Which place is cheaper, Santorini or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Aqaba or Santorini?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Santorini, 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 Santorini?
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.
Santorini
Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, and The Best Budget Tours to Greece.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesSantorini Prices
Greece Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Santorini $286
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Santorini is $286. 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 Santorini in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Santorini $134
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Santorini $268
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Santorini
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Santorini? 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 Santorini Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Santorini $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Private Petra Day Trip from Aqaba Port with Return Transfer: $190
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $185
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Allenby King Hussein Bridge: $173
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Dead Sea Hotels: $160
- Private Transfer Aqaba Airport to Amman Queen Alia Airport: $153
- Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border: $153
- Hassle-Free Aqaba South Beach to Wadi Rum Transfer – 24/7 Service: $150
- Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Wadi rum: $140
- Private Transfer from Wadi Rum to Amman Airport: $133
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Amman Airport: $133
- Private Transfers from Wadi Rum Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $129
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport, Port and Hotel Private Transfer in Santorini: $35
- Arrival Private Transfer from Santorini Airport to Athinios Port: $48
- Athinios Port Transfer to Anywhere in Santorini: $29
- Departure Private Transfer Anthinios Port to Santorini Airport: $75
- Departure Private Transfer Anthinios Port to Santorini Airport: $48
- Departure Transfer Athinios Port to Santorini Airport JTR by Suv: $37
- Economy Arrival Transfers From Santorini Airport To All Destinations: $16
- Economy Transfers From & To Santorini Port: $26
- Express Private Transfer Service in Santorini: $14
- Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $5,960
- Luxury Santorini Catamaran Cruise: Lunch, BBQ, Drinks, Transfers: $135
- Luxury Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open bar & Transfer: $165
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Santorini?
Prices for flights to both Santorini 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 $73Santorini $109
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 Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Farm to Table Food Tour Experience in Santorini: $94
- Santorini Caldera Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Wine: $94
- Santorini Family Farm Food & Wine Tour with Cooking Class: $100
- Award-Winning Santorini Cooking Class with Greek Chef: $127
- Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $129
- Cooking Class with Private Chef - prepare & enjoy local menu: $129
- Santorini Sunset Sailing Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $129
- Sunset Sea Kayak with Light Dinner with Pick-up Option: $141
- Luxury Santorini Sunset Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $141
- Santorini : Night Hike, Wine Tasting and Dinner: $164
- Small Group Cooking Lesson & Wine Tasting at Award-Winning Winery: $165
- Clandestine Dinner by Petra Kouzina: $176
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Santorini $40
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $61
- 04 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $73
- 05 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $68
- 1 Day & 1 Night | Stay & Jeep + Camel Tour in Wadi Rum | Magic Bedouin Star: $99
- 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 Tour | Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea From Amman.: $190
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $32
- 2 To 5 Hours Glass Bottom Boat Private Tour At Read Sea: $90
- 2 hours Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with Bedouin guide (incl. bottled water and tea): $100
- 3 Hours Private Stargazing Experience in Wadi Rum: $40
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
- Caldera, Villages and Sunsets Experience in Santorini: $2.29
- Skip the Line Lost Atlantis Experience Ticket: $16
- Ticket for Akrotiri Archaeological Site: $33
- Sunset Cruise Santorini Volcano: $35
- Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $35
- Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia): $41
- Santorini Tour Of Caldera with Glass Bottom Boat: $44
- Santorini Tour of Caldera with Glass bottom Boat: $44
- Santorini Sunset Cruise in Caldera: $45
- Hiden gems private tour: $47
- Santorini Shore Excursion: Private Tour with Tender Port Pickup: $47
- Sunset In Oia & Santorini Traditional Villages Bus Tour: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Santorini $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Art and Wine Tour in a Historic Santorini Winery: $41
- Santorini Ftelos Brewery Guided Tour and Beer Tasting Experience: $41
- Top Sights of Santorini with Wine Tasting and Sunset in Oia: $52
- Visit to a Wine Museum and Wine Tasting in Santorini: $91
- Santorini Wine & Village Experience–Megalochori &Wine Tasting(4h): $94
- Santorini Private Wine Tour with Local Wineries & Tastings: $100
- Caldera Views, Cliffside Villages, and Santorinian Wine Tasting: $100
- Premium Wine Tasting with Caldera Views: $105
- Guided ATV Tour with Wine Tasting: $106
- Santorini Wine Tour with sunset in Oia: $129
- Santorini wine tasting and Traditional Cave Settlement Tour: $134
- Private Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting 4 or 5hour duration: $170
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Santorini, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Aqaba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Santorini 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 Aqaba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aqaba 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini than you might in Aqaba.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Santorini Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Santorini?
Santorini has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Santorini, 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.
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.