Should you visit Athens or Geneva?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Athens and Geneva. 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.
Geneva
Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland and was previously the home for the United Nations Headquarters. The UN is now housed in New York City, but there is still a very strong presence in Geneva. Geneva is not known to be as energetic as some other European cities, but if you search it out, then you're sure to find some interesting places and lively nightlife. It's a very international city, in part because of the heavy UN presence, giving it an interesting feel. It is a French speaking city, and advertisements, signs, and television are all done in French.
Which city is cheaper, Geneva 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 Geneva is €141. 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 Geneva 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.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €196 for a double occupancy room in Geneva.
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.
In Geneva travelers spend around €35 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Athens €30
Geneva €35
Typical Food prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
-
Ice cream
€3.00
-
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:
-
Online 1hr Cooking Class: Santorini Tomato Fritters:
$6.22
-
Flavors and Memories Self-Guided Mobile Food Tour:
$9.21
-
Hard Rock Cafe Dinner Menu with Priority Seating:
$23
-
Greek Meatballs Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
-
Withlocals the 10 Tastings: Athens Private Food Tour with a Local:
$42
-
Online Cooking Class: Greek mini cheese pies:
$45
-
Favorite Food Tour - 10 Tastings w/ a Local:
$47
-
Athens Food Tour and Lunch:
$52
-
3.5-Hour Traditional Greek Cooking Class:
$54
-
1.5-Hour Greek Cooking Class in Downtown Athens:
$54
-
3-Hour Private Food Tour with Tastings:
$55
-
Taste of Athens 3-Hour Walking Food Tour:
$56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Geneva
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Geneva.
-
Taste My Swiss City Self-Guided Food Tour:
$77
-
Old Geneva food tour:
$268
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.
The cost of a taxi ride in Geneva is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €6.32 per person, per day, on local transportation in Geneva.
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:
-
ATHENS AIRPORT to ATHENS or vice versa PRIVATE LUXURY TRANSFERS:
$62
-
Airport Transfer:
$77
-
Airport Transfer/ Athens Greece:
$59
-
Airport pick up taxi and minivans transfers ,tours and trips:
$60
-
Airport transfer:
$156
-
Ancient Olympia Taxi Transfer from Athens:
$539
-
Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Van Athens Rafina Port to Athens City:
$100
-
Athens & Sounio Taxi Multiple Destination Transfer:
$311
-
Athens 6-Hour Guided Tour with Transfers:
$184
-
Athens Airport Departure Private Transfer. Depart in Style!:
$62
-
Athens Airport Departure Transfer (Athens Hotels to Athens Airport):
$66
-
Athens Airport Departure Transfer: Athens Hotels to Athens Airport Shuttle Bus:
$34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Geneva
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:
-
Taxi Transfer Geneva City or Airport ⇔ Zermatt both ways:
$1,178
-
Departure Private Transfer Geneva City to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car:
$548
-
Transfer to Chamonix:
$448
-
Geneva Private Transfer from Geneva city centre to Geneva Airport:
$208
-
Superior Private Transfer From Geneva City to Lyon City:
$156
-
Departure Private Transfer Luxury Car Geneva City to Geneva airport GVA:
$135
-
Geneva Airport Transfers : Geneva City to Geneva Airport GVA in Luxury Van:
$121
-
Geneva Airport Transfers : Geneva City to Geneva Airport GVA in Business Van:
$116
-
Departure Private Transfer Luxury Van Geneva City to Geneva airport GVA:
$114
-
Private Transfer from Geneva City to Geneva Airport:
$100
-
Geneva Airport Transfers : Geneva City to Geneva Airport GVA in Business Car:
$100
-
Geneva Departure Private Transfers from Geneva City to Geneva Airport GVA:
$95
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Geneva?
Prices for flights to both Geneva 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.
Entertainment and activities in Geneva typically cost an average of €20 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
-
Athens virtual History, Philosophy and Democracy Tour:
$6.22
-
Skip the Line: Frissiras Museum Entrance Ticket:
$7.46
-
Skip the Line: War Museum of Athens Entrance Ticket:
$7.46
-
Private Tour with a Local Guide:
$8.07
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Skip the Line: Temple of Olympian Zeus Entrance Ticket:
$8.09
-
The Acropolis Museum Ticket & Access to Ancient Excavation:
$8.24
-
Skip the Line: Roman Agora of Athens Entrance Ticket:
$8.71
-
Athens Museum of Cycladic Art Admission Ticket:
$8.71
-
Cats of Self-Guided Mobile Tour in Plaka:
$9.21
-
Hellenic Motor Museum Entrance Ticket:
$9.22
-
Temple of Olympian Zeus Skip-the-Line and Audio Tour:
$9.22
-
Skip the Line: Admission Ticket for Acropolis Museum:
$9.33
Tours and Activities in Geneva
Here are a few actual costs in Geneva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Annecy Half-Day Tour from Geneva:
$80
-
Annecy Half-Day Trip + Geneva City Tour:
$128
-
Annecy and Geneva private sightseeing tour:
$379
-
Annecy, the Venice of the Alps private tour:
$329
-
Chamonix Day Trip and Geneva city tour:
$178
-
Chamonix Gold private exclusive tour from Geneva:
$619
-
Chamonix Mont Blanc Private Sightseeing Tour:
$379
-
Chamonix Mont Blanc Private Tour from Geneva:
$387
-
Chamonix, Mont-Blanc Day Tour from Geneva:
$107
-
Chocolate and cheese factory private tour in Gruyères:
$394
-
Europa-Park Theme Park Ticket with Transport from Geneva:
$172
-
From Yvoire Castle & Lake Geneva Cruise:
$98
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.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Geneva may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €15 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
-
Wine Tasting:
$35
-
Athens Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tasting:
$37
-
The Greek Wine Tasting Beginner's Class:
$46
-
1-Hour Wine Tasting:
$46
-
Athens Old City: Wine Tasting Experience:
$52
-
Greek Wine Tasting Experience:
$56
-
Greek Wine Tasting Experience:
$58
-
Private Wine Tasting Experience in Athens:
$63
-
Local Greek Wine Tasting and Meze:
$68
-
Wine Tour and Tasting in a 19th-Century Tower:
$78
-
Food and Wine Tasting Tour at Night:
$80
-
From Wine Tasting Tour to a Greek Winery:
$83
Sample the Local Flavors in Geneva
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Geneva:
-
Seneca Lake Wine Tasting & Tour:
$167
-
Farms, Flights: Finger Lakes Brewery Tour:
$180
-
Lavaux Panoramic Wine Tour from Geneva:
$289
-
Winter ski tour: Wine tasting tour in Rhine region:
$746
-
Swiss Wine Tasting at Lavaux Vineyards: Private Trip From Geneva:
$1,097
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Geneva, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Athens much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Athens would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Athens 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Athens.
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