Which place is cheaper, Izmir or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantorini €175Izmir €98
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €175, while the average daily cost in Izmir is €98. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantorini €93Izmir €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantorini €186Izmir €114
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santorini €28Izmir €28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Skip Cable Car! Santorini Shore Excursion with Boat Transfer: $129
- 24h Luxury Santorini Transfer.Arrival/Departure one way: $76
- 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
- Blue Dome And Oia Sunset Small Group Transfer: $37
- Blue Dome and Oia Sunset Small Group Transfer: $38
- Departure Private Transfer Santorini to Santorini Airport JTR by Sedan Car: $23
- 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
- Departure Shared Transfer in Santorini Island: $22
- Departure Transfer To Santorini Port: $33
- Economy Roundtrip Transfer Santorini Airport ( Max 4 stop ): $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Izmir
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:
- Private Transfer from Izmir Airport to Bodrum: $295
- Private Transfer From Izmir Airport to Pamukkale : $295
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Ayvalik Resort: $242
- Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Bozbuk Bay (Akbuk) Hotels: $213
- Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Akbuk Hotels: $196
- Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Yalikoy (Didim) Hotels: $191
- Private Transfer from Izmir Airport to Bergama: $185
- Izmir Airport (ADB) to Ayvalık - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $177
- Private Transfer from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Didim: $167
- Izmir International Airport (ADB): Private Transfer to Çeşme: $166
- Transfer from Izmir to Fethiye: $153
- Bodrum Akyaka Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $147
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
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Food Meals for one daySantorini €48Izmir €23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Romantic Sunset Caldera Cruise with Dinner: $69
- Santorini Caldera: Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $69
- Volcanic Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $80
- Catamaran Tour with BBQ Dinner, Drinks, and Music: $91
- Volcano and Hot Springs Sunset Dinner Cruise: $96
- Sunset Cruise with Swim Stops, Dinner, and Drinks: $120
- Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $120
- Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings: $123
- Half-Day Sunset Wine Tasting Tour in Santorini with dinner: $123
- Luxury Sunset Cruise with Dinner & Open Bar: $128
- Sunset Sea Kayak with Light Dinner: $128
- Hands on Cooking Class with a Chef: $133
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santorini €36Izmir €19
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: $6.99
- Megalochori: Lost Atlantis 9D Experience Museum Entry Ticket: $15
- E-Ticket to Akrotiri with Audio Tour on your Phone: $15
- Skip the Line Lost Atlantis Experience Ticket: $15
- Akrotiri Archaeological Site Entry Ticket: $16
- Refundable Ticket for Akrotiri Archaeological Site : $20
- Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $27
- Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit: $28
- Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia): $33
- Santorini Volcano Tour: $37
- Santorini Volcano & Hot Springs Tour : $40
- Santorini Volcano Half Day Tour: $44
Tours and Activities in Izmir
Here are a few actual costs in Izmir for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Small Group Ephesus Tour From Izmir Hotels: $100
- Small Group Pamukkale Tour from Izmir Hotels: $126
- 1 Day Ephesus And Pamukkale Tour From Izmir By A Local Expert: $300
- 2-Day Small-Group Tour Highlights of Ephesus from Izmir: $169
- 5 Days Seven Churches Tour Turkey: $1,064
- Ancient Pergamon Tour From Izmir: $283
- Aphrodisias&Pamukkale Tour from Izmir: $280
- Best Seller Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers : $56
- Biblical Ephesus, Mother Mary House, St John Basilica and Temple of Artemis Tour from Izmir with Private Guide: $272
- Cesme-Alacati Tour from Izmir: $175
- Customized Ephesus Private Tour / FOR CRUISE GUESTS ONLY: $150
- Daily Ephesus & Virgin Mary House Tour from Izmir: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantorini €26Izmir €8.31
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half Day Simply Santorini Tour with Wine Tasting: $60
- Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset: $62
- Fira Town Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $75
- Top Sights of Santorini with Wine Tasting and Sunset in Oia: $75
- Notos Day Tour through History & Wine Tasting: $98
- Santorini 4 Hour Private Oia Tour & Wine Tasting : $105
- Wine Tour with Sunset in Oia: $105
- Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting from Fira: $109
- 5 towns in 5 hours: Santorini Most Popular Tour with Wine tasting: $117
- Wine Tour Santorini: $118
- Wine tasting and Carving lesson in Santorini: $131
- Santorini 4-Hour Private Tour including Wine Tasting, Shore Excursion: $136
Sample the Local Flavors in Izmir
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Izmir:
- Wine Tasting Tour at Two Wineries in Urla Turkey: $98
- Ancient Ephesus tour with Mother's Mary House and visit to old village Sirince with wine tasting: $152
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santorini Expensive? and Is Izmir Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or Izmir?
Izmir has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Santorini. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and 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 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.