Which place is cheaper, Alexandria or Ios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ios or Alexandria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ios or Alexandria? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Ios or Alexandria?
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.
Alexandria
There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 3-Day Tours in Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, and The Best Budget Tours to Egypt.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIos €91Alexandria €16
The average daily cost (per person) in Ios is €91, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is €16. 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 Ios and Alexandria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIos €39Alexandria €7.49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIos €78Alexandria €15
Compare Hotels in Ios and Alexandria
Looking for a hotel in Ios or Alexandria? 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: Ios Hotel Prices and Alexandria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ios €16Alexandria €2.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ios
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ios:
- 1-Way Private Helicopter Transfer to the Greek Islands: $2,417
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:
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Taxi to Train Station€0.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria City Hotels: $16
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria: $26
- Alexandria to Alexandria Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $26
- Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40
- Private Pickup Transfer From A Hotel In Alexandria To Borg Al Arab Airport: $50
- Alexandria Airport to Alexandria - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
- Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $52
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
- Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $71
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $73
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Ios or Alexandria?
Prices for flights to both Alexandria 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayIos €33Alexandria €6.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.
- Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $35
- Alexandria Food Tour: $50
- From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ios €26Alexandria €3.28
Tours and Activities in Ios
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ios are as follows:
- Ios Island Trekking Tours: Discover Ios Unexplored: $27
- Ios Island: Speedboat Cruise from Mylopotas Beach: $52
- 4-Hour Cruise of the Best Beaches: $63
- From RIB Boat Trip to Sikinos Island and Winery Tour: $84
- Electric Bike Tour Chora to Homer's Tomp: $109
- Electric Bike Tour Chora to Diaseli Cheesery: $109
- 5 -6 Hour Private Chora E-Bike Tours: $131
- Private Orienteering Experience in Mylopotas: $163
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- The Ancient Roman Theater Entry Ticket: $3.80
- Pompey's Pillar Entry Ticket: $3.80
- Citadel of Qaitbay Entry Ticket : $3.80
- Catacomb Of Kom El-Shoqafa Entry Tickets : $3.80
- Skip The Line Entry Ticket to Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria: $4.25
- Alexandria Library Entry Ticket: $5.70
- Qaitbay Citadel Entry Ticket: $5.70
- Catacomb Of Kom El-Shoqafa Entry Ticket: $5.70
- Alexandria Library Skip the line Access Entry Ticket: $6.12
- Skip the Line Tickets for The Catacomb of Kom eL Shoqafa: $6.12
- Skip the Line Tickets for The Roman Theater in Alexandria: $6.12
- Library of Alexandria Entry Ticket Included Pickup And Drop Off: $6.38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIos €33Alexandria €1.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Ios
Also in Ios, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl Ios Ticket in Cyclades: $38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ios and Alexandria, we can see that Ios is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ios is in Europe and Alexandria is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Ios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ios than you might in Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ios Expensive? and Is Alexandria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ios or Alexandria?
Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 2110 times larger than the population of Ios. When comparing the sizes of Ios and Alexandria, 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.
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.