Which place is cheaper, Pamukkale or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santorini or Pamukkale?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Pamukkale, 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 Pamukkale?
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.
Pamukkale
Pamukkale is in southeastern Aegean Turkey and is historically a spa town that has been in existence since the 2nd century BC. It is popular with tourists for its beautiful hot springs and travertines, or pools that are coated in a very unique calcium covering. The area is very rich in mineral content and the water, which has been flowing for thousands of years, has deposited calcium in each pool. This unique whiteness creates an unworldly beauty that draws visitors from around the world. If you're visiting during the summer months when the sun is out in full force, don't forget the sunscreen, as the white reflects the light and you can end up with a sunburn quite quickly. You'll also want to make sure you have sunglasses available because the glare can be quite extreme.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Turkey, and The Best Adventure Tours to Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantorini €175Pamukkale €146
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €175, while the average daily cost in Pamukkale is €146. 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 Pamukkale in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantorini €93Pamukkale €52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantorini €186Pamukkale €104
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Pamukkale
Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Pamukkale? 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 Pamukkale Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santorini €28Pamukkale €33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $3,725
- Santorini Airport Transfer For Group: $296
- Santorini Shore Excursion with Boat Transfer - Skip Cable Car: $151
- Santorini Airport(JTR) to Santorini - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
- Caldera Cruise with Greek Meal and Transfer: $138
- Private Sunset Tour with Picnic & Transfer: $128
- Santorini to Heraklion Crete: Ferry Ticket & Hotel Transfer: $125
- Santorini to Mykonos: Ferry Ticket & Hotel Transfer: $125
- Santorini Luxury Sailing Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfer: $120
- Santorini Sunset Luxury Sailing Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, drinks, transfer: $120
- Wine Tasting Tour to 3 Wineries with Transfer: $115
- Private Round trip transfer to Santorini Thira Airport (JTR) to OIA, Greece: $110
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamukkale
Also for Pamukkale, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pamukkale to Antalya Centre Hotels Transfer: $163
- Antalya: Private Airport Transfer to/from Pamukkale/Denizli: $154
- Denizli City Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $136
- Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $109
- Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Denizli City Hotels: $103
- Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $103
- Pamukkale - Karahayit Transfer from Denizli Cardak Airport: $100
- Private Denizli Pamukkale Airport Transfer Service: $98
- Transfer from Denizli Airport to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $90
- Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon w/Flight Certificates,Champagne Toast & Hotel Transfer: $90
- Antalya: Guided Pamukkale Tour w/Lunch/Transfer: $84
- Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Pamukkale?
Prices for flights to both Pamukkale 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 €48Pamukkale €65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Santorini Caldera: Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $69
- Romantic Sunset Caldera Cruise with Dinner: $69
- Volcanic Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $80
- Catamaran Tour with BBQ Dinner, Drinks, and Music: $90
- Volcano and Hot Springs Sunset Dinner Cruise: $96
- Santorini Sunset Dinner Cruise Including Nea Kameni Visit: $98
- Santorini Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $107
- Santorini Volcano Sunset Cruise Including Dinner on Board: $108
- The Aegean Cooking Class: $109
- Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $120
- Sunset Cruise with Swim Stops, Dinner, and Drinks: $120
- Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings: $122
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santorini €36Pamukkale €51
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
- Santorini Panoramic Blue Shade Tour-Firostefani, Imerovigli, Oia: $62
- 3 Hour Tour in Oia: $120
- 3-Hour Santorini Highlights Tour: $71
- 4 Hour Eat and Drink Private Tour in Santorini: $295
- 4 Hour Private Guided Tour in Santorini: $218
- 4 Hours Private Custom Tour in Santorini: $185
- 4 hrs island tour and photoshooting, Oia Blue domes, Red beach : $196
- 4-Hour Private Custom Santorini Tour: $161
- 5-Hour Private Custom Santorini Tour: $182
- 5-Hour Private Tour of Southern Santorini: $399
- 6 Hours Land Tour Ideal for Cruise Ship Passengers: $283
- 6 Hours Santorini Private Tour: $250
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pamukkale
For Pamukkale, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entrance fees Travertines & Pool€1.88
Tours and Activities in Pamukkale
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pamukkale.
- Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Tours: $119
- Antalya: Full-Day Pamukkale Tour: $80
- Antalya: Pamukkale Guided Tour With Optional Balloon Flight: $30
- Aphrodisias&Pamukkale Tour with Lunch from Izmir&Kusadasi: $298
- Best Rates Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Tour : $277
- Daily Guided Pamukkale Tour included Pick Up from Denizli Airport: $118
- Daily Guided Pamukkale Tour with Pick up from Hotel in Pamukkale.: $92
- Daily Pamukkale Guided Tour with extra Red spring enjoyment.: $92
- Daily Pamukkale Tour from istanbul: $638
- Daily Pamukkale Tour with Pick up from Denizli Airport : $109
- Daily Pamukkale Tour with Pick up from Denizli Bus station: $103
- Daily Pamukkale and Kaklik Cave Tour with drop-off at Denizli Airport: $230
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantorini €26Pamukkale €14
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: $74
- Visit to a Wine Museum and Wine Tasting in Santorini : $76
- Notos Day Tour through History & Wine Tasting: $98
- Santorini 4 Hour Private Oia Tour & Wine Tasting : $104
- Wine Tour with Sunset in Oia: $105
- Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting from Fira: $109
- Wine Tour Santorini: $118
- 3-Hour Wine Tasting in Santorini : $125
- Wine tasting and Carving lesson in Santorini: $131
- Santorini Wine Adventure with 12 Wine Tastings, Tapas and Sunset: $131
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Pamukkale, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Pamukkale much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pamukkale would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pamukkale 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 Pamukkale.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santorini Expensive? and Is Pamukkale Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or Pamukkale?
Santorini has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Pamukkale. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Pamukkale, 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.