Which place is cheaper, Athens or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Petra or Athens?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Athens can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Athens?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece.
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Petra Prices
Jordan PricesAthens Prices
Greece Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $153Athens $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $153, while the average daily cost in Athens is $179. 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 Petra and Athens in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Athens $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Athens $146
Compare Hotels in Petra and Athens
Looking for a hotel in Petra or Athens? 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Athens Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Athens $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Petra Private Transfer To Jerusalem: $290
- From Eilat: Petra Full-Day Guided Tour with Transfers: $219
- Fast and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Ma’in Hot Springs: $180
- Private Transfers from Petra Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $176
- Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations By Minivan: $160
- Comfort VIP Private Transfer: Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels: $140
- Private Transfer from Petra to Madaba – Safe & Comfortable Ride: $140
- Private Transfer from Ma'in Hotel to Aqaba Airport: $120
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
- Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
- Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two$7.43
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Metro$1.74
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Metro$2.32
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Metro from Airport to City Center$9.28
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Taxi from Airport$41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Airport Athens to Centre Athens: $23
- One way Private Transfer Athens City Center to / from Piraeus Port: $24
- Athens Center To Piraeus Port Private Departure Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer:Athens City to Piraeus Cruise Port: $26
- Santorini: Private Airport and Port Transfer Service: $27
- Private Transfer from Athens City Center to Piraeus Port: $27
- Athens City to Piraeus Port Private Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Piraeus Port to Athens City Center: $27
- Piraeus Port to Athens City Private Transfer with Meet & Greet: $28
- Athens Hotels to Piraeus Port Private Transfer: $28
- Piraeus port to Athens hotels Private arrival transfer: $28
- Private Transfer From Athens to Piraeus Port: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Athens?
Prices for flights to both Athens and Petra 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
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Food Meals for one dayPetra $66Athens $75
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream$3.48
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Souvlaki$2.55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- Athens Food Tour (5+ Stops) - Full Meal Included by Do Eat Better: $64
- Ancient Roman and Greek Dinner With Ancient Wine Styles: $65
- Athens Street Food Tour: Taste the best street food: $79
- Athens, Greek food tour including market visit: $80
- Sunset Tour to Temple of Poseidon with Dinner Stop from Athens: $80
- Athens at Night Enchanting Walking Tour and Dinner Delights: $82
- Small Group Greek Traditional Food Tour in Athens 20+ Tastings: $82
- Athens Food Tour: Flavors of Asia Minor (private group): $82
- Taste of Athens Small-Group Food Tour: $82
- Quick Greek Street Food Cooking Class in Athens: $87
- Cook Like a Greek in Athens Hands On Cooking Class with Wine: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47Athens $41
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 2 day tour to Petra from Eilat: $299
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
- Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit: $99
- From Petra : Wadi Rum Private 8 - hours roundtrip tour .: $190
- Guided 3 Hour Tour of Petra's Iconic Landmarks: $44
- Half-Day Private Indiana Jones Petra Back Road Trial Tour: $165
- Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
- Petra Highlights Guided Golf Cart Tour with Hotel Pickup: $169
- Private 2-Day Jordan Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea: $210
- Private 3-Day Jordan Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea: $270
- Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .: $75
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Self-Guided Tour In Athens With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.49
- Self Guided Walking Tour in Athens Hidden Gems: $3.49
- A Neoclassical Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
- Athens Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.82
- Athens Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h20 and 29 Audio Reviews: $6.88
- South Slope Acropolis Self-Guided 3D Audio Tour (No Ticket): $8.15
- Athens Interactive City Tour: $8.16
- Temple of Olympian Zeus: Self-Guided Audio Tour on your Phone (without ticket): $9.32
- Athens Olympic Museum ticket: $11
- Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Corinth Tour: $12
- TOP Athens : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
- Athens Museum of Cycladic Art | AdmissionTicket: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Athens $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- The Original Athens Pub Crawl: $16
- Athens Party Pub Crawl w/ 1-hour Open Bar & VIP Nightclub Access: $17
- Athens Rooftop Pub Crawl Acropolis Views and Nightclub Fun: $17
- Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens, Greece: $25
- Athens Exclusive Hellenic Wine Tasting Experience at Brettos: $37
- Organic and Vegan Indigenous Wine Tasting Private Experience: $47
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting: $57
- Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $57
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $57
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store: $65
- 3-Hour Shared Greek Wine Tasting: $105
- Athens Small-Group Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Athens, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Petra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Athens is in Europe, 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 Petra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Petra 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens than you might in Petra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Athens Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Athens?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Athens, 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 Petra or Athens?
Athens has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Petra experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Petra or Athens in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Petra as well as Athens. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
It's very hot in Petra this time of the year. Petra is a little warmer than Athens in the summer. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Athens fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the summer, Petra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Athens. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Athens receives 357 hours of full sun.
Petra usually gets less rain in July than Athens. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Athens receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Athens 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Petra or Athens in the Autumn?
Both Athens and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Athens because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Petra is a little warmer than Athens. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Petra in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Athens averages at about 19°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Athens. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Athens during autumn. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Athens receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Athens. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Athens receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Athens 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Petra or Athens in the Winter?
Both Athens and Petra during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
In January, Petra is generally a little warmer than Athens. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 15°C (59°F), and Athens fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Petra. In the winter, Petra often gets more sunshine than Athens. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Athens receives 143 hours of full sun.
Petra usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Athens. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Athens receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Athens 10°C (51°F)
Should I visit Petra or Athens in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Athens. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Petra is much warmer than Athens in the spring. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 25°C (76°F) in April, and Athens fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Athens during spring. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Athens receives 226 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Athens. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Athens receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Athens 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Athens and Petra
| Petra | Athens | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.