Should you visit Aqaba or Crete?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Crete, 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: Aqaba or Crete?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece.
Which place is cheaper, Crete or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Crete is $164. 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 Aqaba and Crete in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Crete? 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.
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:
Aqaba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
-
Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$141
-
Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Aqaba:
$35
-
Aqaba Airport Transfer to Petra:
$90
-
Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba - Arrival Private Transfer:
$31
-
Aqaba Private Transfer from/to Amman, Airport, Dead Sea or K.H.B:
$125
-
Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea:
$185
-
Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Petra:
$105
-
From Transfer to Amman Hotels or Amman Airport:
$113
-
Hassle-Free Aqaba South Beach to Wadi Rum Transfer – 24/7 Service:
$150
-
King Hussein Int Airport Transfers One Way to Aqaba:
$25
-
Private Petra Day Trip from Aqaba Port with Return Transfer:
$190
-
Private Transfer Aqaba Airport to Amman Queen Alia Airport:
$153
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Crete
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Crete:
-
Acqua Plus Water Park Admission with Optional Transfer:
$33
-
Airports/ports Transfers from /to Rethymno (one way):
$165
-
Balos & Gramvousa: Cruise with Meals, Drinks & Transfer:
$168
-
Balos Lagoon with Transfer from Rethymnon:
$82
-
Beginner's SSI Intro dive w/2 Dives & transfer:
$165
-
Chania & Reth: Balos with Guide and Transfer:
$75
-
Chania & Rethymno: Elafonisi Beach with Transfer and Guide:
$59
-
Chania & Rethymno:Limnoupolis Water Park with Lunch+Transfer:
$46
-
Chania Magic City Tour and Kournas Lake with Transfers and Snack:
$80
-
Crete : Samaria Easy way Gorge from Sfakia with Private Transfer:
$245
-
Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion to Elounda:
$133
-
Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion to Malia:
$87
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Crete?
Prices for flights to both Crete and Aqaba 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
Aqaba $73
Crete $66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
-
Suhaila (connecting through cooking):
$50
-
Traditional Bedouin Cooking Experience in the Desert:
$50
-
"Wadi Rum Jeep Tour + Bedouin Camp & Dinner Under the Stars:
$80
-
Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner:
$82
-
Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner:
$90
-
Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp:
$109
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Crete
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Crete.
-
Traditional Cretan Night: Live Show and Dinner:
$32
-
Traditional Dance Show and Buffet Dinner with Wine:
$33
-
Troy Dinner-Show:
$41
-
Plate smashing | Greek Night with Dancing & Buffet Dinner:
$68
-
Rethymno: Cretan Night with Dinner and Live Music, LOCAL GUIDE:
$71
-
Olive Oil Factory Tour, Dinner & Traditional Dancing:
$71
-
Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers:
$73
-
Olive Oil Festival in Cretan Farm with Traditional Dinner:
$76
-
Cretan Culture & Local Life Tour: VILLAGES, COOKING & FOOD:
$80
-
Rethymno Old Town Walking Food Tour Local Market Visit Tastings:
$88
-
Heraklion: Finikia Horse Riding Tour with Lunch or Dinner:
$90
-
Amazing Sunset Jeep Safari Route with Dinner:
$92
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba:
$7.00
-
Turgut camp with tour:
$15
-
Join Us Before Sunset – Aqaba Walking Tour Let's Go!:
$27
-
Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal:
$30
-
Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba:
$30
-
Wadi Rum Half-day Jeep Tour incl. sandboard, water & Bedouin tea:
$30
-
Aqaba Walking Tour : History ,Culture & Food:
$30
-
2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights:
$32
-
Wadi Rum: Premium English Speaking Guide 4WD Desert Tour:
$33
-
2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon:
$35
-
4 Hour Jeep Tour Morning or Sunset Wadi Rum Desert Highlights:
$35
-
Camel Tours in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star:
$37
Tours and Activities in Crete
Here are a few actual costs in Crete for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Chania Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour:
$8.22
-
Private Traditional Olive Grove and Dragon Fruit Farm Tour:
$11
-
The Terra Creta Olive Oil Experience Tour:
$11
-
CRETAquarium Entrance Ticket in Crete:
$18
-
Chersonissos: Mini-Train City Highlights Tour:
$20
-
Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide:
$20
-
Heraklion: Palace of Knossos 3D Virtual Audio Tour by Tablet:
$22
-
Heraklion Market and CretAquarium Guided Tour:
$22
-
Chania: Minoan's World 9D Experience:
$23
-
Chania: Sunset Boat Cruise with Guide:
$23
-
Heraklion: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour:
$23
-
Heraklion: Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Bus Sightseeing Tour:
$23
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Crete
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Crete:
-
Vatolakkos: Boutique Winery Tour & 5-Wine Tasting:
$28
-
From Chania:Elafonissi Beach Day Trip, Elos, Honey & Wine Tasting:
$33
-
Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour From Chania:
$42
-
Authentic Crete Farm & Wine Tasting Experience from Heraklion:
$52
-
Platanias: Guided Road Trip with Olive Oil and Wine Tastings:
$80
-
Jeep Tour to Archanes with Wine tasting & Lunch:
$112
-
Private-Wine Tasting and Olive Oil Factory .:
$141
-
Heraklion: Ebike - All in one - Food tasting & Wine tasting:
$175
-
E-Bike Tour - Knossos Olive Oil Farm to Winery Wine Tasting:
$185
-
PRIVATE Walking Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting by a Sommelier:
$188
-
The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area:
$194
-
Gastronomy tour and wine tasting in traditional villages:
$212
When comparing the travel costs between Aqaba and Crete, we can see that Crete is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Aqaba is in Middle East and Crete is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Crete Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Aqaba or Crete?
Crete has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Crete, 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.
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