Which place is cheaper, Dahab or Ios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Ios or Dahab? 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.
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.
Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Ios is €91, while the average daily cost in Dahab is €13. 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 Dahab in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Ios or Dahab? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ios:
Also for Dahab, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Dahab 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.
For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Dahab, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ios are as follows:
For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also in Ios, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ios and Dahab, we can see that Ios is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ios is in Europe and Dahab 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 Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Dahab.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ios Expensive? and Is Dahab Expensive?.
Dahab has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ios. When comparing the sizes of Ios and Dahab, 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.