A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Rioja vs. Crete for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit La Rioja or Crete?

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

Should I visit La Rioja or Crete? 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: La Rioja or Crete?

La Rioja

La Rioja is an area in northern Spain located in the Iberia peninsula. It is not as commonly known as some of the bigger cities, but it is a great place to visit. The area has more than 500 wineries, and though the area may not be well known as a tourist location, the name is often recognizable for its quality wine. La Rioja is full of natural beauty and Spanish culture. Because it is not as touristy as some of the larger areas of Spain, you are more likely to get a more genuine idea of real Spanish life and culture by visiting this region. The La Rioja area is nestled between cities like Burgos, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Pamplona and Zaragoza, so you are never far from the more popular northern cities.

Crete

The largest and most populous island of Greece, Crete has become a frequent vacation destination for many visitors. The terrain of the place is quite varied - very mountainous stretching east to west, with lush valleys, fertile plateaus, gorges, and famous caves like Idaion, the birthplace of the Greek god Zeus. The surrounding smaller islands and beaches are key attractions as well.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Crete or La Rioja?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in La Rioja is €0.00, while the average daily cost in Crete is €102. 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 La Rioja and Crete in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    La Rioja -
    Crete 48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    La Rioja 0.00
    Crete 96
Compare Hotels in La Rioja and Crete

Looking for a hotel in La Rioja or Crete? 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 La Rioja


Hotels in Crete


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: Crete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    La Rioja -
    Crete 23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Crete

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Crete:

  • Wine Tasting Experience @ Lyrarakis Winery (Transfer Included): $119
  • VIP transfer from Chania to Rethymno: $105
  • VIP Private Transfer: Heraklion - Analipsi Hotels & Villas: $62
  • Transfer from or to Chania airport to Gerani up to 3 customers : $85
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Platanias up to 3 or vise versa: $80
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Paleochora up to 3 or vise versa: $200
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Kolymbari up to 3 or vise versa: $105
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Georgioupolis up to 3 : $106
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Elafonisi up to 3 or vise versa: $224
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Chania City Center up to 3 : $54
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Agia Marina up to 3 customers: $71
  • Transfer Services From Heraklion To Rethymno Hotels: $96

Is it cheaper to fly into La Rioja or Crete?

Prices for flights to both Crete and La Rioja 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
    La Rioja -
    Crete 34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Crete

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Crete.

  • Troy Dinner-Show: $33
  • Spectacular Dinner-Show: $44
  • Cretan Night with Dinner & Live Show: $49
  • Olive Oil Factory Tour, Dinner & Traditional Dancing: $60
  • Chania: Cretan Folklore Dance Show with Dinner and Pickup: $75
  • Cook with Locals | Cretan cooking Class at Archanes (transfer - lunch included): $86
  • The Delicious Chania PRIVATE Street Food Tour : $87
  • Sightseeing Day Trip with Cooking Lesson and Lunch: $95
  • Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $97
  • Chania: Authentic Cooking Class in the White Mountains: $118
  • Heraklion: Cretan Cooking Lesson with Lunch in Arolithos: $118
  • E-bike Food Tour Tasting in Heraklion : $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    La Rioja -
    Crete 26

Tours and Activities in La Rioja

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

  • Private Vineyards Tour in San Vicente de la Sonsierra: $93
  • Private Tour to 3 Wineries with Tastings: $805

Tours and Activities in Crete

Here are a few actual costs in Crete for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 4x4 Safari tour Southern Crete Tripitis Gorge: $108
  • Adventure Safari Tour Secrets of the southern Crete : $100
  • Cretan Night Show Tour From Rethymnon: $54
  • Private Tour to Elafonisi and Falasarna: $131
  • 3-Hour Trekking Mount Karfi Adventure with pickup from Heraklion: $118
  • 4-Hour Giouchtas Trekking Hiking Experience from Heraklion: $90
  • 4x4 self drive adventure_Cretan mainland: $87
  • 6-Hours Safari Tour in Damnoni and Skinaria Beach, from Plakias: $37
  • Adventure Jeep Safari Amazing sunset : $85
  • Agia Pelagia: Quad Safari-Family Tour: $85
  • Agios Nikolaos-Spinalonga-Elounda Tour TR: $47
  • Agios Nikolaos: Private Sailing Cruise in Mirabello Bay: $2,139

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    La Rioja -
    Crete 20

Sample the Local Flavors in La Rioja

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Rioja:

  • Private Wine Tasting in San Vicente de la Sonsierra: $60
  • Rioja: Private Wine Tasting Tour: $422

Sample the Local Flavors in Crete

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Crete:

  • Chania: Off-Road Tour at Sunset with Wine Tasting: $95
  • Ecobike Wine Tasting Tour in Heraklion: $115
  • Luxury Private Wine Tasting Experience in Haralabakis Winery: $119
  • Heraklion: Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with wine Tastings: $125
  • Wine Tasting on Luxury Yacht Sunset Evening in Marina: $173
  • The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $180
  • Full Day Private Crete Wine Tour Experience from Heraklion : $190
  • Knossos, Olive Mill, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $196
  • Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch : $216
  • From Elounda Private Heraklion Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $229
  • Heraklion: Private Knossos & Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $246
  • Ecobike Tour • All in One • Historical Tour-Food Tasting-Wine Tasting: $256


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

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


Which has a larger population, La Rioja or Crete?

Crete has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of La Rioja. When comparing the sizes of La Rioja and Crete, 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.