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

Should you visit Ios or Setubal?

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

Should I visit Ios or Setubal? 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 Setubal?

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.

Setubal

Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.

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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Setubal 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 Setubal is €149. 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 Setubal in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ios 39
    Setubal 59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ios 78
    Setubal 118
Compare Hotels in Ios and Setubal

Looking for a hotel in Ios or Setubal? 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 Setubal


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 Setubal Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ios 16
    Setubal 54

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 Setubal

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

  • Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach Taxi Boat Transfer Round Trip: $24
  • Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $24
  • Setúbal: Ilha Deserta Boat Transfer with Free Time: $29
  • Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $102
  • Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $286

Is it cheaper to fly into Ios or Setubal?

Prices for flights to both Setubal 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
    Setubal 60

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 Setubal

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

  • Lisbon Guided Tour with Live Fado Show and Traditional Dinner : $225

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ios 26
    Setubal 12

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 Setubal

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

  • Evora from Celts to Romans: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.17
  • Secrets of Setúbal: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.17
  • Explore the Highlights of Evora: Self-Guided GPS and Audio Tour: $8.32
  • Wines tour and tasting with history in Atalaia: $18
  • Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $30
  • Underwater viewing tours along the coast of Sesimbra: $30
  • Gatsby Experience: The Bartender Challenge: $30
  • Kayaking experience on DE beaches DA Arrábida: $36
  • Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $42
  • Kayak Tour with Guide in Sesimbra: $42
  • Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves: $42
  • Sesimbra Walking Tour: $42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ios 33
    Setubal 10

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 Setubal

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:

  • Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $72
  • Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $143
  • Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $156
  • Lisbon Getaway: Private Arrabida Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $213


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


Which is Bigger, Ios or Setubal?

Setubal has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Ios. When comparing the sizes of Ios and Setubal, 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.