Which place is cheaper, Thessaloniki or Mamaia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mamaia or Thessaloniki?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mamaia or Thessaloniki? 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: Mamaia or Thessaloniki?
Mamaia
The most popular beach resort in Romania, Mamaia sits on an 8-kilometer wisp of land between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an aqua park, the resort area is a party-goer's destination with endless opportunities for fun in the sun and nighttime merriment.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Romania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, and The Best Contiki Tours to Greece.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMamaia $64Thessaloniki $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Mamaia is $64, while the average daily cost in Thessaloniki is $144. 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 Mamaia and Thessaloniki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMamaia $25Thessaloniki $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMamaia $50Thessaloniki $170
Compare Hotels in Mamaia and Thessaloniki
Looking for a hotel in Mamaia or Thessaloniki? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Thessaloniki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mamaia $27Thessaloniki $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mamaia
Also for Mamaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Constanta to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $174
- Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta to Bucharest Driver - Private Guided Transfer : $272
- Constanta to Bucharest Otopeni airport - private transfers: $251
- Cernavoda to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $218
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Thessaloniki to Ikos Oceania: $153
- Bus Transfer to/from Kavala: $18
- Thessaloniki to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) - Departure Transfer: $21
- Thessaloniki Cruise Port: Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
- Thessaloniki Airport to TUI Blue Lagoon Hotels Private Transfer: $93
- Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Hotels Private Transfer: $98
- Thessaloniki Airport to Portes Lithos Luxury Resort Private Transfer: $82
- Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Olivia Hotel Private Transfer: $98
- Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Oceania Hotel Private Transfer: $87
- Thessaloniki Airport to Alia Palace Hotel Private Transfer: $131
- Thessaloniki Airport to Afitis Boutique Hotel Private Transfer: $109
- Thessaloniki Airport or Cruise Port Private Departure Transfer: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Mamaia or Thessaloniki?
Prices for flights to both Thessaloniki and Mamaia 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
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Food Meals for one dayMamaia $22Thessaloniki $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $48
- Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $49
- Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $63
- Guided Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $71
- Private Walking Tour Gastronomic Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $87
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $95
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $95
- Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $95
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $97
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $97
- Greek Cooking Class, Market visit and Lunch: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mamaia $13Thessaloniki $28
Tours and Activities in Mamaia
For Mamaia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Day Tour: Visit Histria Winery and Ancient Citadel: $86
- One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis): $175
- Self-Guided Labyrinth in the Rocks Tour near Silistra: $21
Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-Hour Thessaloniki Jewish Heritage Private Guided Tour: $207
- Archery Odyssey Traditional Archery Experience: $65
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $218
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $192
- Charming pearls of Thessaloniki – Romantic Tour: $153
- City Sightseeing Thessaloniki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
- Daily Cruise:Discover Thessaloniki in a different way: $1,069
- Daily Sailing Cruise Olympus Riviera Highlights: $122
- Day Tour at Royal Tombs of Aigai and Museum of Pella with pickup: $93
- Dion and Palaios Panteleimon Myth and History Tour: $153
- Dion-Olympus Private Tour from Thessaloniki: $96
- Discover Olympus from Paralia in Jeep Safari Shared Tour: $76
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMamaia $12Thessaloniki $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Mamaia
Also in Mamaia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Unveilling the Essence: Gabai Winery's Captivating Wine Tours: $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki
Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Thessaloniki: $25
- From Pella-Edessa wine tasting: $64
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $81
- Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $83
- Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $91
- Wine Tasting Experience from Thessaloniki: $93
- Thessaloniki to Naoussa, Wine Tasting Tour – Private Day Trip: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mamaia and Thessaloniki, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Mamaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mamaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mamaia 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 Thessaloniki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thessaloniki than you might in Mamaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mamaia Expensive? and Is Thessaloniki Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Mamaia or Thessaloniki?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Mamaia or Thessaloniki in the Summer?
Both Thessaloniki and Mamaia are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.
Mamaia is cooler than Thessaloniki in the summer. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mamaia. Mamaia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Thessaloniki during summer. Mamaia gets 320 hours of sunny skies, while Thessaloniki receives 327 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mamaia usually receives more rain than Thessaloniki. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMamaia 22°C (72°F)Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Mamaia or Thessaloniki in the Autumn?
Both Thessaloniki and Mamaia during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Mamaia is cooler than Thessaloniki. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mamaia in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Thessaloniki averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Mamaia often gets more sunshine than Thessaloniki. Mamaia gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Thessaloniki receives 159 hours of full sun.
Mamaia usually gets less rain in October than Thessaloniki. Mamaia gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMamaia 14°C (56°F)Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Mamaia or Thessaloniki in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mamaia and Thessaloniki. Also, many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Mamaia. In January, Mamaia is generally much colder than Thessaloniki. Daily temperatures in Mamaia average around 1°C (33°F), and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Mamaia usually receives less sunshine than Thessaloniki during winter. Mamaia gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Thessaloniki receives 101 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Thessaloniki. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMamaia 1°C (33°F)Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Mamaia or Thessaloniki in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mamaia as well as Thessaloniki. Also, most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
Mamaia is cooler than Thessaloniki in the spring. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the spring, Mamaia often gets less sunshine than Thessaloniki. Mamaia gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Thessaloniki receives 196 hours of full sun.
Mamaia usually gets less rain in April than Thessaloniki. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMamaia 10°C (51°F)Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Thessaloniki and Mamaia
| Mamaia | Thessaloniki | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (33°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (47°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.