Which place is cheaper, Pecs or Thessaloniki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Thessaloniki or Pecs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Pecs? 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 Pecs?
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.
Pecs
Located in southwest Hungary, Pecs is a pleasant university town with a history that dates back to Roman times - a history evident in its ancient architecture. Some of the most sought after sites include the Early Christian Necropolis, the Mosque of Pasha Quasim, and the Cathedral of Pecs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best Tours for Seniors to Hungary, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayThessaloniki €134Pecs €75
The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, while the average daily cost in Pecs is €75. 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 Pecs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personThessaloniki €79Pecs €35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomThessaloniki €158Pecs €70
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Pecs
Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Pecs? 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 and Pecs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Thessaloniki €13Pecs €16
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pecs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pecs:
- Pécs - Budapest Transfer: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Pecs?
Prices for flights to both Pecs 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
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Food Meals for one dayThessaloniki €42Pecs €27
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 Pecs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pecs:
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Dinner for Two€23
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Thessaloniki €26Pecs €16
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 Pecs
Here are a few actual costs in Pecs for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mineral Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayThessaloniki €15Pecs €7.78
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 Thessaloniki and Pecs, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Pecs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pecs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pecs 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 Pecs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Pecs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Pecs?
Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pecs. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Pecs, 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 Pecs?
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 Pecs in the Summer?
Both Pecs 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 Pecs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Pecs averages at about 22°C (71°F).
In Pecs, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Pecs. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pecs receives 302 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Pecs. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyThessaloniki 25°C (77°F)Pecs 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Pecs in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Pecs. 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 Pecs. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Pecs fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pecs during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Pecs receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Pecs. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberThessaloniki 16°C (61°F)Pecs 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Pecs in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Pecs. 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 Pecs. Thessaloniki is much warmer than Pecs in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Pecs fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).
In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Pecs. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pecs receives 72 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Pecs. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryThessaloniki 5°C (41°F)Pecs 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Pecs in the Spring?
Both Pecs 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 Pecs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Pecs averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pecs during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Pecs receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Pecs. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilThessaloniki 13°C (56°F)Pecs 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Pecs and Thessaloniki
| Thessaloniki | Pecs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.