Should you visit Athens or Corfu?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Athens and Corfu. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Corfu
Also known in modern Greek as Kerkira or Kerkyra, Corfu is the northernmost of Greece's Ionian islands, located off the nation's northwest coast in the Adriatic Sea. It has historically seen control of Venetians, French, and British powers, and today draws tourists mainly as a resort destination.
Like many beach destinations in Europe, Corfu can be expensive due to higher tourist demand and limited space on the island. But Greece is still a fairly affordable country compared to other places in Europe, so deals can be found.
Which city is cheaper, Corfu or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €103, while the average daily cost in Corfu is €90. 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 Athens and Corfu in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Athens, €102 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Athens, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is €51, such as in a hostel.
The prices for places to stay in Corfu can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €39, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €78.
Food
In Athens travelers spend around €30 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The average traveler spends about €25 per day in Corfu for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Athens €30
Corfu €25
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:
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Online 1hr Cooking Class: Santorini Tomato Fritters:
$6.22
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Greek Meatballs Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
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Withlocals the 10 Tastings: Athens Private Food Tour with a Local:
$42
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Online Cooking Class: Greek mini cheese pies:
$45
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Street Culture & Food Tour:
$56
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Afternoon Food Tour:
$56
-
Athens walking and tasting food tour.:
$60
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4-Hour Cooking Class with Market Visit:
$69
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Homemade Gyros cooking class and dinner in Athens for private groups:
$75
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The Classic Food Tour:
$76
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Taste of Half-Day Small Group Food Tour:
$77
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Greek Phyllo and Pie Cooking Class in Athens:
$77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Corfu
For Corfu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Greek Cooking Class & Meal at a Local Family Home:
$80
Local Transportation
Athens'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 €22 per person, per day on transportation in Athens.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Corfu than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €44 on transportation in Corfu on average per day.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer from Αthens City to Igoumenitsa Port:
$1,763
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Private Transfer from Athens City to Syvota:
$1,203
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Private City Transfer From Athens To Pilos:
$970
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Private City Transfer From Athens to Kranidi:
$970
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Transfer to Corfu from Athens including visit to Delphi:
$964
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Athens to Corfu Luxury Private Transfer:
$890
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Private Transfer to/ from Lefkada Marina to/ from Athens Airport or City Centre:
$759
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Transfer From Athens To Lefkada:
$678
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Private Transfer from Athens to Nafplio:
$666
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Transfer to Lefkada - The Safest and most Convinient way:
$605
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Delphi Private Full Day Luxury Transfers From Athens:
$597
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Private Transfer from Athens-Pireaus-ATH to Igoumenitsa-Parga-Sivota-Ioannina:
$592
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Corfu
Also for Corfu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Corfu to Athens Luxury Private Transfer:
$890
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Corfu to Thessaloniki Luxury Private Transfer:
$723
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Corfu to Perdika-Karavostasi Luxury Private Transfer:
$556
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Corfu to Parga Luxury Private Transfer:
$556
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Corfu to Lefkas Luxury Private Transfer:
$514
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Lefkimi,up to 16 customers:
$259
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Roda, up to 16 customers:
$249
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Sidari, up to 16 customers:
$249
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Agios Stefanos, up to 16 customers:
$246
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Arillas, up to 16 customers:
$225
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Apraos-St Spyridon, up to 16 customers:
$225
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Lefkimi,up to 7 customers:
$219
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Corfu?
Prices for flights to both Corfu 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Athens can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €28 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing expenses in Corfu, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €12 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
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"A Must-See" Anc. Epidaurus, Mycenae & Nafplion Premium Full Day Tour By Locals:
$411
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"Athens city tour":
$270
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"Private tour in Athens":
$243
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''Tour in Athens'':
$118
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1 Day Private Tour Corinth, Cave of Lakes at Kalavrita & Journey by Cog Railway:
$264
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1 Day Private tour to Meteora, visit the Monasteries are lying on the cliffs.:
$317
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1 Day Saronic Islands Cruise:
$168
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10 Day Greek Island Tour: Mykonos, Santorini-Volcano, Crete, Delos, Knossos,:
$2,457
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10 Day Ultimate Ancient Greece Tours Experience:
$2,411
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10 Day to Explore the Best Historical Gems in Greece and tour in Santorini:
$1,798
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10 Days Private Tour: North Greece:
$2,706
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10 Days Private Tour: Peloponnese:
$2,706
Tours and Activities in Corfu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Corfu.
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3 Hours Corfu Old Town Walking Tour: History and Architecture:
$54
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8 Day Corfu Cruise:
$809
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Achillio, Mouse Island, Pelekas Tour, Corfu:
$536
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Best of Corfu Private Tour:
$697
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Best of Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour:
$224
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Best of Half Day Private Sightseeing Tour:
$149
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Corfu Beaches & Corfu Town: Full Day Private Tour:
$169
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Corfu Ghost Stories and Legends Night Tour:
$34
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Corfu Hop-on Hop-off City Sightseeing Bus Tour:
$22
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Corfu Island Sightseeing Tour:
$96
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Corfu Island Sightseeing Tour:
$86
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Corfu Private Night Tour:
$319
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Athens, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €18.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Corfu, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €6.85.
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
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Athens Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tasting:
$37
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Virtual Greek Wine Tasting:
$87
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Athens Food and Wine Tasting Tour:
$96
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Wine tasting tour:
$131
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Wine Tasting and Athens Trikke Combo Tour:
$133
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The Best Winery & Tasting Tour in Nemea.Enjoy a unique all day wine tasting tour:
$140
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Private Wine Tasting Experience of Greek Awarded Wines in Athens:
$148
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Premium Wine Tour in Peloponnese -Ancient Corinthos, Nemea - the Land of Myth:
$148
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Athens Private Wine Tasting Tour - Dionysian Grapes:
$149
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Ancient Corinth & Nemea Wine Tasting (up to 15 in a Luxurious Mercedes Minibus):
$151
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Greek Private Wine Tasting:
$166
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Mercedes Private Full-Day Tour, Nafplio, Corinth Canal and Wine Tasting:
$168
Sample the Local Flavors in Corfu
Also in Corfu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Corfu-Private Winery tour with Wine tasting at Theotoky Estate:
$15
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Wine Tasting and optional Olive Tasting at Theotoky Estate:
$16
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Private tour to Paleokastritsa & Wine tasting from Corfu:
$266
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Private Corfu Full-Day Wine Tasting Shore Excursion:
$479
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Private Corfu Highlights and Wine Tour:
$549
When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Corfu, we can see that Athens 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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