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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Mostar?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Mostar? 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 Mostar?

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.

Mostar

Mostar has historically been a culturally and ethnically diverse city. It was heavily bombed during the country's civil war and many of the city's most important buildings and structures were destroyed. Most significantly, the city's Old Bridge, Stari Most, was destoryed. The bridge was rebuilt through an international effort just eleven years after the war. It was completed in 2004 and included pieces of the original bridge. Today, much of the city has been rebuilt and the city is a beautiful and impressive travel destination. The old town still has much of its original charm and it is a great place to explore.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina.


Which place is cheaper, Mostar 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 Mostar is €65. 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 Mostar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Thessaloniki 79
    Mostar 34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Thessaloniki 158
    Mostar 68
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Mostar

Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Mostar? 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 Mostar


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 Mostar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Thessaloniki 13
    Mostar 8.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki

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

  • Bus Transfer to/from Kavala: $18
  • Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Thessaloniki - Arrival Transfer: $21
  • Thessaloniki to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) - Departure Transfer: $21
  • One Way Private Transfer SKG Airport to / from Thessaloniki City Center: $24
  • Thessaloniki Airport Private Transfer Service: $32
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Thessaloniki Port: $41
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki hotels to Thessaloniki Port: $41
  • Thessaloniki Airport or Cruise Port Private Departure Transfer: $44
  • Thessaloniki Airport - Sani Transfer: $81
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Portes Lithos Luxury Resort Private Transfer: $82
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Oceania Hotel Private Transfer: $87
  • Private transfer to IKOS OLIVIA: $87

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mostar

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


  • Taxi To & From Blagaj (hiking)
    20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mostar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mostar:

  • Transfer service from Mostar-Sarajevo: $174
  • Transfer from Sarajevo to Mostar: $160
  • Transfer Sarajevo ⇄ Dubrovnik + Herzegovina Tour: $196
  • Transfer Mostar to Dubrovnik with Kravice Waterfalls, Blagaj and Počitelj tour: $122
  • Split to Dubrovnik via Mostar Private Transfer: $524
  • Private Transfer from Mostar to Sarajevo Airport (SJJ): $291
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Tomislav grad: $214
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Medugorje: $291
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Konjic: $174
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Jablanica: $135
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Grude: $117
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Bugojno: $291

Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Mostar?

Prices for flights to both Mostar 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
    Mostar 24

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 Mostar

Some typical examples of dining costs in Mostar are as follows:


  • A Casual Dinner Out (for 2)
    14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mostar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mostar.

  • Mostar street food tour: $57
  • Traditional Bosnian Cooking Class in Mostar: $80
  • Tastes and Tales of Traditional Bosnian Cooking Class: $82

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Thessaloniki 26
    Mostar 8.78

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

Tours and Activities in Mostar

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Mostar are as follows:

  • Charming Private Mostar Walking Tour: $43
  • 2-Hour Cultural Walking Tour in One City-Three Stories of Mostar: $55
  • Absolute Herzegovina Adventure - Kravice Waterfalls, Sky Walk, Blagaj, Pocitelj: $65
  • All Inclusive Neretva Rafting, Day Tour from Mostar: $147
  • Ancient Roman Horseback Riding Experience: $49
  • Authentic Medjugorje Tour: $82
  • Authentic Tour Mostar, Medjugorje, Karavice - Farm To Table: $535
  • Captivating Mostar - Walking Tour for Couples: $277
  • Captivating Mostar - Walking Tour for Couples: $142
  • Christmas Charms in Mostar - Walking Tour: $384
  • Discover Herzegovina Day Tour from Kravice Waterfalls, Blagaj, Počitelj: $54
  • Discovering The Karstic Landscapes - Hiking Day Tour from Mostar: $73

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Thessaloniki 15
    Mostar 3.47

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 Mostar

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


  • A Few Drinks (for 2)
    6.14

Sample the Local Flavors in Mostar

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mostar:

  • 1-Hour Wine Tasting Tour in Medjugorje: $16
  • Wine Tour & Tasting (Herzegovina): $91


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

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


Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Mostar?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mostar. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Mostar, 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 Mostar?

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 Mostar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Mostar. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Mostar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Mostar averages at about 26°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mostar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thessaloniki this time of the year. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mostar. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mostar receives 323 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Mostar. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Mostar receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F) 
    Mostar 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Mostar in the Autumn?

Both Mostar and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Mostar. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Mostar fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Mostar during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Mostar receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mostar. In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Mostar. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Mostar receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F) 
    Mostar 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Mostar in the Winter?

Both Mostar and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Thessaloniki is cooler than Mostar in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Mostar fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Mostar. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mostar receives 113 hours of full sun.

Mostar gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Mostar. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Mostar receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F) 
    Mostar 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Mostar in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Mostar. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Mostar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Mostar averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Mostar during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Mostar receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

Mostar receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Mostar. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Mostar receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F) 
    Mostar 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Mostar and Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Mostar
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Feb 7°C (44°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Mar 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 11°C (51°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 127 mm (5 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in) 26°C (78°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 25°C (76°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 65 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 26 mm (1 in) 22°C (71°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)