Which place is cheaper, Podgorica or Heraklion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Heraklion or Podgorica?
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 Podgorica 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 Podgorica?
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.
Podgorica
Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.
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 Budget Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHeraklion €158Podgorica €102
The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €158, while the average daily cost in Podgorica is €102. 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 Podgorica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHeraklion €81Podgorica €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHeraklion €162Podgorica €92
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Podgorica
Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Podgorica? 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 and Podgorica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Heraklion €31Podgorica €20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion
Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One-Way Shared Transfer From or To Heraklion Air - Hersonissos: $16
- Acqua Plus Water Park Admission with Optional Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer in Crete: $33
- Crete Private Transfer to and from Heraklion Airport Port Town : $36
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to AMMOUDARA HERAKLION area up to 7: $47
- Crete Private Transfer from Heraklion to Hersonissos: $51
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to ANISSARAS area up to 7 customers: $61
- VIP Private Transfer: Heraklion - Analipsi Hotels & Villas: $61
- Transfer Heraklio Airport to ANALIPSI area up to 7 customers: $62
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to KOUTOULOUFARI area up to 7 : $62
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to AGIA PELAGIA area up to 7 customers: $62
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to MALIA area up to 7 customers: $79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:
- VAN Private transfers from Airport Podgorica and city to Budva: $119
- Transfer from Podgorica to Sarajevo: $249
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Budva (and viceversa): $90
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Bar (and viceversa): $90
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport and city to Tivat : $107
- Transfer Podgorica city center- Podgorica Airport: $22
- Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Budva: $75
- Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Bar: $75
- Private transfer from Podgorica to Ostrog monastery (minivan): $116
- Private transfer from Podgorica Airport or city to Tirana Airport: $271
- Private Transfer: Podgorica Airport TGD to Podgorica in Sedan Car: $36
- Private Transfer from Podgorica to Herceg Novi : $154
Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Podgorica?
Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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 €52Podgorica €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 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: $83
- 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
- Walking Food Tour to Explore and Eat in Heraklion: $144
- Private Interactive Cooking Class with Aggeliki : $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Heraklion €38Podgorica €21
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: $8.52
- CRETAquarium Entrance Ticket in Crete: $8.71
- Mobile Self-Guided Audio Sightseeing Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Crete: Palace of Knossos E-Ticket and Optional Audio Guide: $11
- Herakleion: City Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- Entry E-Ticket to Heraklion Archaeological Museum with Audio: $15
- Heraklion, Market & CretAquarium *SKIP the line: $15
- Heraklion Market & CretAquarium *Skip the line: $16
- Heraklion City Tour - Aquarium: $17
- Knossos Palace: E-ticket with Audio and Heraklion City Tour: $18
- Party Bike 1 hour Experience in Malia : $19
Tours and Activities in Podgorica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:
- ATV Private Tour Montenegro – Žabljak Crnojevića: $331
- Bay of Kotor hiking experience - Montenegro Travel Club private tour: $184
- Biogradska Gora - Biograd Lake & Moraca canyon - Skadar Lake tour: $175
- Boat Cruise Viktor Skadar LakeVirpazar Kom MonasteryVirpazar: $16
- Book Your Donkey Farm Tour: $56
- Book Your Montenegro Tour: $99
- Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $65
- Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
- Cultural Bike Tour of Podgorica;Discovering the Ancient Treasures: $70
- Durmitor - Black Lake & Tara River Canyon - North Montenegro tour: $223
- Durmitor National Park, Northern Fairy Tail -private tour from Podgorica: $178
- Family Adventures in A Journey of Discovery: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHeraklion €26Podgorica €20
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: $94
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $95
- Ecobike Wine Tasting Tour in Heraklion: $114
- Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with wine Tastings: $125
- Half Day Semi Private Wine Tour with Tastings: $133
- Full Day-Ecobike Old Villages Tour & Wine Tasting: $142
- Semi Private Heraklion Valley Wine Tour with Lunch: $159
- The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $180
- Private SUV Wine Tour with Lunch: $182
- Full day Knossos Palace, Local Distillery, Lunch @ Archanes: $192
- Knossos, Olive Mill, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $196
- All in One - Ecobike City Tour - Food Tasting - Wine Tasting: $200
Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:
- Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
- Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $92
- Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $105
- Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $119
- Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $128
- National parks and wine tasting (NP Lovcen, NP Skadar lake, Cetinje, Njegusi): $158
- Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $195
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Podgorica, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Podgorica much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Podgorica would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Podgorica 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 Podgorica.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Heraklion Expensive? and Is Podgorica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Podgorica?
Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Podgorica, 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 Podgorica?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Heraklion or Podgorica in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Podgorica. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 25°C (78°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heraklion this time of the year. In the summer, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Podgorica. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun.
Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Podgorica. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHeraklion 25°C (78°F)Podgorica 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Podgorica in the Autumn?
Both Podgorica and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Heraklion is a little warmer than Podgorica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Podgorica fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Podgorica. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Podgorica during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHeraklion 20°C (68°F)Podgorica 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Podgorica in the Winter?
Both Podgorica and Heraklion during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year.
In the winter, Heraklion is much warmer than Podgorica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heraklion in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Podgorica averages at about 6°C (42°F).
In the winter, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Podgorica. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 121 hours of full sun.
Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heraklion usually gets less rain in January than Podgorica. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHeraklion 12°C (54°F)Podgorica 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Podgorica in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Podgorica. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 16°C (61°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Podgorica during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.
Podgorica receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHeraklion 16°C (61°F)Podgorica 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Podgorica and Heraklion
| Heraklion | Podgorica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 217 mm (8.5 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.