A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Catalonia vs. Crete for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Catalonia or Crete?

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 Catalonia and Crete. 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: Catalonia or Crete?

Catalonia

Catalonia is a famous autonomous community in Spain. It is situated in the northeastern part of the country and consists of four provinces. The provinces consist of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona. Barcelona is not only the capital of Catalonia, but is also the biggest city in the region. Because Barcelona is such a large city and Catalonia’s long history of international trade, the area is a very popular tourist destination. Another reason for Catalonia’s success is its temperate climate. Two other reasons that make Catalonia different from other areas in Spain are, people speak Catalan, Spanish and Aranese, and its climate has both beaches and mountain ranges.

Crete

The largest and most populous island of Greece, Crete has become a frequent vacation destination for many visitors. The terrain of the place is quite varied - very mountainous stretching east to west, with lush valleys, fertile plateaus, gorges, and famous caves like Idaion, the birthplace of the Greek god Zeus. The surrounding smaller islands and beaches are key attractions as well.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Crete or Catalonia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Catalonia is €0.00, while the average daily cost in Crete is €102. 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 Catalonia and Crete in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Catalonia -
    Crete 48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Catalonia 0.00
    Crete 96
Compare Hotels in Catalonia and Crete

Looking for a hotel in Catalonia or Crete? 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 Catalonia


Hotels in Crete


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: Crete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Catalonia -
    Crete 23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Catalonia

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

  • Barcelona Airport to Barcelona City transfer : $31
  • Barcelona Airport to Cruise Port Private Transfer: $40
  • Barcelona City to Sant Train Station Barcelona private transfer: $31
  • Transfer From Barcelona Airport to Barcelona Cruise Port: $40
  • Airport Transfers Barcelona Minivan : $75
  • Arrival Barcelona Airport Private Transfer: $31
  • Arrival Private Transfer by Sedan from BCN airport to Barcelona: $70
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport BCN to Barcelona: $33
  • Arrival Transfer El Prat Airport BCN to Barcelona by Luxury Car: $130
  • Arrival Transfer El Prat Airport BCN to Barcelona by Luxury Van: $91
  • Arrival Transfer by Luxury Van from Barcelona Port to Barcelona: $75
  • Arrival Transfer from Barcelona Airport BCN to Barcelona in Private Car/Van: $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Crete

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Crete:

  • Wine Tasting Experience @ Lyrarakis Winery (Transfer Included): $119
  • VIP transfer from Chania to Rethymno: $105
  • VIP Private Transfer: Heraklion - Analipsi Hotels & Villas: $62
  • Transfer from or to Chania airport to Gerani up to 3 customers : $85
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Platanias up to 3 or vise versa: $80
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Paleochora up to 3 or vise versa: $200
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Kolymbari up to 3 or vise versa: $105
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Georgioupolis up to 3 : $106
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Elafonisi up to 3 or vise versa: $224
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Chania City Center up to 3 : $54
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Agia Marina up to 3 customers: $71
  • Transfer Services From Heraklion To Rethymno Hotels: $96

Is it cheaper to fly into Catalonia or Crete?

Prices for flights to both Crete and Catalonia 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
    Catalonia -
    Crete 34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Catalonia

For Catalonia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
  • Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $21
  • Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • Barcelona La Barceloneta Tapas Food Tour: $38
  • Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $43
  • Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60
  • Barcelona street food tour La Boqueria Market: $63
  • Barcelona Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $68
  • Tablao de Carmen Flamenco Show with Tasting Menu or Dinner: $74
  • Barcelona Tipsy Tapas Guided Food Tour with Dinner: $75
  • Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona: $75
  • Spanish Culinary Experience: Paella & Tapas Cooking Class: $82

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Crete

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Crete.

