A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nizhny Novgorod vs. Thessaloniki for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nizhny Novgorod or Thessaloniki?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nizhny Novgorod and Thessaloniki 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.

Where Should I go: Nizhny Novgorod or Thessaloniki?

Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod, commonly referred to as simply Nizhny, is the fifth largest city in Russia. It has a population of over 1.2 million and it is the primary economic and cultural center for the Volga region. The city dates back to 1221 and it sits at the intersection of the Volga and Oka Rivers. It became popular with tourists back in 1817 when the Makaryev Monastery Fair was moved to the city. The city continued to grow in popularity and by the middle of the 19th century it was a major trade center for the country. During the Soviet Union times the city became an industrial center as trade connections were abandoned.

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 Greece, and The Best Contiki Tours to Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Thessaloniki or Nizhny Novgorod?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nizhny Novgorod is $30, 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 Nizhny Novgorod and Thessaloniki in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nizhny Novgorod $20
    Thessaloniki $85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nizhny Novgorod $40
    Thessaloniki $170
Compare Hotels in Nizhny Novgorod and Thessaloniki

Looking for a hotel in Nizhny Novgorod 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.

Hotels in Nizhny Novgorod


Hotels in Thessaloniki


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nizhny Novgorod $1.19
    Thessaloniki $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki

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

  • From Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer: $428
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $254
  • Private Transfer from Kavala to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $237
  • Transfer from Thessaloniki to Ikos Oceania: $153
  • Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
  • Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki Port: $142
  • Thessaloniki Cruise Port: Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Alia Palace Hotel Private Transfer: $131
  • Private Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport from Thessaloniki City: $120
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Afitis Boutique Hotel Private Transfer: $109
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Ammon Zeus Hotel : $109
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Resort: $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Nizhny Novgorod or Thessaloniki?

Prices for flights to both Thessaloniki and Nizhny Novgorod 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
    Nizhny Novgorod $9.51
    Thessaloniki $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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nizhny Novgorod $1.69
    Thessaloniki $28

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nizhny Novgorod $2.35
    Thessaloniki $16

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 Nizhny Novgorod and Thessaloniki, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Nizhny Novgorod much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nizhny Novgorod would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nizhny Novgorod 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 Nizhny Novgorod.

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


Which is Bigger, Nizhny Novgorod or Thessaloniki?

Nizhny Novgorod has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Nizhny Novgorod and Thessaloniki, 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.


When is the best time to visit Nizhny Novgorod 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 Nizhny Novgorod or Thessaloniki in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nizhny Novgorod and Thessaloniki. Also, many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nizhny Novgorod is cooler than Thessaloniki in the summer. The daily temperature in Nizhny Novgorod averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In July, Nizhny Novgorod usually receives more rain than Thessaloniki. Nizhny Novgorod gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nizhny Novgorod 20°C (68°F) 
    Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Nizhny Novgorod or Thessaloniki in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nizhny Novgorod as well as Thessaloniki. Also, most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Nizhny Novgorod is much colder than Thessaloniki. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nizhny Novgorod in October average around 5°C (41°F), and Thessaloniki averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Nizhny Novgorod usually gets more rain in October than Thessaloniki. Nizhny Novgorod gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nizhny Novgorod 5°C (41°F) 
    Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Nizhny Novgorod or Thessaloniki in the Winter?

Both Thessaloniki and Nizhny Novgorod are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nizhny Novgorod can be very cold during winter. In January, Nizhny Novgorod is generally much colder than Thessaloniki. Daily temperatures in Nizhny Novgorod average around -10°C (13°F), and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In January, Nizhny Novgorod usually receives around the same amount of rain as Thessaloniki. Nizhny Novgorod gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nizhny Novgorod -10°C (13°F) 
    Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Nizhny Novgorod or Thessaloniki in the Spring?

Both Thessaloniki and Nizhny Novgorod during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.

Nizhny Novgorod is much colder than Thessaloniki in the spring. The daily temperature in Nizhny Novgorod averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Nizhny Novgorod usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Thessaloniki. Nizhny Novgorod gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nizhny Novgorod 7°C (44°F) 
    Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Thessaloniki and Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod Thessaloniki
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -10°C (13°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Feb -8°C (17°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 76 mm (3 in) 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (76°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 5°C (41°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Nov -2°C (29°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Dec -7°C (19°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)