A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Guatemala City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Athens or Guatemala City?

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 Guatemala City. 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 Guatemala City?

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.

Guatemala City

Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Athens?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is €41. 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 Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Athens 63
    Guatemala City 22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Athens 126
    Guatemala City 44
Compare Hotels in Athens and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Athens or Guatemala City? 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.

Hotels in Athens


Hotels in Guatemala City


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 Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Athens 27
    Guatemala City 5.76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:


  • Airport Bus for Two
    6.40
  • Metro
    1.50
  • Metro
    2.00
  • Metro from Airport to City Center
    8.00
  • Taxi from Airport
    35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens

Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bus Transfer to/from Argos: $14
  • Athens Hotels To Piraeus Port-Hotels Luxury Transfer Services: $22
  • Private transfer between Athens hotels and Piraeus Port: $23
  • From Athens Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Rafina Port: $24
  • Athens Private Transfer: Central Athens to Piraeus Cruise Port: $24
  • Mercedes Private Transfer Athens - Piraeus: $24
  • Athens Private Transfer Service: Athens Hotel To / From Piraeus Port : $25
  • Piraeus Port: Private One-Way Transfer to Athens City Center: $26
  • Athens hotels to Piraeus port Private departure transfer: $27
  • Piraeus Port Private First Class Vehicle Transfer: $27
  • Airport Transfer/ Athens Greece: $28
  • The Best Welcome Transfer Airport Services : $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • From Panajachel: Transfer to Guatemala City: $240
  • Transfer: From Guatemala City to El Paredon Beach: $240
  • Guatemala Airport to San Felipe de Lara RoundTrip PrivateTransfer: $154
  • Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $150
  • Guatemala City Airport(GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Round-Trip Transfer: $131
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
  • Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
  • Guatemala City Airport GUA to San Felipe de Lara-Arrival Transfer: $77
  • Transfer from Guatemala City hotel to INTL Airport La Aurora: $75
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
  • One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
  • Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Athens 37
    Guatemala City 14
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:

  • Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $24
  • Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $26
  • Street Food Tour Market & City Centre: $42
  • Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $46
  • Greek Street Food Tour: $52
  • Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $52
  • Street Food Tour with Local Guide and 7 Tastings: $57
  • Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $60
  • Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
  • Greek Spirits & Meze, Food Tour in Athens: $62
  • Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Class with Meal: $64
  • Alternative, truly authentic food tour in secret Athens: $64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.

  • Cooking class/Pepian Workshop: $35
  • Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $178
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Cooked Under Volcanic Heat: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Athens 36
    Guatemala City 1.13

Tours and Activities in Athens

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.

  • Self-guided First Discovery Walk and Reading Tour: $3.23
  • Self Guided Tour In Athens With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
  • Exclusive Self-Guided Audio Tour into Byzantine Gems: $4.63
  • Acropolis Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.70
  • 360 Virtual tour of Ancient Athens: $6.00
  • Herakleidon Museum of Ancient Greek Technology: Entry Ticket: $6.46
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Athens: $6.54
  • Ancient Agora of Athens Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Ancient Agora of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Ancient Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.00
  • Ancient Agora: Audiovisual self-guided tour with 3D models: $7.52
  • South Slope of the Acropolis audiovisual self-guided tour: $7.52

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:

  • 2-Day Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City or Antigua: $265
  • 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $130
  • 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
  • 4-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South Center: $65
  • Acatenango Volcano Overnight Adventure from Guatemala City : $300
  • Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $77
  • Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
  • Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
  • Antigua walking tour from Guatemala City : $90
  • Bike Tour to Antigua Villages from Guatemala City : $175
  • Chichicastenango - Panajachel collective tour: $150
  • Chichicastenango Market Tour: $124

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Athens 23
    Guatemala City 6.38

Sample the Local Flavors in Athens

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:

  • Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $17
  • Greek Wine Tasting: $23
  • Premium Wine Tastings: $36
  • Greek Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $43
  • 1 Hour Private Four Greek Wine Tasting and Food Pairing in Athens: $44
  • Old Town Athens Wine Tasting: $53
  • Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $54
  • Greek food and wine tasting: $54
  • 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $54
  • Rare Greek Wine Tasting w/Sommelier by the Acropolis: $59
  • Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $61
  • Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $79


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Guatemala City, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Guatemala City is in Central America, 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 Guatemala City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Athens or Guatemala City?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Guatemala City, 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.