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

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Should you visit Santorini or Izmir?

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

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

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.

Izmir

Izmir is a metropolitan city of Turkey and the second most populous city on the Aegean Sea after Athens, Greece. Known as Smyrna in antiquity, it was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans, and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Most remnants of this past are gone; however, there are a few archaeological sites in addition to beaches, bustling city streets, and colorful markets.

Which place is cheaper, Izmir 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 Izmir is €108. 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 Izmir in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini €93
    Izmir €62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini €186
    Izmir €124
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Izmir

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Izmir? 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 Izmir


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 Izmir Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini €28
    Izmir €31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

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

  • Private Round-trip Transfer from Santorini Thira Airport (JTR) to Kamari,Greece: $50
  • 3 Islands Caldera Cruise in Santorini with transfer: $73
  • Arrival Private Transfer Santorini Airport JTR or Port to Santorini by Minibus: $46
  • Arrival Private Transfer Santorini Airport JTR or Port to Santorini by Sprinter: $32
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Santorini Airport JTR to Santorini by Sedan Car: $18
  • Arrival Shared Transfer in Santorini Island: $22
  • Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer in Santorini: $15
  • Best of Santorini Private Half-Day Catamaran Cruise with transfer and meal: $1,994
  • Blue Dome And Oia Sunset Small Group Transfer: $38
  • Departure Private Transfer Santorini to Santorini Airport JTR by Sedan Car: $18
  • Departure Private Transfer Santorini to Santorini Airport JTR or Port by Van: $32
  • Departure Private Transfer Santorni to Santorini Airport JTR or Port by Sprinter: $46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Izmir

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:

  • 2 Days Private Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour with Private Airport Transfer: $764
  • Transfer from Izmir to Fethiye: $432
  • Private Transfer from Izmir Airport to Bodrum: $299
  • Private Transfer From Izmir Airport to Pamukkale : $299
  • Round-Trip Transfer From Izmir Airport to Kusadasi: $290
  • Fethiye-Oludeniz Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $244
  • Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Ayvalik Resort: $242
  • Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Ayvalik Resort: $242
  • Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Fethiye-Oludeniz Hotels: $233
  • Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Bozbuk Bay (Akbuk) Hotels: $216
  • Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Akbuk Hotels: $199
  • Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Yalikoy (Didim) Hotels: $194

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Izmir?

Prices for flights to both Izmir 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
    Izmir €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
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini €36
    Izmir €21

Tours and Activities in Santorini

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

  • Authentic A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Oia: $5.99
  • Akrotiri Archaeological Site Entry Ticket: $8.76
  • Admission Ticket for Akrotiri Archaeological Site : $9.97
  • Megalochori: Lost Atlantis 9D Experience Museum Entry Ticket: $15
  • E-Ticket to Akrotiri with Audio Tour on your Phone: $16
  • Skip the Line Lost Atlantis Experience Ticket: $16
  • Skip the Line: Lost Atlantis Experience Ticket: $17
  • Santorini Volcano & Hot Springs Tour: $28
  • Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit: $28
  • Caldera Half Day Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia): $33
  • Santorini Volcano Tour: $38
  • Royalty Volcano & Hot Springs Tour: $39

Tours and Activities in Izmir

Here are a few actual costs in Izmir for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Best of Ephesus Guided Tour from - to Izmir: $240
  • Ephesus Small Group Tour From Izmir: $110
  • From izmir Ephesus and House of the Virgin Mary tours : $122
  • Small Group Ephesus Tour From Izmir Hotels: $100
  • Small Group Pamukkale Tour from Izmir Hotels: $126
  • "Ephesus tours" the "house of virgin mary tours" Tours from KUSADASI CRUİSE PORT: $44
  • 1 Day Ephesus And Pamukkale Tour From Izmir By A Local Expert: $250
  • 12 Islands Boat Tour in Fethiye: $22
  • 2 Days Ephesus Pamukkale Tour: $530
  • 2 Days Private Byzantine & Ottoman & Ephesus Tour: $605
  • 2 Days Private Ephesus & Pamukkale Tour from Izmir: $399
  • 2 Days Private Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour: $578

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini €26
    Izmir €9.16

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Izmir

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Izmir:

  • Wine Tasting Tour at Two Wineries in Urla Turkey: $100
  • Ancient Ephesus tour with Mother's Mary House and visit to old village Sirince with wine tasting: $122
  • Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $159
  • Wine Tour with Metropolis Ancient City: $188

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Izmir?

Izmir is bigger, and its population is about 4.2 times larger than the population of Santorini. When comparing the population of Santorini vs. Izmir, 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. Izmir Travel Comparison

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