A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Thessaloniki vs. Maribor for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Maribor?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Maribor? 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: Thessaloniki or Maribor?

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.

Maribor

Located near the Austrian border is Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia. Maribor is surrounded by hills that are filled with wine vineyards, as well as the Mariborsko Pohorje mountain. The city is split in half by the Drava River. On the left bank of the river you'll find the city's old town.

The city draws tourists from all over the world who come to enjoy the world renowned wine, old town culture, and outdoor activities which include hiking and skiing. The city is a great jumping off point for many outdoor activities and for those hoping to see the countryside. If you're more the city type, Maribor also has plenty to offer. Head to the theater for a show, sip some wine in a town square, or soak in the beauty of a cathedral while you're in the area.

Maribor's climate is humid continental with warm summers and cold winters. During the winter months the average temperature hovers around freezing. The warmest month is July, when average temperatures often exceed 20 degrees Celsius. Maribor is also one of the sunniest cities in Slovenia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovenia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Slovenia.


Which place is cheaper, Maribor or Thessaloniki?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, while the average daily cost in Maribor is €76. 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 Thessaloniki and Maribor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Thessaloniki 79
    Maribor 44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Thessaloniki 158
    Maribor 88
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Maribor

Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Maribor? 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 Thessaloniki


Hotels in Maribor


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 and Maribor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Thessaloniki 13
    Maribor 8.73

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Maribor

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Maribor:


  • Gondola (for 2)
    20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maribor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maribor:

  • Private transfer from Maribor to Ljubljana city: $250
  • Private Transfer from Maribor to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $252

Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Maribor?

Prices for flights to both Maribor and Thessaloniki 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
    Thessaloniki 42
    Maribor 26

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

Typical Food Prices in Maribor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Maribor:


  • Restaurant Dinner (for 2)
    24
  • Gostilnica Navogalu Cafe Lunch
    7.50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Thessaloniki 26
    Maribor 8.57

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Thessaloniki 15
    Maribor 11

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Maribor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Maribor:


  • Bottle of Wine
    12


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Maribor Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Maribor?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Maribor. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Maribor, 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 Thessaloniki or Maribor?

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 Thessaloniki or Maribor in the Summer?

Both Maribor and Thessaloniki during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Maribor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Maribor averages at about 22°C (72°F).

In Maribor, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Maribor. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maribor receives 266 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Maribor. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F) 
    Maribor 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Maribor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Maribor. The autumn months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally a little warmer than Maribor. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Maribor fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Maribor during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Maribor receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Maribor. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F) 
    Maribor 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Maribor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Maribor. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Maribor. Thessaloniki is much warmer than Maribor in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Maribor fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Maribor. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maribor receives 54 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Maribor. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F) 
    Maribor 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Maribor in the Spring?

Both Maribor and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Maribor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Maribor averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Maribor during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Maribor receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Maribor. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F) 
    Maribor 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Maribor and Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Maribor
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 1°C (35°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 7°C (44°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 8°C (47°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 20°C (69°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 25°C (76°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 26 mm (1 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)