A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Santorini vs. Thessaloniki for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Santorini or Thessaloniki?

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

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

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.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Which city is cheaper, Thessaloniki or Santorini?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €131, while the average daily cost in Thessaloniki is €107. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Santorini and Thessaloniki in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini €66
    Thessaloniki €63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini €132
    Thessaloniki €126
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Thessaloniki

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Thessaloniki? 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 Thessaloniki


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 Thessaloniki Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini €23
    Thessaloniki €11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

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

  • Transfer from Santorini Airport&Port all destination except OIA up to 4 customer: $37
  • Tour of Caldera on Sailing Boat & Bus Transfer:Volcano-Hot springs-Thirassia-Oia: $75
  • Shared Transfer Service: $17
  • Private Transfer to/from Santorini Airport (JTR): $50
  • Private Airport Transfer: $25
  • Santorini transfer service: $17
  • Santorini Taxi Service & Airport, Hotel and Port Transfers: $62
  • Santorini Airport to Hotel: Private Arrival Transfer: $45
  • Santorini Airport Hotels Transfer Shuttle Bus Service: $27
  • Premium Santorini Private Day Tour Lagoon 450, BBQ, drinks, transfer: $933
  • Oia Sunset: Evening Shuttle Transfer and Free Time: $23
  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $2,839

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki

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

  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Ksamil: $1,555
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Saranda: $1,555
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Parga: $1,306
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Syvota: $1,223
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Igoumenitsa Port: $1,141
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki City to Igoumenitsa Port: $1,141
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki City to Parga: $868
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki City to Syvota: $809
  • Thessaloniki to Corfu Luxury Private Transfer: $723
  • Transfer up to 8 People from Thessaloniki to Parga - Sivota - Igoumenitsa: $664
  • Private Transfer From Thessaloniki/SKG Airport to Athens-ATH Airport-Pireaus: $627
  • Transfer service from Thessaloniki to Corfu, Ioannina, Parga, Syvota: $616

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Thessaloniki?

Prices for flights to both Thessaloniki 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 €38
    Thessaloniki €33

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini

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

  • Live Virtual Cooking Class: $26
  • A taste of Mediterranean Cuisine Dinner: $90
  • Hands on Cooking Class with a Chef: $90
  • Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings: $108
  • Sunset Sea Kayak and Snorkel with Dinner: $108
  • Santorini : Sunset Sea Kayak & Snorkel with Dinner: $118
  • Santorini : Cooking Class, Easy Hike, and Snorkeling: $131
  • Cooking Class with Santorini’s Aroma: $506
  • Full-Day Royalty Private Cooking Class and Tour in Santorini: $506
  • Cooking Class with Santorini’s Aroma: $546
  • Santorini Private Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner, Drinks &Transfer included: $1,350

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki

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

  • Thessaloniki City Morning Walking Food Tour: $58
  • Dinner with a view in the historic center of Thessaloniki: $79
  • Thessaloniki Food Tour - Gastronomy Experience - 4 hrs: $137

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini €29
    Thessaloniki €21

Tours and Activities in Santorini

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

  • 3 Hour Santorini Walking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $50
  • 5-Hour Santorini Photography Day Tour: $606
  • Discover Prehistoric Akrotiri & Winery Tour: $182
  • Explore Akrotiri GroupTour: $583
  • Exploring the Myth of Santorini - Full Day Tour: $133
  • From Athens: Overnight Tour to Santorini: $373
  • From Folegandros Private Rib Boat Tour: $2,725
  • Full-Day Royalty Private Wine Walking Tour in Santorini: $428
  • Full-Day Santorini Southeastern Side Tour with Drink Tasting: $127
  • Half-Day Private Santorini Tour with Hidden Beaches: $323
  • Half-Day Walking Tour in Santorini with Canava Ouzo Visit: $413
  • Highlits Of Santorini Private Tour: $560

Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki

For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Athos Peninsula Day Cruise from Thessaloniki: $73
  • Authentic Balkan experience: $523
  • City Sightseeing Thessaloniki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $16
  • City Sightseeing Thessaloniki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $24
  • Day Tour of Philippi, Amphipolis, and Kavala: $137
  • Dion and Mount Olympus Full Day Tour from Thessaloniki: $112
  • Ecobike tour in Thessaloniki: $4,479
  • From 2-Day Rail Tour to Meteora: $239
  • From Pella and Vergina Full-Day Tour: $57
  • From Train Trip to Meteora & Monastery Tour: $114
  • Full Day Meteora Tour by Train from Thessaloniki: $116
  • Full Day Tour to Edessa - Loutra Pozar from Thessaloniki: $93

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini €21
    Thessaloniki €12

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

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

  • 4-Hours Santorini Vothonas Village Tour with Wine Tasting: $89
  • Authentic Santorinian Tour at Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting: $93
  • Half-Day Santorini Tour Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting: $93
  • Santorini-Wine Tour Αround Megalochori Village: $111
  • Sunset and Wine Tasting Tour by Electric Bike: $114
  • Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village: $117
  • Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village: $124
  • Santorini-Sunset Caldera’s View from Megalochori with Wine Tasting: $134
  • Santorini-Sunset Caldera’s View from Megalochori with Wine Tasting: $140
  • Half-Day Sunset Wine Tasting Tour in Santorini with Pick Up: $141
  • Santorini Wine Tasting and History Small Group Tour: $153
  • 4-Hour Sunset Wine Tour: $159

Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki

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

  • Private tour: Full day Wine tasting Naousa & Ag. Nikolaos: $535

About these numbers

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

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Santorini vs. Thessaloniki Travel Comparison

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