A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Santo Domingo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Athens or Santo Domingo?

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 Santo Domingo. 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 Santo Domingo?

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.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and modernity. Known for being the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Santo Domingo offers a wealth of experiences that cater to every type of traveler.

Traveling to Santo Domingo on a budget is entirely achievable with some strategic planning. Accommodations range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. The Zona Colonial, the historic district, offers several affordable lodging options that provide easy access to major attractions. Hostels offer comfortable accommodations and a chance to meet fellow travelers, too. Eating on a budget is also feasible in Santo Domingo. Local eateries, known as "comedores," serve traditional Dominican dishes at reasonable prices.

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 Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo or Athens?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is €83. 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 Santo Domingo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Athens 63
    Santo Domingo 33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Athens 126
    Santo Domingo 66
Compare Hotels in Athens and Santo Domingo

Looking for a hotel in Athens or Santo Domingo? 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.

Hotels in Athens


Hotels in Santo Domingo


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 Santo Domingo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Athens 27
    Santo Domingo 3.84
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:


  • Airport Bus for Two
    6.40
  • Metro
    1.50
  • Metro
    2.00
  • Metro from Airport to City Center
    8.00
  • Taxi from Airport
    35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens

Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ferry Transfer from Athens to Aegina Island: $16
  • Mykonos Super Paradise Beach Transfers: $18
  • One way Private Transfer Athens City Center to / from Piraeus Port: $23
  • Piraeus Port To Athens City Center Private Arrival Transfer: $24
  • Santorini Airport Private Transfer: $25
  • Athens Airport (ATH) Private Transfer to Athens Hotels/Piraeus: $26
  • Athens city to Piraeus port Private transfer: $27
  • Santorini: Private Airport and Port Transfer Service: $27
  • Athens Airport Private Transfer to Piraeus Port with Meet & Greet: $28
  • Piraeus port to Athens city Private transfer: $29
  • Private Transfer from Athens City Center to Piraeus Port: $29
  • Private Transfer from Piraeus Port to Athens City Center: $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:

  • Private transfer From Las Americas Airport (SDQ) To Samana: $300
  • Private round trip transfer from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana: $260
  • Private transfer from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana & Viceversa (one way): $235
  • Santo Domingo Airport to Uvero Alto Exclusive Transfer: $197
  • Private Transfer from Santo Domingo Airport to Uvero Alto: $197
  • Santo Domingo to La Romana transfer: $177
  • Private Transfer From Santo Domingo City to Resort Casa de Campo: $175
  • Private Transfer from Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata Cruise Port: $175
  • Private Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Transfers To Pedernales & Barahona Hotels: $160
  • Private Transfer between Santo Domingo Airport and Punta Cana: $155
  • VIP Private Transfer from Las Americas Airport AILA To Punta Cana: $155
  • Private transfer between Santo Domingo Airport and Punta Cana: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Santo Domingo?

Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Athens 64
    Santo Domingo 45
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:

  • Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • Street Food Tour - Sample the Food the Locals Love: $71
  • Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $78
  • Athens's original vegan food tour: $78
  • Small Group, Delicious Athens Food Tour: $81
  • Get a Taste of Athens Food Tour: $82
  • Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $82
  • Athens, Greek food tour including market visit: $83
  • Eat like an Athenian food tour of Athens: $83
  • Athens Walking Food Tour with Visit to Varvakios Central Market: $83
  • Athens Evening Food Tour: $88
  • Greek Cooking Class by Poseidon’s Temple in Sounio with Antonia: $90

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Athens 36
    Santo Domingo 12

Tours and Activities in Athens

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.

  • Self Guided Walking Tour in Athens Hidden Gems: $3.59
  • A Neoclassical Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
  • Athens Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $6.01
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Athens: $7.20
  • Self-Guided Greece Grand Tour with Audio Guide: $7.69
  • The Best of Piraeus: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $7.99
  • South Slope Acropolis Self-Guided 3D Audio Tour (No Ticket): $8.40
  • Athens Interactive City Tour: $8.42
  • Temple of Olympian Zeus: Self-Guided Audio Tour on your Phone (without ticket): $9.61
  • Acropolis of Athens Self-Guided Tour with 3D & Audio (No Ticket): $9.61
  • Private Self-Guided Audio City-Tour in Athens: $9.62
  • Athens Olympic Museum ticket: $11

Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:


  • Snorkeling Tour
    35

Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:

  • Discover Santo Domingo Gualey and Zona Colonial Private Tour: $115
  • Santo Domingo A Historic Day Tour with Lunch from Punta Cana: $109
  • 6 Hours Private Cultural Tour in Santo Domingo: $190
  • 6-Hour Private Tour of Águilas Bay and the Bauxite Mine: $130
  • Cabarete Caves & Nature Adventure: $128
  • Cultural VIP Private Tour From Santo Domingo: $150
  • Cumayasa Private Buggies Tour from Santo Domingo: $135
  • Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana with Lunch: $80
  • Full Dominican Adventure: Zipline, ATV Buggie, Horseback & Safari: $266
  • Full-Day Adventure Tour of Culture through Santo Domingo: $125
  • Full-Day Cultural Adventure Tour of Santo Domingo from Samana: $140
  • Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour from Punta Cana: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Athens 23
    Santo Domingo 6.31

Sample the Local Flavors in Athens

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:

  • The Original Athens Pub Crawl: $11
  • Greek Honey Tasting Experience at our Old Distillery: $14
  • Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens, Greece: $25
  • Experience Ouzo Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $26
  • Athens Ultimate Bar Crawl: $48
  • 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $59
  • Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $59
  • Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $59
  • Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $67
  • Greek food and wine tasting: $71
  • Noble Greeks Acropolis Wine Tasting with Private Sommelier: $72
  • Athens by Night Walking and Wine Tasting Experience: $84


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Santo Domingo, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Santo Domingo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Santo Domingo is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Santo Domingo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santo Domingo 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 Santo Domingo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Santo Domingo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Athens or Santo Domingo?

Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Santo Domingo, 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.