A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palermo vs. Havana for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Palermo or Havana?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Palermo and Havana 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: Palermo or Havana?

Palermo

Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Havana or Palermo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Palermo Prices
    Italy Prices
    Havana Prices
    Cuba Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Palermo 114
    Havana 64

The average daily cost (per person) in Palermo is €114, while the average daily cost in Havana is €64. 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 Palermo and Havana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Palermo 56
    Havana 36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Palermo 112
    Havana 72
Compare Hotels in Palermo and Havana

Looking for a hotel in Palermo or Havana? 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 Palermo


Hotels in Havana


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: Palermo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Palermo 5.64
    Havana 16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:


  • Bus to Monreale
    3.00
  • Bus From Airport
    6.00
  • 90 Minute Bus Pass
    1.30
  • Short Taxi Ride
    4.35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:

  • Airport Transfer: Palermo Airport PMO to Palermo by Business Car: $99
  • CO2-Offset Arrival Transfer Palermo Airport PMO to Palermo City: $64
  • From Bus Transfer to/from Trapani City Center: $11
  • From Panoramic Transfer to Monreale in CruiserCar: $406
  • From Segesta Archaeological Park Transfer: $87
  • From Siracusa Transfer with Piazza Armerina Stop: $348
  • Mangias Pollina Resort private transfer to Palermo airport: $118
  • Mondello Palace Hotel to Palermo airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $40
  • Palermo Airport (PMO) to Palermo Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $181
  • Palermo Airport (PMO) to Palermo Cruise Port- Arrival Private Transfer: $91
  • Palermo Airport transfers to/from Palermo city center (One-way): $106
  • Palermo Airport ⇄ Palermo City: Private Transfer Service: $54

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    0.59

Is it cheaper to fly into Palermo or Havana?

Prices for flights to both Havana and Palermo 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
    Palermo 51
    Havana 15
Typical Food Prices in Palermo

Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:


  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    32
  • Fast Food Lunch
    5.32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo

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

  • Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better: $52
  • Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group with a Local: $53
  • Palermo Pizza & Gelato Cooking Class with Meal & Wine: $59
  • Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class with Flowing Wine: $64
  • Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine: $64
  • Palermo : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $69
  • Pizza & Tiramisu Class with Free Flowing Fine Wine: $69
  • Palermo Sicilian Cooking Class with Market Tour or Pasta & Gelato: $69
  • Food Tour at the Vucciria Market – Palermo: $73
  • Pasta and Gelato Making Class with Dinner and Wine: $74
  • Palermo Ballaro Market & Street Food Tour by Eating Europe: $75
  • Small-Group Night Street Food Tour of Palermo (All-Inclusive): $75

Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    0.03

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Palermo 17
    Havana 9.75
Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:


  • Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)
    6.00
  • Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)
    12
  • Theater Tickets (for Two)
    49

Tours and Activities in Palermo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:

  • Single bus tickets between Airport and City Center: $6.99
  • sensorial experience of nature and ecology: $9.32
  • Tour of Church of the Gesù & Casa Professa Museum: $9.32
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Palermo: $9.39
  • Tour of the historic center by little train: $12
  • TOP Palermo : Private guided tour with your mobile: $12
  • Teatro Massimo Opera House Guided Tour: $14
  • Tour Cappella Palatina e palazzo Reale: patrimonio Unesco: $14
  • Cathedral Audioguided Tour & Rooftop Entry Ticket: $17
  • Palermo Recorded Walking Tour with Local Expert: $17
  • tour Palermo with audioguide: $17
  • Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour 24-hour Ticket: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Palermo 11
    Havana 5.01
Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:


  • Beer
    2.56
  • Bottle of Quality Wine
    11

Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo

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

  • Guided Bar Crawl with Shots and Discounts on Drinks: $19
  • Sicilian wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres in an 18th century palace: $42
  • Sicilian Wine Tasting with Local Food in Palermo: $47
  • Wine Tasting with Sicilian Tapas: $50
  • Wine Tasting with Snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $51
  • Etna Experience - Wine tasting and food pairing: $58
  • Sicily Experience - Wine tasting and food pairing: $58
  • Natural Wine Tasting with snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $64
  • Eating Evening Food & Wine Tour: $99
  • Palermo on a plate: Mamma's classics and Wine tour: $104
  • Street Food and Wine Tour With an Architect: $116
  • 2-Hour Sicilian Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour: $140

Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    0.13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palermo and Havana, we can see that Palermo is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Palermo is in Europe and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Palermo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palermo than you might in Havana.

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


Which is Bigger, Palermo or Havana?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Palermo. When comparing the sizes of Palermo and Havana, 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 Palermo or Havana?

Palermo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Palermo or Havana in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palermo and Havana. Many visitors come to Palermo in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Palermo is around the same temperature as Havana in the summer. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In July, Palermo usually receives less rain than Havana. Palermo gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Palermo 25°C (76°F) 
    Havana 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Palermo or Havana in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Palermo as well as Havana. Most visitors come to Palermo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.

In the autumn, Palermo is cooler than Havana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palermo in October average around 20°C (67°F), and Havana averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Palermo usually gets less rain in October than Havana. Palermo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Palermo 20°C (67°F) 
    Havana 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Palermo or Havana in the Winter?

Both Havana and Palermo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Palermo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Palermo is generally much colder than Havana. Daily temperatures in Palermo average around 12°C (53°F), and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In January, Palermo usually receives more rain than Havana. Palermo gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Palermo 12°C (53°F) 
    Havana 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Palermo or Havana in the Spring?

Both Havana and Palermo during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Palermo this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.

Palermo is much colder than Havana in the spring. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Palermo usually gets more rain in April than Havana. Palermo gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Palermo 15°C (58°F) 
    Havana 24°C (75°F)

Typical Weather for Havana and Palermo

Palermo Havana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 13°C (55°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 25°C (76°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 42 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 20°C (67°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 65 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Dec 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)