Which place is cheaper, Mamaia or Ios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ios or Mamaia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ios or Mamaia? 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 Mamaia?
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.
Mamaia
The most popular beach resort in Romania, Mamaia sits on an 8-kilometer wisp of land between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an aqua park, the resort area is a party-goer's destination with endless opportunities for fun in the sun and nighttime merriment.
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 Tours for Seniors to Romania, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIos €91Mamaia €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Ios is €91, while the average daily cost in Mamaia is €60. 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 Mamaia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIos €39Mamaia €23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIos €78Mamaia €46
Compare Hotels in Ios and Mamaia
Looking for a hotel in Ios or Mamaia? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ios €16Mamaia €25
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mamaia
Also for Mamaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Constanta to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $174
- Cernavoda to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $218
- Constanta to Bucharest Otopeni airport - private transfers: $251
- Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta to Bucharest Driver - Private Guided Transfer : $272
Is it cheaper to fly into Ios or Mamaia?
Prices for flights to both Mamaia 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 €33Mamaia €21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ios €26Mamaia €12
Tours and Activities in Ios
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ios are as follows:
- 5 -6 Hour Private Chora E-Bike Tours: $131
- Electric Bike Tour Chora to Diaseli Cheesery: $109
- Electric Bike Tour Chora to Homer's Tomp: $109
- From RIB Boat Trip to Sikinos Island and Winery Tour: $84
- Ios Island Trekking Tours: Discover Ios Unexplored: $27
- Ios Island: Speedboat Cruise from Mylopotas Beach: $52
- 4-Hour Cruise of the Best Beaches: $63
- Private Orienteering Experience in Mylopotas: $163
Tours and Activities in Mamaia
For Mamaia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Labyrinth in the Rocks Tour near Silistra: $21
- Day Tour: Visit Histria Winery and Ancient Citadel: $86
- One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis): $175
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIos €33Mamaia €11
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Mamaia
Also in Mamaia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Unveilling the Essence: Gabai Winery's Captivating Wine Tours: $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ios and Mamaia, we can see that Ios is more expensive. And not only is Mamaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mamaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mamaia 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 Mamaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ios Expensive? and Is Mamaia Expensive?.
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.