A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heraklion vs. Fethiye for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Heraklion or Fethiye?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Heraklion and Fethiye 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.

Where Should I go: Heraklion or Fethiye?

Heraklion

The largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion on first glance is almost completely modern - a frenzy of traffic, concrete, and dust. Do not expect pristine beaches and glittering waves (those can be found on other parts of Crete). Heraklion is first and foremost a city. Once you get past its grittiness, you will find that there are some attractive features beneath first impressions. The antiquity of the place lies embedded in the modern and is presented in one of the best museums in Greece, the food is excellent, and the people are friendly and welcoming. And though the sea is not great for swimming, its presence along the Venetian port will take you to another time if you need a break from Heraklion's bustling center.

Fethiye

Fethiye is a tourist town in Lycia on the Mediterranean coast. It has a beautiful marina and plenty of activities during the day or night. Fethiye's size, location, and easy access to transportation make it a great central starting point to explore the area. It's also a popular place to pick up the "Blue Cruise," a popular boat tour along the Mediterranean coast.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Fethiye or Heraklion?

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

  • Heraklion Prices
    Greece Prices
    Fethiye Prices
    Turkey Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Heraklion 195
    Fethiye 90

The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €195, while the average daily cost in Fethiye is €90. 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 Heraklion and Fethiye in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Heraklion 81
    Fethiye 32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Heraklion 162
    Fethiye 64
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Fethiye

Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Fethiye? 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 Heraklion


Hotels in Fethiye


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: Heraklion Hotel Prices and Fethiye Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Heraklion 31
    Fethiye 23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion

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

  • From Private Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands: $6,742
  • Private Transfer Port/Airport to/from Ierapetra: $299
  • Knossos and Arch Museum of Heraklion (Guide+Transfer+Ticket) : $251
  • Luxury Yacht Escape from Ierapetra with Transfer & Meals Included: $210
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to IERAPETRA area up to 7 customers: $202
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport or Port to Ammoudara Agios Nikolaos : $192
  • Private Transfer - Heraklion Cruise Port to Chania Airport (CHQ): $180
  • Semi Private Wine and Olive Oil tour (Transfer & Lunch Incl.): $178
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to AGIA GALINI area up to 7 customers: $172
  • Airports/ports Transfers from /to Rethymno (one way): $168
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to AGIOS NIKOLAOS area up to 7 : $156
  • Heraklion Airport & Port Transfer to / from Rethymno: $152

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fethiye

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Fethiye are as follows:


  • Local Bus
    0.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fethiye

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

  • VIP Transfer from Dalaman Airport to Gocek Fethiye and Oludeniz: $83
  • Turkey Fethiye Dalaman Airport Transfer with Private Car: $80
  • Tickets to Orka World Waterpark with Hotel Transfer in Fethiye: $65
  • Quad Bike Safari Adventure in Fethiye with Transfer Service: $38
  • Private Transfer: Dalaman Airport to Fethiye Göcek Hotels: $41
  • Private Departure Transfer: Fethiye, Oludeniz Region Hotels to Dalaman Airport: $52
  • Private Departure Transfer From Fethiye Hotels to Dalaman Airport: $52
  • Private Airport Transfer From/To Dalaman Airport: $66
  • Paragliding Experience in Fethiye with Roundtrip Transfer: $215
  • Luxury Airport Transfer From Fethiye To Dalaman Airport: $65
  • Hisaronu (Fethiye) Hotels to Dalaman Airport DLM Transfers: $95
  • Full-Day River Rafting Tour in Fethiye with Transfer & Lunch: $76

Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Fethiye?

Prices for flights to both Fethiye and Heraklion 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
    Heraklion 90
    Fethiye 40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion

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

  • Crete: Traditional Dance Show and Buffet Dinner with Wine: $34
  • Troy Dinner-Show: $36
  • Crete : Cooking Lessons In Lasithi Plateau: $45
  • Hersonissos: Spectacular Dinner Show Ticket: $47
  • Cretan Village Feast, Live Music, Dancers & Local Dinner: $54
  • Crete: Olive Oil Festival, Farm Dinner, Live Show & Pickup: $76
  • Olive Oil Festival in Cretan Farm with Traditional Dinner: $78
  • Dia Island Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner: $80
  • Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine: $99
  • Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $105
  • Jeep Tour Psiloritis the Mountain of Gods & Cooking Lesson: $114
  • Food tour tasting walking tour: $135

