Which place is cheaper, Puerto del Carmen or Positano?
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 Positano or Puerto del Carmen?
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 Positano and Puerto del Carmen. 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: Positano or Puerto del Carmen?
Positano
Located on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy, Positano is a very scenic town that offers spectacular coastal views. The town sits on the edge of a hill and flows down toward the sea. Because of its dramatic beauty, Positano attracts thousands of visitors year around.
The town dates back to medieval times when it was a port for the Amalfi Republic. It thrived throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries but by the mid-nineteenth century its prosperity was falling. During those times more than half of the population left, migrating predominantly to America. During the 1950s the town gained popularity as a tourist destination, in part because of John Steinbeck's essay about the area in Harper's Bazaar (May, 1953).
Puerto del Carmen
Located on the south-eastern coast of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is a popular resort area best known for its high concentration of bars, pubs, restaurants, and clubs. By day, visitors frequent the beaches for swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, and other watersports - and by night, they flock to enjoy the live music and drinks of the area's thriving nightlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid.
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Positano Prices
Italy PricesPuerto del Carmen Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPositano €261Puerto del Carmen €210
The average daily cost (per person) in Positano is €261, while the average daily cost in Puerto del Carmen is €210. 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 Positano and Puerto del Carmen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPositano €148Puerto del Carmen €98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPositano €296Puerto del Carmen €196
Compare Hotels in Positano and Puerto del Carmen
Looking for a hotel in Positano or Puerto del Carmen? 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: Positano Hotel Prices and Puerto del Carmen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Positano €7.73Puerto del Carmen €39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Positano
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Positano:
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Bus Ticket€1.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Positano
Also for Positano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- private transfer from Sorrento to Naples: $287
- private transfer from Positano to Naples or reverse: $120
- Transfer Naples to Positano (stop Pompeii option) or vice versa: $119
- Transfer Naples - Positano: $299
- Private transfer from Positano to Naples by the scenic coast: $120
- Private transfer from Positano to Naples : $137
- Private transfer from POSITANO to NAPLES with 3 hours stop in Pompeii: $239
- Private Transfer-Positano to Naples with 2h of Sightseeing: Vesuvius or Pompeii: $209
- Private Transfer from Positano to Naples : $143
- Private Transfer from Positano to Naples: $263
- Private Transfer from Positano to Naples: $120
- Private Transfer from Naples to Furore or Agerola (or vice versa): $143
Is it cheaper to fly into Positano or Puerto del Carmen?
Prices for flights to both Puerto del Carmen and Positano 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 dayPositano €92Puerto del Carmen €89
Typical Food Prices in Positano
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Positano:
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)€31
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Pizza in a Restaurant€9.32
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Sandwich in a Restaurant€12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Positano
For Positano, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking class with Pasta, mozzarella and Tiramisu with wine: $80
- Cooking lesson: tagliatelle, mozzarella and tiramisu: $84
- Amalfi Coast Cooking Class: Make Pasta, Mozzarella & Tiramisu: $90
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Sant'Agnello with Show Cooking: $102
- Sorrento: Gluten Free Cooking Class: $108
- Cooking Class in Sorrento with Breathtaking View: $120
- 3 Hours Sorrento Cooking Class in Sorrento Coast with Pickup: $155
- Ravioli & Tagliatelle Cooking Class at a Local's Home in Positano: $179
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Gnocchi, Tiramisù & Drinks: $179
- Cooking school in Positano at the home of a local family : $191
- Cesarine: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Positano: $214
- Cesarine: Pizza & Tiramisu Workshop with Positano Terrace Views: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Positano €60Puerto del Carmen €17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Positano
For Positano, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Chair & Umbrella at Spiaggia Grande€17
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Day Trip of Capri & Amalfi€80
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Sunset Cruise€24
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Full Day Wine Tour€97
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Cooking Class€65
Tours and Activities in Positano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Positano.
- Guided Tour Pompeii And Vesuvius from Positano Skip the Line: $299
- private and Guided Tour to Pompeii from Positano: $268
- Amalfi Coast: Private half-day walking tour with Lunch & Wine: $202
- Blue Grotto Visit and Capri Semi-Private Boat Tour: $173
- Capri & Blue Grotto Small Group Full-Day Boat Tour from Positano: $179
- Capri Boat Tour and Blue Grotto Visit: $178
- Capri Boat tour from Positano with Light Lunch, Drinks & Swim: $184
- Capri Half-Day Sightseeing Cruise From Sorrento, with Pickup: $197
- Capri Small Group Tour From Positano 7h, snacks & wine included: $179
- Capri and Blue Grotto Small Group Boat Tour: $178
- Climbing Experience - The path of the Gods: $239
- FARM LIFE -Food Immersion- an Authentic Italian Experience : $190
Tours and Activities in Puerto del Carmen
For Puerto del Carmen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Las Palmas: Freedive & Deep Snorkel Experience For Beginners: $141
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPositano €15Puerto del Carmen €60
Typical Alcohol Prices in Positano
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Positano:
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Bottle of Limoncello€16
Sample the Local Flavors in Positano
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Positano:
- 5 Wine Tastings with Typical Products in Sorrento Coast: $84
- Pompeii Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting from Positano: $271
- Pompeii Excavations Tour-Wine Tasting with Lunch from Positano: $274
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Positano and Puerto del Carmen, we can see that Positano is more expensive. And not only is Puerto del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto del Carmen 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 Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano than you might in Puerto del Carmen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Positano Expensive? and Is Puerto del Carmen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Positano or Puerto del Carmen?
Puerto del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Positano and Puerto del Carmen, 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.