Which place is cheaper, Mexico City or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Mexico 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 Mexico 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.
Athens
Athens is a ancient, vibrant, and energetic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.
Mexico City
Mexico City is a cultural, diverse, and vibrant city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.
Athens and Mexico City: Pros and Cons
Athens
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Scenic old town
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Very walkable
- Big city activities
- Home to the Acropolis
- Less popular for shopping
Mexico City
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Fun shopping
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Big city activities
- Less popular old town
- Less walkable
Is there more to do in Athens or Mexico City?
Tourists will generally find more to do in Mexico City than Athens. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Mexico City is very popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Athens attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Athens is more touristy than Mexico City and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Mexico City is famous for its vibrant street food scene, colorful markets, and historic architecture. It is also well known for Zócalo.
How is Athens different from Mexico City?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mexico City and Athens. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or Mexico City?
Athens
Mexico City
You'll find a number of amazing museums and attractions in both Mexico City and Athens.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Athens has many famous sights for visitors. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Mexico City that are not to be missed. The city is filled with historic buildings, fascinating museums, and interesting landmarks. At the heart of the city is Zócalo, where the country's constitution was signed. Nearby you'll find the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Templo Mayor. Other interesting museums in the city include the National Museum of Anthropology, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the National History Museum.
Is the Food Better in Athens or Mexico City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Athens
Mexico City
Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Mexico City can be an enjoyable experience.
Eat your way through Athens, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.
For foodies, Mexico City is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city food scene is as diverse as the population itself. There are countless ways to experience the amazing street food, but there are also world class chefs working in award winning restaurants. Make sure you try the chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, and chiles en nogada.
Is Athens or Mexico City Better for Nightlife?
Athens
Mexico City
The vibe at night is amazing in both Athens and Mexico City.
The nightlife in Athens is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.
Mexico City is a world class party destination. It's a huge city, so of course there's no shortage of diverse nightlife activities. Some of the most popular neighborhoods for nightlife include the downtown, La Condesa, and Colonia Juárez. For upscale clubs head to Polanco and for trendy and eclectic venues check out Roma.
Is Athens or Mexico City Better for its Old Town?
Athens
Mexico City
Athens is very popular for its historic old town charm. Also, Mexico City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.
Athens has a world-famous historical area. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.
Many visitors go to Mexico City to see the historical old town. Centro Historico spreads out from Zócalo Plaza, and has many buildings that date back as far as the Aztec period. Many tourists gather here to explore the history and wander down the pedestrian-only Calle Madero.
Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Mexico City?
Athens
Mexico City
Mexico City is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.
Many people travel to Mexico City specifically to go shopping. The city has everything from open-air bazaars (tianguis) to modern shopping malls. There are international brands as well as local art galleries, handicrafts, and retail outlets.
Athens is a great destination for shopping. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.
Is Athens or Mexico City Better for Families?
Athens
Mexico City
Both Athens and Mexico City are superb family-friendly destinations.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Athens. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.
Mexico City is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's a huge city, so there are enough diverse activities to keep everyone entertained. There's even a Six Flags. Popular museums for kids include Papalote Museo del Niño and Museo de Geología. There's also the Acuario Inbursa, and make sure you check out a Lucha Libre show.
Is Athens or Mexico City Better for Couples?
Athens
Mexico City
Athens and Mexico City both nice destinations for a couple.
Athens is a good city for couples to visit. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.
Mexico City is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks where you can enjoy a picnic, museums that are fascinating to walk through, and cultural activities that are one-of-a-kind. You can ride on a gondola in Xochimilco or spend the day exploring the amazing food scene.
Is Athens or Mexico City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Athens
Mexico City
Athens is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Mexico City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.
A large number of backpackers visit Athens, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.
Backpackers come from all over to visit Mexico City. It's a big city with a wonderful atmosphere and many hostels. Backpackers who want to experience the culture, food, and personality of Mexico will love a visit here.