Typical Food Prices in Fethiye

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


  • Fruit
    0.14
  • Soda
    0.06

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fethiye

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

  • Turkish Cooking Class in a Village Garden: $94

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Heraklion 38
    Fethiye 26

Tours and Activities in Heraklion

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

  • 4x4 Safari tour Southern Crete Tripitis Gorge: $118
  • Adventure Safari Tour Secrets of the southern Crete : $110
  • E-Ticket to Heraklion Archaeological Museum with Audio Guide: $26
  • Knossos Palace Heraklion City Tour: $47
  • e-bike tour in Crete with guide and stroryteller Soulouksina: $168
  • Αrchaeological Museum of Herakleion Entry Ticket: $24
  • Ηeraklion Walking Tour with Archaeological Museum: $90
  • 4 Hour Fishing and Swimming Boat Experience in Schisma Eloundas: $150
  • 5Hour Safari Tour in Crete(Heraklion)with Quad,Jeep,Buggy & Lunch: $105
  • Adventure Jeep Safari Amazing sunset : $93
  • Aquaplus Admission Ticket: $36
  • Archaeological Museum of Heraklion Tour: $119

Typical Entertainment Prices in Fethiye

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


  • Paragliding
    4.94
  • Gorge Walk entry and photo
    0.11

Tours and Activities in Fethiye

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

  • Fethiye Dalyan Tour River Cruise and Mud Bath: $72
  • Ölüdeniz Half Day Scuba Diving Experience: $64
  • Ölüdeniz: 2-Hour Tandem Paragliding Experience: $235
  • 12 Islands Boat Tour from Fethiye with Grilled Lunch: $56
  • 12 Islands Boat Tour in Fethiye: $25
  • 7-HourJeep Safari Adventure in Fethiye Turkey: $33
  • Babadag Mountain Paragliding Experience with Photos and Videos: $215
  • Babadağ Cable Car Ticket with Pickup and Paragliding Options: $49
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
  • Blue Lagoon Ölüdeniz Tandem Paragliding Experience from Fethiye: $202
  • Dalyan Day Trip from Fethiye Including River Cruise, Mud Baths and Iztuzu Beach: $59
  • Dalyan Mud Baths and Turtle Beach Day Tour From Fethiye: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Heraklion 26
    Fethiye 11

Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion

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

  • Guided Organic Wine Tasting & Vineyard Tour: $40
  • Cretan Wine Tasting Experience: $41
  • Ecobike Tour with Wine Tasting: $100
  • Walking city tour & Wine tasting: $100
  • Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $104
  • Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with Wine Tastings: $150
  • Ecobike-Knossos Palace-Wine tasting-Olive oil tasting: $180
  • The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $198
  • Olive oil and Wine Tour with Lunch: $235
  • Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch : $237
  • From Villages and Vines A Scenic Wine Tasting Journey: $289
  • Guided Tour Palace of Knossos & Archanes Wine Tasting Tour: $416


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

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


Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Fethiye?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Fethiye. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Fethiye, 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 Heraklion or Fethiye?

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 Heraklion or Fethiye in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Fethiye. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Fethiye. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 25°C (78°F), and Fethiye fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fethiye this time of the year. In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Fethiye during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Fethiye receives 385 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Fethiye. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Fethiye receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Heraklion 25°C (78°F) 
    Fethiye 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Fethiye in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Fethiye. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Heraklion is around the same temperature as Fethiye in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Fethiye fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fethiye. In the autumn, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Fethiye. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fethiye receives 249 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in October than Fethiye. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Fethiye receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Heraklion 20°C (68°F) 
    Fethiye 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Fethiye in the Winter?

Both Fethiye and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Heraklion is a little warmer than Fethiye. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heraklion in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Fethiye averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Heraklion usually receives less sunshine than Fethiye during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Fethiye receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Fethiye. In January, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Fethiye. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Fethiye receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Heraklion 12°C (54°F) 
    Fethiye 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Fethiye in the Spring?

Both Fethiye and Heraklion during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Fethiye. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 16°C (61°F), and Fethiye fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Fethiye, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the spring, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Fethiye. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fethiye receives 250 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Fethiye. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Fethiye receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Heraklion 16°C (61°F) 
    Fethiye 16°C (61°F)

Typical Weather for Fethiye and Heraklion

Heraklion Fethiye
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Feb 12°C (54°F) 77 mm (3 in) 11°C (52°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Mar 14°C (56°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 23°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 14°C (58°F) 77 mm (3 in) 12°C (54°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)