A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Ankara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santorini or Ankara?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Ankara, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Santorini or Ankara?

Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.

Ankara

Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Ankara or Santorini?

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 Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Ankara is €93. 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 Santorini and Ankara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini 118
    Ankara 38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini 236
    Ankara 76
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Ankara

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Ankara? 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 Santorini


Hotels in Ankara


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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Ankara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini 35
    Ankara 25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

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

  • “Santorini Airport Private Transfer – Fast, Safe & Comfortable”: $29
  • 24h Luxury Santorini Transfer or Arrival or Departure one way: $72
  • Arrival Private Transfer Santorini Airport JTR or Port to Santorini by Minibus: $50
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Santorini Airport JTR to Santorini by Sedan Car: $25
  • Departure Private Transfer Santorini to Santorini Airport JTR by Sedan Car: $25
  • Departure Transfer To Santorini Airport: $19
  • Departure Transfer To Santorini Port: $36
  • Economy Departure Transfers To Santorini Airport: $16
  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $6,138
  • Luxury Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open bar & Transfer: $167
  • Oia Sunset Roundtrip Transfers: $54
  • Premium Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open Bar, Transfer: $143

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:


  • Metro Ride
    0.03
  • Short Taxi Ride
    0.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:

  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $114
  • Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $114
  • Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
  • Turkey Ankara Airport Private VIP Transfer Service ESB: $68
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $54
  • Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $54
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $50
  • Ankara Airport & Hotel Transfers : $48
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Ankara?

Prices for flights to both Ankara and Santorini 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
    Santorini 96
    Ankara 37

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini

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

  • Traditional Greek Night live Music & Dinner Show in Santorini: $60
  • Santorini Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $94
  • The Aegean Cooking Class: $119
  • Santorini Flavors, a Cooking Class in a Dreamy Setting: $131
  • Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $131
  • Santorini Sunset Sailing Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $143
  • Santorini Food Tour: Fira Half-Day Small-Group Tour with Tastings: $149
  • Luxury Santorini Sunset Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $155
  • Authentic Santorini Cooking Class Experience: $179
  • Santorini : Cooking Class & Easy Hike: $185
  • Traditional Kouzina Santorini Cooking Experience: $185
  • Santorini Private Wine Tasting with Dinner at Venetsanos Winery : $203

Typical Food Prices in Ankara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:


  • A Quick Lunch
    0.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ankara

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ankara.

  • Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $49
  • Baklava Cooking Class: $61

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini 35
    Ankara 23

Tours and Activities in Santorini

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

  • Caldera, Villages and Sunsets Experience in Santorini: $7.17
  • Private Self-Guided Audio Tour in Santorini: $9.56
  • Skip the Line Lost Atlantis Experience Ticket: $17
  • Guided Art Tour Contemporary Art Meets a Quiet Santorini Village: $36
  • Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $36
  • Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia): $42
  • E-Ticket to Akrotiri with Audio Tour on your Phone: $42
  • The Beer And The History semi private Experience: $42
  • Santorini Tour of Caldera with Glass bottom Boat: $44
  • Santorini for Cruise Ships: Avoid Cable Car Lines and Crowds!: $47
  • Santorini Top Attractions Tailor-made Private Tour made by locals: $48
  • Santorini Volcano Tour: $48

Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara

Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Underground City
    0.16

Tours and Activities in Ankara

Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $36
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $239
  • 6-Hour Private Tour with Guide, Car, and Lunch: $175
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $35
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local: $41
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
  • Full Day Cappadocia Private Tour: $300
  • Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $249
  • Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280
  • Private Ankara Sightseeing Tour: $235

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini 25
    Ankara 10

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half Day Simply Santorini Tour with Wine Tasting: $73
  • Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option: $90
  • Wine tasting and Carving lesson in Santorini: $90
  • Visit to a Wine Museum and Wine Tasting in Santorini : $92
  • Art and Wine Tour in a Historic Santorini Winery: $96
  • Premium Wine Tasting with Caldera Views: $106
  • Santorini Wine Tour with sunset in Oia: $131
  • Santorini Private Tailor Made Island Tour with Wine Tasting: $155
  • Santorini Private Wine Tasting Tour in two or three Wineries : $161
  • Santorini 3-Winery Tour with 12 Wine Tastings and Oia Sunset: $179
  • Half-Day Virtual Reality Tour and Wine Tasting: $179
  • Small Group Local Wine Tasting Tour In Santorini : $179


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Ankara, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Ankara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ankara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ankara 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini than you might in Ankara.

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


Which is Bigger, Santorini or Ankara?

Ankara has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Santorini. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Ankara, 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.