A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Paros vs. Heraklion for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Paros or Heraklion?

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 Paros and Heraklion. 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: Paros or Heraklion?

Paros

A popular vacation destination for visitors to the Greek islands, Paros is the second largest island of the Cyclades group. It is characterized by beautiful Mediterranean beaches and charming seaside villages.

Heraklion

The largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion on first glance is almost completely modern - a frenzy of traffic, concrete, and dust. Do not expect pristine beaches and glittering waves (those can be found on other parts of Crete). Heraklion is first and foremost a city. Once you get past its grittiness, you will find that there are some attractive features beneath first impressions. The antiquity of the place lies embedded in the modern and is presented in one of the best museums in Greece, the food is excellent, and the people are friendly and welcoming. And though the sea is not great for swimming, its presence along the Venetian port will take you to another time if you need a break from Heraklion's bustling center.

Which city is cheaper, Heraklion or Paros?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Paros is €97, while the average daily cost in Heraklion is €126. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Paros and Heraklion in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paros €42
    Heraklion €65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paros €84
    Heraklion €130
Compare Hotels in Paros and Heraklion

Looking for a hotel in Paros or Heraklion? 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 Paros


Hotels in Heraklion


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: Paros Hotel Prices and Heraklion Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paros €30
    Heraklion €25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion

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

  • Wine Tour - Wine Stories (Transfer & Lunch Included): $117
  • VIP Private Transfer: Heraklion - Analipsi Hotels & Villas: $55
  • Transfer services from Heraklion Airport to Rethymnon city (all areas): $168
  • Transfer from Heraklion Airport/Port to Hersonissos: $50
  • Transfer Services From Heraklion To Rethymno Hotels: $106
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport or Port to Ammoudara Agios Nikolaos up to 7 customers: $198
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport or Port to Ammoudara Agios Nikolaos up to 4 customers: $133
  • Transfer From Heraklion or Rethymno 8 Pax: $174
  • Transfer Airport to SITIA area up to 7 customers: $385
  • Transfer Airport to SISSI area up to 6 customers: $132
  • Transfer Airport to RETHIMNO CITY area up to 7 customers: $237
  • Transfer Airport to PLATANIAS CHANIA area up to 7 customers: $459

Is it cheaper to fly into Paros or Heraklion?

Prices for flights to both Heraklion and Paros 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
    Paros €36
    Heraklion €41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion

For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Live from Heraklion - Cheese Making and Vegeterian Pie Online Cooking class: $39
  • Cretan Cooking Class Gouves (Free Transfer Included): $86
  • Private Cooking Class Gouves (Free Transfer Included): $123
  • Heraklion Private Cretan Cooking Class at a Traditional Village: $218
  • Private Cooking Class and Wine Tasting in Heraklion: $440
  • Authentic Greek Food Cooking Class: $519
  • Crete: Farm Experience with Cooking Class, Pottery and Meal: $744

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Paros €18
    Heraklion €30

Tours and Activities in Paros

For Paros, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Authentic foodie tasting experience of Paros! (Vegan Vegetarian Carnivore): $106
  • From Naxos: Full-Day Catamaran Sailing Cruise with Lunch: $159
  • Paros Island Tour: $81
  • Paros Island Tour: $81
  • Paros Island Tour in French: $96
  • Paros Island Tour in French: $102
  • Full-Day Sailing Cruise in the Small Cyclades: $176
  • Round of Antiparos & Despotiko on Parian Cruises sailing boat: $268
  • Semi Private Tour of Paros Island: $243
  • Semi-Private Tour of Paros Island: $240

Tours and Activities in Heraklion

For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Accessible Heraklion tour to Knossos & Archaeological Museum or Shopping: $455
  • Agios Nikolaos - Elounda - Spinalonga - (Private tour): $523
  • Architectural- gastronomic Walking tour in Heraklion: $870
  • Best of Crete (3-days Tour package): $1,120
  • Chrissi Island Cruise from Heraklion: $61
  • Cretan Folklore Night Tour TR: $66
  • Crete private tour: Knossos Palace, Archaeological museum, and Heraklion Town: $485
  • Crete: Full-Day Private Tour: $507
  • Crete: Margarites, Rethymnon, Argyroupoli Full-Day Tour: $62
  • Crete: Minoan Paths and Wine Experience: $395
  • Crete: Palace of Knossos Archaeological Site Entrance Ticket: $11
  • Day Tour: Spinalonga, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, & Kolokitha: $41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paros €20
    Heraklion €21

Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion

Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Crete: Haralabakis Winery Tour & Wine Tasting: $101
  • Heraklion Area: Secrets of Olive Oil and Wine Tasting Tour: $169
  • The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $187

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paros and Heraklion, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Paros much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Paros would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paros 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 Heraklion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heraklion than you might in Paros.

Related Articles for Heraklion
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Paros vs. Heraklion Travel Comparison

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