Which place is cheaper, Pecs or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Pecs?
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 Pecs. 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 Pecs?
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.
Pecs
Located in southwest Hungary, Pecs is a pleasant university town with a history that dates back to Roman times - a history evident in its ancient architecture. Some of the most sought after sites include the Early Christian Necropolis, the Mosque of Pasha Quasim, and the Cathedral of Pecs.
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 Tours for Seniors to Hungary, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Pecs €75
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Pecs is €75. 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 Pecs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Pecs €35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Pecs €70
Compare Hotels in Athens and Pecs
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Pecs? 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 Pecs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Pecs €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:
- Athens to Piraeus (Athens) Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Private Athens International Airport to Piraeus Port Transfer: $80
- "Luxurious Transfer": $47
- AIRPORT TRANSFER in Athens : $28
- Airport Private Transfers: $79
- Airport Transfer: $109
- Airport Transfer/ Athens Greece: $28
- Airport Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Business Car: $80
- Airport Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Luxury Car: $126
- Airport Transfer: Athens to Athens Airport ATH by Luxury Van: $113
- Airport transfer: $131
- Arrival Private Transfer from Athens Airport ATH to Athens City by Minibus: $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pecs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pecs:
- Pécs - Budapest Transfer: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Pecs?
Prices for flights to both Pecs 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 €37Pecs €27
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
- Street Food Tour Market & City Centre: $42
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $46
- Greek Street Food Tour: $51
- Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $52
- 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
- Alternative, truly authentic food tour in secret Athens: $63
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Class with Meal: $63
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Classes in Athina: $64
- Light Lunch Tasting & Cooking Demo: $67
Typical Food Prices in Pecs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pecs:
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Dinner for Two€23
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Pecs €16
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Meouzo Online City Tour: $3.20
- Self-guided First Discovery Walk and Reading Tour: $3.21
- Exclusive Self-Guided Audio Tour into Byzantine Gems: $4.60
- A Neoclassical Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
- 360 Virtual tour of Ancient Athens: $6.00
- Herakleidon Museum of Ancient Greek Technology: Entry Ticket: $6.42
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Athens: $6.53
- Ancient Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Ancient Agora of Athens Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- The Best of Piraeus: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
- Greece: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $7.18
- Ancient Agora: Audiovisual self-guided tour with 3D models: $7.48
Tours and Activities in Pecs
Here are a few actual costs in Pecs for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mineral Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Pecs €7.78
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: $35
- Greek Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $43
- Athens Wine Tasting: $44
- Old Town Athens Wine Tasting: $52
- Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $52
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $53
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $53
- Greek food and wine tasting: $53
- Rare Greek Wine Tasting w/Sommelier by the Acropolis: $59
- Wine Tasting and Storytelling in a Historical Square in Athina: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Pecs, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Pecs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pecs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pecs 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 Pecs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Pecs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Pecs?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Pecs. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Pecs, 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 Pecs?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Athens or Pecs in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Pecs. The summer months attract visitors to Athens because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Athens is a little warmer than Pecs in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Pecs fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pecs. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Pecs. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pecs receives 302 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in July than Pecs. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Pecs 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Athens or Pecs in the Autumn?
Both Pecs and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
In the autumn, Athens is a little warmer than Pecs. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Pecs averages at about 13°C (56°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Pecs during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Pecs receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Athens usually receives more rain than Pecs. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Pecs 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Athens or Pecs in the Winter?
Both Pecs and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Pecs can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Athens is generally much warmer than Pecs. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Pecs fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).
In the winter, Athens often gets more sunshine than Pecs. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pecs receives 72 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets more rain in January than Pecs. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Pecs 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Athens or Pecs in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Pecs. Many visitors come to Athens in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Athens is a little warmer than Pecs in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Pecs fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Pecs during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Pecs receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Pecs. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Pecs 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Pecs and Athens
| Athens | Pecs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.