Which place is cheaper, Athens or Samos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Samos or Athens?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Samos and Athens 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: Samos or Athens?
Samos
Samos, an enchanting Greek island located in the eastern Aegean Sea, is a destination that seamlessly blends natural beauty, historical significance, and vibrant culture. Known for its lush landscapes, stunning beaches, and rich heritage, Samos offers an array of experiences for travelers. Whether you are traveling on a budget, exploring historic sites, engaging in various activities, enjoying local cuisine, or figuring out transportation, Samos promises an unforgettable journey. Traveling to Samos on a budget is quite feasible, as the island offers various affordable options without compromising on the experience. Accommodations range from budget hotels and guesthouses to camping sites, ensuring there is something for everyone. The villages of Vathy, Pythagoreio, and Kokkari offer a variety of economical lodgings, with many family-run establishments providing a personal touch at reasonable prices.
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 Honeymoon Tours in Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece.
-
Samos Prices
Greece PricesAthens Prices
Greece Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySamos €290Athens €154
The average daily cost (per person) in Samos is €290, while the average daily cost in Athens is €154. 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 Samos and Athens in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSamos €126Athens €63
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSamos €252Athens €126
Compare Hotels in Samos and Athens
Looking for a hotel in Samos 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: Samos Hotel Prices and Athens Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Samos €56Athens €27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Samos
Also for Samos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Samos Airport (SMI) to Karlovasi: $178
- Private Transfer from Karlovasi to Samos Airport (SMI): $178
- Private Transfer from Votsalakia / Marathokampos to Port of Samos: $174
- Private Transfer from Port of Samos to Votsalakia / Marathokampos: $174
- Private Transfer from Samos Airport (SMI) to Votsalakia / Marathokampos: $168
- Private Transfer from Votsalakia / Marathokampos to Samos Airport (SMI): $168
- From Day Trip to Patmos Island (and bus transfer): $135
- Private Transfer from Karlovasi to Port of Samos: $126
- Private Transfer from Port of Samos to Karlovasi: $126
- Private Transfer from Samos Airport (SMI) to Agios Konstantinos: $121
- Private Transfer from Samos Airport (SMI) to Posidonio / Kerveli: $115
- Private Transfer from Posidonio / Kerveli to Samos Airport (SMI): $115
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
-
Airport Bus for Two€6.40
-
Metro€1.50
-
Metro€2.00
-
Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
-
Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Paros: Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands or Athens: $3,584
- Private Transfer to/from Volos: $582
- Private Transfer from Athens to Epidaurus or Epidavros: $295
- A mini Embark / Disembark Tour In Athens With Transfers from airport / port.: $294
- Transfer from PIRAEUS PORT to LOUTRAKI, up to 8 customers: $289
- Private Transfer Athens/ATH/Piraeus to Kyllini Port/Hotels: $289
- Private Transfer Athens/ATH/Piraeus to Costa Navarino: $289
- Athens to Volos Private Transfer: $283
- Private Transfer from Athens city hotels to Nafplio Cruise Port: $281
- Private Transfer from Athens/Piraeus to Corinth-Loutraki or vice versa: $277
- VIP Ferry Ticket From Piraeus Port To Santorini & Private Transfer Included: $275
- Athens Half Day Round Trip Multiple Destination Transfer: $275
Is it cheaper to fly into Samos or Athens?
Prices for flights to both Athens and Samos 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 daySamos €129Athens €64
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
-
Ice cream€3.00
-
Souvlaki€2.20
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
- Street Food Tour - Sample the Food the Locals Love: $71
- Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $78
- Athens's original vegan food tour: $78
- Small Group, Delicious Athens Food Tour: $81
- Get a Taste of Athens Food Tour: $82
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $82
- Athens, Greek food tour including market visit: $83
- Eat like an Athenian food tour of Athens: $83
- Athens Walking Food Tour with Visit to Varvakios Central Market: $83
- Athens Evening Food Tour: $88
- Greek Cooking Class by Poseidon’s Temple in Sounio with Antonia: $90
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Samos €30Athens €36
Tours and Activities in Samos
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Samos.
- Day Cruise Patmos Monastery The Holy Island from Samos: $168
- Full Day Island Bus Tour Starting from East Samos : $72
- Full Day Island Bus Tour from West Samos: $72
- Half Day Kassonisi Boat Tour: $48
- Kassonisi Day Cruise From Samos : $60
- Samiopoula and Kakorema Full-Day Tour with Lunch: $62
- Samos Picnic Tour Relaxed Adventure: $72
- Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch to Samiopoula: $83
- Full-Day Guided Island Bus Tour: $83
- Full-Day Island Bus Tour ( starting from east Samos ): $65
- Full-Day Island Bus Tour (Starting from West Samos): $65
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour: $392
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Acropolis/Athens Highlights Private Evening Tour (5 hours) from Athens, Piraeus: $162
- Apostle Paul's missionary journys in Athens Private Tour 4Hours: $158
- Athens Gems & Charms for the First Time Cruise Passengers: $95
- Island Swimming Day Cruise—DJ, Lunch & Drinks incl.: $107
- DISCOVER ATHENS IN 6HRS Private Tour BEST INTRODUCTION-FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS : $240
- Mycenae Epidaurus Nafplio Isthmus Canal Private Luxury Tour : $210
- Olive Oil Tasting Farm Experience, Corinth Canal, Nafplio: $188
- Seaside Flavors of Athens Sounio Tour: $228
- Traditional Villages Full day Tour in Santorini: $65
- "A Must-See" Anc. Epidaurus, Mycenae & Nafplion Premium Full Day Tour By Locals: $216
- "Athens Highlights Tour : Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and more.": $180
- "Private tour in Athens": $180
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySamos €18Athens €23
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: $11
- Greek Honey Tasting Experience at our Old Distillery: $14
- Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens, Greece: $25
- Experience Ouzo Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $26
- Athens Ultimate Bar Crawl: $48
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $59
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $59
- Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $59
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $67
- Greek food and wine tasting: $71
- Noble Greeks Acropolis Wine Tasting with Private Sommelier: $72
- Athens by Night Walking and Wine Tasting Experience: $84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Samos and Athens, we can see that Samos is more expensive. And not only is Athens much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Athens would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Athens 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 Samos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Samos than you might in Athens.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Samos Expensive? and Is Athens Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Samos or Athens?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 390 times larger than the population of Samos. When comparing the sizes of Samos 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.
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.