Should you visit Ios or Albufeira?
Should I visit Ios or Albufeira? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Ios
Ios is an island in the south of Greece, located in the Cyclades group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a peaceful beach getaway by day, and a lively party scene by night. While its main town is the hub for nightlife, it is also a charming place during the day, typical of a traditional Greek village with shops and cafes against a backdrop of whitewashed buildings and turquoise waters.
Albufeira
Located in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal, Albufeira was once a small fishing village which has since evolved into a popular destination for tourists attracted by the area's beaches, pleasant climate, and fresh seafood.
Which city is cheaper, Albufeira or Ios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Ios is €73, while the average daily cost in Albufeira is €118. 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 Ios and Albufeira in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €31. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Ios the cost is €62 on average.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €59. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Albufeira the cost is €118 on average.
Food
While meal prices in Ios can vary, the average travelers spends about €26 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Ios should cost around €10 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Ios is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
The average traveler spends about €38 per day in Albufeira 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
Ios €26
Albufeira €38
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Ios is €13 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Albufeira is €27 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:
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Albufeira Shared Departure Transfer to Faro:
$14
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Albufeira Private Transfer to Faro:
$16
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Transfer Albufeira - Balaia Golf (Albufeira):
$19
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Faro Airport Private Transfer - Albufeira (Departure):
$22
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Faro Shared Transfer to or from Albufeira:
$22
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Private Faro Airport Transfer to Albufeira (up to 4 passangers):
$34
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Transfer Galé - Balaia Golf (Albufeira):
$36
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Transfer Albufeira to Faro Airport:
$36
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Departure Transfer Albufeira or Açoteias to Faro Airport FAO by Private Vehicle:
$38
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Stork Transfers - Private Transfer From Albufeira to Faro Airport (up to 4 pax):
$41
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Private Faro Airport Transfer to Albufeira (5 to 8 passangers):
$51
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Private Transfer from Villa Guerreiro (Albufeira) to Faro (FAO) Airport:
$54
Is it cheaper to fly into Ios or Albufeira?
Prices for flights to both Albufeira and Ios 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.
Entertainment
Ios's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €21 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Albufeira's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €31 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Ios
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ios are as follows:
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Ios Speed Boat Adventure:
$54
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From Ios to Sikinos Island & Winery Tour:
$96
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Half Day Sunset Sailboat tour (afternoon):
$210
Tours and Activities in Albufeira
Here are a few actual costs in Albufeira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Albufeira Beach Tour:
$25
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Lagos & Sagres Guided Bus Tour:
$25
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'Leaozinho' Pirate Ship Cruise from Albufeira:
$30
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1.5 Hour Quad Off-Road Tour from Albufeira:
$31
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Private Guided Tuk Tuk Tour with pick-up and drop-off in Albufeira:
$33
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Coast Tour & Chapel of Bones:
$35
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Dolphins and Caves Albufeira Marina Tour:
$37
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Algarve Jet Boat Tour from Albufeira:
$37
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Silves & Monchique Guided Bus Tour with Lunch:
$39
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Albufeira 1.5 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour:
$40
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Stand Up Paddle Tour:
$44
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Caves and Dolphin Watching Cruise from Albufeira:
$44
Alcohol
The average person spends about €26 on alcoholic beverages in Ios per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Albufeira may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €21 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira
Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Small group Wine Tasting Tour from Albufeira:
$61
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sunset wine tasting from Albufeira:
$87
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Half Day Small Group Premium Wine Tour from Albufeira:
$93
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Wine Tour & Walking 7 Hanging Valleys - Coast Algarve:
$156
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From Algarve: Medieval Évora with Lunch and Wine Tasting:
$319
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Algarve Art and Wine Tour from Albufeira:
$653
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ios and Albufeira, we can see that Albufeira is more expensive. And not only is Ios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ios 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 Albufeira would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Albufeira than you might in Ios.
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