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

Should you visit Santorini or Bodrum?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Bodrum, 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 Bodrum?

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.

Bodrum

Bodrum is a city on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretching from Turkey's southwest coast into the Aegean Sea. The city features twin bays with views of Bodrum Castle. This medieval fortress was built partly with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed in the 4th century B.C. The city is also a gateway for nearby beach towns and resorts. Although more than a million tourists flock to its beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and clubs each summer, the town of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside getaway, it has an enigmatic elegance that pervades it. The evocative castle and the ancient ruins around town also help keep Bodrum a discerning step above the rest.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Bodrum 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 Bodrum is €73. 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 Bodrum in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini 118
    Bodrum 32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini 236
    Bodrum 64
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Bodrum

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Bodrum? 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 Bodrum


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 Bodrum Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini 35
    Bodrum 16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

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

  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $6,138
  • Private Transfers from/to Santorini Port (Athinios) to/from Oia: $108
  • Santorini Private Roundtrip Transfer from/to Airport,Port & Hotel: $72
  • Private Transfers From or To Santorini Ferry Port : $60
  • Santorini Private Airport Transfer : $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodrum

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

  • Private Airport Transfer from Bodrum airport to Kusadasi: $300
  • From Full-Day Ancient Ephesus Tour with Guide & Transfer: $268
  • Transfer From Bodrum Milas Airport to Seferihisar: $238
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Marmaris Hotels: $214
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Mugla City Center Hotels: $190
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Didim (Altinkum) Hotels: $149
  • Full-Day Pamukkale Trip with Lunch & Transfer from Bodrum: $145
  • Bodrum Akyarlar Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $137
  • River Rafting Tour with Breakfast, Lunch & Transfer from Bodrum: $127
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Kadikalesi Hotels: $125
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bodrum Airport to Marmaris Hotels: $119
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Yalikavak Hotels: $113

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Bodrum?

Prices for flights to both Bodrum 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
    Bodrum 28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bodrum

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

  • Cooking Class in Authentic Etrim Village: $59
  • Turkish Cooking Class in a Local Home: $70
  • Market Visit and Cooking Class: $152
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour in Bodrum With Dinner: $201
  • Food and Wine pairing Dinner at Karnas Vineyards Bodrum: $208
  • 3-Hour Private Sunset Boat Tour With Dinner in Bodrum: $242
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour with Optional Dinner: $388
  • From Private Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner & Swimming: $410
  • Private Sunset Yacht Tour with light Dinner: $528

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini 35
    Bodrum 21

Tours and Activities in Santorini

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

  • Ferry Tickets between Santorini and Crete Heraklion: $121
  • Magical Santorini Highlights Private Tour: $120
  • Private Experience in Santorini with Guide in Spanish: $269
  • Private Oia and Ammoudi Sunset Experience: $203
  • Private Santorini Sunset Picnic Experience: $203
  • Santorini Caldera Cruise with Greek Meal, Open-Bar & Sunset Views: $155
  • Santorini Classic Highlights and Sightseeing Private Tour: $177
  • Santorini Private Tour for Wine Enthusiasts: $215
  • Santorini Shopping Therapy: Style & Tradition Tour: $215
  • Santorini Unlocked: Private Tour with Local Guide & Driver: $203
  • Santorini's Story. Insta and TikTok Experience. Private tour : $203

Tours and Activities in Bodrum

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

  • Boat Tour to Orak Island: $33
  • Ölüdeniz: Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley & Lunch Boat Tour: $62
  • Boattrip to Bodrum Maledives for Virgin Cruise Passengers: $41
  • Bodrum Aquarium Bay Boat Tour with Swimming Stops: $38
  • Bodrum Aquarium Bay Tour with Lunch & Swimming Stops: $37
  • Bodrum Atv Safari Tour: $64
  • Bodrum Boat Tour with Lunch: Beaches and Islands: $28
  • Bodrum Buggy Safari Tours: $45
  • Bodrum City Private Tour, All inclusive, Castle, Theatre, Lunch,: $276
  • Bodrum City Tour : Lunch Guide Entry fees included: $217
  • Bodrum Cleopatra & Orak Island Mix Tour by Boat: $36
  • Bodrum Islands Cruise Boat Fullday Tour With Lunch & Swimming stops: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini 25
    Bodrum 9.12

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

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

  • Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option: $90
  • Private Wine Tasting-Wine Museum- Snacks: 2, 3 or 4 Wineries: $194
  • Private Wine Tour in Santorini - Greece: $203


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Bodrum, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Bodrum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bodrum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bodrum 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 Bodrum.

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


Which is Bigger, Santorini or Bodrum?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bodrum. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Bodrum, 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.