A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heidelberg vs. Olympos for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Heidelberg or Olympos?

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 Heidelberg and Olympos. 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: Heidelberg or Olympos?

Heidelberg

Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is a top travel destination in Germany. It's picturesquely situated in the Neckar River Valley and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city has a population of over 148,000 and it's home to Germany's oldest university, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, which has a student population of approximately 28,000.

Olympos

Olympos was an ancient city in Lycia, situated in a river valley near the coast. Its ruins are located south of the modern town Cirali in the Kumluca district of Antalya Province, Turkey. An important Lycian city in the 2nd century BC, Olympos is more famous these days for being the beach resort of choice for backpackers. Staying in an Olympos 'tree house' at one of the dozen-or-so camps that line the path to the ruins and beach has long been the stuff of travel legend. The former hippy-trail hot-spot has been considerably renovated in past years and during summer can be pretty overcrowded. Olympos offers good value and an up-for-it party atmosphere in a lovely setting.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Turkey, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Olympos or Heidelberg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Heidelberg is €142, while the average daily cost in Olympos is €89. 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 Heidelberg and Olympos in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Heidelberg 93
    Olympos 40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Heidelberg 186
    Olympos 80
Compare Hotels in Heidelberg and Olympos

Looking for a hotel in Heidelberg or Olympos? 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 Heidelberg


Hotels in Olympos


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: Heidelberg Hotel Prices and Olympos Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Heidelberg 17
    Olympos 28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heidelberg

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

  • One Way Private Transfer from Mannheim to Frankfurt : $251
  • Privat Transfer From Basel EuroAirport BSL To Badenweiler : $126
  • Airport transfer from Karlsruhe Airport to Baden-Baden: $105
  • Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Mannheim City by Van: $64
  • Private Transfer from Badenweiler Thermal to Basel EuroAirport: $63
  • Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to BadenBaden Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
  • Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to Baden-Baden - Arrival Private Transfer: $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Olympos

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

  • Private Transfers Between Antalya Airport - Çıralı & Olympos & Adrasan Resorts: $299
  • Private Transfers Between Antalya Airport - Beldibi & Göynük & Kemer Resorts: $240
  • Two Days Tour to Cappadocia with HB Hotel & Transfer from Kemer: $192
  • Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Camyuva Hotels: $98
  • Private Transfer From Beldibi / Göynük / Kemer / Kiriş To Antalya Airport: $91
  • Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Kiris Hotels: $82
  • Antalya Camyuva Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $82
  • Antalya Kiris Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $82
  • Antalya Beldibi Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $65
  • Kemer Horse Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
  • Kemer Pirate Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer: $47
  • Kemer Jeep Safari With Free Hotel Transfer & Lunch: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Heidelberg or Olympos?

Prices for flights to both Olympos and Heidelberg 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
    Heidelberg 37
    Olympos 28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heidelberg

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

  • Heidelberg crime dinner to solve the mystery with a delicious 3-course menu: $64
  • Craft Beer and Street Food Tour: $598

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Olympos

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

  • Olympos, Cirali, Chimera Night Tour with Dinner at Ulupinar : $33
  • Kemer Olympos & Yanartas Sunset Jeep Tour with Dinner: $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Heidelberg 11
    Olympos 28

Tours and Activities in Heidelberg

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

  • 2 1/2h Guided Bicycle Tour Discover Heidelberg: $46
  • Alternative Heidelberg Tour.: $71
  • Amazing Schwetzingen Garden Tour: $238
  • Beer and Old Town Tour: $98
  • Bicycle Tour from Heidelberg to quaint Ladenburg.: $120
  • Culinary city tour in Heidelberg with delicious samples: $43
  • E.Bike Tours around Heidelberg: $153
  • Evening Heidelberg tour with historical night watchman: $17
  • Experience the Local Food around Mannheim: $64
  • Fascinating Heidelberg Sightseeing Walking Tour: $217
  • Food & Fables Tour of Heidelberg : $131
  • Guided Tour of Student Rabble, Whore Pack and the French War: $373

Tours and Activities in Olympos

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

  • 2 Hour Olympos Cable Car Tour to Tahtali Mountains from Kemer: $66
  • 2-in-1 Canyoning and White Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch From Kemer: $25
  • 9 Hours Rafting, Buggy Safari and Zipline Adventure from Kemer: $38
  • Antalya Full-Day City Tour From Kemer With Cable Car : $30
  • Buggy Safari and Rafting Adventure from Kemer: $38
  • Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip From Kemer: $36
  • Full-day Boat Tour from Kemer with Lunch and Foam Party: $33
  • Goynuk Canyon Tour with Entrance Ticket: $25
  • Green Canyon Boat Tour with Lunch and Drinks from Kemer: $63
  • Kemer 3 in 1 Tour Rafting Quad Safari and Zipline Experience: $40
  • Kemer ATV Mountain Biking Tour: $54
  • Kemer Bay Blue Cruise from Kemer: $53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Heidelberg 17
    Olympos 17

Sample the Local Flavors in Heidelberg

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

  • Highlights of the romantic Black Forest & brewery, private tour: $295


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

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



When is the best time to visit Heidelberg or Olympos?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Olympos in the Summer?

Both Olympos and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

In the summer, Heidelberg is cooler than Olympos. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heidelberg in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Olympos averages at about 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Olympos. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heidelberg. Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Olympos during summer. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 385 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Olympos. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Heidelberg 21°C (69°F) 
    Olympos 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Heidelberg or Olympos in the Autumn?

Both Olympos and Heidelberg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Heidelberg is generally much colder than Olympos. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 12°C (54°F), and Olympos fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Olympos, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Olympos. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 249 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in October than Olympos. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Heidelberg 12°C (54°F) 
    Olympos 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Heidelberg or Olympos in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Olympos. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. Heidelberg is much colder than Olympos in the winter. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Olympos fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Olympos during winter. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Olympos. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Heidelberg 3°C (37°F) 
    Olympos 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Heidelberg or Olympos in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Olympos. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Heidelberg is cooler than Olympos. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heidelberg in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Olympos averages at about 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Olympos. In the spring, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Olympos. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 250 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in April than Olympos. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Heidelberg 11°C (52°F) 
    Olympos 16°C (61°F)

Typical Weather for Olympos and Heidelberg

Heidelberg Olympos
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 52 mm (2 in) 11°C (52°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 52 mm (2 in) 11°C (53°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 7°C (45°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 13°C (56°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Jun 19°C (65°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 21°C (69°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 27°C (80°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)