Should you visit Santorini or Albufeira?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Albufeira, 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.
Santorini
Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.
Albufeira
Located in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal, Albufeira was once a small fishing village which has since evolved into a popular destination for tourists attracted by the area's beaches, pleasant climate, and fresh seafood.
Which city is cheaper, Albufeira or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €131, while the average daily cost in Albufeira is €118. 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 Santorini and Albufeira in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Santorini can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €66, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €132.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €59. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Albufeira the cost is €118 on average.
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Santorini than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €23 on transportation in Santorini on average per day.
The average price of local transportation around Albufeira is €27 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 Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini:
$2,839
-
Oia Sunset: Evening Shuttle Transfer and Free Time:
$23
-
Premium Santorini Private Day Tour Lagoon 450, BBQ, drinks, transfer:
$933
-
Santorini Airport Hotels Transfer Shuttle Bus Service:
$27
-
Santorini Airport to Hotel: Private Arrival Transfer:
$45
-
Santorini Taxi Service & Airport, Hotel and Port Transfers:
$62
-
Santorini transfer service:
$17
-
Private Airport Transfer:
$25
-
Private Transfer to/from Santorini Airport (JTR):
$50
-
Shared Transfer Service:
$17
-
Tour of Caldera on Sailing Boat & Bus Transfer:Volcano-Hot springs-Thirassia-Oia:
$75
-
Transfer from Santorini Airport&Port all destination except OIA up to 4 customer:
$37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:
-
Transfer Algarve - Up to 7 People:
$871
-
Transfer Algarve - Up to 3 People:
$746
-
Lisbon Airoport Private Transfer To Algarve ( 8 Seats Van ):
$566
-
Private Transfer Algarve-Lisbon (5 to 8 passangers):
$442
-
Private Transfer Lisbon - Pine Cliffs Algarve (5 to 8 passangers):
$442
-
Sevilha Airoport Private Transfer To Algarve ( 8 Seats Van ):
$417
-
Private Transfer Central Algarve - Lisbon:
$398
-
Private Transfer Lisbon - Central Algarve:
$398
-
Private Transfer Lisbon - Pine Cliffs Algarve (up to 4 passangers):
$360
-
Enjoy Three Days in Algarve ( Hotel & Transfers & Tours ):
$330
-
Transfer From Albufeira Algarve To Lisboa:
$235
-
Safe & Clean Economic Private Transfer Albufeira > Lisbon:
$139
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Albufeira?
Prices for flights to both Albufeira and Santorini 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
In Santorini travelers spend around €38 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The average traveler spends about €38 per day in Albufeira for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Santorini €38
Albufeira €38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Live Virtual Cooking Class:
$26
-
A taste of Mediterranean Cuisine Dinner:
$90
-
Hands on Cooking Class with a Chef:
$90
-
Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings:
$108
-
Sunset Sea Kayak and Snorkel with Dinner:
$108
-
Santorini : Sunset Sea Kayak & Snorkel with Dinner:
$118
-
Santorini : Cooking Class, Easy Hike, and Snorkeling:
$131
-
Cooking Class with Santorini’s Aroma:
$506
-
Full-Day Royalty Private Cooking Class and Tour in Santorini:
$506
-
Cooking Class with Santorini’s Aroma:
$546
-
Santorini Private Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner, Drinks &Transfer included:
$1,350
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Santorini, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €29 per day, per person.
Albufeira's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €31 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 Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
-
Akrotiri Prehistoric City Audio Tour:
$18
-
Unique Oia's Sunset Tour in Santorini:
$30
-
Royalty Unique Oia’s Sunset Tour in Santorini:
$31
-
Santorini-Unique Oia’s Sunset Tour:
$31
-
Island Bus Tour: The Majestic Spots Of Santorini:
$43
-
Santorini Volcano and Thirassia Islands Tour:
$43
-
Oia and Fira Evening Small Group Tour:
$45
-
3 Hour Santorini Walking Tour with Hotel Pickup:
$50
-
Volcanic Sunset Cruise:
$58
-
Santorini Traditional Villages and Oia Sunset Tour:
$62
-
Santorini-Classic Tour in Traditional Villages:
$67
-
Santorini-Classic Tour in Traditional Villages:
$71
Tours and Activities in Albufeira
Here are a few actual costs in Albufeira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
'Leaozinho' Pirate Ship Cruise from Albufeira:
$30
-
1.5 Hour Quad Off-Road Tour from Albufeira:
$31
-
Abulferia: 3-Hour Yacht Cruise to Benagil:
$34
-
Albufeira 1.5 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour:
$40
-
Albufeira 1.5-Hour Off-road Quad Tour:
$75
-
Albufeira 3-Hour Off-Road Quad Tour:
$137
-
Albufeira Beach Tour:
$25
-
Albufeira Coast and Countryside Mountain Bike Tour:
$73
-
Albufeira Jeep Safari Tour (Full Day):
$65
-
Albufeira to Algibre Trails Bike Tour:
$73
-
2-Hour Caves and Cliffs Kayaking Experience:
$40
-
2.5-Hour Dolphin Watching and Caves Cruise:
$31
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Santorini, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €21.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Albufeira may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €21 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
4-Hours Santorini Vothonas Village Tour with Wine Tasting:
$89
-
Authentic Santorinian Tour at Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting:
$93
-
Half-Day Santorini Tour Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting:
$93
-
Santorini-Wine Tour Αround Megalochori Village:
$111
-
Sunset and Wine Tasting Tour by Electric Bike:
$114
-
Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village:
$117
-
Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village:
$124
-
Santorini-Sunset Caldera’s View from Megalochori with Wine Tasting:
$134
-
Santorini-Sunset Caldera’s View from Megalochori with Wine Tasting:
$140
-
Half-Day Sunset Wine Tasting Tour in Santorini with Pick Up:
$141
-
Santorini Wine Tasting and History Small Group Tour:
$153
-
4-Hour Sunset Wine Tour:
$159
Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira
Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Small group Wine Tasting Tour from Albufeira:
$61
-
sunset wine tasting from Albufeira:
$87
-
Half Day Small Group Premium Wine Tour from Albufeira:
$93
-
Wine Tour & Walking 7 Hanging Valleys - Coast Algarve:
$156
-
From Algarve: Medieval Évora with Lunch and Wine Tasting:
$319
-
Algarve Art and Wine Tour from Albufeira:
$653
When comparing the travel costs between Santorini and Albufeira, we can see that Santorini 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.
Related Articles for Santorini
Related Articles for Albufeira
