Should you visit Athens or Madrid?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Athens and Madrid. 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.
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
Which city is cheaper, Madrid or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €72, while the average daily cost in Madrid is €107. 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 Madrid in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Athens, €78 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Athens, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is €39, such as in a hostel.
Travelers usually pay around €118 for a double occupancy room in Madrid If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Athens travelers spend around €20 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 price of a meal in Madrid can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €27 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Athens €20
Madrid €27
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
Typical Food prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
-
Coffee
€2.00
-
Ice Cream
€3.00
-
Kebabs (for 2)
€16
-
Croissant
€1.50
-
Lunch at Airport (for 2)
€16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Virtual Cooking Class: The Spanish Paella Experience:
$24
-
Florida Retiro Dinner Show:
$38
-
Murder Mystery Dinner Experience:
$49
-
Virtual cooking - spanish "tortilla de patatas":
$50
-
Skip the Line: Flamenco Show with Dinner and Workshop in Madrid Ticket:
$52
-
Private Food Tour in The 10 Tastings:
$53
-
Homemade pasta cooking class and lunch in the heart of Madrid:
$58
-
Mamaz Social Italian Dinner in Madrid:
$60
-
3-hour Virtual Spanish Cooking Class in Madrid:
$62
-
Opera and Zarzuela Show and Dinner:
$62
-
Authentic Italian Dinner in Madrid:
$68
-
Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid:
$68
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 €13 per person, per day on transportation in Athens.
To get around in Madrid, the average visitor spends €15 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
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:
-
Private Transfer from Αthens City to Igoumenitsa Port:
$1,763
-
Private Transfer from Athens City to Syvota:
$1,203
-
Private City Transfer From Athens To Pilos:
$970
-
Private City Transfer From Athens to Kranidi:
$970
-
Transfer to Corfu from Athens including visit to Delphi:
$964
-
Athens to Corfu Luxury Private Transfer:
$890
-
Private Transfer to/ from Lefkada Marina to/ from Athens Airport or City Centre:
$759
-
Transfer From Athens To Lefkada:
$678
-
Private Transfer from Athens to Nafplio:
$666
-
Transfer to Lefkada - The Safest and most Convinient way:
$605
-
Delphi Private Full Day Luxury Transfers From Athens:
$597
-
Private Transfer from Athens-Pireaus-ATH to Igoumenitsa-Parga-Sivota-Ioannina:
$592
Typical Local Transportation prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private one way transfer from Madrid to Seville with private pick up & drop off:
$1,081
-
Private Transfer from Madrid city to Biarritz:
$890
-
Private Transfer from Madrid city to Biarritz Airport:
$890
-
Private Weekend Trip to Madrid with Private Transfers and Private Tours:
$840
-
Private Transfer from Madrid city to Pamplona:
$753
-
Private Transfer from Madrid city to Pamplona Airport:
$753
-
DUCA - Hassle-Free transfer from Madrid to Vicentine Coast:
$743
-
Private Transfer from Madrid city to Bilbao:
$739
-
Private Transfer from Madrid to Bilbao Cruise Port:
$739
-
Private Transfer from Madrid city to Bilbao Airport:
$739
-
Private Transfer from Madrid to Santander Port:
$677
-
Private Transfer from Madrid city to Santander Airport:
$677
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Athens can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €12 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
In Madrid, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average €27 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
-
"A Must-See" Anc. Epidaurus, Mycenae & Nafplion Premium Full Day Tour By Locals:
$411
-
"Athens city tour":
$270
-
"Private tour in Athens":
$243
-
''Tour in Athens'':
$118
-
1 Day Private Tour Corinth, Cave of Lakes at Kalavrita & Journey by Cog Railway:
$264
-
1 Day Private tour to Meteora, visit the Monasteries are lying on the cliffs.:
$317
-
1 Day Saronic Islands Cruise:
$168
-
10 Day Greek Island Tour: Mykonos, Santorini-Volcano, Crete, Delos, Knossos,:
$2,457
-
10 Day Ultimate Ancient Greece Tours Experience:
$2,411
-
10 Day to Explore the Best Historical Gems in Greece and tour in Santorini:
$1,798
-
10 Days Private Tour: North Greece:
$2,706
-
10 Days Private Tour: Peloponnese:
$2,706
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
-
1-Hour Historic Tour of Madrid by Scrooser:
$29
-
10 Days Tour Heart of Spain:
$1,592
-
10-Day Andalusia and Morocco escorted tour from Madrid:
$1,680
-
10-Day Guided Tour Morocco and Andalusia from Madrid:
$1,709
-
11-Day Portugal and Andalucia Guided Tour from Madrid:
$1,735
-
12-Day Morocco and South of Spain Tour from Madrid:
$1,722
-
13-Day Mediterranean Capitals Guided Tour from Madrid:
$2,114
-
2 Day Bus Tour: Granada, Toledo & Madrid from Costa del Sol:
$259
-
2 Hour Hidden Oasis Retiro Park Madrid Small Group Segway Tour:
$33
-
2 Hours Secrets of Madrid Retiro Park Tour:
$11
-
2-Day Guided Tour Cordoba and Seville from Madrid:
$404
-
2-Day Tour of Cordoba and Sevilla from Madrid:
$406
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 €8.98.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Madrid, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €16.
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
Typical Alcohol prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
-
Beer
€5.00
-
Drinks and Tapas (for 2)
€13
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
-
5-Hour Pub Crawl:
$13
-
Madrid Pub Crawl:
$14
-
Pub Crawl in Madrid:
$15
-
Pub Crawl Madrid by Madpartycrew:
$19
-
Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor:
$20
-
Private Pub Crawl Madrid:
$21
-
Wine Tasting Experience:
$32
-
Madrid Wine Tasting, Flamenco Class, and Pub Crawl:
$44
-
Madrid 6-Hour Tapas and Flamenco Bar Crawl:
$46
-
Madrid Tapas and Mysteries Walking Tour with Private Option and Pub Crawl:
$47
-
Wine Tasting and Flamenco Master Class in Madrid:
$58
-
Segovia and Spanish Versailles Full-Day Tour with Wine Tasting:
$62
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid than you might in Athens.
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