Which place is cheaper, Sochi or Heraklion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Heraklion or Sochi?
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 Sochi 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 Sochi?
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.
Sochi
Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHeraklion €158Sochi €56
The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €158, while the average daily cost in Sochi is €56. 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 Sochi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHeraklion €81Sochi €14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHeraklion €162Sochi €28
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Sochi
Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Sochi? 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 €31Sochi -
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 and Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Panormo: $102
- Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos: $122
- Crete Private Transfer from Heraklion to Hersonissos: $51
- Crete Private Transfer to and from Heraklion Airport Port Town : $36
- From Airport to Elounda Private Transfer: $106
- From Private Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands: $4,001
- Heraklion Airport (HER): Private Transfer to Heraklion Port: $104
- Heraklion Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Heraklion city: $136
- Heraklion Int Airport (HER): Transfer to Heraklion hotels: $136
- KNOSSOS PALACE private tour ( with Transfer from Heraklion Prefecture ): $196
- Knossos and Arch Museum of Heraklion (Guide+Transfer+Ticket) : $229
Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Sochi?
Prices for flights to both Sochi 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 €52Sochi €16
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: $89
- Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $97
- Food tour tasting walking tour: $122
- 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 €38Sochi €105
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: $8.51
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHeraklion €26Sochi -
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Sochi, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Sochi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sochi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sochi 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 Sochi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Heraklion Expensive? and Is Sochi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Sochi?
Sochi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Sochi, 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 Sochi?
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 Sochi in the Summer?
Both Sochi and Heraklion during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Heraklion is a little warmer than Sochi in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Sochi fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Sochi. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sochi receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHeraklion 25°C (78°F)Sochi 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Sochi in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Sochi. 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 Sochi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Sochi averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Sochi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Sochi. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Sochi receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHeraklion 20°C (68°F)Sochi 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Sochi in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Sochi. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Sochi. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Sochi fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
It's quite rainy in Sochi. Heraklion usually gets less rain in January than Sochi. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Sochi receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHeraklion 12°C (54°F)Sochi 6°C (44°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Sochi in the Spring?
Both Sochi and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Heraklion is a little warmer than Sochi in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Sochi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Sochi. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sochi receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHeraklion 16°C (61°F)Sochi 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Sochi and Heraklion
| Heraklion | Sochi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 202 mm (8 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.