Is Athens or Mexico City Better for Students?
Athens
Mexico City
For students, both Athens and Mexico City are superb places to visit.
Many students visit Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.
Mexico City is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. International students love the art, architecture, food, and culture that this colorful city has to offer.
Is Athens or Mexico City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Athens
Mexico City
Athens and Mexico City both offer superb public transit to get you around.
Many visitors use the public transit system in Athens. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.
Public transit in Mexico City is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has a complex and comprehensive public transit system that includes a metro, metrobus, and local buses.
Is Athens or Mexico City a more walkable city?
Athens
Mexico City
Athens is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Mexico City is lacking in options for its walkability.
Athens is a very walkable destination. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.
Mexico City is generally not very walkable. While you can walk within many neighborhoods, such as the historic city center, it's impossible to walk between neighborhoods and in many parts of the city.
For even more information, also check out Is Athens Worth Visiting? and Is Mexico City Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in Mexico City or Athens?
How long in Athens or Mexico City?
In either Athens or Mexico City, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than Mexico City because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 3-5 days is enough time in Mexico City.
Families should spend more time in Athens than Mexico City. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Athens, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Athens than Mexico City. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Athens that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than Mexico City if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Athens.
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How many days in Athens or Mexico City? Ideal Length of StayAthens 3-7Mexico City 3-5
One day in Athens or Mexico City?
Athens is a energetic city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Mexico City. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
A weekend in Athens or Mexico City?
Athens is a ancient big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Mexico City is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Five days in Athens or Mexico City?
Athens is a vibrant city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mexico City. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
A week in Athens or Mexico City?
Athens is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant big city of Mexico City. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Mexico City €200
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Mexico City is €200. 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 Mexico City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Mexico City €39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Mexico City €78
Compare Hotels in Athens and Mexico City
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Mexico 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.
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 Mexico City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Mexico City €12
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:
- VIP VAN Athens Airport Transfer 1 - 8 persons: $141
- VIP VAN Athens Airport Transfer 1 - 4 persons: $89
- VIP High Class Limos & Chauffeurs Transfer to Athens: $65
- VIP Ferry Ticket from Piraeus Port To Mykonos & Private Transfer included: $249
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Athens HTL-APT (ATH): $63
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Athens APT-HTL (ATH): $63
- Transfer from/to Piraeus Port and Athens city centre hotel: $40
- Transfer from/to Athens International Airport to city centre: $125
- Transfer from/to Athens Airport and Athens City Centre: $196
- Transfer from RAFINA PORT to ALL ATHENS & PIRAEUS HOTELS, up to 4 customers: $97
- Transfer from Piraeus port to Athens Airport and Vice Versa 22:30PM - 06:29AM: $123
- Transfer from PIRAEUS PORT to PIRAEUS HOTELS, up to 8 customers: $88
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mexico City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:
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Metro€1.13
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Uber Ride€3.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mexico City
Also for Mexico City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mexico City to San Luis Potosi - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $296
- Mexico City → San Miguel de Allende - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $286
- Mexico City to Guanajuato - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $269
- Mexico City International Airport to Mexico City - Private Round-trip Transfer: $252
- Transfer from Mexico City Airport to Puebla: $245
- Mexico City to Guanajuato - Private transfer, 2 Sightseeing hours, local driver: $237
- Mexico City Private Transfer to or from Airport: $195
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Mexico City Airport (MEX) - Mexico City: $187
- RoundTrip Transfer Private Minivan Mexico City Airport (MEX) -Tlalnepantla: $167
- One-way transfer + City Tour: $143
- Mexico City Airport MEX Tecozautla Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $141
- San Miguel De Allende City Tour with Transfer from Mexico City: $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Mexico City?
