Which place is cheaper, Islamabad or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Islamabad?
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 Islamabad. 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 Islamabad?
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.
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Islamabad €39
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is €39. 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 Islamabad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Islamabad €19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Islamabad €38
Compare Hotels in Athens and Islamabad
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Islamabad? 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 Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Islamabad €7.16
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:
- From Paros: Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands or Athens: $2,712
- From Meteora Private Day Trip with Transfer: $1,055
- From Ancient Corinth Day Trip with Private Transfer: $464
- Private Transfer to/from Volos: $452
- From Private Cape Sounion Sunset Tour with Transfer: $301
- Transfer from Athens airport to Epidavros up to 4 customers: $298
- Transfer Airport Athens to NAFPLIO , up to 4 customers: $298
- Athens Airport to Kyllini Transfer or from Kyllini to Athens: $291
- Luxury Private Transfer from Athens to Kymi Port: $284
- Vip Transfer From/To Athens Center - Lavrio Port: $273
- Private Transfer through Athens Attractions at Night: $273
- Private Transfer from Athens to Mantoudi: $273
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Islamabad?
Prices for flights to both Islamabad 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 €37Islamabad €14
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 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
- Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Islamabad €8.84
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: $87
- Apostle Paul's Footsteps in Athens Christian Private Tour 4Hours: $142
- Athens Private Day Tour Best place to visit: $273
- Best Food Tasting Tour of Athens, taste 18+ iconic Greek foods! : $86
- DELPHI and THERMOPYLAE: Full Day Private Tour Visit Arachova 8 H: $204
- DISCOVER ATHENS IN 6HRS Private Tour BEST INTRODUCTION-FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS : $218
- EPIDAURUS & NAFPLIO : Private Full Day Tour From Athens 6 Hours : $174
- Food Experience in Athens including Unlimited Lunch : $63
- Layover Private Tour in Athens: $246
- Mycenae Lions Gate Epidaurus & Nafplio Full Day Private Tour 8H : $192
- Traditional Villages Full day Tour in Santorini: $59
- "Acropolis Half-day Tour and City Visit": $170
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
- From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
- From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
- From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Islamabad €2.69
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 Islamabad, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Islamabad is in Asia, 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Islamabad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Islamabad?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Islamabad, 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 Islamabad?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Athens or Islamabad in the Summer?
Both Islamabad and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Athens is cooler than Islamabad. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Islamabad averages at about 32°C (90°F).
It's quite sunny in Islamabad. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Islamabad during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Islamabad receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Islamabad. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Islamabad 32°C (90°F)
Should I visit Athens or Islamabad in the Autumn?
Both Islamabad and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Athens because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Athens is generally cooler than Islamabad. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Islamabad fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets less sunshine than Islamabad. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamabad receives 287 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets more rain in October than Islamabad. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Islamabad 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Athens or Islamabad in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Islamabad. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
Athens is cooler than Islamabad in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Islamabad fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Islamabad during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Islamabad receives 213 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Athens usually receives more rain than Islamabad. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Islamabad 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Athens or Islamabad in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Islamabad. Many travelers come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Athens is much colder than Islamabad. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Islamabad averages at about 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets less sunshine than Islamabad. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamabad receives 258 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in April than Islamabad. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Islamabad 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Islamabad and Athens
| Athens | Islamabad | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.