Which place is cheaper, Playa Blanca or Chania?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chania or Playa Blanca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Playa Blanca, 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 Playa Blanca?
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.
Playa Blanca
Located on the southern tip of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a resort area popular with families and couples seeking a quieter vacation alternative to the lively neighbor resort of Puerto del Carmen. The resort's white sandy beaches are peaceful and sheltered from the higher winds found on other parts of the island. Timanfaya National Park is also nearby, as well as a number of other spectacular volcanic features.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChania €93Playa Blanca €155
The average daily cost (per person) in Chania is €93, while the average daily cost in Playa Blanca is €155. 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 Playa Blanca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChania €46Playa Blanca €81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChania €92Playa Blanca €162
Compare Hotels in Chania and Playa Blanca
Looking for a hotel in Chania or Playa Blanca? 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 and Playa Blanca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chania €15Playa Blanca €49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chania
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chania:
- VIP transfer from Chania to Rethymno: $105
- 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
- Samaria Gorge: Private Transfer Tour: $203
- Private Transfers from Chania Airport to Rethymno center one way : $146
- Private Transfer from Chania city Hotels to Heraklion Cruise Port: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Chania or Playa Blanca?
Prices for flights to both Playa Blanca 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 €32Playa Blanca €45
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 €21Playa Blanca €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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChania €18Playa Blanca €9.29
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chania and Playa Blanca, we can see that Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chania or Playa Blanca?
Chania has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Playa Blanca. When comparing the sizes of Chania and Playa Blanca, 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 Playa Blanca?
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 Playa Blanca in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Chania as well as Playa Blanca. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chania this time of year.
In July, Chania is generally a little warmer than Playa Blanca. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 26°C (80°F), and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa Blanca. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chania this time of the year. In the summer, Chania often gets more sunshine than Playa Blanca. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 282 hours of full sun.
Chania usually gets more rain in July than Playa Blanca. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChania 26°C (80°F)Playa Blanca 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Chania or Playa Blanca in the Autumn?
Both Playa Blanca and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Chania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Chania is around the same temperature as Playa Blanca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Playa Blanca. Chania usually receives less sunshine than Playa Blanca during autumn. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 224 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Chania usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChania 20°C (68°F)Playa Blanca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Chania or Playa Blanca in the Winter?
Both Playa Blanca and Chania during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chania in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Chania is cooler than Playa Blanca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chania in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Playa Blanca averages at about 17°C (63°F).
In Playa Blanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Chania often gets less sunshine than Playa Blanca. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 204 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chania. Chania usually gets more rain in January than Playa Blanca. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChania 12°C (54°F)Playa Blanca 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Chania or Playa Blanca in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Playa Blanca. Most visitors come to Chania for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Chania is generally cooler than Playa Blanca. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 17°C (62°F), and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa Blanca this time of the year. In Chania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Playa Blanca during spring. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Chania usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChania 17°C (62°F)Playa Blanca 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Playa Blanca and Chania
| Chania | Playa Blanca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 20°C (69°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 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) | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (62°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.