Which place is cheaper, Gran Canaria or Chania?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chania or Gran Canaria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Gran Canaria, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Chania or Gran Canaria?
Chania
Chania is a city on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. Chania is Crete's most evocative city, with its pretty Venetian quarter, crisscrossed by narrow lanes, culminating at a magnificent harbor. At the harbor entrance is a 16th-century lighthouse with Venetian, Egyptian, and Ottoman influences. On the other side, the Nautical Museum has model ships, naval objects and photographs. The former monastery of St. Francis houses the Archaeological Museum of Chania. Remnants of Venetian and Turkish architecture abound, with old townhouses now transformed into atmospheric restaurants and boutique hotels. Although all this beauty means the old town is packed with tourists in summer, it's still a great place to unwind. The Venetian Harbor is super for a stroll and a coffee or cocktail. Plus it’s got a university and a modern area to the city, which means that it retains its charm in winter. Indie boutiques and an entire lane dedicated to leather products provide good shopping and, with a multitude of creative restaurants, you’ll likely have some of your best meals on Crete here.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is the third largest of the islands, and is known for its variety of volcanic beaches. This island is sometimes called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, which allow for a range of activities like hiking, biking, surfing, and scuba diving.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChania €93Gran Canaria €125
The average daily cost (per person) in Chania is €93, while the average daily cost in Gran Canaria is €125. 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 Chania and Gran Canaria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChania €46Gran Canaria €63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChania €92Gran Canaria €126
Compare Hotels in Chania and Gran Canaria
Looking for a hotel in Chania or Gran Canaria? 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: Chania Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chania €15Gran Canaria €46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chania
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chania:
- One-Way Private Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands: $7,914
- Private Transfer minivan transport in Creta: $616
- Chania to Faistos Palace Private Transfer Full Day Tour: $529
- Chania to Knossos Palace & Heraklion City Private Transfer: $529
- Chania to Irini Gorge & Sougia Village: Private Transfer: $406
- Chania to Imbros Gorge Private Full Day Transfer: $364
- Heraklion Cruise Port: Transfer to Chania city hotels: $351
- Chania Int Airport (CHQ): Transfer to Heraklion Cruise Port: $351
- Chania to Elafonissi Beach/ Cretan Villages Private Transfer: $332
- Balos Beach Private Roundtrip Transfer with Free Time: $235
- Full-Day Trip to Santorini island by Boat from Rethymno with Transfer your Hotel: $228
- Transfer from Chania airport to Elafonisi up to 3 or vise versa: $224
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gran Canaria
Also for Gran Canaria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Buggy Tour of 2 hours in the afternoon with Transfers only South Zone: $71
- El Salobre: Horse Riding Adventure with Transfer Options: $32
- From Playa del Inglés: Guided Jet Ski Tour & Hotel Transfers: $160
- Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) to Playa del Ingles - Arrival Transfer: $33
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from El Salobre to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $47
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Fataga to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $79
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Gáldar to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $64
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Ingenio to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $31
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from La Milagrosa to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $43
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Agüimes: $31
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Amadores: $61
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Anfí del Mar: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Chania or Gran Canaria?
Prices for flights to both Gran Canaria and Chania 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 dayChania €32Gran Canaria €34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chania
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chania.
- The Delicious Chania PRIVATE Street Food Tour : $87
- CHANIA WALKING FOOD TOURS – 3 HOUR WALKING TOUR: $107
- CHANIA CRETE COOKING CLASSES – 3 HOURS: $107
- Chania Cooking Class-The Authentic: $118
- Guided Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $123
- From The Ultimate Food Tour Of Chania Villages: $123
- Wine, Food, and Sunset Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $127
- From Agioi Theodoroi Catamaran Dinner Cruise: $127
- Sunset Craft Beer & Food Tour: $128
- Sunset Craft Beer & Food Tour - Chania: $131
- Horse riding,falasarna sunset,dinner in a tavern,drone video: $214
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chania €21Gran Canaria €20
Tours and Activities in Chania
Here are a few actual costs in Chania for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cretan Night Show Tour From Rethymnon: $54
- Private Tour to Elafonisi and Falasarna: $131
- 6-Hours Safari Tour in Damnoni and Skinaria Beach, from Plakias: $37
- All Day Family Tour to Rethymno & Kournas Lake | JMP Tours: $352
- All Inclusive Full-day Private Tour of Crete Villages from Chania: $279
- Amazing Crete - Elafonisi, Day Tour: $557
- Authentic Wine & Food Tastings - PRIVATE Walking Tour with Lunch: $158
- Avra, full day sailing cruise: $749
- Avra, half - day sailing cruise: $535
- Balos & Falassarna Beach - Jeep Tour with Loungers and Lunch: $164
- Chania Alternative Sunset Bike Tour: $47
- Chania Battle of Crete Private Tour: WW2 Military History: $144
Tours and Activities in Gran Canaria
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gran Canaria.
