & Audio Guide:
$16
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Hiking Tour in Samaria Gorge:
$43
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Day Tour of Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda & Plaka:
$36
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From Chania: Crete World War II History Tour:
$91
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From Heraklion: Knossos and Lasithi Plateau Full-Day Tour:
$51
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Georgioupolis Full-Day Land Rover Safari Experience:
$78
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Heraklion: Archaeological Museum & Knossos Ticket with Audio:
$26
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Heraklion: Cretan Meat Tasting Tour in Galatas Village:
$40
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Antalya spend on average $6.25 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Crete may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $18 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Crete
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Crete:
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From Chania: Olive Oil & Wine Tasting - Safari Tour w/ Lunch:
$142
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Heraklion: Cretan Wine Tasting Tour & Gourmet Lunch:
$170
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Heraklion: Private Knossos & Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch:
$300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Crete, we can see that Crete is more expensive. And not only is Antalya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antalya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antalya 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 Crete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Crete than you might in Antalya.
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