Which place is cheaper, Venice or Kos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Venice 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 is a vibrant, beautiful, and ancient island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.
Venice is a historic, beautiful, and romantic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Venice than Kos, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Venice is better known for its historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Kos is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Venice is more touristy than Kos and is known for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. Also, Venice is famous for St. Mark's Basilica. Kos is well known for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Venice and Kos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Spend time exploring the amazing sights and museums in either Kos or Venice.
Travelers visit Kos from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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!
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Venice are among the most recognizable in the world. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.
Kos is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Kos has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.
Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.
Kos is great for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.
Many people head to Kos for the nightlife scene. 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.
Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.
Kos is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Venice 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.
Venice is not a resort destination.
Kos is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Venice is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
The scuba diving and snorkeling in Kos is not to be missed. 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.
Venice is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Kos is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Venice is not a beach destination.
With world-famous beaches, Kos is a very popular vacation destination. 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.
Venice is not a beach destination.
Venice is very popular for its historic old town. However, Kos does not have a historic old town.
Venice has a world-famous historical area. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.
Kos does not have a historic old town.
Kos is very good for hiking. However, Venice is not a hiking destination.
Many people include a hike when visiting Kos. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.
Venice is not a hiking destination.
Venice is very popular for shopping. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.
People travel from around the world to go shopping in Venice. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.
Kos offers some nice shopping areas. 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.
Venice is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
Venice is a very family-friendly destination. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kos. 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.
Venice is very popular for romance. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.
Venice is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.
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.
Kos and Venice are both superb destinations for backpackers.
Kos is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.
Venice is a great island to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.
Venice is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Kos is not popular with students.
Venice is a very popular city for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.
Kos is not popular with students.
Venice is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.
Venice has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.
The public transit in Kos can get you around easily. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.
Venice is very popular for its walkability. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Venice. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.
Kos is a very walkable island. 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.
For even more information, also check out Is Kos Worth Visiting? and Is Venice Worth Visiting?.
Both Kos and Venice have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Venice than in Kos. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 2-7 days is enough time in Venice.
Families should spend more time in Venice than Kos. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Venice, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Venice than Kos. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Venice that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
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 shopping and museums around the romantic destination of Venice, there's plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
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 Venice for a weekend. With museums and food around the magical city of Venice, there's plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.
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.
With food and shopping around the destination of Venice, there's plenty to do. Many people spend five days here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant 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.
Venice, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Visiting the old town is also a must. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.
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 Venice is €229. 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 Venice in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Kos or Venice? 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.
Also for Kos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Venice:
Also for Venice, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Venice 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.
For Kos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Venice:
For Venice, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Kos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Venice, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Venice.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kos:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Venice:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Venice:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kos and Venice, we can see that Venice is more expensive. And not only is Kos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kos 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice than you might in Kos.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kos Expensive? and Is Venice Expensive?.
Venice has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Venice, 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.