Which place is cheaper, Crete or Thiva (Thebes)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Thiva (Thebes) and Crete can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Thiva (Thebes) is a vibrant, historic, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Crete is a world-renowned, scenic, and stunning island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Crete. Although Thiva (Thebes) and Crete are both popular with visitors, Crete has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Crete is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Thiva (Thebes) is known for its big city activities. Crete is more touristy than Thiva (Thebes) and is known for its breathtaking beaches, wild nightlife, and impressive archeological ruins. It is also home to the Palace of Knossos. Thiva (Thebes) is popular for its standing as one of the oldest cities in the world.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Crete and Thiva (Thebes). Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Thiva (Thebes) and Crete.
You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Thiva (Thebes). The city is filled with archeological museums and sights that reflect its long-running history as one of the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Crete. The island is filled with archeological sites including the famous Palace of Knossos. While most people come to Crete for the natural beauty, in the cities you'll find some great museums and landmarks.
Crete is very popular for its restaurant scene. Also, Thiva (Thebes) is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
Many restaurants in Crete have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Local cuisine is influenced by the island's fertile environment and excellent agriculture. You'll find olive oil in most dishes and seafood is a major staple. You'll also find a lot of stews and recipes that incorporate local ingredients.
Thiva (Thebes) is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's a large city with restaurants that cater to locals and visitors alike. You can expect high quality ingredients at a fraction of the price that you'll find in more touristy areas.
Crete is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Thiva (Thebes) is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.
The people in Crete know how to have a good time. The island has excellent nightlife with clubs and bars found in Chania, Malia and Stalis to Elounda. The area is popular with British tourists and you'll find many bars open until 2 or 3 in the morning.
If you're looking for night time activities Thiva (Thebes) has a few options to choose from. The city is filled with lively cafes, bars, and pubs that spill out onto the city's vibrant squares.
Crete is very popular for its resorts. However, Thiva (Thebes) is not a resort destination.
Crete is a world class resort vacation destination. The island has world class resorts that include pools and buffet meals. There are many beachfront resorts that range in style from romantic to family-friendly.
Thiva (Thebes) is not a resort destination.
Crete is a great destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Thiva (Thebes) is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Crete is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. The island is surrounded by clear waters that make for great snorkeling and diving. There's a number of beautiful fish and other sea life that you can see. Be on the lookout for crabs, sea stars, sponges, and even octopi.
Thiva (Thebes) is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Crete is very popular for the beache. However, Thiva (Thebes) is not a beach destination.
Crete is considered to be a world-class beach destination. There are some of the best beaches in the world on Crete. The areas around Chania have some of the island's best beaches, with one of the most beautiful being Balos. On the northern side of the island, be on the lookout for strong winds, particularly in August, which can make for larger waves. The island is large, so you'll find everything from secluded and quiet beaches to more active and lively places.
Thiva (Thebes) is not a beach destination.
Crete is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Thiva (Thebes) is not a hiking destination.
You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Crete. The island is filled with beautiful hikes that run along the shoreline or head inland through the island's beautiful landscapes. There are hikes for every ability level that offer spectacular views and an incredible experience.
Thiva (Thebes) is not a hiking destination.
Shopping is a popular activity in both Crete and Thiva (Thebes).
Thiva (Thebes) offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find all of the normal retail options around town. Many are in shopping centers and malls.
Crete has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The island has many markets that sell local foods and handicrafts. There are also shops and boutiques where you can buy anything from souvenirs to homemade artwork.
Crete is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Thiva (Thebes) is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Crete is an extremely popular island to visit for families. The island is large and filled with countless family-friendly activities. You can spend several days at the beach, explore Lake Kournas, visit a water park, or even take a pirate themed boat cruise. There's also the amusement park, Labyrinth Park, aquariums and more.
Thiva (Thebes) offers lots of family activities. Kids who are interested in history will appreciate the many archeological ruins and museums in the city.
Crete is very popular for its romantic activities. However, Thiva (Thebes) is a city with minimal options for couples.
Crete is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's stunning beaches, beautiful landscapes, world renowned restaurants, and amazing resorts make this a top honeymoon spot for international travelers and romance seekers.
Thiva (Thebes) is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's often overlooked as a honeymoon destination in Greece but the history of this long-running city is unique. Today it's a large city but you can still catch glimpses of its past.
Crete is a great destination for backpackers. However, Thiva (Thebes) is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.
Crete is a great island to visit for backpackers. It's a large island with a great social scene and no shortage of hostels for backpackers to choose from.
Thiva (Thebes) is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really on the backpacker circuit so their aren't a lot of hostels in town.
Crete is a great destination for students. However, Thiva (Thebes) is not popular with students.
Students come from all over to stay in Crete. It's affordability and great coastal activities is a big draw for students in the area.
Thiva (Thebes) is not popular with students.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Thiva (Thebes) and Crete.
You'll find some public transit in Thiva (Thebes), but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses in the area.
While Crete offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system that travels around the island and offers access to many areas.
Thiva (Thebes) is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Crete is not particularly known for its walkability.
Thiva (Thebes) is a somewhat walkable city. Some areas are more walkable than others.
Crete is generally not a very walkable city. The island is large and requires a vehicle to get around, but there are short strolls that let you enjoy the stunning landscapes.
For even more information, also check out Is Thiva (Thebes) Worth Visiting? and Is Crete Worth Visiting?.
Both Thiva (Thebes) and Crete have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Crete than in Thiva (Thebes). Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Thiva (Thebes), and 5-7 days is enough time in Crete.
Families should spend more time in Crete than Thiva (Thebes). Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Crete, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Crete than Thiva (Thebes). You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Crete that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Crete than Thiva (Thebes) if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Crete.
In Thiva (Thebes), many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.
In Crete, you'll find nightlife and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thiva (Thebes). For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Crete is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.
Thiva (Thebes) is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Thiva (Thebes). Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Crete. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.
You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Thiva (Thebes). Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
In Crete, you'll find shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Greece, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Thiva (Thebes) is €127, while the average daily cost in Crete is €102. 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 Thiva (Thebes) and Crete in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Thiva (Thebes) or Crete? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Crete:
Prices for flights to both Crete and Thiva (Thebes) 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Crete.
Here are a few actual costs in Crete for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Crete:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Thiva (Thebes) and Crete, we can see that Thiva (Thebes) is more expensive. And not only is Crete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Crete would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Crete 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 Thiva (Thebes) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thiva (Thebes) than you might in Crete.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Thiva (Thebes) Expensive? and Is Crete Expensive?.
Crete has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Thiva (Thebes). When comparing the sizes of Thiva (Thebes) and Crete, 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.