A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Skiathos vs. Hvar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Skiathos or Hvar?

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 Hvar can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Skiathos or Hvar?

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.

Hvar

Hvar is a Croatian island full of mountains, vegetation, beaches, vineyards, shops, restaurants, and also people! Hvar Town is the main city on the island, but there are many other small villages throughout. The best time to visit Hvar is between May and September, although keep in mind it can get busy during this period.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Greece, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Hvar or Skiathos?

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 Skiathos is €412, while the average daily cost in Hvar is €131. 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 Hvar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Skiathos 215
    Hvar 38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Skiathos 430
    Hvar 76
Compare Hotels in Skiathos and Hvar

Looking for a hotel in Skiathos or Hvar? 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 Skiathos


Hotels in Hvar


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 Hvar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Skiathos 115
    Hvar 47

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 Hvar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hvar:

  • Private Transfer to Dubrovnik with Korčula Stopover: $3,394
  • Speedboat Transfer from Hvar Town to Split Airport: $585

Is it cheaper to fly into Skiathos or Hvar?

Prices for flights to both Hvar 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Skiathos 129
    Hvar 66

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hvar

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

  • Traditional Hvar Cooking Classes, Dinners & 'Poje' Field Tour!: $167
  • Hvar Hidden Gems Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $205
  • Hvar Hidden Gems Small Group Half Day Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $208
  • Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour with Traditional Dinner/Lunch: $256
  • Hvar Small Group Wine Tour and Authentic Dalmatian Dinner: $298

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Skiathos 45
    Hvar 7.51

Tours and Activities in Skiathos

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

  • Sea and Sun day cruise from Skiathos: $53
  • Skiathos Guided Olive Oil Tasting Experience: $57
  • Mamma Mia Cruise From Skiathos Island: $59
  • Daily Sailing Cruise from Skiathos to Skopelos Island: $143
  • Skiathos Semiprivate Sailing Cruise : $151
  • All-Inclusive Sailing Cruise-Skiathos & Nearby Islands with Lunch: $155
  • All-Inclusive Full-Day Cruise & Lunch: $161

Tours and Activities in Hvar

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hvar are as follows:

  • BLUE CAVE & 5 islands tour from Hvar: $113
  • 1-Hour Battle Archery Game in Hvar Adventure Park: $24
  • 1-Hour Private Paintball Adventure in Park Hvar Jelsa: $32
  • 50 Shades of Blue: Blue Cave & 5 Islands Boat Tour from Hvar: $12
  • Adventurous Blue and Green Cave group tour: $94
  • Back to the Roots - Ancient Island Interactive Experience: $154
  • Beach bar Laganini and Hula Hula half-day Private Boat Tour: $1,004
  • Beautiful Sites of Hvar -Private Walking Tour : $243
  • Blue & Green cave tour with yacht from town Hvar: $250
  • Blue Cave & Vis Island speedboat tour from Hvar: $119
  • Blue Cave and Pakleni Islands group Tour from Hvar: $132
  • Blue Cave, Blue Lagoon, Pakleni Islands Group boat tour from Hvar: $118

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Skiathos 23
    Hvar 9.21

Sample the Local Flavors in Hvar

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

  • Wine Tasting Round Trip from Hvar - Family Winery at a Hilltop: $93
  • Hvar Island E-Bike Tour with Wine Tasting and Starters: $115
  • Private Hvar Island Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $117
  • Hvar Wine Tasting Experience: $129
  • Hvar Wine tasting small group experience: $131
  • Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour : $173
  • Private Best Beaches Boat Tour with Wine Tasting: $1,001


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

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


Which is Bigger, Skiathos or Hvar?

Skiathos has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Skiathos and Hvar, 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.