A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Ephesus for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Santorini or Ephesus?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Ephesus, 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 Ephesus?

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.

Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).

Which place is cheaper, Ephesus 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 Ephesus is €148. 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 Ephesus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini €93
    Ephesus €72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini €186
    Ephesus €144
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Ephesus

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Ephesus? 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.

Hotels in Santorini


Hotels in Ephesus


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 Ephesus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini €28
    Ephesus €53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $3,832
  • Full Day Santorini Catamaran Private Cruise with meal and transfer: $3,656
  • Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Amanzoe: $3,556
  • Santorini to Mykonos Helicopter Transfer: $3,312
  • Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Spetses: $3,257
  • Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Athens: $3,102
  • Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Hydra: $3,035
  • 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: $2,160
  • Private Helicopter Transfer from Santorini to Mykonos : $2,083

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus

Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfers From Kusadasi: $220
  • Private Airport Transfer In Ephesus: $205
  • Transfer From Kusadasi to Pamukkale: $199
  • Transfer from/to Izmir Airport ADB to/from Didim Area: $188
  • Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $166
  • Milas Bodrum Airport (BJV) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $140
  • Private Transfers İzmir City Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Selçuk, Ephesus, Şirince: $131
  • Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
  • Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi to Izmir Airport: $122
  • Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $116
  • Kusadasi Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport: $102

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Ephesus?

Prices for flights to both Ephesus 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
    Ephesus €35

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
  • Romantic Sunset Caldera Cruise with Dinner: $71
  • Santorini Caldera: Sunset 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: $99
  • Santorini Sunset Dinner Cruise Including Nea Kameni Visit: $100
  • Greek Cuisine Cooking Class in Santorini: $105
  • Cooking Class with Private Chef - prepare & enjoy local menu: $105

Typical Food prices in Ephesus

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:


  • Sandwiches
    €0.16
  • Dessert
    €0.18
  • Lunch at Beach (for 2)
    €0.61
  • Snacks
    €0.26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus

For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Private Shore Excursion: Ephesus and Turkish Cooking Experience: $91
  • Ancient Ephesus and Cooking Class Private Tour from Kusadasi: $91
  • Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $120
  • Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village: $149
  • Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $214
  • Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $231
  • Gourmet & Street Food Tour: Taste the Excellence at Kusadasi & Selcuk: $239

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini €36
    Ephesus €60

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: $3,656
  • Luxury Private Power Catamaran Tour in Santorini: $1,772
  • 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 Ephesus

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.

  • "Explore the Ancient Wonders: Full Day Tour in Ephesus": $94
  • 3 Days Ephesus Pamukkale Pergamon Private Tour from Kusadasi: $555
  • Ephesus Half Day Small Group Tour: $40
  • Ephesus Shared Tour from Kuşadası Port: $130
  • Ephesus Tour With Small Group From Kusadasi: $88
  • Ephesus Tour from Kusadası Port: $140
  • Ephesus Tours and Turkish bath from CRUİSE Port Kusadasi with lunch : $29
  • Ephesus tours Sirince Village from Kusadasi Port with lunch: $45
  • Ephesus tours and Virgin Mary's House Temple Artemis tours : $52
  • Kusadasi Port Low-Cost Cultural Tour & Shopping : $30
  • Private Kusadasi Walking Tour : $89
  • Private Pergamum Tour from Izmir or Kusadasi: $277

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini €26
    Ephesus €15

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: $76
  • Fira Town Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $77
  • 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

Typical Alcohol prices in Ephesus

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:


  • Beer
    €0.13

Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus

Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Ephesus&Sirince Village with Wine Tasting Shore Ex: $40
  • Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $52
  • Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $61
  • Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House: $110
  • Ephesus Tour for Cruise Guests: Highlights with Wine Tasting: $139
  • Ancient Ephesus Private Tour Kusadasi with Wine Tasting at Seven Sages Vinery: $156
  • Ancient Ephesus Private Tour with Wine Tasting from Kusadasi: $342
  • Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi with Private Guide and Van: $475

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Ephesus, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus 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 Ephesus.

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Ephesus?

Santorini is bigger, and its population is about 9.5 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the population of Santorini vs. Ephesus, 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.

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.
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Santorini vs. Ephesus Travel Comparison

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