  • Troy Dinner-Show: $33
  • Spectacular Dinner-Show: $44
  • Cretan Night with Dinner & Live Show: $49
  • Olive Oil Factory Tour, Dinner & Traditional Dancing: $60
  • Chania: Cretan Folklore Dance Show with Dinner and Pickup: $75
  • Cook with Locals | Cretan cooking Class at Archanes (transfer - lunch included): $86
  • The Delicious Chania PRIVATE Street Food Tour : $87
  • Sightseeing Day Trip with Cooking Lesson and Lunch: $95
  • Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $97
  • Chania: Authentic Cooking Class in the White Mountains: $118
  • Heraklion: Cretan Cooking Lesson with Lunch in Arolithos: $118
  • E-bike Food Tour Tasting in Heraklion : $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Catalonia -
    Crete 26

Tours and Activities in Catalonia

For Catalonia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Tours Barcelona: 150+ Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
  • Barcelona Gothic Quarter: History&Legends Comedy Tour: $3.26
  • Sagrada Familia Comedy Tour: $3.26
  • Gaudí & Sagrada Familia Free Tour in English : $3.27
  • Barcelona Gaudi and Sagrada Familia Tour: $3.27
  • Sagrada Familia Exterior Free Tour: Stories, Secrets & Symbolism: $3.27
  • Gaudi and La Sagrada Familia Exterior Self-Guided Audio Tour : $5.00
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Barcelona: $5.44
  • Walking Tour in Barcelona with Arabic Guide: $5.45
  • Tarragona Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self Guided Tour: $5.45
  • Walking Tour to Parc de la Sèquia from Manresa: $5.99
  • Entrance ticket to the Girona Art Museum: $6.54

Tours and Activities in Crete

Here are a few actual costs in Crete for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 4x4 Safari tour Southern Crete Tripitis Gorge: $108
  • Adventure Safari Tour Secrets of the southern Crete : $100
  • Cretan Night Show Tour From Rethymnon: $54
  • Private Tour to Elafonisi and Falasarna: $131
  • 3-Hour Trekking Mount Karfi Adventure with pickup from Heraklion: $118
  • 4-Hour Giouchtas Trekking Hiking Experience from Heraklion: $90
  • 4x4 self drive adventure_Cretan mainland: $87
  • 6-Hours Safari Tour in Damnoni and Skinaria Beach, from Plakias: $37
  • Adventure Jeep Safari Amazing sunset : $85
  • Agia Pelagia: Quad Safari-Family Tour: $85
  • Agios Nikolaos-Spinalonga-Elounda Tour TR: $47
  • Agios Nikolaos: Private Sailing Cruise in Mirabello Bay: $2,139

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Catalonia -
    Crete 20

Sample the Local Flavors in Catalonia

Also in Catalonia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Visit winery and wine tasting: $13
  • Night Pub Crawl Tour in Barcelona: $16
  • Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
  • Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
  • Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
  • Barcelona Art & Wine Tour: $31
  • Small-Group Natural and Organic Wine Tasting near Sitges: $33
  • Barcelona Animals Pub Crawl with 1 hr open bar + VIP club access: $44
  • Bar Crawl at Gaixample: $44
  • Fun Wine Tasting in Barcelona with a Sommelier!: $46
  • Priorat Wine Tasting Tour from Salou : $48
  • Tipsy Tour Bar Crawl in Barcelona with Local Guide: $53

Sample the Local Flavors in Crete

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

  • Chania: Off-Road Tour at Sunset with Wine Tasting: $95
  • Ecobike Wine Tasting Tour in Heraklion: $115
  • Luxury Private Wine Tasting Experience in Haralabakis Winery: $119
  • Heraklion: Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with wine Tastings: $125
  • Wine Tasting on Luxury Yacht Sunset Evening in Marina: $173
  • The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $180
  • Full Day Private Crete Wine Tour Experience from Heraklion : $190
  • Knossos, Olive Mill, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $196
  • Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch : $216
  • From Elounda Private Heraklion Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $228
  • Heraklion: Private Knossos & Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $246
  • Ecobike Tour • All in One • Historical Tour-Food Tasting-Wine Tasting: $256


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Catalonia and Crete, we can see that Crete is more expensive. And not only is Catalonia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Catalonia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Catalonia 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 Crete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Crete than you might in Catalonia.

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


Which has a larger population, Catalonia or Crete?

Catalonia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Crete. When comparing the sizes of Catalonia and Crete, 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.