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

Should you visit Ios or Podgorica?

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

Should I visit Ios or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica?

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.

Podgorica

Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.

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 Budget Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Podgorica 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 Podgorica 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 Ios and Podgorica in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ios 39
    Podgorica 46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ios 78
    Podgorica 92
Compare Hotels in Ios and Podgorica

Looking for a hotel in Ios or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica


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 Podgorica Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ios 16
    Podgorica 20

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 Podgorica

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:

  • Private Transfer: Podgorica to Podgorica Airport TGD in Sedan Car: $39
  • Private Transfer to Budva: $42
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Downtown to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $43
  • Private Transfer: TGD Airport to Podgorica in Business Car: $47
  • Private Transfer: Podgorica to TGD Airport by Business Car: $52
  • Private Transfer: Podgorica to Podgorica Airport TGD in Van: $58
  • Podgorica hotels to Kotor Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $67
  • Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $67
  • Private transfer to Kotor: $67
  • Private transfer to Tivat: $67
  • Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Bar: $82
  • Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Budva: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Ios or Podgorica?

Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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
    Podgorica 70

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

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

Tours and Activities in Ios

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

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

Tours and Activities in Podgorica

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

  • Skip the Line Tickets: National Park Biogradska Gora: $8.35
  • Skip The Line: National Park Skadar Lake - Tickets: $8.95
  • Skadar Lake Official - Kayak Tour: $12
  • Virpazar Skadar Lake National Park Guided Boat Tour: $18
  • 2 Hours Guided - Group Nature Tour (taste local wine on tour): $18
  • Skadar Lake: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $18
  • Guided Boat Tours on Lake Skadar with Local Insights: $24
  • Skadar Lake National Park Boat Tour with Visit in Kom Monastery: $30
  • Virpazar: Guided Skadar Lake Boat Tour to Kom Monastery : $30
  • Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $39
  • Private Podgorica City Walking Tour: $45
  • Skadar Lake: 4-Hour Guided tours on Kayak: $48

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ios 33
    Podgorica 20

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:

  • Skadar Lake Private Boat Tour with Wine Tasting: $54
  • Pub Crawl with Welcome Shots: $70
  • E-Bike Tour with Wine Tasting & Waterfalls: $81
  • Book Your Wine Tour: $100
  • Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $106
  • Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $116
  • Wine tour- Family winery visit, food tasting & Skadar Lake boat cruise: $177
  • Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $179
  • Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $233
  • SOUL HEALING Wine Tour Montenegro - BEST PRIVATE TOUR : $233
  • Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $325


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ios and Podgorica, we can see that Podgorica 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 Podgorica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Podgorica 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 Podgorica Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ios or Podgorica?

Podgorica has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Ios. When comparing the sizes of Ios and Podgorica, 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.