Which place is cheaper, Ephesus or Skiathos?
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 Skiathos or Ephesus?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Skiathos and Ephesus can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Skiathos or Ephesus?
Skiathos
Nestled in the azure waters of the Aegean Sea, Skiathos is a small but captivating island that packs a big punch when it comes to natural beauty, pristine beaches, and vibrant nightlife. As part of the Sporades archipelago, this verdant paradise offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for all types of travelers. While Skiathos can be pricier than some other Greek islands due to its popularity, savvy travelers can still enjoy its charms without breaking the bank. To save money, eat at local restaurants, take public transportation, and find small, local hotels for accommodation.
Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Greece, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Greece, The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey.
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Skiathos Prices
Greece PricesEphesus Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySkiathos €412Ephesus €112
The average daily cost (per person) in Skiathos is €412, while the average daily cost in Ephesus is €112. 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 Skiathos and Ephesus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSkiathos €215Ephesus €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSkiathos €430Ephesus €92
Compare Hotels in Skiathos and Ephesus
Looking for a hotel in Skiathos or Ephesus? 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: Skiathos Hotel Prices and Ephesus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Skiathos €115Ephesus €34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Skiathos
Also for Skiathos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Skiathos Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Kusadasi, Port, Hotel From/To Izmir Airport: $299
- Private Transfer Kusadasi from/to Pamukkale: $263
- Transfer from/to Izmir Airport ADB to/from Didim Area: $203
- Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $161
- Private Transfers İzmir City Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Selçuk, Ephesus, Şirince: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
- Kusadasi Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport: $102
- Private Transfer from Izmir Airport to Kusadasi: $100
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $100
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Izmir Airport (ADB): $93
- Kusadasi Samos Ferry Trip With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Skiathos or Ephesus?
Prices for flights to both Ephesus and Skiathos 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 daySkiathos €129Ephesus €39
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:
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Sandwiches€0.10
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Dessert€0.11
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Lunch at Beach (for 2)€0.39
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Snacks€0.16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus
For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Skiathos €45Ephesus €39
Tours and Activities in Skiathos
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Skiathos.
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Cruise & Lunch: $161
- All-Inclusive Sailing Cruise-Skiathos & Nearby Islands with Lunch: $155
- Daily Sailing Cruise from Skiathos to Skopelos Island: $143
- Mamma Mia Cruise From Skiathos Island: $59
- Sea and Sun day cruise from Skiathos: $53
- Skiathos Guided Olive Oil Tasting Experience: $57
- Skiathos Semiprivate Sailing Cruise : $151
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- Ephesus Shared Tour from Kuşadası Port: $150
- Ephesus Tour With Small Group From Kusadasi: $137
- Ephesus and Virgin Mary House Tour From Kusadasi Port : $16
- Ephesus private skip line tour from the cruise port: $167
- Private Tour to Ephesus, Virgin Mary, and Artemis Temple From Cruise Ship/Hotel: $200
- "Ephesus Tours" Port Kusadasi lunch guide bus shopping Caravanserai artemis : $64
- "private Ephesus tours "" wholesaler Shop Tours ""from cruise port Kusadasi ": $10
- 2 Days Ephesus & Pamukkale Tour: $209
- 2 Days Ephesus and Istanbul Tour from Kusadasi and Istanbul Ports: $299
- 3-Hour Guided Tour in Ephesus and Temple Of Artemis: $50
- 3-Hour Private Ephesus, Terrace Houses, Cruiser Only: $49
- ALL INCLUSIVE Private Ephesus, Terrace Houses tour with LUNCH: $99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySkiathos €23Ephesus €9.90
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:
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Beer€0.08
Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus
Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- PRIVATE & GROUP: SKIP-THE-LINE EPHESUS with Wine Tasting & Lunch: $12
- SKIP-THE-LINE Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $18
- POTTERY PAINTING & WINE TASTING Tour from Kusadasi Port: $49
- Kusadasi Shore Excursions Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
- Ephesus Shore Excursion with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Skiathos and Ephesus, we can see that Skiathos is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus 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 Skiathos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Skiathos than you might in Ephesus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Skiathos Expensive? and Is Ephesus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Skiathos or Ephesus?
Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Skiathos. When comparing the sizes of Skiathos and Ephesus, 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.