Should you visit Santorini or Valletta?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Valletta, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Valletta
A harbor city and the capital city of the island of Malta, Valletta dates back to the 16th-century with a preserved architectural heritage that earned the city a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is best known for its museums, palaces, and churches.
Which city is cheaper, Valletta 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 Valletta is €114. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Santorini and Valletta in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Santorini can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €66, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €132.
Travelers usually pay around €128 for a double occupancy room in Valletta If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Santorini travelers spend around €38 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Food in Valletta costs travelers about €35 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Santorini €38
Valletta €35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Santorini Caldera: Sunset Cruise with Dinner:
$56
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Wine & Food Tour:
$69
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A taste of Mediterranean Cuisine Dinner:
$86
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Santorini Volcano and Thirassia Sunset Dinner Cruise:
$92
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Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings:
$100
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Akrotiri Easy Hike, Beach Visit and Cooking Class:
$106
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Santorini : Sunset Sea Kayak & Snorkel with Dinner:
$118
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Santorini : Cooking Class, Easy Hike, and Snorkeling:
$131
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Santorini Sunset Fishing Trip with Dinner and Drinks:
$154
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Santorini Cooking Class with Wine Tasting & Lunch:
$177
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Santorini Cooking Class and Wine-Tasting Tour:
$177
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5-Hour Food Tour w/ Minibus:
$194
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valletta
For Valletta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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The Valletta Food Tour Experience:
$156
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Santorini than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €23 on transportation in Santorini on average per day.
Valletta's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €19 per person, per day on transportation in Valletta.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfer from Santorini Airport&Port all destination except OIA up to 4 customer:
$37
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Tour of Caldera on Sailing Boat & Bus Transfer:Volcano-Hot springs-Thirassia-Oia:
$75
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Transfer Service:
$12
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Private Deluxe Transfer:
$86
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Airport, Port, and Hotels Minibus Transfer:
$8.07
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Santorini transfer service:
$17
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Santorini Taxi Service & Airport, Hotel and Port Transfers:
$65
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Santorini Private Ride Transfer Services:
$65
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Santorini Airport and Ferry Ports Shared Transfer:
$10
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Santorini Airport Transfer to Fira or Imerovigli:
$56
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Santorini Airport Hotels Transfer Shuttle Bus Service:
$28
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Premium Santorini Private Day Tour Lagoon 450, BBQ, drinks, transfer:
$933
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valletta
Also for Valletta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Airport Transfer: Malta International Airport (MLA) to Valletta:
$68
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Private Transfer from Malta Luqa Airport to Cirkewwa Ferry:
$47
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Airport transfers to all locations in Malta (Private Groups or Families):
$40
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Malta Airport Arrival Transfer (Airport to Saint Julian's Hotels or Address):
$37
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Private Airport Round-Trip Transfer: Malta Airport to Valletta City Center:
$27
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Private Airport Transfer: Malta International Airport (MLA) to St. Paul's Bay:
$18
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Private Airport Transfer: Valletta/Sliema/St. Julian to Malta Int. Airport (MLA):
$14
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Private Airport Transfer: Malta Int. Airport (MLA) to Valletta/Sliema/St. Julian:
$14
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Private Departure Transfer from Valletta City Center to Malta Airport:
$13
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Round-trip Shuttle Bus Transfers from Malta Airport to Your Hotel in Malta:
$13
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Valletta?
Prices for flights to both Valletta 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Santorini, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €29 per day, per person.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Valletta can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €21 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
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2-Hour Private Guided Tour in Akrotiri Prehistoric City:
$179
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3 Hour Santorini Walking Tour with Hotel Pickup:
$50
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5-Hour Private Tour of Southern Santorini:
$346
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5-Hour Santorini Photography Day Tour:
$606
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Archaeological Bus Tour To Akrotiri Excavations & Red Beach:
$40
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Best of Santorini Experience: 6-Hour Private Tour:
$58
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Best of Santorini Full-Day Private Guided Tour:
$649
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Cruise Traveller's Shore Excursion:
$59
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Discover Prehistoric Akrotiri & Winery Tour:
$171
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DreamCatcher Sunset Sailing Cruise in the Caldera:
$121
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Explore Akrotiri GroupTour:
$583
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Explore Akrotiri: Private Guided Tour with Hotel Pick-Up:
$272
Tours and Activities in Valletta
For Valletta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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4-hr day tour around Malta:
$212
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5 days Malta highlights guided tour:
$373
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6-hour Private Tour around Malta:
$283
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8 days best of Malta guided tour:
$572
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Blue Grotto and Sunday Market at Marsaxlokk Fishing Village Tour:
$35
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Combination Tour of Powerboat & Jeep - Gozo & Comino:
$106
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Eco marine Malta marine life spotting experience to Filfla:
$114
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Exclusive Combination Tour – Cabin Cruiser & Jeep:
$118
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Family Tour - The Building of Valletta:
$112
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GAILY TOUR in MALTA & VALLETTA - Gay & Lesbian Tour:
$218
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Gozo Full-Day Jeep Tour w/ Private Boat to Gozo & return (to avoid queuing):
$87
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Gozo Full-Day Quad Tour w/ Private Boat to Gozo & return (to avoid queuing):
$109
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Santorini, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €21.
Typically, people visiting Valletta spend on average €18 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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5-Hour Santorini Tour with Wine Tasting:
$59
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Private Wine Tasting in a Winery With Caldera View:
$65
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Santorini Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting:
$69
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4-Hours Santorini Vothonas Village Tour with Wine Tasting:
$89
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Half-Day Santorini Tour Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting:
$93
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Authentic Santorinian Tour at Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting:
$93
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Santorini Small-Group Wine Tour:
$98
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Sunset and Wine Tasting Tour by Electric Bike:
$100
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Santorini-Wine Tour Αround Megalochori Village:
$111
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Santorini Small Group Tour with Wine Tasting:
$115
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Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village:
$117
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Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village:
$124
When comparing the travel costs between Santorini and Valletta, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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