Which place is cheaper, Olympos or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Aqaba or Olympos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Olympos, 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 Olympos?
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.
Olympos
Olympos was an ancient city in Lycia, situated in a river valley near the coast. Its ruins are located south of the modern town Cirali in the Kumluca district of Antalya Province, Turkey. An important Lycian city in the 2nd century BC, Olympos is more famous these days for being the beach resort of choice for backpackers. Staying in an Olympos 'tree house' at one of the dozen-or-so camps that line the path to the ruins and beach has long been the stuff of travel legend. The former hippy-trail hot-spot has been considerably renovated in past years and during summer can be pretty overcrowded. Olympos offers good value and an up-for-it party atmosphere in a lovely setting.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Turkey, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $127Olympos $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $127, while the average daily cost in Olympos is $95. 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 Olympos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Olympos $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Olympos $86
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Olympos
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Olympos? 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 and Olympos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Olympos $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Amman: Day Trip Petra & Wadi Rum Guided Tour with Transfer: $490
- Private Transfer: From Amman City To Wadi Rum: $209
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Sheikh Hussein Border or vice versa: $193
- Aqaba Or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea, Jordan: $185
- Aqaba King Hussein Airport (AQJ): Transfer to Aqaba hotels: $164
- Private Transfer from Araba Border to Amman Queen Alia Airport: $153
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Amman Hotels: $133
- Private Transfer from Wadi Rum to Amman Airport: $133
- Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border : $133
- Aqaba South Beach to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $130
- Aqaba Private Transfer from/to Amman, Airport, Dead Sea or K.H.B: $125
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Ma'in Hotel: $120
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Olympos
Also for Olympos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Camyuva Hotels: $99
- Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Kiris Hotels: $82
- Antalya Camyuva Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $82
- Antalya Kemer Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $82
- Antalya Kiris Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $82
- Kemer Full Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch and Optional Transfer: $10
- Kemer Horse Riding Experience with Transfer: $39
- Kemer Horse Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
- Kemer Jeep Safari With Free Hotel Transfer & Lunch: $40
- Kemer Mega Star Boat Trip With Hotel Transfer and Lunch : $20
- Kemer Pirate Boat Trip With Lunch & Free Hotel Transfer: $20
- Kemer Pirate Boat Trip with transfer from Belek: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Olympos?
Prices for flights to both Olympos 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
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Food Meals for one dayAqaba $42Olympos $30
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
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $64
- 4 hour desert jeep tour with overnight in beduin camp including dinner&breakfast: $85
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $87
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner : $88
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner Under the Stars: $135
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- From Aqaba to Wadi Rum ,Jeep Tour with Dinner (Half Day): $185
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Olympos
For Olympos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Olympos, Cirali, Chimera Night Tour with Dinner at Ulupinar : $33
- Kemer Olympos & Yanartas Sunset Jeep Tour with Dinner: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Olympos $29
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour in Jeep Tour with Bedouin Guide: $81
- Discover the Depths: Aqaba's Ultimate private Dive Experience: $55
- Full-Day Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum without Overnight Stay: $85
- 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $47
- 06 Hours Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum : $84
- 1 Day & 1 Night | Stay & Jeep + Camel Tour in Wadi Rum | Magic Bedouin Star: $136
- 2 Days & 1 Night | Jeep & Hike Tour in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $258
- 2 Days Guided Hiking Tour To Wadi Rum Jebal Al Hash: $103
- 2 Days private tour Petra, Wadi Rum (overnight) from Amman: $682
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- 2 hours Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with Bedouin guide (incl. bottled water and tea): $100
Tours and Activities in Olympos
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Olympos.
- Spa Experience in Kemer with Pickup: $15
- Turkish Bath Experience in Kemer: $20
- Full Day Rafting Experience From Kemer: $20
- Goynuk Canyon Tour with Entrance Ticket: $25
- 2-in-1 Canyoning and White Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch From Kemer: $25
- Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer Turkey with Two Dives and Lunch: $26
- Pirate Boat Tour on the Beautiful Bays of Kemer: $27
- Kemer Scuba Diving Experience: $27
- Kemer Scuba Diving Experience: Two Dives with Lunch : $30
- Antalya Full-Day City Tour From Kemer With Cable Car : $30
- Full-day Boat Tour from Kemer with Lunch and Foam Party: $33
- Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip From Kemer: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Olympos $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Olympos, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Olympos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Olympos 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 Olympos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Olympos 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Olympos.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Olympos Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Aqaba or Olympos?
Olympos has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Aqaba experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Aqaba or Olympos in the Summer?
Both Olympos and Aqaba during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Aqaba can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Aqaba is generally a little warmer than Olympos. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 33°C (91°F), and Olympos fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In Olympos, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Aqaba. In the summer, Aqaba often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Olympos. Aqaba gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 385 hours of full sun.
Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than Olympos. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAqaba 33°C (91°F)Olympos 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Olympos in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Olympos. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round.
Aqaba is a little warmer than Olympos in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Olympos fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Olympos this time of the year. In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Olympos during autumn. Aqaba gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 249 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Olympos. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAqaba 26°C (79°F)Olympos 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Olympos in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Olympos. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Aqaba is a little warmer than Olympos. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aqaba in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Olympos averages at about 11°C (52°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In the winter, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Olympos. Aqaba gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 147 hours of full sun.
Aqaba usually gets less rain in January than Olympos. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAqaba 14°C (57°F)Olympos 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Olympos in the Spring?
Both Olympos and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year.
In April, Aqaba is generally a little warmer than Olympos. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 24°C (75°F), and Olympos fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Olympos. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Olympos during spring. Aqaba gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Olympos. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAqaba 24°C (75°F)Olympos 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Olympos and Aqaba
| Aqaba | Olympos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.