Should you visit Ios or Rhodes?
Should I visit Ios or Rhodes? 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.
Rhodes
Rhodes Island is one of the largest and most visited islands in Greece both because of its diversity of sights and its wonderful climate. On the island are some beautiful beaches, well preserved historic sights, and lovely towns. Rhodes City is the capital city on the island of Rhodes and is famous as the former site of the Colossus. Colossus is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe. Today Rhodes City has an interesting old town that is surrounded by the medieval wall. Inside you'll find countless souvenir shops and restaurants that cater to tourists. Cruise ships also frequent the island, so it's best visited during the off season when the crowds may be slightly less. You will also find that prices drop when the crowds are thinner and the cruise ships are scarce.
Which city is cheaper, Rhodes 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 Rhodes is €108. 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 Rhodes 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.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €92 for a double occupancy room in Rhodes.
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.
While meal prices in Rhodes can vary, the average travelers spends about €38 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Rhodes should cost around €15 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Rhodes is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Ios €26
Rhodes €38
Typical Food prices in Rhodes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rhodes:
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Coffee
€1.95
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Dinner for Two
€23
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.
The average price of local transportation around Rhodes is €39 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.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Rhodes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rhodes:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rhodes
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rhodes:
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Private Airport Transfer: from Rhodes to Rhodes Airport (RHO):
$19
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Rhodes Private Departure Transfer to Rhodes Airport:
$22
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Diagoras Airport Private Hotel Transfer:
$25
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Rhodes Private Departure Transfer:
$28
Is it cheaper to fly into Ios or Rhodes?
Prices for flights to both Rhodes 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.
Rhodes's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €15 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.
Tours and Activities in Ios
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ios are as follows:
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Ios Speed Boat Adventure:
$54
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From Ios to Sikinos Island & Winery Tour:
$96
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Half Day Sunset Sailboat tour (afternoon):
$210
Tours and Activities in Rhodes
Here are a few actual costs in Rhodes for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Rhodes Shore Excursion: Rhodes City Tour:
$572
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Rhodes Shore Excursion: Private Lindos Tour:
$683
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Private Tour: Lindos Acropolis and Village:
$683
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Rhodes Private Tours:
$995
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Private Tour: Lindos and Rhodes Old Town Day Trip:
$1,131
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Rhodes Shore Excursion: Private Lindos and Rhodes Old Town Tour:
$1,131
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Hike around Rhodes in a 8 day tour! (Walking holidays):
$1,369
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Rhodes Family Adventure Week:
$1,630
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.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Rhodes may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €9.71 per day on alcoholic beverages.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ios and Rhodes, we can see that Rhodes 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 Rhodes would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rhodes than you might in Ios.
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