Should you visit Ios or Genoa?
Should I visit Ios or Genoa? 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.
Genoa
Located on the coast of northwest Italy, Genoa is a port city and capital of the Liguria region. With a long history as a rich and powerful trade center, Genoa's past of many centuries is still visible in its old port, stunning architecture, and charming alleyways. A traveler can spend days walking along seaside villas, admiring towering churches, and shopping the boutiques of the city. Genoa is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, featuring what is thought to be his birth home and many other quaint abodes.
Which city is cheaper, Genoa 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 Genoa is €120. 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 Genoa 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.
The prices for places to stay in Genoa can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €71, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €142.
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.
Food in Genoa costs travelers about €41 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Ios €26
Genoa €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Genoa
For Genoa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Genoa Street Food Tour:
$93
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Small-group Street food tour in Genoa:
$111
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Italian Aperitivo Food Tour with a local in Genoa:
$131
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Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Genoa:
$162
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Private cooking class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Genoa:
$180
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Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Genoa:
$180
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Local Market Visit and Private Cooking Class in Genoa:
$267
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.
Genoa'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 €6.95 per person, per day on transportation in Genoa.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Genoa
Also for Genoa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfers & Ground Transport:
$35
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Private Departure Car Transfer: Hotel to Genoa Airport (GOA):
$52
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Genoa - Santa Margerita Ligure / Private Van Transfer:
$56
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Genoa – Portofino / Private Van Transfer:
$56
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Genoa Transfer: Riviera or Genoa Hotel to Cruise Port:
$58
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Private Departure Transfer: Genoa or Riviera Hotels to Genoa Airport:
$58
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Private Arrival Transfer: Genoa Airport to City or Riviera Hotels:
$58
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Genoa Transfer: Cruise Port to Genoa or Riviera Hotel:
$58
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Genoa Airport Transfers : Genoa Airport GOA to Genoa City in Business Car:
$71
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Genoa Private Transfers : Genoa Cruise Port to Genoa City in Business Car:
$71
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Genoa Airport Transfers : Genoa Airport GOA to Genoa City in Minivan:
$75
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Genoa - Santa Margerita Ligure / Private Car Transfer:
$100
Is it cheaper to fly into Ios or Genoa?
Prices for flights to both Genoa 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 Genoa can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €16 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:
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From Ios to Sikinos Island & Winery Tour:
$96
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Half Day Sunset Sailboat tour (afternoon):
$210
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Ios Speed Boat Adventure:
$54
Tours and Activities in Genoa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Genoa.
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Aquarium of Genoa Full-Day Entrance Ticket:
$30
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Aquario Village Admission Ticket:
$57
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From Full-Day Tour of Genoa and Portofino:
$100
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Dining Experience at a local's Home in Genoa:
$106
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Small Group Market tour and Dining Experience at a Cesarina's home in Genoa:
$136
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Exclusive Historic Shops Tour in Genoa:
$143
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Your first time in Genoa - private tour:
$152
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Private 3-hour Walking Tour of Genoa with official tour guide:
$167
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Local Market Tour and Dining experience at a local's home in Genoa:
$173
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Vertical Genoa urban walking - private tour:
$185
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Food Market Tour and Workshop with a Cesarina in Cinque Terre:
$193
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Name your recipe: food market tour and workshop with a Cesarina in Genoa:
$193
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.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Genoa, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €8.29.
Sample the Local Flavors in Genoa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Genoa:
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San Gimignano Full-Day Private Tour with Wine Tasting:
$943
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ios and Genoa, we can see that Genoa 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 Genoa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Genoa than you might in Ios.
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