Should you visit Ios or Antalya?
Should I visit Ios or Antalya? 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.
Antalya
Antalya is the largest city along Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the eighth largest city in the country with over one million people in the metropolitan area. The city dates back to about 200 BC when it was settled by the Attalid Dynasty of Pergamon and soon conquered by the Romans. The city was ruled by several different groups and most recently was transferred to Italian suzerainty following World War I. It became part of Turkey following the War of Independence. The city has seen an influx of development in recent years and it has grown into a tourism mecca with more than 12 million visitors in 2014.
Which city is cheaper, Antalya 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 Antalya is €45. 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 Antalya 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.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about €44 in Antalya For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
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.
On average, meal and food prices in Antalya cost around €15 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €6.00.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Ios €26
Antalya €15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya
For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner:
$83
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.
Antalya's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €7.19 per person, per day on transportation in Antalya.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antalya
Also for Antalya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Transfers:
$5.00
-
One-Way Shared Transfer: Antalya City & Beach to Antalya Airport:
$9.95
-
One-Way Shared Transfer: Antalya Airport to Belek:
$11
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Antalya Airport (AYT) to Antalya:
$13
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Antalya to Antalya Airport (AYT):
$13
-
One-Way Shared Transfer: Antalya Airport to Kemer:
$14
-
One-Way Shared Transfer: Antalya Airport to Side:
$14
-
One-Way Shared Transfer: Antalya Airport to Alanya:
$14
-
Antalya Airport - Antalya City Hotels Private Transfers (Lara, Kundu, Old Town):
$17
-
Private Departure Transfer: Kundu / Lara Region Hotels to Antalya Airport:
$22
-
Private Departure Transfer from Antalya, Kundu or Lara to Antalya Airport:
$22
-
Private Arrival Transfer: Antalya Airport to Antalya, Kundu or Lara:
$22
Is it cheaper to fly into Ios or Antalya?
Prices for flights to both Antalya 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.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Antalya can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €12 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Ios
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ios are as follows:
-
From Ios to Sikinos Island & Winery Tour:
$96
-
Half Day Sunset Sailboat tour (afternoon):
$210
-
Ios Speed Boat Adventure:
$54
Tours and Activities in Antalya
For Antalya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Skip the Line: Yoruk Parki Kemer Admission Ticket:
$5.75
-
Admission Ticket to Sandland Antalya:
$7.46
-
Shopping Tour From Kemer:
$10
-
Sapadere Canyon Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Alanya:
$28
-
Canyoning and Rafting Tours from Antalya:
$29
-
Antalya Rafting Tour:
$31
-
Antalya Local Bazaar Tour:
$33
-
Koprulu Canyon Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch from Antalya:
$34
-
Turkey: Day Tour of Ancient Lycia:
$36
-
Day Tour to Xanthos City, Saklikent Canyon and Patara Beach:
$36
-
Antalya Rafting Tour:
$37
-
Rafting Tour:
$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.
Typically, people visiting Antalya spend on average €6.68 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ios and Antalya, we can see that Ios is more expensive. And not only is Antalya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antalya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antalya 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 Antalya.
Related Articles for Antalya
