A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ios vs. Bodrum for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ios or Bodrum?

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

Should I visit Ios or Bodrum? 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: Ios or Bodrum?

Ios

Ios is an island in the south of Greece, located in the Cyclades group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a peaceful beach getaway by day, and a lively party scene by night. While its main town is the hub for nightlife, it is also a charming place during the day, typical of a traditional Greek village with shops and cafes against a backdrop of whitewashed buildings and turquoise waters.

Bodrum

Bodrum is a city on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretching from Turkey's southwest coast into the Aegean Sea. The city features twin bays with views of Bodrum Castle. This medieval fortress was built partly with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed in the 4th century B.C. The city is also a gateway for nearby beach towns and resorts. Although more than a million tourists flock to its beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and clubs each summer, the town of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside getaway, it has an enigmatic elegance that pervades it. The evocative castle and the ancient ruins around town also help keep Bodrum a discerning step above the rest.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 3-Day Tours in Greece, The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Bodrum or Ios?

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 Ios is €115, while the average daily cost in Bodrum 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 Ios and Bodrum in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ios 39
    Bodrum 32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ios 78
    Bodrum 64
Compare Hotels in Ios and Bodrum

Looking for a hotel in Ios or Bodrum? 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 Ios


Hotels in Bodrum


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: Ios Hotel Prices and Bodrum Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ios 16
    Bodrum 16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ios

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ios:

  • 1-Way Private Helicopter Transfer to the Greek Islands: $3,302

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodrum

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

  • Comfortable Turkish Bath and Spa, from Bodrum include Transfers: $23
  • Authentic Turkish Hamam and Spa Unforgettable Ritual WithTransfer: $24
  • From Ferry Transfer to Kos: $28
  • Orak Island Boat Trip with Lunch & Optional Transfer: $28
  • İzmir Airport - Kuşadası / İzmir Center : Private Transfer: $31
  • Turkish Bath and Spa Experience with Hotel Transfers: $37
  • From Private Village Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $41
  • Bodrum Hotel to Bodrum Airport private Transfer w local Company: $42
  • Full-Day Jeep Safari with Lunch and Hotel Transfer: $44
  • Private Departure Transfer: Central Bodrum or Bodrum Peninsula Hotels to Bodrum Airport: $45
  • Bodrum Kos Ferry Trip With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $46
  • Private Bodrum Airport Transfer in Turkiye: $48

Is it cheaper to fly into Ios or Bodrum?

Prices for flights to both Bodrum and Ios 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
    Ios 57
    Bodrum 28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ios

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ios.

  • Full Haros Family Cooking Experience: $95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bodrum

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

  • Cooking Class in Authentic Etrim Village: $59
  • Turkish Cooking Class in a Local Home: $70
  • Market Visit and Cooking Class: $152
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour in Bodrum With Dinner: $201
  • Food and Wine pairing Dinner at Karnas Vineyards Bodrum: $208
  • 3-Hour Private Sunset Boat Tour With Dinner in Bodrum: $242
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour with Optional Dinner: $388
  • From Private Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner & Swimming: $410
  • Private Sunset Yacht Tour with light Dinner: $528

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ios 26
    Bodrum 21

Tours and Activities in Ios

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ios are as follows:

  • 5 -6 Hour Full Heritage & Flavor Tour: $143
  • Culture & Taste Tour: $107
  • Half Day Private Tour on Ios Island: $298
  • History & Myth Tour: $107
  • Ios Island Trekking Tours: Discover Ios Unexplored: $36
  • 4-Hour Cruise of the Best Beaches: $79
  • Private Orienteering Experience in Mylopotas: $179

Tours and Activities in Bodrum

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

  • Turkish Bath Hamam Spa Experience: $18
  • Bodrum Boat Tour with Lunch: Beaches and Islands: $28
  • Orak Island Boat Tour with Swim Stops and Lunch: $29
  • Karaada Boat Cruise with Lunch: $29
  • Boat Tour to Orak Island: $33
  • Bodrum Orak Island Boat Cruise with Lunch and Swimming: $33
  • Pirate Boat Adventure Sail Swim and Party in Bodrum: $33
  • Cleopatra Island Tour with Lunch and Swimming Stops: $34
  • Traditional Turkish Hammam Experience: $35
  • Bodrum Cleopatra & Orak Island Mix Tour by Boat: $36
  • Bodrum Aquarium Bay Tour with Lunch & Swimming Stops: $37
  • Bodrum Aquarium Bay Boat Tour with Swimming Stops: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ios 33
    Bodrum 9.12

Sample the Local Flavors in Ios

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

  • Cheese and Wine Tasting (Guided Tour INCLUDED): $31
  • Pub Crawl in Cyclades: $42
  • Bar Crawl Ios Ticket in Cyclades: $42


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

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


Which is Bigger, Ios or Bodrum?

Bodrum has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ios. When comparing the sizes of Ios and Bodrum, 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.