Which place is cheaper, Beirut or Athens?
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 Athens or Beirut?
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 Athens and Beirut. 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: Athens or Beirut?
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.
Beirut
Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece.
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Athens Prices
Greece PricesBeirut Prices
Lebanon Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €154Beirut €2.46
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Beirut is €2.46. 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 Athens and Beirut in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Beirut €1.12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Beirut €2.24
Compare Hotels in Athens and Beirut
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Beirut? 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: Athens Hotel Prices and Beirut Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Beirut €0.39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
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 : $218
- Vip Transfer From/To Piraeus Port - Athens Airport: $287
- Vip Transfer From/To Athens Center - Rafina Port : $229
- Vip Transfer From/To Athens Center - Lavrio Port: $287
- Vip Transfer From /To Athens Center - Athens Airport : $229
- VIP VAN Athens Airport Transfer 1 - 4 persons: $93
- Transfer services everywhere in Mykonos with Jeep Renegade: $29
- Transfer from/to Piraeus Port and Athens International Airport: $149
- Transfer from Piraeus port to Athens Airport and Vice Versa 22:30PM - 06:29AM: $161
- Transfer from OR to Athens International Airport: $138
- Transfer from Athens Airport, Port, Marina to Athens City: $161
- Transfer from Athens Airport to Vouliagmeni: $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $48
- Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $20
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $15
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
- Airport Departure Transfer From Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Private Arrival Transfer: From Airport to your hotel in Beirut: $10
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Beirut?
Prices for flights to both Beirut and Athens 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 dayAthens €64Beirut €1.09
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Cooking Class at Diamond Roof Garden: $46
- "Fetaverse" Private Cooking Class in Koukaki Athens: $73
- Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $75
- Athens's original vegan food tour: $75
- Small Group, Delicious Athens Food Tour: $77
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $77
- Get a Taste of Athens Food Tour: $78
- Athens Street Food Tour: Taste the best street food: $78
- Traditional Cooking Classes incl. Drinks: $79
- Athens, Greek food tour including market visit: $79
- Eat like an Athenian food tour of Athens: $79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut
For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $35
- Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist: $72
- Private Lebanese Home Cooking Class in Byblos with a Local Family: $86
- Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Beirut €0.23
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Acropolis/Athens Highlights Private Evening Tour (5 hours) from Athens, Piraeus: $155
- Ancient Corinth Canal Epidaurus Nafplio Private Luxury Tour : $202
- Delphi full day V.R audio guided tour with entry ticket: $68
- Essential Athens Highlights Half-Day Private Tour with Flexible Options: $291
- Food Experience in Athens including Unlimited Lunch : $115
- Mycenae Epidaurus Nafplio Isthmus Canal Private Luxury Tour : $185
- Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio Full-Day V.R audio guided Tour: $34
- Private Full Day Tour in Delphi: $223
- Private Luxury Tour: Athens Riviera & The Temple of Poseidon: $149
- Private Luxury Tour: Unveiling the Sacred Mysteries of Eleusis: $183
- Private Sightseeing Tour to Sounio and the Temple of Poseidon : $195
- Traditional Villages Full day Tour in Santorini: $61
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Days Lebanon Holiday Tour Package: $250
- 3 days tour package : Jeita grotto-Byblos-Baalbek & Beirut tour: $295
- 3-Day Tour of Beirut with Pick Up: $250
- ATV (2 Seat) Full Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $150
- Anjar baalback & Ksara tour: $130
- BEYOND CHOUF mountains - Hidden Gems Mountains Day Tour: $250
- Baalbek, Anjar & Ksara: Private Tour Through Lebanon's Treasures: $65
- Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara Guided Full-Day Tour from Beirut: $90
- Baatara Gorge Waterfall, Jeita Grotto and Byblos Tour: $170
- Beirut : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour With Guide: $71
- Beirut : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $36
- Beirut Downtown, Corniche and National Museum Tour: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Beirut €0.21
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting.: $16
- Thursday & Friday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens: $25
- Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens, Greece: $25
- Greek Wine Tasting and Pairing in Chalandri : $46
- Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $56
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $56
- Greek food and wine tasting: $56
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $56
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $64
- 1 Hour Private Four Greek Wine Tasting and Food Pairing in Athens: $69
- Private Wine Tasting near Acropolis: $86
- Small-Group Wine Tour in Athens with Tasting: $89
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Day Tour from Beirut: $50
- Byblos & Chateau Musar: History and Wine Tour: $65
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
- Wine Tasting and Culture : $100
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $104
- Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110
- Half-Day Private Chateau Musar and Ixsir Wine Tour from Beirut: $179
- Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $225
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Beirut, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Beirut is in Middle East, 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 Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Beirut.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Beirut Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Beirut?
Beirut has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Beirut, 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 Athens or Beirut?
Athens has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Beirut experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Athens or Beirut in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Beirut. The summer months attract visitors to Athens because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Beirut. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Beirut fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beirut this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beirut during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Beirut receives 369 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Beirut. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Beirut receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Beirut 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Athens or Beirut in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Beirut. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Athens this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year.
Athens is cooler than Beirut in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Beirut fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beirut. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets less sunshine than Beirut. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beirut receives 254 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in October than Beirut. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Beirut receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Beirut 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Athens or Beirut in the Winter?
Both Beirut and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Athens is cooler than Beirut. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Beirut averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beirut during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Beirut receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Beirut. In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Beirut. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Beirut receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Beirut 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Athens or Beirut in the Spring?
Both Beirut and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Athens in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round.
In April, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Beirut. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Beirut fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In Beirut, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beirut. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beirut receives 225 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in April than Beirut. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Beirut receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Beirut 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Beirut and Athens
| Athens | Beirut | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.