Which place is cheaper, Plovdiv or Ios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Ios or Plovdiv? 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.
Located in a large, hilly plain between the Rhodope Mountains in the south of Bulgaria and the Balkan Range in the central part of the country, Plovdiv sits uniquely spread across six hills. It is one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world, dating back roughly 8,000 years. Some of its best features are its ancient ruins and historic architecture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 3-Day Tours in Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, and The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria.
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 Plovdiv is €75. 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 Plovdiv in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Ios or Plovdiv? 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 Plovdiv, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Plovdiv 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.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ios are as follows:
For Plovdiv, 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:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plovdiv:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ios and Plovdiv, we can see that Ios is more expensive. And not only is Plovdiv much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plovdiv would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plovdiv 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 Plovdiv.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ios Expensive? and Is Plovdiv Expensive?.
Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Ios. When comparing the sizes of Ios and Plovdiv, 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.