Which place is cheaper, Podgorica or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Podgorica?
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 Podgorica. 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 Podgorica?
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.
Podgorica
Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Athens, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Podgorica €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Podgorica is €105. 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 Podgorica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Podgorica €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Podgorica €92
Compare Hotels in Athens and Podgorica
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Podgorica €20
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:
- Bus Transfer to/from Argos: $14
- Transfer tour Athens Greece: $17
- One way Private Transfer Athens City Center to / from Piraeus Port: $20
- Athens Hotels To Piraeus Port-Hotels Luxury Transfer Services: $23
- Athens Private Transfer: Piraeus Cruise Port to Central Athens : $23
- Private transfer between Athens hotels and Piraeus Port: $23
- Santorini: Private Airport and Port Transfer Service: $25
- Piraeus Port: Private One-Way Transfer to Athens City Center: $27
- Private Transfer from Piraeus Port to Athens City Center: $27
- Private Transfer from Athens City Center to Piraeus Port: $27
- Mercedes Private Transfer Athens - Piraeus: $27
- Athens hotels to Piraeus port Private departure transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:
- Private transfer from Podgorica Airport or city to Tirana Airport: $282
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Dubrovnik: $221
- Tivat to Podgorica one way transfer: $216
- Kotor to Podgorica one way transfer: $211
- Podgorica Airport to Herceg Novi: Private Transfer: $194
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Kotor: $183
- Private Transfer from Podgorica to Herceg Novi : $160
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Kotor: $152
- Budva to Podgorica one way transfer: $122
- Private transfer from Airport Podgorica and city to Kotor: $112
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Budva (and viceversa): $111
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Ulcinj : $111
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Podgorica?
Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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 €37Podgorica €41
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: $25
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Greek Street Food Tour: $55
- "A Night in Dinner and Music Under the Stars": $61
- Greek Spirits & Meze, Food Tour in Athens: $64
- Greek Traditional Cooking Class with Meal: $65
- Street Food Tour - Sample the Food the Locals Love: $67
- Eat like an Athenian food tour of Athens: $67
- Street Food Tour with 7 Tastings: $67
- The Authentic Greek Food Tour: $72
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $73
- The Bizarre Food Tour of Athens: $73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Podgorica
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Podgorica.
- Hard Rock Cafe Podgorica with Set Lunch or Dinner: $18
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Podgorica €21
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Self Guided Tour In Athens With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.38
- Self-guided First Discovery Walk and Reading Tour: $4.43
- A Neoclassical Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
- Ancient Athens Quest Experience: $6.20
- Herakleidon Museum of Ancient Greek Technology: Entry Ticket: $6.65
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Athens: $6.77
- Greek Mythology Quest Experience in Athens: $7.33
- Athens Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $7.75
- Ancient Agora: Audiovisual self-guided tour with 3D models: $7.75
- Athens Olympic Museum: Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket: $7.76
- Athens Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $7.90
- Athens Olympic Museum ticket: $7.91
Tours and Activities in Podgorica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:
- Skip the Line Tickets: National Park Biogradska Gora: $7.90
- 2 Hours Guided - Private Nature Tour (taste local wine on tour): $45
- ATV Tour Montenegro - Žabljak Crnojevića: $202
- Bay of Kotor hiking experience - Montenegro Travel Club private tour: $192
- Bjelasica – Troglava – Zekova glava - Hiking Tour: $267
- Book Your Montenegro Tour: $103
- Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $68
- Cultural Bike Tour of Podgorica;Discovering the Ancient Treasures: $152
- Durmitor - Black Lake & Tara River Canyon - North Montenegro tour: $243
- Durmitor National Park, Northern Fairy Tail -private tour from Podgorica: $208
- Explore Skadar Lake in Private 2 hour Boat Cruise: $113
- Family Adventures in A Journey of Discovery: $213
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Podgorica €20
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Polykala Distillery showroom. A125 years of history along with liqueur tasting.: $16
- The NightCrawlers | Athens Bar Hopping | Pub Crawl: $18
- Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $18
- Athens Party Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks & Nightclub Access: $20
- Athens Party Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks & Club Access: $22
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Athens, Greece: $25
- Small-Group Rooftop & Offbeat Night Gems Pub Crawl: $39
- Small-Group Rooftop & Offbeat Nightlife Gems Pub Crawl: $40
- Athens Old Town: Wine Tasting based on Ancient Greek Grapes: $41
- Greek Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $44
- Athens Greek Wine Tasting with Expert Sommelier: $45
- Old Town Wine Tasting: $54
Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:
- Skadar Lake Private Boat Tour with Wine Tasting: $51
- Book Your Wine Tour: $80
- Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $101
- Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $110
- Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $133
- Full Day Private Podgorica Wine Tour Experience: $164
- Full Day Private Tour - NP Skadar Lake with Wine Tasting: $181
- National parks and wine tasting (NP Lovcen, NP Skadar lake, Cetinje, Njegusi): $191
- Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $209
- SOUL HEALING Wine Tour Montenegro - BEST PRIVATE TOUR : $220
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Podgorica, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Podgorica much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Podgorica would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Podgorica 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 Podgorica.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Podgorica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Podgorica?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Podgorica, 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 Podgorica?
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 Podgorica in the Summer?
Both Podgorica and Athens during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Athens is around the same temperature as Podgorica. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Podgorica averages at about 26°C (80°F).
In Podgorica, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the summer, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Podgorica. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in July than Podgorica. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Podgorica 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Athens or Podgorica in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Podgorica. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Athens is generally a little warmer than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Podgorica this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Podgorica during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Podgorica receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Podgorica 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Athens or Podgorica in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Athens as well as Podgorica. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Athens is much warmer than Podgorica in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Podgorica fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
In the winter, Athens often gets more sunshine than Podgorica. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 121 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Podgorica. Athens usually gets less rain in January than Podgorica. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Podgorica 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Athens or Podgorica in the Spring?
Both Podgorica and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
In the spring, Athens is around the same temperature as Podgorica. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Podgorica averages at about 14°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Podgorica during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Podgorica 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Podgorica and Athens
| Athens | Podgorica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 217 mm (8.5 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.