Should you visit Heraklion or Corfu?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Heraklion and Corfu can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Corfu
Also known in modern Greek as Kerkira or Kerkyra, Corfu is the northernmost of Greece's Ionian islands, located off the nation's northwest coast in the Adriatic Sea. It has historically seen control of Venetians, French, and British powers, and today draws tourists mainly as a resort destination.
Like many beach destinations in Europe, Corfu can be expensive due to higher tourist demand and limited space on the island. But Greece is still a fairly affordable country compared to other places in Europe, so deals can be found.
Which city is cheaper, Corfu or Heraklion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €126, while the average daily cost in Corfu is €90. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Heraklion and Corfu in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around €130 for a double occupancy room in Heraklion If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Corfu can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €39, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €78.
Food
The average traveler spends about €41 per day in Heraklion for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
The average traveler spends about €25 per day in Corfu for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Heraklion €41
Corfu €25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Live from Heraklion - Cheese Making and Vegeterian Pie Online Cooking class:
$39
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Cretan Cooking Class Gouves (Free Transfer Included):
$86
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5-Hour Cooking Class:
$97
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Private Cooking Class Gouves (Free Transfer Included):
$123
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Heraklion Private Cretan Cooking Class at a Traditional Village:
$218
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Private Cooking Class and Wine Tasting in Heraklion:
$440
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Heraklion than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €25 on transportation in Heraklion on average per day.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Corfu than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €44 on transportation in Corfu on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion
Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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MiniVan for Private Tour Transfer in Heraklion Crete:
$560
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Creta Private Transfer from Heraklion (HER) Airport to Paleochora:
$498
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Transfer Airport to PLATANIAS CHANIA area up to 7 customers:
$459
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Creta Private Transfer from Heraklion (HER) Airport to Kastelli Kissamou:
$457
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Transfer Airport to CHANIA CITY or PORT area up to 7 customers:
$429
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Transfer Airport to SITIA area up to 7 customers:
$385
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Creta Private Transfer from Heraklion (HER) Airport to Máleme:
$373
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Creta Private Transfer from Heraklion (HER) Airport to Gerani:
$332
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Creta Private Transfer from Heraklion (HER) Airport to Palekastro:
$332
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Transfer Airport to IERAPETRA area up to 6 customers:
$326
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Creta Private Transfer from Heraklion (HER) Airport to Agia Marina:
$311
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Creta Private Transfer from Heraklion (HER) Airport to Sitia:
$291
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Corfu
Also for Corfu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Wheelchair Accessible Transfer From-To Airport:
$53
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Sidari, up to 7 customers:
$201
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Sidari, up to 16 customers:
$249
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Roda, up to 7 customers:
$201
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Roda, up to 16 customers:
$249
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Perama, up to 7 customers:
$101
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Perama, up to 16 customers:
$135
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Nissaki, up to 7 customers:
$158
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Nissaki, up to 16 customers:
$201
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Moraitika, up to 7 customers:
$135
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Moraitika, up to 16 customers:
$154
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Transfer from Corfu Airport or Port to Messonghi, up to 7 customers:
$135
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Heraklion, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €30 per day, per person.
Sightseeing expenses in Corfu, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €12 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Accessible Heraklion tour to Knossos & Archaeological Museum or Shopping:
$455
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Agios Nikolaos - Elounda - Spinalonga - (Private tour):
$523
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Architectural- gastronomic Walking tour in Heraklion:
$870
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Best of Crete (3-days Tour package):
$1,120
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Chrissi Island Cruise from Heraklion:
$61
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Cretan Folklore Night Tour TR:
$66
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Crete private tour: Knossos Palace, Archaeological museum, and Heraklion Town:
$485
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Drive Tour Crete - Best of Heraklion Crete:
$560
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From Heraklio: Full-Day Knossos & Heraklion Tour Guided English and German:
$45
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From Spinalonga Island ,Elounda Barbeque and Agios Nikolaos Tour:
$45
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Full Day Tour to Samaria Gorge:
$88
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Full-Day Guided Spinalonga Island Tour:
$137
Tours and Activities in Corfu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Corfu.
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3 Hours Corfu Old Town Walking Tour: History and Architecture:
$54
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8 Day Corfu Cruise:
$809
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Best of Corfu Private Tour:
$697
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Best of Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour:
$224
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Best of Half Day Private Sightseeing Tour:
$149
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Corfu Beaches & Corfu Town: Full Day Private Tour:
$169
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Corfu Ghost Stories and Legends Night Tour:
$34
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Corfu Hop-on Hop-off City Sightseeing Bus Tour:
$19
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Corfu Island Sightseeing Tour:
$86
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Corfu Island Sightseeing Tour:
$96
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Corfu Private Tour with Greek Souvlaki Lunch and Transportation:
$518
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Corfu Shore Excursion: Private Island Tour Including Achillion Palace:
$468
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Heraklion spend on average €21 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Corfu, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €6.85.
Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion
Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area:
$187
Sample the Local Flavors in Corfu
Also in Corfu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Corfu-Private Winery tour with Wine tasting at Theotoky Estate:
$15
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Wine Tasting and optional Olive Tasting at Theotoky Estate:
$16
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Private tour to Paleokastritsa & Wine tasting from Corfu:
$266
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Private Corfu Highlights and Wine Tour:
$549
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Corfu, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Corfu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Corfu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Corfu 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 Corfu.
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