Should you visit Paphos or Ios?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Ios, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Paphos
Located on the southwestern tip of Cyprus, Paphos has many different archaeological sights and it is renowned as the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The town is situated between the coast and the Troodos Mountains and it has grown in recent years as a tourist destination. As such, the local government has made efforts to improve the quality of the tourism infrastructure including investing in hotels, restaurants and transportation. There is also a commercial center to the city as well as a newly built "promenade" that travels from the marina along a long coastal path. This route offers excellent views, especially during the morning or evening hours when the sun is low.
Ios
Ios is an island in the south of Greece, located in the Cyclades group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a peaceful beach getaway by day, and a lively party scene by night. While its main town is the hub for nightlife, it is also a charming place during the day, typical of a traditional Greek village with shops and cafes against a backdrop of whitewashed buildings and turquoise waters.
Which city is cheaper, Ios or Paphos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Paphos is €77, while the average daily cost in Ios is €73. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Paphos and Ios in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Paphos is about €74 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €31. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Ios the cost is €62 on average.
Food
The price of a meal in Paphos can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €30 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €12 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
While meal prices in Ios can vary, the average travelers spends about €26 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Ios should cost around €10 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Ios is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Paphos €30
Ios €26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paphos
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paphos.
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Traditional Cuisine & Cultural Flavours - City Walking Food Tour Paphos 2.5hrs:
$59
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Sea Star Evening Dinner and Fireworks Cruise from Paphos:
$73
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Paphos is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €9.29 per person, per day, on local transportation in Paphos.
The average price of local transportation around Ios is €13 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paphos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paphos:
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Shared airport transfer Paphos Airport - Paphos Town:
$11
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Shared transfer from Paphos Town to Paphos Airport PFO:
$12
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Shared shuttle transfer from Paphos Airport to Hotels:
$13
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Shared shuttle transfer from Hotels to Paphos Airport:
$13
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Shared transfer from Coral Bay to Paphos Airport PFO:
$14
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Shared Transfer from Paphos Airport to Coral Bay:
$14
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Shared Arrival Transfer: Paphos Airport to Paphos or Limassol Hotels:
$16
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Shared Departure Transfer: Paphos or Limassol Hotels to Paphos Airport:
$16
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Airport Transfers Cyprus - Paphos Airport to Paphos Town - Shared Shuttle:
$19
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Airport Transfers Cyprus - Paphos Town to Paphos Airport - Shared shuttle:
$19
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Private Airport Transfer: Paphos to Paphos International Airport (PFO):
$23
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Private Airport Transfer: Paphos International Airport (PFO) to Paphos:
$23
Is it cheaper to fly into Paphos or Ios?
Prices for flights to both Ios and Paphos 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Paphos typically cost an average of €9.56 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Ios's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €21 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Paphos
Here are a few actual costs in Paphos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Lefkara & Nicosia Tour from Paphos:
$25
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Limassol Tour from Paphos:
$25
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Troodos and Kykkos Day Tour from Paphos:
$26
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Nicosia Full Day Shopping Tour from Paphos:
$28
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Authentic Cyprus Historic Day Tour from Paphos:
$32
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Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark Admission Ticket:
$39
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Ocean Flyer Half Day Cruise from Paphos harbour:
$44
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Full-day Famagusta, Varosha, and Salamis Tour from Paphos:
$47
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Jolly Roger Boat Cruise from Paphos:
$49
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1 Hour Tour to Local Radio in Paphos with Live Radio Show:
$50
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Jolly Roger Pirate Ship Cruise from Paphos:
$50
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The Paphos Segway Tours:
$57
Tours and Activities in Ios
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ios are as follows:
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Ios Speed Boat Adventure:
$54
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From Ios to Sikinos Island & Winery Tour:
$96
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Half Day Sunset Sailboat tour (afternoon):
$210
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Paphos may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €7.98 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about €26 on alcoholic beverages in Ios per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Paphos
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paphos:
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WINE TOUR from Paphos:
$372
When comparing the travel costs between Paphos and Ios, we can see that Paphos 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.
