A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Ocho Rios for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Athens or Ocho Rios?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Ocho Rios. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Athens or Ocho Rios?

Athens

Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.

Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios, or "Ochi" is a town located on the northeastern shore of Jamaica and is a popular hub for cruise ships. It is a great destination for tourists as it has many resorts and beautiful beaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Ocho Rios or Athens?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Ocho Rios is €73. 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 Athens and Ocho Rios in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Athens 63
    Ocho Rios 43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Athens 126
    Ocho Rios 86
Compare Hotels in Athens and Ocho Rios

Looking for a hotel in Athens or Ocho Rios? 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 Athens


Hotels in Ocho Rios


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: Athens Hotel Prices and Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Athens 27
    Ocho Rios 6.23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens

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


  • Airport Bus for Two
    6.40
  • Metro
    1.50
  • Metro
    2.00
  • Metro from Airport to City Center
    8.00
  • Taxi from Airport
    35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens

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

  • Private Transfer to/from Volos: $575
  • Private Transfer from Athens to Epidaurus or Epidavros: $295
  • A mini Embark / Disembark Tour In Athens With Transfers from airport / port.: $294
  • Transfer from PIRAEUS PORT to LOUTRAKI, up to 8 customers: $289
  • Private Transfer Athens/ATH/Piraeus to Kyllini Port/Hotels: $289
  • Private Transfer Athens/ATH/Piraeus to Costa Navarino: $289
  • Athens to Volos Private Transfer: $283
  • Private Transfer from Athens city hotels to Nafplio Cruise Port: $281
  • Private Transfer from Athens/Piraeus to Corinth-Loutraki or vice versa: $277
  • VIP Ferry Ticket From Piraeus Port To Santorini & Private Transfer Included: $275
  • Athens Half Day Round Trip Multiple Destination Transfer: $275
  • Athens to Kalamata Private Transfer: $271

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios

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

  • Private Luxury Transfer to Sandals Dunn’s River from MBJ Airport: $300
  • Grand Bahia Jamaica Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $300
  • VIP***Private KINGSTON Airport Transfers to***OCHO RIOS**HOTELS**: $292
  • Kingston Airport (KIN) to Runaway Bay Round-Trip Private Transfer: $255
  • Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay Hotels: $240
  • Ocho Rios Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN): $240
  • Kingston Airport Transfer to Runaway Bay Hotels: $200
  • Luxury Ocho Rios Transfer: $180
  • Private Transfer from Jamaica (MBJ) Airport to Ocho Ríos: $176
  • Jewels Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $170
  • Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer To and from ochi rios : $170
  • Runaway Bay Hotels Private Round Trip Transfers from MBJ: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Ocho Rios?

Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios and Athens 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
    Athens 64
    Ocho Rios 23
Typical Food Prices in Athens

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


  • Ice cream
    3.00
  • Souvlaki
    2.20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens

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

  • Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • Street Food Tour - Sample the Food the Locals Love: $71
  • Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $78
  • Athens's original vegan food tour: $78
  • Small Group, Delicious Athens Food Tour: $81
  • Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $81
  • Get a Taste of Athens Food Tour: $82
  • Athens, Greek food tour including market visit: $83
  • Eat like an Athenian food tour of Athens: $83
  • Athens Walking Food Tour with Visit to Varvakios Central Market: $83
  • Athens Evening Food Tour: $88
  • Greek Cooking Class by Poseidon’s Temple in Sounio with Antonia: $90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ocho Rios

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

  • Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $128
  • Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Athens 36
    Ocho Rios 13

Tours and Activities in Athens

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

  • Acropolis/Athens Highlights Private Evening Tour (5 hours) from Athens, Piraeus: $162
  • Apostle Paul's missionary journys in Athens Private Tour 4Hours: $158
  • Athens Gems & Charms for the First Time Cruise Passengers: $95
  • Island Swimming Day Cruise—DJ, Lunch & Drinks incl.: $107
  • DISCOVER ATHENS IN 6HRS Private Tour BEST INTRODUCTION-FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS : $240
  • Mycenae Epidaurus Nafplio Isthmus Canal Private Luxury Tour : $239
  • Olive Oil Tasting Farm Experience, Corinth Canal, Nafplio: $188
  • Seaside Flavors of Athens Sounio Tour: $228
  • Traditional Villages Full day Tour in Santorini: $65
  • "A Must-See" Anc. Epidaurus, Mycenae & Nafplion Premium Full Day Tour By Locals: $216
  • "Athens Highlights Tour : Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and more.": $180
  • "Private tour in Athens": $180

Typical Entertainment Prices in Ocho Rios

For Ocho Rios, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Tour of Brimmer Hall Estate
    8.97
  • Admission to Coyaba Gardens
    4.49
  • Tour of Prospect Plantation
    15

Tours and Activities in Ocho Rios

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

  • Black River Safari & YS Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $285
  • Blue Hole Tour From Ocho Rios: $60
  • Blue Hole Waterfalls + Bamboo River Rafting Tour from Ocho Rios: $109
  • Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $165
  • Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Sightseeing with Shopping: $50
  • Dunn's River Falls and Tubing Combo Tour from Ocho Rios: $140
  • Private Dunn's River and Blue hole tour from Ocho Rios : $110
  • Private Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios : $60
  • Shopping Tour From Runaway Bay Hotels : $75
  • 1 Hour Private Rafting Experience in Jamaica: $65
  • ATV Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons): $165
  • ATV Guided Tour To Blue Hole & Spanish Bridge In Ocho Rios: $270

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Athens 23
    Ocho Rios 6.32

Sample the Local Flavors in Athens

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

  • The Original Athens Pub Crawl: $11
  • Greek Honey Tasting Experience at our Old Distillery: $14
  • Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens, Greece: $25
  • Experience Ouzo Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $26
  • Athens Ultimate Bar Crawl: $48
  • 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $59
  • Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $59
  • Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $59
  • Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $67
  • Greek food and wine tasting: $71
  • Noble Greeks Acropolis Wine Tasting with Private Sommelier: $72
  • Athens by Night Walking and Wine Tasting Experience: $84

Sample the Local Flavors in Ocho Rios

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

  • Bar Hopping, Pub Crawl, Shopping and Sightseeing Tour Ocho Rios: $113


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Ocho Rios, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Ocho Rios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ocho Rios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocho Rios 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens than you might in Ocho Rios.

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


Which is Bigger, Athens or Ocho Rios?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Ocho Rios, 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 Athens or Ocho Rios?

Athens has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ocho Rios experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Ocho Rios in the Summer?

Both Ocho Rios and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Athens is around the same temperature as Ocho Rios in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Ocho Rios during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Ocho Rios. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Athens 27°C (81°F) 
    Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Athens or Ocho Rios in the Autumn?

Both Ocho Rios and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.

In the autumn, Athens is cooler than Ocho Rios. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 28°C (82°F).

In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets less sunshine than Ocho Rios. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 229 hours of full sun.

Ocho Rios gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Ocho Rios. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Athens 19°C (67°F) 
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Athens or Ocho Rios in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Ocho Rios. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Athens is generally much colder than Ocho Rios. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives more rain than Ocho Rios. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Athens 10°C (51°F) 
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Athens or Ocho Rios in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Ocho Rios. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.

Athens is much colder than Ocho Rios in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets less sunshine than Ocho Rios. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 251 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Ocho Rios. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Athens 16°C (60°F) 
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Ocho Rios and Athens

Athens Ocho Rios
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 25 mm (1 in) 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)