Which place is cheaper, Gran Canaria or Ios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Ios or Gran Canaria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ios or Gran Canaria? 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 Gran Canaria?
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.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is the third largest of the islands, and is known for its variety of volcanic beaches. This island is sometimes called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, which allow for a range of activities like hiking, biking, surfing, and scuba diving.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, and The Best Luxury Tours to Spain.
-
Ios Prices
Greece PricesGran Canaria Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIos €115Gran Canaria €150
The average daily cost (per person) in Ios is €115, while the average daily cost in Gran Canaria is €150. 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 Gran Canaria in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIos €39Gran Canaria €63
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIos €78Gran Canaria €126
Compare Hotels in Ios and Gran Canaria
Looking for a hotel in Ios or Gran Canaria? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ios Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ios €16Gran Canaria €46
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 Gran Canaria
Also for Gran Canaria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Agüimes to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $33
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Agüimes: $33
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Ingenio to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $37
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Ingenio: $37
- El Salobre: Horse Riding Adventure with Transfer Options: $42
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Costa Meloneras to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $45
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Bahía Feliz to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $45
- Gran Canaria Airport(LPA) to Las Palmas- Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Arucas: $48
- Grand Island Tour by Bus with Transfers: $52
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Vecindario : $56
- Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) to Playa del Ingles - Arrival Transfer: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Ios or Gran Canaria?
Prices for flights to both Gran Canaria 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 dayIos €57Gran Canaria €59
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 Gran Canaria
For Gran Canaria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Origen Dinner Show at Sala Scala: $73
- Sunset Tour with Champagne & Optional Dinner.: $81
- Gran Canaria Food Tour with Distillery Visit and Local Lunch: $105
- Sala Scala Gran Canaria Dinner Show : $110
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ios €26Gran Canaria €20
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: $108
- 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 Gran Canaria
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gran Canaria.
- Walking tour Vegueta (old town Las Palmas): $8.22
- Las Palmas Interactive City Tour: $8.36
- Agüimes: Cocodrilo Park Zoo Entry Ticket: $12
- Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $15
- Angry Birds Activity Park Entry Ticket: $15
- Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $16
- Maspalomas: Bowling Session Entry Ticket at Holiday World: $16
- Banana World Guided Tour & Tasting: $18
- Guided tour of the Banana World : $18
- UD Las Palmas Gran Canaria Stadium Guided Tour: $20
- Puerto de Mogan: Friday Market Experience: $26
- Maspalomas: Tickets to Sioux City Park: $29
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayIos €33Gran Canaria €7.14
Sample the Local Flavors in Ios
Also in Ios, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl in Cyclades: $42
- Bar Crawl Ios Ticket in Cyclades: $42
- Cheese and Wine Tasting (Guided Tour INCLUDED): $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Gran Canaria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gran Canaria:
- Guided Tour at Ron Arehucas Distillery: $13
- Las Palmas: Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour in the Old Town: $47
- Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour in the Old Town of Las Palmas: $48
- Spanish Cured Meats & Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $58
- Spanish Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $65
- Private GRAN CANARIA WINE TASTING, TAPAS lunch & best sightseeing: $247
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ios and Gran Canaria, we can see that Gran Canaria is more expensive. And not only is Ios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ios 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 Gran Canaria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gran Canaria than you might in Ios.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ios Expensive? and Is Gran Canaria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ios or Gran Canaria?
Gran Canaria has a larger population, and is about 470 times larger than the population of Ios. When comparing the sizes of Ios and Gran Canaria, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.