A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kos vs. Gran Canaria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kos or Gran Canaria?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Gran Canaria 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: Kos or Gran Canaria?

Kos

Kos is a Greek island and third largest island of the Dodecanese group, located near the Turkish coast in the southeast Aegean Sea. It is best known for its beautiful sandy beaches, which make it a popular tourist destination, as well as its ancient Greek and Roman landmarks.

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 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, and The Best Luxury Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Gran Canaria or Kos?

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

  • Kos Prices
    Greece Prices
    Gran Canaria Prices
    Spain Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kos 165
    Gran Canaria 150

The average daily cost (per person) in Kos is €165, 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 Kos and Gran Canaria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kos 62
    Gran Canaria 63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kos 124
    Gran Canaria 126
Compare Hotels in Kos and Gran Canaria

Looking for a hotel in Kos 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.

Hotels in Kos


Hotels in Gran Canaria


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: Kos Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kos 37
    Gran Canaria 46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kos

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

  • Kos transfer services, Kos - Airport - Kos: $118
  • Kos Private Airport and Hotel Transfer : $78
  • Private arrival Transfer from Kos Airport to any resort in the island: $76
  • Arrival transfer from Kos Airport : $74
  • From Kalymnos Self-Guided Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $68
  • Kos - Airport Private Transfer: $66
  • Kos Hotels to Kos Airport Private One–Way Transfer: $65
  • Artemis Hamam and Spa with Hotel Transfers Kos Island: $60
  • A Day's 3-Island Cruise Tour with Transfer: $54
  • Kos Town: Kalymnos & Pserimos Day Cruise & Optional Transfer: $33
  • Private Transfer from Kos Resorts to Kos Airport: $33
  • Roundtrip Bus Transfer to Mount Zia for Sunset Viewing: $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gran Canaria

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

  • Private Transfer Gran Canaria Port to Gran Canaria Airport (LPA): $76
  • Playa Del Ingles: Discover Scuba Diving - Free Transfers: $105
  • Maspalomas: Jet Ski Tour with Hotel Transfer: $153
  • Las Palmas to Gran Canaria Port - Departure Private Transfer : $76
  • Grand Island Tour by Bus with Transfers: $52
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Valsequillo to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $72
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Teror to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $99
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Tejeda to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $142
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Santa Brígida to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $72
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Playa del Inglés to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $72
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Playa del Cura to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $99
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Playa del Águila to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $72

Is it cheaper to fly into Kos or Gran Canaria?

Prices for flights to both Gran Canaria and Kos 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
    Kos 75
    Gran Canaria 59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kos

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

  • Sunset Cruise with Swimming and BBQ Dinner: $65
  • Kos Greek Night with Transfer Dinner and Unlimited Wine: $66
  • Kefalos Sunset Cruise from Kos with Dinner: $67
  • Greek Dinner with Music, Dancing, and Unlimited Wine: $88
  • Sunset Safari Tour with Dinner: $111
  • Kos 4x4 Sunset Adventure with dinner: $113

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
  • Sala Scala Gran Canaria Dinner Show : $111

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kos 33
    Gran Canaria 20

Tours and Activities in Kos

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

  • 3 Island Cruise Tour in Kos Island with Personalized Audio Guide: $31
  • 3 Island Luxury Cruise with 4 Swimming Stops with Captain Morgan: $38
  • Barco De Pirata Cruise at 3 Islands in Greece : $30
  • Dory's Glass Bottom Boat Adventure in Pserimos and Pserimos Beach: $24
  • Explore Nisyros Island with Hotel Pick Up and Guided Tour: $47
  • Flying Dress Photoshoot Experience in Kos Kardamaina : $214
  • From 3-Island Pirate Cruise with Lunch and Waterslide: $29
  • From Pserimos Island Snorkeling Cruise by Diving Boat: $59
  • From Zia Sunset Tour: $29
  • From Kos:A full day cruise in the newest luxury vessel!: $35
  • From the Port of Full Day Boat Cruise to 3 Islands: $35
  • Full Day 3-Island Boat Cruise from Port of Kos: $36

Tours and Activities in Gran Canaria

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

  • Firgas, Tejeda, Guayadeque - VIP Tour Gran Canaria: $59
  • Gran Canaria 7 Highlights Small Group Tour with Tapas Picnic: $118
  • Guided Tour With Electric Moped: $90
  • The North Coast Tour - Plantation, Rock Pool Snorkel, and Sunset: $117
  • 1 hour relaxing horse riding tour in Gran Canaria: $41
  • 2 hours Green Mountains Horse Riding Tour: $100
  • 2-Hour Segway Tour: Maspalomas Dunes, Playa Ingles,S.Agustin: $70
  • 3 Wheel Motorcycle like Quad/Buggy Tour Gran Canaria (Maspalomas): $90
  • 3-Hour Hiking Experience in Roque Nublo: $80
  • 3-Hour Sunset Climbing Adventure Experience: $78
  • 3-Hours Astronomy Hiking Experience in Roque Nublo Mountains: $71
  • 30 minutes tour with 2 jetskis in Maspalomas: $188

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kos 19
    Gran Canaria 7.14

Sample the Local Flavors in Kos

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kos:

  • Sip and Savor Boutique Wine Tasting Experience: $66
  • Guided Tour of Kos Town Asclepeion and Zia with Wine Tasting: $99

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
  • 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
  • Painting and textures workshop with volcanic wine tasting: $48
  • Spanish Cured Meats & Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $58
  • Spanish Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $65


When comparing the travel costs between Kos and Gran Canaria, we can see that Kos is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Kos or Gran Canaria?

Gran Canaria has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos 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.