Which place is cheaper, Sochi or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Sochi?
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 Sochi. 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 Sochi?
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.
Sochi
Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Sochi €56
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Sochi is €56. 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 Sochi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Sochi €14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Sochi €28
Compare Hotels in Athens and Sochi
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Sochi? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Sochi -
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Sochi?
Prices for flights to both Sochi 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 €37Sochi €16
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Sochi €105
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Sochi -
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 Sochi, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Sochi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sochi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sochi 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 Sochi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Sochi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Sochi?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sochi. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Sochi, 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 Sochi?
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 Sochi in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Sochi. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
In July, Athens is generally a little warmer than Sochi. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Sochi fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Athens usually gets less rain in July than Sochi. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Sochi receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Sochi 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Athens or Sochi in the Autumn?
Both Sochi and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Athens is a little warmer than Sochi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Sochi fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Sochi. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sochi receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Sochi 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Athens or Sochi in the Winter?
Both Sochi and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Athens is much warmer than Sochi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Sochi averages at about 6°C (44°F).
Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in January than Sochi. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sochi receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Sochi 6°C (44°F)
Should I visit Athens or Sochi in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Sochi. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Athens is generally a little warmer than Sochi. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Sochi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Sochi receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Sochi. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sochi receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Sochi 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Sochi and Athens
| Athens | Sochi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 202 mm (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.