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

Should you visit Athens or Havana?

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 Havana. 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 Havana?

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.

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Havana or Athens?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Athens Prices
    Greece Prices
    Havana Prices
    Cuba Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Athens 154
    Havana 63

The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Havana is €63. 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 Havana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Athens 63
    Havana 36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Athens 126
    Havana 72
Compare Hotels in Athens and Havana

Looking for a hotel in Athens or Havana? 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 Havana


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Athens 27
    Havana 16
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:

  • Athens Airport Transfer: $118
  • Athens City - Airport Transfer with Private Minivan : $131
  • Santorini Airport Private Transfer: $25
  • Transfer from Athens-Pireaus-Athens Airport to Corinth-Loutraki-Agioi Theodoroi: $239
  • AIRPORT TRANSFER to/from hotel (up 14 in a luxurious Minibus ) : $33
  • Airport Athens - Piraeus Port Transfer with Private Minivan: $149
  • Airport Private Transfers: $86
  • Airport Transfer/ Athens Greece: $75
  • Airport Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Luxury Car: $146
  • Airport Transfer: Athens to Athens Airport ATH by Business Car: $94
  • Arrival Transfer from Αthens Airport to Piraeus Port: $51
  • Arrival Transfer from Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Luxury Van: $135

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    0.58

Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Havana?

Prices for flights to both Havana 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 64
    Havana 15
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 Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • Athens Greek Wedding Party Dinner Show with Acropolis Views: $42
  • Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $51
  • Cooking Class at Diamond Roof Garden: $66
  • The Bizarre Food Tour of Athens: $78
  • Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $78
  • Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $81
  • Athens Walking Food Tour with Visit to Varvakios Central Market: $82
  • Eat like an Athenian food tour of Athens: $82
  • Traditional Cooking Classes incl. Drinks: $82
  • Taste of Athens Small-Group Food Tour: $84
  • Athens Evening Food Tour: $87

Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    0.03

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Athens 36
    Havana 9.53

Tours and Activities in Athens

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

  • A Neoclassical Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
  • Self-Guided Greece Grand Tour with Audio Guide: $7.65
  • The Best of Piraeus: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $7.99
  • Athens Interactive City Tour: $8.36
  • Private Self-Guided Audio City-Tour in Athens: $9.56
  • Traditional Greek Food: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Athens: $9.99
  • Secret A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Athens Olympic Museum ticket: $11
  • Ancient Agora of Audio Tour on Your Phone (no ticket): $14
  • Athens Museum of Cycladic Art | AdmissionTicket : $14
  • Athens Museum of Illusions Ticket: $15
  • Private Tour and Tasting at Zeginis Winery: $16

Tours and Activities in Havana

Here are a few actual costs in Havana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private: City Tour with Lunch, Rum, and Chocolate: $2,000

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Athens 23
    Havana 4.90

Sample the Local Flavors in Athens

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

  • Greek Honey Tasting Experience at our Old Distillery: $14
  • Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting.: $17
  • The NightCrawlers | Athens Bar Hopping | Pub Crawl: $19
  • Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $19
  • Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens, Greece: $25
  • Experience Ouzo Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $26
  • Athens Ultimate Bar Crawl: $48
  • 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $59
  • Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $59
  • Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $59
  • Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $67
  • Greek food and wine tasting: $71

Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    0.13


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

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


Which is Bigger, Athens or Havana?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Havana, 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 Havana?

Athens has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Havana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Havana. Many travelers come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.

Athens is around the same temperature as Havana in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Athens usually gets less rain in July than Havana. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Athens 27°C (81°F) 
    Havana 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Athens or Havana in the Autumn?

Both Havana and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Athens is cooler than Havana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Havana averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Havana. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Athens 19°C (67°F) 
    Havana 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Athens or Havana in the Winter?

Both Havana and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.

In January, Athens is generally much colder than Havana. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Athens usually gets more rain in January than Havana. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Athens 10°C (51°F) 
    Havana 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Athens or Havana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Havana. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Athens is much colder than Havana in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Havana. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Athens 16°C (60°F) 
    Havana 24°C (75°F)

Typical Weather for Havana and Athens

Athens Havana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 25 mm (1 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 51 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)