A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Kos vs. Aegina for Attractions, Food, Beaches, and Nightlife

Should you visit Kos or Aegina?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Aegina can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Kos

Kos is a party-hard, vibrant, and beautiful island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Aegina

Aegina is a vibrant, fun, and active island. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Kos and Aegina: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less attractive beach


Is there more to do in Kos or Aegina?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kos than Aegina, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kos is better known for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Aegina is more popular for its small town charm. Aegina is more touristy than Kos and is popular for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens. Kos is well known for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. Also, Kos is famous for Asklepieion Archeological Site.

How is Kos different from Aegina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aegina and Kos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kos or Aegina?

Kos
Aegina

Kos is an amazing island to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Kos on the map. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!

Many visitors head to Aegina specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are several temples on the island such as the Temple of Athena Aphaia and the Temple of Apollo. There's also and Archeological Museum that is nice to visit.


Is the Food Better in Kos or Aegina? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kos
Aegina

Kos is an amazing island to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Kos is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Aegina. There's a vibrant restaurant scene that includes traditional eateries serving seafood and refreshing ice cream shops where you can cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor.

Is Kos or Aegina Better for Nightlife?

Kos
Aegina

Both Kos and Aegina have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Kos has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.

The people in Aegina know how to have a good time. There's a great nightlife scene on the island. Most of the dance clubs are found in Agia Marina and you'll find more relaxing lounges around Aegina Town and other villages on the island.

Is Kos or Aegina Better for Resorts?

Kos
Aegina

Kos is a popular place for its resorts. However, Aegina is not a resort destination.

Kos has a few great resort options. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.

Aegina is not a resort destination.


Is Kos or Aegina Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos
Aegina

Kos is an amazing island to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Aegina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Kos a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.

Aegina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Aegina Better for Beaches?

Kos
Aegina

Kos is an amazing island to visit for the beach. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Kos. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona Beach.

Many people head to Aegina to enjoy the beach. While most of the beaches are small and crowded, they do offer a number of tourist facilities such as nearby bars and restaurants, as well as hotels. The most popular beaches on the island are Souvala and Agia Marina.

Is Kos or Aegina Better for Hiking?

Kos
Aegina

Kos is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Aegina is not a hiking destination.

Kos is a good destination for hiking. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Aegina is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Aegina?

Kos
Aegina

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Kos and Aegina.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Kos. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.

Aegina offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Is Kos or Aegina Better for Families?

Kos
Aegina

Both Kos and Aegina are notable to visit with kids.

Kos is a family-friendly island. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Aegina. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride from Athens as well as the pirate stories they'll hear throughout their trip. There are places that the whole family can swim and great restaurants with kid-friendly food.

Is Kos or Aegina Better for Couples?

Kos
Aegina

Kos is a great destination for couples. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Kos frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.

Aegina is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the beauty and great restaurants that this beautiful island offers. It's a charming day trip from Athens that is filled with impressive historical sights and a nice atmosphere.


Is Kos or Aegina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kos
Aegina

Kos is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kos is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.

Aegina is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Like most visitors, backpackers can hop on a ferry in Athens and visit the island as a day trip. It makes a nice excursion with many affordable restaurants and fun activities.

Is Kos or Aegina Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kos
Aegina

Kos is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Kos offers a very effecient public transportation network. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

While Aegina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

Is Kos or Aegina a more walkable city?

Kos
Aegina

Kos is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Kos is a very walkable destination. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.

Aegina is somewhat walkable. The town is walkable, but to explore elsewhere on the island, it's easiest to have your own vehicle.


For even more information, also check out Is Kos Worth Visiting? and Is Aegina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aegina or Kos?

How long in Kos or Aegina?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kos or Aegina to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kos than Aegina because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 1-2 days is enough time in Aegina.

Families should spend more time in Kos than Aegina. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kos, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Kos than Aegina. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kos that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kos than Aegina if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kos.


  • How many days in Kos or Aegina? Ideal Length of Stay
    Kos 2-5 
    Aegina 1-2

One day in Kos or Aegina?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Kos. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With nightlife and food around the fun destination of Aegina, there's plenty to do. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Kos or Aegina?

Kos is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many people visit Aegina for a weekend. With food and shopping around the active island of Aegina, there's plenty to do. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Aegina?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kos. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The destination of Aegina offers shopping and museums. It offers something for everyone. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.


A week in Kos or Aegina?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Kos. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Aegina, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Greece, and The Best Historical Tours in Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Aegina or Kos?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kos is €134, while the average daily cost in Aegina is €92. 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 Kos and Aegina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kos 62
    Aegina 43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kos 124
    Aegina 86
Compare Hotels in Kos and Aegina

Looking for a hotel in Kos or Aegina? 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.

Hotels in Kos


Hotels in Aegina


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: Kos Hotel Prices and Aegina Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kos 37
    Aegina 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kos

Also for Kos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Transfer From Kos Airport : $61
  • Arrival transfer from Kos Airport : $64
  • Artemis Hamam and Spa with Hotel Transfers Kos Island: $59
  • Catamaran Ferry Transfer to/from Bodrum and Kos : $28
  • Departure transfer to Kos Airport : $64
  • Kalymnos, Pserimos & Plati Island Cruise with Hotel Transfer: $60
  • Kos - Airport Private Transfer: $55
  • Kos Airport to Kos Hotels Private One–Way Transfer: $65
  • Kos Hotels to Kos Airport Private One–Way Transfer: $60
  • Kos Town: Kalymnos & Pserimos Day Cruise & Optional Transfer: $30
  • Paradise Beach Return Transfer: $25
  • Roundtrip Bus Transfer to Mount Zia for Sunset Viewing: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Kos or Aegina?

Prices for flights to both Aegina and Kos 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kos 43
    Aegina 34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kos

For Kos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Greek Dinner with Music, Dancing, and Unlimited Wine: $43
  • Tavern Dinner Experience with Greek Dancing and Wine: $66
  • Kos Cooking Classes by Mama Contessa: $87
  • Private Greek Cooking Class in Kos with Lunch: $89
  • Sunset Safari Tour with Dinner: $97
  • Private Cooking Class in Kos, Local Recipes: $98
  • Half Day Wine Tasting with Dinner in Kos: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kos 33
    Aegina 13

Tours and Activities in Kos

For Kos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Kos Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.61
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $8.14
  • Escape Game and Tour: $8.14
  • Kos Town: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise with Swimming Stops: $22
  • From Zia Sunset Tour: $27
  • Dory's Glass Bottom Boat Adventure in Pserimos and Pserimos Beach: $30
  • From Kalymnos, Pserimos and Plati Day Cruise: $33
  • Kos Island: 3-Island Wooden Ship Cruise w/ Lunch: $33
  • From the Port of Full Day Boat Cruise to 3 Islands: $33
  • 3-Island Cruise with Greek BBQ Lunch and Swimming: $33
  • Full-Day Tour to Nisyros The Volcano Island: $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kos 19
    Aegina 8.57

Sample the Local Flavors in Kos

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kos:

  • Wineries Tour w/ Wine Tastings, Lunch & Transportation: $60
  • Kos Island: Wine Tasting & Zia Village Visit for Sunset: $152


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kos and Aegina, we can see that Kos is more expensive. And not only is Aegina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aegina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aegina 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 Kos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kos than you might in Aegina.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kos Expensive? and Is Aegina Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kos or Aegina?

Kos has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Aegina, 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.