Which place is cheaper, Thessaloniki or Sochi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sochi or Thessaloniki?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sochi or Thessaloniki? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Sochi or Thessaloniki?
Sochi
Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, and The Best Contiki Tours to Greece.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySochi $60Thessaloniki $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi is $60, while the average daily cost in Thessaloniki is $144. 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 Sochi and Thessaloniki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSochi $14Thessaloniki $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSochi $28Thessaloniki $170
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Thessaloniki
Looking for a hotel in Sochi 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.
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: Thessaloniki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sochi -Thessaloniki $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer: $428
- One Way Private Transfer SKG Airport to / from Thessaloniki City Center: $24
- Private Transfer from Kavala to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $237
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Ammon Zeus Hotel : $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Resort: $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Thessaloniki Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki hotels to Thessaloniki Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $254
- Private Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport from Thessaloniki City: $120
- Private transfer to IKOS OLIVIA: $87
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Thessaloniki - Arrival Transfer: $21
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki Port: $142
Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Thessaloniki?
Prices for flights to both Thessaloniki and Sochi 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 daySochi $17Thessaloniki $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $48
- Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $49
- Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $63
- Guided Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $71
- Private Walking Tour Gastronomic Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $87
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $95
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $95
- Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $95
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $97
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $97
- Greek Cooking Class, Market visit and Lunch: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sochi $112Thessaloniki $28
Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- White Tower Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.54
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour & Narrative: $11
- Selfie Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- Museum of Illusions Admission Ticket: $12
- Thessaloniki Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- Byzantine Museum E-Ticket with Audio Tour: $13
- E-ticket to Museum of Byzantine Culture with Audio Tour : $13
- Thessaloniki Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySochi -Thessaloniki $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki
Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Thessaloniki: $25
- From Pella-Edessa wine tasting: $64
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $81
- Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $83
- Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $91
- Wine Tasting Experience from Thessaloniki: $93
- Thessaloniki to Naoussa, Wine Tasting Tour – Private Day Trip: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sochi and Thessaloniki, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Sochi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sochi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sochi 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 Thessaloniki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thessaloniki than you might in Sochi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sochi Expensive? and Is Thessaloniki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sochi or Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Sochi. When comparing the sizes of Sochi and Thessaloniki, 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.
When is the best time to visit Sochi or Thessaloniki?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Sochi or Thessaloniki in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Thessaloniki. Additionally, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.
Sochi is around the same temperature as Thessaloniki in the summer. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Sochi usually gets more rain in July than Thessaloniki. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySochi 23°C (73°F)Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Thessaloniki in the Autumn?
Both Thessaloniki and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Sochi is around the same temperature as Thessaloniki. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sochi in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Thessaloniki averages at about 16°C (61°F).
It's quite rainy in Sochi. In October, Sochi usually receives more rain than Thessaloniki. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSochi 16°C (60°F)Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Thessaloniki in the Winter?
Both Thessaloniki and Sochi during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Sochi is generally a little warmer than Thessaloniki. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 6°C (44°F), and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. Sochi usually gets more rain in January than Thessaloniki. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySochi 6°C (44°F)Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Thessaloniki in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Thessaloniki. Also, most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
Sochi is around the same temperature as Thessaloniki in the spring. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sochi usually receives more rain than Thessaloniki. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSochi 13°C (55°F)Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Thessaloniki and Sochi
| Sochi | Thessaloniki | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (44°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
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.