Should you visit Mykonos or Ephesus?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mykonos and Ephesus. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Mykonos or Ephesus?
Mykonos
Mykonos, a Greek Island in the middle of the Aegean Sea, is part of the Cyclades group. Mykonos is one of the most touristy islands in the Aegean Sea and is famous for its whitewashed buildings that climb up the hill along with historic windmills, stunning hillside views, and fantastic seafood restaurants. Because of its popularity, Mykonos comes with a hefty tourist markup. Many passengers arrive here as part of a cruise, so during the day its small streets can become crowded with tourists and its harbor fills with large ships. August and July are the most popular times to visit, so if you're hoping to avoid to crowds it's best to come a few months earlier.
Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece, The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey.
Which place is cheaper, Ephesus or Mykonos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Mykonos is €149, while the average daily cost in Ephesus is €134. 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 Mykonos and Ephesus in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Mykonos or Ephesus? 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:
Mykonos Hotel Prices and
Ephesus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mykonos
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Mykonos:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mykonos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mykonos:
-
From Helicopter Transfer to Athens or Greek Island:
$2,567
-
Boat Tour / Transfer in Mykonos:
$1,069
-
Private Catamaran Cruise w/ Food, Drinks & Transfer:
$802
-
Mykonos Airport or Port from/to Point to Point Private Transfers:
$213
-
Mykonos Private Long Distance Transfer Up To 12 Persons:
$204
-
Private Mykonos Transfers up to 15 persons:
$158
-
Mykonos 6hrs sailing cruise: Delos Rhenia with lunch & transfer :
$153
-
Combo Yacht Cruise to Rhenia and Guided Tour of Delos (free transfers):
$153
-
Mykonos Private Transfer Up To 8 Persons:
$152
-
Rhenia Cruise and Delos Guided Tour with Transfers:
$150
-
Catamaran Cruise with Lunch, Drinks and Transfer:
$145
-
Mykonos Sail Cruise to Delos&Rhenia, BBQ&Drinks, optional Delos Tour & Transfer:
$136
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi Hotels:
$22
-
Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port:
$22
-
Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi hotels:
$24
-
Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port:
$24
-
Kusadasi Buggy Car Safari With Free Hotel Transfer Service:
$40
-
Kusadasi Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer:
$40
-
Kusadasi Half Day Quad Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer:
$50
-
Kusadasi Samos Ferry Trip With Free Hotel Transfer Service:
$55
-
Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Izmir Airport (ADB):
$58
-
Scuba Diving Experience in Kusadasi with Instructor and Transfer:
$60
-
Kusadasi Port Private Departure Transfer:
$63
-
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Kusadasi Centrum (All hotels, home...) transfers:
$65
Is it cheaper to fly into Mykonos or Ephesus?
Prices for flights to both Ephesus and Mykonos 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
Mykonos €48
Ephesus €31
Typical Food Prices in Mykonos
Some typical examples of dining costs in Mykonos are as follows:
-
Two Ice cream Cones
€4.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mykonos
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mykonos.
-
Traditional Lunch or Dinner at the Mykonian Spiti:
$70
-
Sunset Boat Cruise with Light Dinner & Drinks:
$100
-
Food Tour in Mykonos - 10 Tastings :
$108
-
Souvlaki Cooking Class in Mykonos:
$109
-
Cooking Class with Food and Wine:
$160
-
Cooking Classes in Mykonos Greece:
$164
-
Private Cooking Class on Naxos Island with Pick Up:
$196
-
Private Authentic Greek Brunch Cooking Class in Mykonos with a Local:
$254
-
Private Food Tour & Wine Tasting In Tinos Island with a Local:
$284
-
Private Cooking Class At The Home Of A Mykonian Family:
$610
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:
-
Sandwiches
€0.14
-
Dessert
€0.16
-
Lunch at Beach (for 2)
€0.55
-
Snacks
€0.23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus
For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus:
$110
-
Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village:
$149
-
Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour:
$211
-
Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town:
$228
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Mykonos
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Mykonos are as follows:
-
Mykonos Island Tour:
$83
-
1-Hour Guided Snorkeling Adventure with Go Pro Pictures :
$38
-
4 Hour Mykonos Tour Explorer :
$164
-
5 Hour Mykonos Beach-Club-Crawl Experience:
$90
-
6 Hours Tour to Delos and Rhenia Islands with Sailing Yacht:
$153
-
All Inclusive Mykonos Island Tour & Greek Food Tasting:
$150
-
All inclusive Delos & Rhenia Islands tour up to 12 pax (free transportation):
$153
-
All inclusive Sunset Cruise Delos & Rhenia - free transpotation:
$136
-
All inclusive cruise-Mykonos Delos&Rhenia beaches(free transport):
$119
-
Ancient Delos Tour:
$82
-
Authentic Jeep Adventure Tour:
$172
-
Best of Mykonos Island 4-Hour Private Tour:
$289
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
-
For Cruisers: Skip-the-line Private Free Ephesus Tour :
$0.05
-
Self-guided Virtual Tour of The Highlights:
$6.53
-
Entry Free: Drive by Ephesus and Ancient Wonder Tour:
$12
-
Self-guided Virtual Tour of the ancient pearl of the Mediterranean:
$17
-
Kusadasi Traditional Turkish Bath Hamam Experience :
$17
-
SKIP THE LINE :Best Seller Ephesus Private Tour For Cruiser Guest:
$19
-
Private & Mini Group Classical Ephesus Tour For Cruisers:
$19
-
Skip the Line - Best of Ephesus:
$19
-
Time Travel in Affordable and Spectacular Experience:
$20
-
Best of Ephesus Guided Tour For Cruise Guest :
$20
-
Kusadasi Scuba Diving Tour By Local Experts:
$20
-
Kusadasi Quad Safari Adventure:
$20
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Mykonos
Also in Mykonos, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Winery Vineyard Experience with Food & Wine Tasting:
$73
-
Tour and Wine Tasting in Mykonian Land :
$74
-
Wine Tasting at a Mykonian Farm:
$80
-
Wine Tasting Tour at a traditional farm in Mykonos:
$82
-
Half-Day Wine Tasting and Snack at a Local House:
$128
-
Ancient Greek Wine Tasting on the Beach with a Sommelier:
$128
-
Luxurious All-in-One Mykonos Party Tour with Wine Tasting:
$163
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:
Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus
Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Skip-the-line Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port:
$53
-
Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours :
$70
-
Ephesus&Sirince Village with Wine Tasting Shore Ex:
$100
-
Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion:
$100
-
Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House:
$130
-
Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting:
$134
-
Virgin Mary Bread and Wine Tour included Lunch:
$300
When comparing the travel costs between Mykonos and Ephesus, we can see that Mykonos is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mykonos Expensive? and Is Ephesus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mykonos or Ephesus?
Mykonos has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Mykonos and Ephesus, 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.
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