A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Volos vs. Ephesus for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Volos or Ephesus?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Volos and Ephesus can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Volos or Ephesus?

Volos

The coastal port city of Volos on the mainland of Greece sits on a very unique and important location in the agricultural region of Thessaly. Situated between Athens and Thessaloniki, Volos provides a commercial outlet to the sea, allowing a bridge between Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It is the most recent of Greece's port cities, and is highly populated with many modern buildings.

Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best 10-Day Tours from Athens, The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Ephesus or Volos?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Volos is €95, while the average daily cost in Ephesus is €134. 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 Volos and Ephesus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Volos 43
    Ephesus 65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Volos 86
    Ephesus 130
Compare Hotels in Volos and Ephesus

Looking for a hotel in Volos or Ephesus? 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 Volos


Hotels in Ephesus


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: Volos Hotel Prices and Ephesus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Volos 37
    Ephesus 48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Volos

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

  • Volos to Athens Easy & Economy Transfer: $524
  • From Volos to Athens Airport / Athens / Piraeus Private Transfer: $280
  • Volos to Athens, Athens Airport and Piraeus Port Private Transfer: $257

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus

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

  • VIP Transfer Kusadasi From/To Bodrum Airport: $128
  • Transfer izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Davutlar: $98
  • Scuba Diving Experience in Kusadasi with Instructor and Transfer: $60
  • Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
  • Private Transfers İzmir City Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Selçuk, Ephesus, Şirince: $131
  • Private Transfers From Kusadasi: $173
  • Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $120
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $22
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $24
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi hotels: $24
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi Hotels: $22
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Izmir Airport (ADB): $58

Is it cheaper to fly into Volos or Ephesus?

Prices for flights to both Ephesus and Volos 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
    Volos 30
    Ephesus 31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Volos

For Volos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Session "Pelion Flavours": $71
  • Cook like a local Greek Cooking lesson in Mt Pelion Greece: $109

Typical Food Prices in Ephesus

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:


  • Sandwiches
    0.14
  • Dessert
    0.16
  • Lunch at Beach (for 2)
    0.55
  • Snacks
    0.23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus

For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110
  • Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village: $149
  • Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $211
  • Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $228

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Volos 17
    Ephesus 55

Tours and Activities in Volos

For Volos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • BIKING PELION Private Guided Full or Half Day Tour: $211
  • East Pelion - Sea Kayak Tour "Short Paddle": $38
  • From Hidden Sights of Meteora Private Tour: $214
  • HIKING PELION - Private Guided Full or Half Day Tour: $197
  • Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour "The Secret Cave": $49
  • Kayaking Adventure around Pelion Coastline : $33
  • Volos Pelion Full Day Tour : $240
  • Pagasetic Gulf Full-Day Sailboat Experience: $735

Tours and Activities in Ephesus

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.

  • Ephesus Half Day Small Group Tour: $40
  • Ephesus Shared Tour from Kuşadası Port: $130
  • Ephesus Tour With Small Group From Kusadasi: $76
  • Ephesus Tour from Kusadası Port: $44
  • Ephesus small groups Tour For Cruisers (skip the line): $100
  • Ephesus tours Sirince Village from Kusadasi Port with lunch: $63
  • Ephesus tours and Virgin Mary's House Temple Artemis tours : $67
  • Private Tour Ephesus for Cruise Guests : $250
  • Private Tour to Ephesus, Virgin Mary, and Artemis Temple From Cruise Ship/Hotel: $120
  • Small Group Pamukkale Day Tour from Selcuk or Kusadası : $93
  • "Ephesus Tours" Port Kusadasi lunch guide bus shopping Caravanserai artemis : $58
  • "No Better Way to Explore History - Affordable Ephesus Tour": $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Volos 7.86
    Ephesus 14

Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:


  • Beer
    0.12

Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus

Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Skip-the-line Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $53
  • Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
  • Ephesus&Sirince Village with Wine Tasting Shore Ex: $100
  • Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $100
  • Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House: $130
  • Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $134
  • Virgin Mary Bread and Wine Tour included Lunch: $300


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Volos and Ephesus, we can see that Ephesus is more expensive. And not only is Volos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Volos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Volos 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 Ephesus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ephesus than you might in Volos.

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


Which is Bigger, Volos or Ephesus?

Volos has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Volos and Ephesus, 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 Volos or Ephesus?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Volos or Ephesus in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Volos and Ephesus. The beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Volos this time of year.

Volos is around the same temperature as Ephesus in the summer. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Ephesus fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In Volos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Volos usually receives less sunshine than Ephesus during summer. Volos gets 330 hours of sunny skies, while Ephesus receives 378 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Volos usually receives more rain than Ephesus. Volos gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Volos 26°C (78°F) 
    Ephesus 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Volos or Ephesus in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Volos as well as Ephesus. Many travelers come to Volos for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Volos is cooler than Ephesus. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Volos in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Ephesus averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. In the autumn, Volos often gets less sunshine than Ephesus. Volos gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ephesus receives 232 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets more rain in October than Ephesus. Volos gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Volos 17°C (62°F) 
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Volos or Ephesus in the Winter?

Both Ephesus and Volos are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Volos in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Volos is generally much colder than Ephesus. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 6°C (42°F), and Ephesus fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Volos usually receives less sunshine than Ephesus during winter. Volos gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Ephesus receives 131 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. In January, Volos usually receives less rain than Ephesus. Volos gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Volos 6°C (42°F) 
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Volos or Ephesus in the Spring?

Both Ephesus and Volos during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Volos for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Volos is cooler than Ephesus in the spring. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Ephesus fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Volos. In the spring, Volos often gets less sunshine than Ephesus. Volos gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ephesus receives 231 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in April than Ephesus. Volos gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Ephesus receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Volos 14°C (56°F) 
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Ephesus and Volos

Volos Ephesus
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (42°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 7°C (45°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 10°C (49°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 14°C (56°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Jun 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Jul 26°C (78°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 52 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)