Should you visit Santorini or Bodrum?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Bodrum, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Santorini or Bodrum?
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.
Bodrum
Bodrum is a city on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretching from Turkey's southwest coast into the Aegean Sea. The city features twin bays with views of Bodrum Castle. This medieval fortress was built partly with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed in the 4th century B.C. The city is also a gateway for nearby beach towns and resorts. Although more than a million tourists flock to its beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and clubs each summer, the town of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside getaway, it has an enigmatic elegance that pervades it. The evocative castle and the ancient ruins around town also help keep Bodrum a discerning step above the rest.
Which place is cheaper, Bodrum or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €175, while the average daily cost in Bodrum is €95. 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 Santorini and Bodrum in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Bodrum? 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:
Santorini Hotel Prices and
Bodrum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini:
$3,809
-
Full Day Santorini Catamaran Private Cruise with meal and transfer:
$3,657
-
Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Amanzoe:
$3,557
-
Santorini to Mykonos Helicopter Transfer:
$3,313
-
Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Spetses:
$3,258
-
Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Athens:
$3,103
-
Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Hydra:
$3,036
-
Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Chania:
$2,670
-
Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Crete:
$2,227
-
Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Heraklion:
$2,227
-
Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Elounda:
$2,161
-
Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Mykonos :
$2,083
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodrum
Also for Bodrum, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Cesme Hotels:
$399
-
Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Fethiye Hotels:
$332
-
Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Bodrum Resort:
$303
-
Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Bodrum Resort:
$303
-
Private Transfer from Bodrum to Izmir Airport:
$299
-
Bodrum Airport Private Transfers to Nearby Resorts:
$223
-
Transfer From Bodrum Milas Airport to Seferihisar:
$222
-
Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Kusadasi Hotels:
$205
-
Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Marmaris Hotels:
$199
-
Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Mugla City Center Hotels:
$177
-
Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Akyaka Hotels:
$177
-
Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Didim (Altinkum) Hotels:
$139
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Bodrum?
Prices for flights to both Bodrum 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
-
Food
Meals for one day
Santorini €48
Bodrum €25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Virtual Private Cooking Class Live from Santorini:
$22
-
Live Virtual Cooking Class:
$25
-
Traditional Greek Night live Music & Dinner Show in Santorini:
$55
-
Santorini Caldera: Sunset Cruise with Dinner:
$71
-
Romantic Sunset Caldera Cruise with Dinner:
$71
-
Santorini Caldera Evening Cruise with Buffet Dinner:
$75
-
Volcanic Sunset Cruise with Dinner:
$82
-
Catamaran Tour with BBQ Dinner, Drinks, and Music:
$93
-
Volcano and Hot Springs Sunset Dinner Cruise:
$98
-
Santorini Sunset Dinner Cruise Including Nea Kameni Visit:
$100
-
Cooking Class with Private Chef - prepare & enjoy local menu:
$105
-
Greek Cuisine Cooking Class in Santorini:
$105
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bodrum
For Bodrum, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Cooking Class in Authentic Village:
$28
-
Christmas Dinner at Karnas Vineyards:
$105
-
Bodrum Vineyard Tour with Dinner and Wine Pairing:
$120
-
Farmers Market visit & Turkish Cooking Class:
$127
-
Bodrum Market Visit and Cooking Class:
$131
-
Food and Wine pairing Dinner at Karnas Vineyards Bodrum:
$133
-
Sunset Boat Trip including Dinner:
$161
-
Bodrum Cooking Class:
$177
-
3-Hour Private Sunset Boat Tour With Dinner in Bodrum:
$188
-
Shore Excursions - Istanbul by Night: Turkish Food Tour:
$205
-
Private Vineyard Tour with Dinner Under the Stars in Karnas:
$296
-
Bodrum Private Motor-Yacht Sunset Tour With Dinner For 4 Hour :
$526
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
-
Full-Day Private Tour in Santorini by Luxury Catamaran:
$3,657
-
Luxury Private Power Catamaran Tour in Santorini:
$1,773
-
Majestic Shore Adventure for the First-Time Cruisers:
$75
-
Motor Yacht Day Cruise with Delicious Homemade Buffet Lunch:
$172
-
Private Fishing Tour - Morning (transportation included):
$388
-
Santorini private tour :
$388
-
Santorini's Panoramic Blue Shade Tour :
$63
-
'Insta photo tour' Santorini Island:
$83
-
1 Hour Private Archaeological Tour in Akrotiri:
$194
-
2-Day Santorini Bus Tour with Volcanic Cruise:
$111
-
2-Hour Private Romantic Horse Riding Experience in Santorini:
$199
-
2-Hours Picnic Experience at Santorini:
$543
Tours and Activities in Bodrum
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bodrum.
-
1-Day Pamukkale Culture Tour from Bodrum:
$54
-
2 Days Ephesus and Pamukkale Tours from Istanbul:
$886
-
4x4 Jeep Tour of the Bodrum Peninsula from Bodrum:
$73
-
6 Hours Private Charter Boat Tour with Lunch in Bodrum:
$271
-
A Breathtaking Pamukkale Day Tour from Bodrum:
$282
-
A Enthralling 2-Day Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour from Bodrum:
$616
-
All Inclusive Private BODRUM to Ephesus, Mary's House, Lunch Tour:
$299
-
Ancient Ephesus tour with Virgin Mary's House from Bodrum:
$100
-
Blue cruise around Bodrum bays:
$29
-
Bodrum Aquapark Ticket:
$39
-
Bodrum Buggy Safari Tours:
$64
-
Bodrum City Afternoon Walking Tour:
$216
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Private Ftelos Brewery Santorini Beer tastings:
$28
-
Santorini Brewery Tour and Craft Beer Tastings:
$39
-
Visit to a Wine Museum and Wine Tasting in Santorini :
$72
-
Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset:
$75
-
Fira Town Walking Tour with Wine Tasting:
$76
-
2 Hours Private Wine Tasting Tour in Santorini With Pick Up:
$89
-
Santorini Private Sightseeing Tour with Wine tasting:
$97
-
Notos Day Tour through History & Wine Tasting:
$97
-
Wine tasting and Carving lesson in Santorini:
$100
-
Santorini Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting from Fira (small group up to 10):
$102
-
Santorini 4 Hour Private Oia Tour & Wine Tasting :
$111
-
5 towns in 5 hours: Santorini Most Popular Tour with Wine tasting:
$119
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Bodrum, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Bodrum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bodrum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bodrum 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini than you might in Bodrum.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or Bodrum?
Santorini is bigger, and its population is about 15.3 times larger than the population of Bodrum. When comparing the population of Santorini vs. Bodrum, 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 and the activities that interest you.
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