Which place is cheaper, Mamaia or Heraklion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Heraklion or Mamaia?
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 Mamaia 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 Mamaia?
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.
Mamaia
The most popular beach resort in Romania, Mamaia sits on an 8-kilometer wisp of land between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an aqua park, the resort area is a party-goer's destination with endless opportunities for fun in the sun and nighttime merriment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Tours for Seniors to Romania, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHeraklion €158Mamaia €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €158, while the average daily cost in Mamaia is €60. 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 Mamaia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHeraklion €81Mamaia €23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHeraklion €162Mamaia €46
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Mamaia
Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Mamaia? 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: Heraklion Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Heraklion €31Mamaia €25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion
Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wine Tasting Experience @ Lyrarakis Winery (Transfer Included): $119
- VIP Private Transfer: Heraklion - Analipsi Hotels & Villas: $62
- Transfers in Crete from-to Airports/Ports/Hotels/Villas: $128
- Transfer Services From Heraklion To Rethymno Hotels: $96
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to SITIA area up to 7 customers: $280
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to RETHIMNO CITY area up to 7 : $157
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to PLAKA ELOUNTA area up to 7: $148
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to Makris Gialos area up to 7 : $228
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to MATALA area up to 7 customers: $149
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to MALIA area up to 7 customers: $80
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to KOUTOULOUFARI area up to 7 : $62
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to KOKKINI HANI area up to 7 customers: $44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mamaia
Also for Mamaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Constanta to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $174
- Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta to Bucharest Driver - Private Guided Transfer : $272
- Constanta to Bucharest Otopeni airport - private transfers: $251
- Cernavoda to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $218
Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Mamaia?
Prices for flights to both Mamaia 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
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Food Meals for one dayHeraklion €52Mamaia €21
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
- Spectacular Dinner-Show: $44
- From Village Cretan Night, Live Dancers & dinner: $48
- Cretan Night with Dinner & Live Show: $49
- Crete: Olive Oil Festival, Farm Dinner, Live Show & Pickup: $59
- Cretan Farm with scenic view: Olive Mill Festival & dinner: $64
- Amazing Sunset Safari Route with Dinner: $84
- Cook with Locals | Cretan cooking Class at Archanes (transfer - lunch included): $86
- Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine: $90
- Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $97
- Food tour tasting walking tour: $123
- E-bike Food Tour Tasting in Heraklion : $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Heraklion €38Mamaia €12
Tours and Activities in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4x4 Safari tour Southern Crete Tripitis Gorge: $108
- Adventure Safari Tour Secrets of the southern Crete : $100
- Ηeraklion Walking Tour with Archaeological Museum: $82
- 3-Hour Trekking Mount Karfi Adventure with pickup from Heraklion: $118
- 4-Hour Giouchtas Trekking Hiking Experience from Heraklion: $90
- 4x4 self drive adventure_Cretan mainland: $87
- Adventure Jeep Safari Amazing sunset : $85
- Agios Nikolaos-Spinalonga-Elounda Tour TR: $47
- All Year Tour to Knossos Palace & Heraklion: $618
- All-Day Knossos Palace Tour & Olive Mill Visit: $695
- Archaeological Museum of Heraklion Tour: $86
- Archaeological Museum of Guided Walking Tour: $86
Tours and Activities in Mamaia
For Mamaia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Day Tour: Visit Histria Winery and Ancient Citadel: $86
- One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis): $175
- Self-Guided Labyrinth in the Rocks Tour near Silistra: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHeraklion €26Mamaia €11
Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion
Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $95
- Ecobike Wine Tasting Tour in Heraklion: $115
- Ecobike Tour with Wine Tasting: $118
- Luxury Private Wine Tasting Experience in Haralabakis Winery: $119
- Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with wine Tastings: $125
- Half Day Semi Private Wine Tour with Tastings: $134
- Semi Private Heraklion Valley Wine Tour with Lunch: $159
- The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $180
- Private SUV Wine Tour with Lunch: $183
- Full Day Private Crete Wine Tour Experience from Heraklion : $190
- Full day Knossos Palace, Local Distillery, Lunch @ Archanes: $192
- Knossos, Olive Mill, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $196
Sample the Local Flavors in Mamaia
Also in Mamaia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Unveilling the Essence: Gabai Winery's Captivating Wine Tours: $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Mamaia, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Mamaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mamaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mamaia 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 Mamaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Heraklion Expensive? and Is Mamaia Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Heraklion or Mamaia?
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 Heraklion or Mamaia in the Summer?
Both Mamaia and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Heraklion is a little warmer than Mamaia in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Mamaia fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Mamaia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Mamaia during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Mamaia receives 320 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Mamaia. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Mamaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHeraklion 25°C (78°F)Mamaia 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Mamaia in the Autumn?
Both Mamaia and Heraklion during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Heraklion is a little warmer than Mamaia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Mamaia averages at about 14°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Mamaia. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mamaia receives 182 hours of full sun.
Heraklion usually gets more rain in October than Mamaia. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Mamaia receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHeraklion 20°C (68°F)Mamaia 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Mamaia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Mamaia. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Mamaia can be very cold. In January, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Mamaia. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Mamaia fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Mamaia during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Mamaia receives 83 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Mamaia. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Mamaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHeraklion 12°C (54°F)Mamaia 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Mamaia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Mamaia. The spring months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Heraklion is much warmer than Mamaia in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Mamaia fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heraklion this time of the year. In the spring, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Mamaia. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mamaia receives 180 hours of full sun.
Heraklion usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Mamaia. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Mamaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHeraklion 16°C (61°F)Mamaia 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Mamaia and Heraklion
| Heraklion | Mamaia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 38 mm (1.5 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.