Which place is cheaper, Heraklion 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 Heraklion?
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 Heraklion can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Skiathos or Heraklion?
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.
Heraklion
The largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion on first glance is almost completely modern - a frenzy of traffic, concrete, and dust. Do not expect pristine beaches and glittering waves (those can be found on other parts of Crete). Heraklion is first and foremost a city. Once you get past its grittiness, you will find that there are some attractive features beneath first impressions. The antiquity of the place lies embedded in the modern and is presented in one of the best museums in Greece, the food is excellent, and the people are friendly and welcoming. And though the sea is not great for swimming, its presence along the Venetian port will take you to another time if you need a break from Heraklion's bustling center.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Greece, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Greece, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Greece, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Greece.
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Skiathos Prices
Greece PricesHeraklion Prices
Greece Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySkiathos €412Heraklion €195
The average daily cost (per person) in Skiathos is €412, while the average daily cost in Heraklion is €195. 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 Heraklion in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSkiathos €215Heraklion €81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSkiathos €430Heraklion €162
Compare Hotels in Skiathos and Heraklion
Looking for a hotel in Skiathos or Heraklion? 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 Heraklion Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Skiathos €115Heraklion €31
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 Heraklion
Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands: $6,742
- Knossos and Arch Museum of Heraklion (Guide+Transfer+Ticket) : $251
- Luxury Yacht Escape from Ierapetra with Transfer & Meals Included: $209
- Transfer Heraklion Airport or Port to Ammoudara Agios Nikolaos : $191
- Private Transfer - Heraklion Cruise Port to Chania Airport (CHQ): $179
- Airports/ports Transfers from /to Rethymno (one way): $167
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to MATALA area up to 7 customers: $164
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to PLAKA ELOUNTA area up to 7: $163
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to AGIOS NIKOLAOS area up to 7 : $155
- Heraklion Airport & Port Transfer to / from Rethymno: $152
- Heraklion Int Airport (HER): Transfer to Heraklion hotels: $150
- Transfer Heraklion Airport or Port to Ammoudara Agios Nikolaos up to 4 customers: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Skiathos or Heraklion?
Prices for flights to both Heraklion 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 €129Heraklion €90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Crete: Traditional Dance Show and Buffet Dinner with Wine: $34
- Troy Dinner-Show: $36
- Crete : Cooking Lessons In Lasithi Plateau: $45
- Hersonissos: Spectacular Dinner Show Ticket: $47
- Cretan Village Feast, Live Music, Dancers & Local Dinner: $54
- Crete: Olive Oil Festival, Farm Dinner, Live Show & Pickup: $76
- Olive Oil Festival in Cretan Farm with Traditional Dinner: $78
- Dia Island Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner: $80
- Cretan Cooking Class at Archanes Village with transfer & Lunch: $82
- Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine: $99
- Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $104
- Jeep Tour Psiloritis the Mountain of Gods & Cooking Lesson: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Skiathos €45Heraklion €38
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 Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4x4 Safari tour Southern Crete Tripitis Gorge: $118
- Adventure Safari Tour Secrets of the southern Crete : $110
- E-Ticket to Heraklion Archaeological Museum with Audio Guide: $26
- Knossos Palace Heraklion City Tour: $42
- e-bike tour in Crete with guide and stroryteller Soulouksina: $167
- Ηeraklion Walking Tour with Archaeological Museum: $90
- 2 days Local Life Experience at Lassithi Plateau from Heraklion: $106
- 4 Hour Fishing and Swimming Boat Experience in Schisma Eloundas: $149
- 5Hour Safari Tour in Crete(Heraklion)with Quad,Jeep,Buggy & Lunch: $105
- Adventure Jeep Safari Amazing sunset : $93
- Aquaplus Admission Ticket: $36
- Archaeological Museum of Heraklion Tour: $118
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySkiathos €23Heraklion €26
Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion
Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guided Organic Wine Tasting & Vineyard Tour: $40
- Cretan Wine Tasting Experience: $41
- Ecobike Tour with Wine Tasting: $100
- Walking city tour & Wine tasting: $100
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $104
- Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with Wine Tastings: $149
- Ecobike-Knossos Palace-Wine tasting-Olive oil tasting: $179
- The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $197
- Knossos, Olive Grove, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $221
- Olive oil and Wine Tour with Lunch: $235
- Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch : $237
- Guided Tour Palace of Knossos & Archanes Wine Tasting Tour: $416
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Skiathos and Heraklion, we can see that Skiathos is more expensive. And not only is Heraklion much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Heraklion would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Heraklion 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 Heraklion.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Skiathos Expensive? and Is Heraklion Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Skiathos or Heraklion?
Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Skiathos. When comparing the sizes of Skiathos and Heraklion, 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.