A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heraklion vs. Nizhny Novgorod for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Heraklion or Nizhny Novgorod?

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 Nizhny Novgorod 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 Nizhny Novgorod?

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.

Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod, commonly referred to as simply Nizhny, is the fifth largest city in Russia. It has a population of over 1.2 million and it is the primary economic and cultural center for the Volga region. The city dates back to 1221 and it sits at the intersection of the Volga and Oka Rivers. It became popular with tourists back in 1817 when the Makaryev Monastery Fair was moved to the city. The city continued to grow in popularity and by the middle of the 19th century it was a major trade center for the country. During the Soviet Union times the city became an industrial center as trade connections were abandoned.

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, Nizhny Novgorod 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 Nizhny Novgorod is €29. 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 Nizhny Novgorod in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Heraklion 81
    Nizhny Novgorod 19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Heraklion 162
    Nizhny Novgorod 38
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Nizhny Novgorod

Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Nizhny Novgorod? 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 Nizhny Novgorod


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Heraklion 31
    Nizhny Novgorod 1.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion

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

  • From Private Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands: $4,021
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to SITIA area up to 7 customers: $280
  • Private Transfer Port/Airport to/from Ierapetra: $273
  • Knossos and Arch Museum of Heraklion (Guide+Transfer+Ticket) : $229
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to Makris Gialos area up to 7 : $228
  • KNOSSOS PALACE private tour ( with Transfer from Heraklion Prefecture ): $196
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to IERAPETRA area up to 7 customers: $184
  • Private Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Makrygialos: $175
  • Semi Private Wine and Olive Oil tour (Transfer & Lunch Incl.): $163
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to RETHIMNO CITY area up to 7 : $157
  • Private Wine | Food Pairing at Titakis Winery with Free Transfer: $153
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to MATALA area up to 7 customers: $149

Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Nizhny Novgorod?

Prices for flights to both Nizhny Novgorod 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
    Nizhny Novgorod 8.93

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Heraklion 38
    Nizhny Novgorod 1.59

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Heraklion 26
    Nizhny Novgorod 2.20

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Nizhny Novgorod, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Nizhny Novgorod much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nizhny Novgorod would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nizhny Novgorod 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 Nizhny Novgorod.

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


Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Nizhny Novgorod?

Nizhny Novgorod has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Nizhny Novgorod, 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 Heraklion or Nizhny Novgorod?

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 Nizhny Novgorod in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Nizhny Novgorod. The summer months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Nizhny Novgorod in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Nizhny Novgorod fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Nizhny Novgorod. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Nizhny Novgorod receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Heraklion 25°C (78°F) 
    Nizhny Novgorod 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Nizhny Novgorod in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Nizhny Novgorod. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year.

In the autumn, Heraklion is much warmer than Nizhny Novgorod. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Nizhny Novgorod averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Heraklion usually gets more rain in October than Nizhny Novgorod. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Nizhny Novgorod receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Heraklion 20°C (68°F) 
    Nizhny Novgorod 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Nizhny Novgorod in the Winter?

Both Nizhny Novgorod and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nizhny Novgorod can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Nizhny Novgorod. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Nizhny Novgorod fluctuates around -10°C (13°F).

In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Nizhny Novgorod. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Nizhny Novgorod receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Heraklion 12°C (54°F) 
    Nizhny Novgorod -10°C (13°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Nizhny Novgorod in the Spring?

Both Nizhny Novgorod and Heraklion during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Heraklion is much warmer than Nizhny Novgorod in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Nizhny Novgorod fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Nizhny Novgorod. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Nizhny Novgorod receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Heraklion 16°C (61°F) 
    Nizhny Novgorod 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Nizhny Novgorod and Heraklion

Heraklion Nizhny Novgorod
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) -10°C (13°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 12°C (54°F) 77 mm (3 in) -8°C (17°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 14°C (56°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) -2°C (28°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 23°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 5°C (41°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) -2°C (29°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 14°C (58°F) 77 mm (3 in) -7°C (19°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)