Which place is cheaper, Podgorica or Thessaloniki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Thessaloniki or Podgorica?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica?
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.
Podgorica
Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.
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 Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayThessaloniki €134Podgorica €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, while the average daily cost in Podgorica is €105. 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 Podgorica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personThessaloniki €79Podgorica €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomThessaloniki €158Podgorica €92
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Podgorica
Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Thessaloniki €13Podgorica €20
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:
- VAN Private transfers from Airport Podgorica and city to Budva: $120
- Transfer from Podgorica to Sarajevo: $251
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Budva (and viceversa): $91
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Budva: $87
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Bar (and viceversa): $91
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport and city to Tivat : $108
- Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Budva: $75
- Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Bar: $75
- Private transfer from Podgorica to Ostrog monastery (minivan): $117
- Private transfer from Podgorica airport to Podgorica city: $26
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Ulcinj : $107
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Tivat downtown: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Podgorica?
Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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 €42Podgorica €41
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.Thessaloniki €26Podgorica €21
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 Podgorica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:
- ATV Private Tour Montenegro – Žabljak Crnojevića: $333
- ATV Tour Montenegro - Žabljak Crnojevića: $195
- Bar and Ulcinj Private Tour - Oriental Montenegro Experience: $240
- Bay of Kotor hiking experience - Montenegro Travel Club private tour: $185
- Biogradska Gora - Biograd Lake & Moraca canyon - Skadar Lake tour: $156
- Book Your Donkey Farm Tour: $57
- Book Your Montenegro Tour: $99
- Book Your Sunset in Budva Tour : $93
- Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $65
- Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
- Cheese farm tour in the katun: $279
- Cultural Bike Tour of Podgorica;Discovering the Ancient Treasures: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayThessaloniki €15Podgorica €20
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:
- Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
- Book Your Wine Tour: $77
- Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $93
- Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $106
- Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $120
- Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $128
- Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Thessaloniki and Podgorica, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Podgorica much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Podgorica would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Podgorica 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 Podgorica.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Podgorica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Podgorica?
Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Podgorica, 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 Podgorica?
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 Podgorica in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Podgorica. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 25°C (77°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. 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 Podgorica. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Podgorica. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyThessaloniki 25°C (77°F)Podgorica 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Podgorica in the Autumn?
Both Podgorica and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Podgorica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Podgorica fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Podgorica. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberThessaloniki 16°C (61°F)Podgorica 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Podgorica in the Winter?
Both Podgorica and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Thessaloniki is cooler than Podgorica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Thessaloniki in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Podgorica averages at about 6°C (42°F).
In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 121 hours of full sun.
Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Podgorica. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryThessaloniki 5°C (41°F)Podgorica 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Podgorica in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Podgorica. The spring months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 13°C (56°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Podgorica during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.
Podgorica receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilThessaloniki 13°C (56°F)Podgorica 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Podgorica and Thessaloniki
| Thessaloniki | Podgorica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 217 mm (8.5 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.