Prices for flights to both Mexico 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
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Food Meals for one dayAthens €37Mexico City €26
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: $51
- Middle-eastern Cuisine Cooking Class with Meal: $52
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide and 7 Tastings: $57
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $60
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Class with Meal: $63
- Alternative, truly authentic food tour in secret Athens: $63
- Oriental Kitchen Cooking Classes in Athina: $64
- Street Food Tour with 7 Tastings: $64
Typical Food Prices in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two€12
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Coffee and Snacks€4.39
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Dinner for 2€26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traveling Spoon Mexican Tacos and Tortillas Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Veracruz and Boca del Rio Food Tour with Mangroves Boat Trip: $50
- Virtual Mexican Cooking Class (private and personalized): $50
- Local Markets & Food Tour in Mexico City: $50
- Tortilla Crawl: Food Tour in Mexico City: $55
- Uruapan Food Tour: $60
- Muchos moles: Multi-variety mole cooking class and feast: $70
- Mexico City Vegan & Veggie Market Explorer plus Cooking Lesson: $72
- Street Food Tour with Friends: $75
- La Roma Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $78
- Food Tour with Ride an Electric Bike in Mexico: $80
- Flamenco Tablao Live Show & dinner: $83
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Mexico City €14
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Ancient Corinth Canal Epidavrous Nafplio Private Tour 8Hours: $180
- Apostle Paul's Footsteps in Athens Christian Private Tour 5Hours: $150
- Athens Gems & Charms for the First Time Cruiser: $75
- Athens Private Day Tour Best place to visit: $272
- DELPHI and THERMOPYLAE: Full Day Private Tour Visit Arachova 8 H: $203
- EPIDAURUS & NAFPLIO : Private Full Day Tour From Athens 6 Hours : $173
- Essential Athens Highlights Half-Day Private Tour with Flexible Options: $259
- Highlights Athens History Tour: $36
- Layover Private Tour in Athens: $245
- Mycenae Lions Gate Epidaurus & Nafplio Full Day Private Tour 8H : $191
- Private Full Day Tour in Delphi: $212
- Self-Guided Tour at the Romantic Island of Hydra from Athens: $283
Tours and Activities in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- City Tour/español-ingles: $68
- Frida Kahlo Tour with Admission Tickets: $76
- Mixology, Food, Wine and Beer Experience in Xochimilco: $99
- Monarch Butterfly Tour from Mexico City: $220
- Private Tour Teotihuacan Essentials: $129
- Private Walking Tour Historic Center of Mexico City: $128
- Romantic Walking tour in Mexico City: $150
- Romantic tour in San Andrés Mixquic: $150
- Teotihuacan Early Access tour with Tequila Tasting: $37
- 2 Day tour Teotihuacan pyramids +City tour & Xochimilco : $132
- 2 Days Private Tour with Hiking in Malinche from Puebla: $208
- 2-Hour Meditation Experience on the Shores of Lake Chapultepec: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Mexico City €19
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
- The NightCrawlers | Athens Pub Crawl: $26
- Athens Speakeasy & Alternative Bar Crawl: Discover Hidden Gems: $38
- Greek Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $43
- Old Town Athens Wine Tasting: $52
- Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $52
- Greek food and wine tasting: $53
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $53
- Wine Tasting with a Sommelier under the Acropolis: $59
- Wine Tasting and Storytelling in a Historical Square in Athina: $60
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $61
Sample the Local Flavors in Mexico City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mexico City:
- CDMX Pub Crawl: Mexico City Bar Crawl: $29
- Mexico City Pub Crawl: $30
- Best Bar Crawl at Downtown: $49
- Nightly Historic Center From Above© Rooftop Bar Crawl +Taco Snack: $129
- 2 Hours Private Mexican Wine Tasting in Polanco: $155
- Private Tacos & Wine Tour in Polanco : $159
- Third Largest Monolith in the World:Bernal with wine tasting: $235
- Cavas Freixenet Wine Tour from Mexico City: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Mexico City, we can see that Mexico City is more expensive. And not only is Athens much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Mexico City is in North 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 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 Mexico City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mexico City than you might in Athens.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Mexico City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Mexico City?
Mexico City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Mexico 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.
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.