- Walking tour Vegueta (old town Las Palmas): $7.49
- Walking tour old town Las Palmas Vegueta: $7.64
- Las Palmas: Old Town Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.45
- Agüimes: Cocodrilo Park Zoo Entry Ticket: $11
- Banana Plantation Guided Tour & Tasting: $13
- Angry Birds Activity Park Entry Ticket: $14
- Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $14
- Skip the Line: Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $14
- Maspalomas: Bowling Session Entry Ticket at Holiday World: $15
- Taurito: Lago Taurito Water Park Entrance Ticket: $17
- Puerto de Mogan: Friday Market Experience: $24
- Winery Tour, Wine Museum, and Tasting: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChania €18Gran Canaria €7.14
Sample the Local Flavors in Chania
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chania:
- Cretan wine tasting, hosted in French: $91
- Milia Mountain Tour w/Lunch Olive Oil/Wine Tastings: $144
- Wines, Olives, and History: A Private Wine Tour from Chania: $791
Sample the Local Flavors in Gran Canaria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gran Canaria:
- Spanish Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $52
- Spanish Cured Meats & Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $60
- Gran Canaria Picnic Experience & Wine Tasting: $102
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chania and Gran Canaria, we can see that Gran Canaria is more expensive. And not only is Chania much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chania would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chania 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 Gran Canaria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gran Canaria than you might in Chania.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chania Expensive? and Is Gran Canaria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chania or Gran Canaria?
Gran Canaria has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chania. When comparing the sizes of Chania and Gran Canaria, 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 Chania or Gran Canaria?
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 Chania or Gran Canaria in the Summer?
Both Gran Canaria and Chania during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chania in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Chania is a little warmer than Gran Canaria in the summer. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Gran Canaria fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Gran Canaria, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chania. In the summer, Chania often gets more sunshine than Gran Canaria. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gran Canaria receives 293 hours of full sun.
Chania usually gets more rain in July than Gran Canaria. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChania 26°C (80°F)Gran Canaria 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Chania or Gran Canaria in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Gran Canaria. Most visitors come to Chania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Chania is cooler than Gran Canaria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chania in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Gran Canaria averages at about 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gran Canaria this time of the year. Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gran Canaria during autumn. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Gran Canaria receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Chania usually receives more rain than Gran Canaria. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChania 20°C (68°F)Gran Canaria 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Chania or Gran Canaria in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Chania as well as Gran Canaria. The winter months attract visitors to Chania because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Chania is generally cooler than Gran Canaria. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 12°C (54°F), and Gran Canaria fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In the winter, Chania often gets less sunshine than Gran Canaria. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gran Canaria receives 187 hours of full sun.
Chania receives a lot of rain in the winter. Chania usually gets more rain in January than Gran Canaria. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChania 12°C (54°F)Gran Canaria 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Chania or Gran Canaria in the Spring?
Both Gran Canaria and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Chania this time of year.
Chania is cooler than Gran Canaria in the spring. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Gran Canaria fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Gran Canaria. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chania. Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gran Canaria during spring. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Gran Canaria receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Chania usually receives more rain than Gran Canaria. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChania 17°C (62°F)Gran Canaria 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Gran Canaria and Chania
| Chania | Gran Canaria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 20°C (69°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (80°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (62°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.