Which place is cheaper, Rhodes or Lesbos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Lesbos or Rhodes?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lesbos and Rhodes. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lesbos or Rhodes?
Lesbos
Lesbos, the third-largest Greek island, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and authentic Greek culture. Visiting Lesbos doesn't have to break the bank. Budget accommodations can be found for as low as €25-40 per night in the off-season and €40-60 during peak months. For affordable meals, seek out local tavernas away from tourist hotspots. The villages of Petra and Molyvos offer authentic dining experiences at reasonable prices, and many tavernas provide daily specials ("mezedes") that are both delicious and economical.
Rhodes
Rhodes Island is one of the largest and most visited islands in Greece both because of its diversity of sights and its wonderful climate. On the island are some beautiful beaches, well preserved historic sights, and lovely towns. Rhodes City is the capital city on the island of Rhodes and is famous as the former site of the Colossus. Colossus is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe. Today Rhodes City has an interesting old town that is surrounded by the medieval wall. Inside you'll find countless souvenir shops and restaurants that cater to tourists. Cruise ships also frequent the island, so it's best visited during the off season when the crowds may be slightly less. You will also find that prices drop when the crowds are thinner and the cruise ships are scarce.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Greece, The Best Historical Tours in Greece, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece.
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Lesbos Prices
Greece PricesRhodes Prices
Greece Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLesbos €276Rhodes €170
The average daily cost (per person) in Lesbos is €276, while the average daily cost in Rhodes is €170. 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 Lesbos and Rhodes in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLesbos €117Rhodes €58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLesbos €234Rhodes €116
Compare Hotels in Lesbos and Rhodes
Looking for a hotel in Lesbos or Rhodes? 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: Lesbos Hotel Prices and Rhodes Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lesbos €61Rhodes €48
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rhodes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rhodes:
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Taxi Ride€7.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rhodes
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rhodes:
- Butterfly Valley and Seven Springs Valley Self-guided Transfer: $32
- Cruise to Symi Island & St George’s Bay with Hotel Transfers: $71
- Diagoras Airport: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Rhodes: $47
- East Coast Bay to Bay Full-Day Boat Trip with Transfers: $78
- From North Round-Trip Lindos Transfer from Hotels: $23
- From Boat Trip to Symi Island with Hotel Transfer: $74
- From Lindos Round-Trip Bus Transfer with Free Time: $26
- One Way Private Transfer Rhodes Airport to / from Faliraki: $43
- One Way Private Transfer Rhodes Airport to / from Ialyssos - Ixia: $29
- Private One Way Transfer From Rhodes to Rhodes Airport : $60
- Private One Way Transfer from Rhodes Airport To Rhodes: $60
- Private Transfer from Rhodes City Hotels to Rhodes Cruise Port: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Lesbos or Rhodes?
Prices for flights to both Rhodes and Lesbos 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
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Food Meals for one dayLesbos €119Rhodes €82
Typical Food Prices in Rhodes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rhodes:
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Coffee€1.95
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Dinner for Two€23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rhodes
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rhodes.
- Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Buffet & Drinks: $63
- Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner, Drinks & Swim: $70
- Sunset Cruise with Open Bar, Dinner, & Live Music: $74
- Cooking Class and Wine Tasting Experience: $82
- 11 Course Lunch with Cooking Mastery and Wine Tasting in Rhodes: $82
- Rhodes Wine & Food Tour: 10 Meal Course Lunch, Wine Tasting, Cooking Class : $93
- Winery Tour, Tasting and cooking with the Winemaker in Rhodes: $94
- Cooking Lesson and Wine Tasting with Lunch: $135
- Cooking Class & Greek Wine Tasting: $191
- Guided Rhodes City By Night with Live Music & Dinner: $410
- Walking Food Tour in the Medieval Town of Rhodes: $446
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lesbos €37Rhodes €19
Tours and Activities in Rhodes
Here are a few actual costs in Rhodes for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- The Palace of the Grand Master Self-guided Audio Tour: $14
- Throne of Helios: The History of Rhodes 9D Experience: $15
- Rhodes Town: Submarine Cruise with Underwater Views: $16
- Rhodes Town: Yellow Submarine Cruise with Underwater Views: $16
- Lindos Bus Tour with Free Time to Explore: $19
- Rhodes Nightlife: Old Town Party Tour - 5 Bars & Free Shots : $22
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $23
- Rhodes:1-hour Sightseeing Day Cruise on an 18th-Century Boat: $23
- Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour Bus: $23
- Guided Bus Tour to Lindos Village & Seven Springs: $26
- Rhodos : Full-Day Tour to Lindos Village : $26
- Rhodes Sea Cruises ( 6 hours pleasure cruise): $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLesbos €23Rhodes €12
Sample the Local Flavors in Rhodes
Also in Rhodes, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Experience for Beginners: $41
- Rhodian Wines - Private Wine Tasting Under a Sommelier: $57
- Best Rhodes Tour with Wine Tasting Experience from Cruise Port: $68
- Best Rhodes Tour with Lindos, Old Town, Wine Tasting & Free Time : $69
- Private Wine Tasting Experience for Wine Lovers: $70
- 1 Day Rhodes Island Tour with Olive Oil, Honey and Wine Tasting : $73
- Majestic Lindos, Old Town, History, Culture & Wine Tour: $75
- Private Full Day Rhodes Island Tour with Wine Tasting Experience: $81
- Gourmet Journey: 12-Course Lunch, Wine Tasting & Culinary Session: $92
- Rhodes Wine Tasting Experience: $94
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $106
- Rhodes Deluxe Tour including Lindos, Old Town, Wine Tasting: $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lesbos and Rhodes, we can see that Lesbos is more expensive. And not only is Rhodes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rhodes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rhodes 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 Lesbos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lesbos than you might in Rhodes.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lesbos Expensive? and Is Rhodes Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lesbos or Rhodes?
Rhodes has a larger population, and is about 340 times larger than the population of Lesbos. When comparing the sizes of Lesbos and Rhodes, 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.