A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heraklion vs. Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Heraklion or Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Heraklion and Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Heraklion or Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar?

Heraklion

The largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion on first glance is almost completely modern - a frenzy of traffic, concrete, and dust. Do not expect pristine beaches and glittering waves (those can be found on other parts of Crete). Heraklion is first and foremost a city. Once you get past its grittiness, you will find that there are some attractive features beneath first impressions. The antiquity of the place lies embedded in the modern and is presented in one of the best museums in Greece, the food is excellent, and the people are friendly and welcoming. And though the sea is not great for swimming, its presence along the Venetian port will take you to another time if you need a break from Heraklion's bustling center.

Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Located in northeast Romania, Cluj-Napoca is the capital of the Transylvania region and one of the nation's most-visited cities. Many visitors come to experience the modern Transylvanian university culture, admire historic churches and other landmarks, see fortress ruins, and visit museums.

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


Which place is cheaper, Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Heraklion?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €158, while the average daily cost in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar is €79. 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 Heraklion and Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Heraklion 81
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Heraklion 162
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 94
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar? 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 Heraklion


Hotels in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar


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: Heraklion Hotel Prices and Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Heraklion 31
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion

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

  • Acqua Plus Water Park Admission with Optional Transfer: $32
  • Crete Private Taxi Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Bali: $96
  • Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Malia: $82
  • Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos: $124
  • Crete Private Transfer from Heraklion to Hersonissos: $52
  • From Airport to Elounda Private Transfer: $109
  • From Private Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands: $4,083
  • Heraklion Airport (HER): Private Transfer to Heraklion Port: $106
  • Heraklion Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Heraklion city: $139
  • Heraklion Int Airport (HER): Transfer to Heraklion hotels: $139
  • KNOSSOS PALACE private tour ( with Transfer from Heraklion Prefecture ): $199
  • Knossos and Arch Museum of Heraklion (Guide+Transfer+Ticket) : $232

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar:

  • Private Transfer Cluj Napoca Airport: $28

Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar?

Prices for flights to both Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Heraklion 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
    Heraklion 52
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion

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

  • Troy Dinner-Show: $33
  • From Village Cretan Night, Live Dancers & dinner: $49
  • Crete: Olive Oil Festival, Farm Dinner, Live Show & Pickup: $60
  • Cretan Farm with scenic view: Olive Mill Festival & dinner: $65
  • Amazing Sunset Safari Route with Dinner: $85
  • Cook with Locals | Cretan cooking Class at Archanes (transfer - lunch included): $87
  • Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine: $91
  • Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $98
  • E-bike Food Tour Tasting in Heraklion : $114
  • Food tour tasting walking tour: $125
  • Walking Food Tour to Explore and Eat in Heraklion: $147
  • Heraklion Area: Cooking lessons with Dinner and Wine Tasting: $195

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Heraklion 38
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 7.40

Tours and Activities in Heraklion

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

  • Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket: $8.69
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Mobile Self-Guided Audio Sightseeing Tour: $11
  • Crete: Palace of Knossos E-Ticket and Optional Audio Guide: $11
  • Herakleion: City Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
  • Heraklion City Tour - Aquarium: $18
  • Knossos Palace: E-ticket with Audio and Heraklion City Tour: $18
  • Heraklion Market & CretAquarium *Skip the line: $21
  • Knossos Palace Ticket & In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $21
  • Knossos Palace Self-Guided Treasure Hunt & Tour: $22
  • Archaeological Museum & Knossos Ticket with Audio: $25
  • Beer Bike 1 hour Experience in Malia : $25

Tours and Activities in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Here are a few actual costs in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • CLUJ ADVENTURE TOUR ! ZIP LINE and HIKE: $99
  • Cluj : Private Walking Tour with Guide ( Private Tour ): $33
  • Cluj walking city tour: $58
  • Cluj-Napoca Walking City Tour: $39
  • Cluj-Napoca: 2.5-Hour Guided Walking Tour: $26
  • Curly Tour - Day trip from Cluj :): $88
  • Local Tour of Cluj by Electric Bike: $50
  • Night Tour in Hoia Baciu Forest: $94
  • Private Climbing OR Hiking Experience in Cheile Turzii: $77
  • Private Full Day Green Tour: $121
  • Snowshoeing Fun Tour from Cluj Napoca: $99
  • Transylvania: Dracula's Castle and Birthplace Tour: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Heraklion 26
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 6.32

Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion

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

  • Ecobike Tour with Wine Tasting: $96
  • Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $97
  • Jeep Safari Wine Tour and South sea swimming: $98
  • Ecobike Wine Tasting Tour in Heraklion: $104
  • Wine Tasting-Olive Oil Factory-Traditional Villages- Small Group : $133
  • Half Day Semi Private Wine Tour with Tastings: $136
  • Full Day-Ecobike Old Villages Tour & Wine Tasting: $144
  • The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $166
  • Semi Private Heraklion Valley Wine Tour with Lunch: $173
  • Private SUV Wine Tour with Lunch: $175
  • Knossos, Olive Mill, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $179
  • All in One - Ecobike City Tour - Food Tasting - Wine Tasting: $204

Sample the Local Flavors in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar:

  • Pub Crawl in Cluj: $23


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Heraklion Expensive? and Is Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar?

Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar, 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.