Which place is cheaper, David or Santorini?
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 Santorini or David?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or David, 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 David?
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.
David
In the Pacific West of Panama, David is the capital city of Chiriqui province. The city's population of almost 150,000 is among the wealthiest in the country. There is a well established middle class and unemployment remains low in the area. The area has grown rapidly in recent years with growing commercial and banking sectors. The city is well connected to the rest of the country by the Pan American Highway.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama, and The Best Budget Tours to Panama.
-
Santorini Prices
Greece PricesDavid Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantorini €250David €35
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in David is €35. 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 David in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantorini €118David €11
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantorini €236David €22
Compare Hotels in Santorini and David
Looking for a hotel in Santorini or David? 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 David Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santorini €35David €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Luxury Transfers in Santorini-Airport ,Port & Hotels: $10
- Express Private Transfer Service in Santorini: $14
- Transfer From or To Santorini Airport Designed By You: $15
- Economy Departure Transfers To Santorini Airport: $15
- Economy Roundtrip Transfer Santorini Airport ( Max 4 stop ): $17
- Departure Transfer To Santorini Airport: $18
- Shared Transfer From Airport and Port to Santorini: $18
- Santorini Port Shuttle Services-Airport Transfers-Oia Transfers: $18
- Santorini, Private Transfer with Luxury Airconditioned Vehicle: $22
- Shared Departure Transfer: Santorini Hotel to Airport or Cruise Port: $23
- Santorini One Way Private transfer: $23
- Santorini Private Transfer From or to Airport -All Destinations: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or David?
Prices for flights to both David 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 daySantorini €96David €16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Santorini Cooking Lesson with Chef and a Bottle of Wine: $102
- Cooking Class and Wine Tasting in Santorini: $103
- Luxury Santorini Sunset Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $125
- Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $125
- Cooking Class with Private Chef - prepare & enjoy local menu: $125
- Grandma Greek Cooking Class in Oia: $148
- Miss Anna Santorini Cooking Class: $148
- Yummy Santorini Food Tour: $154
- Small Group Cooking Lesson & Wine Tasting at Award-Winning Winery: $159
- Santorini : Cooking Class & Easy Hike: $177
- Traditional Kouzina Santorini Cooking Experience: $182
- Hands-On Santorini Cooking Class With Wine & Beach: $188
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santorini €35David €3.89
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
- Fira Audio Guided Walking Tour 1h00 and 16 audio reviews: $6.73
- Private Self-Guided Audio Tour in Santorini: $9.12
- Greek Cheese Tasting Experience in Santorini: $23
- Santorini Shore Excursion: Private Tour with Port Pickup Options: $31
- Authentic Pyrgos Village Donkey Ride and Feeding Experience: $32
- Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $34
- Sunset Cruise Santorini Volcano: $34
- Santorini Volcano & Sunset Caldera Cruise: $34
- E-Ticket to Akrotiri with Audio Tour on your Phone: $40
- Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia): $40
- Santorini Volcanic Sunset Cruise: $40
- Private Santorini Sightseeing Tour with Local Driver-Guide: $44
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySantorini €25David -
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Beer Tasting and Pairing Experience at Ftelos Brewery: $29
- Art and Wine Tour in a Historic Santorini Winery: $40
- Santorini Wine Tasting and Wine Pairing: $68
- Caldera Views, Cliffside Villages, and Santorinian Wine Tasting: $97
- Santorini Private Wine Tour with Local Wineries & Tastings: $97
- Oia Art Walk Quiet Lanes and Wine Tasting in a Captain's House: $108
- Guided ATV Tour with Wine Tasting: $114
- Santorini Wine Tour in two or three Wineries: $154
- Santorini wine tasting and Traditional Cave Settlement Tour: $160
- Santorini 3-Winery Tour with 12 Wine Tastings and Oia Sunset: $171
- 3-Hour Wine Tasting in Santorini: $177
- Private Santorini 4-Hours Tour : Oia, Megalochori & wine tasting: $179
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and David, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is David much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santorini is in Europe and David is in Central America, 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 David would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in David 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 David.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santorini Expensive? and Is David Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or David?
Santorini has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of David. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and David, 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.