Which place is cheaper, Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki?
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 Thessaloniki can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Skiathos or Thessaloniki?
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.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
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 PricesThessaloniki Prices
Greece Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySkiathos €412Thessaloniki €165
The average daily cost (per person) in Skiathos is €412, while the average daily cost in Thessaloniki is €165. 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 Thessaloniki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSkiathos €215Thessaloniki €79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSkiathos €430Thessaloniki €158
Compare Hotels in Skiathos and Thessaloniki
Looking for a hotel in Skiathos or Thessaloniki? 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 Thessaloniki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Skiathos €115Thessaloniki €13
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 Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Athens to/from Thessaloniki : Private Transfer: $1,006
- From Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer: $493
- Thessaloniki Airport Private Transfer Service: $35
- Bus Transfer to/from Kavala: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Skiathos or Thessaloniki?
Prices for flights to both Thessaloniki 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 €129Thessaloniki €72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $53
- Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $69
- Guided Food Tour: $76
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour With A Local: $93
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $94
- Kavala Food Tour and Cooking Workshop: $95
- Get a Taste of Thessaloniki - Food Tour & Lunch: $103
- Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $104
- Guided Walking and Food Tour with Drinks: $117
- Thessaloniki Food Tour with a Local Chef: $129
- Cooking & Wine Tasting with Dockside Views: $141
- Cooking classes for Foodies, Discover Greek cuisine.: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Skiathos €45Thessaloniki €26
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 Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Ancient Pella Tour: In the Footsteps of Alexander: $135
- Best of Thessaloníki: Private Walking Tour with a Local: $92
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $188
- Discover Olympus from Paralia in Jeep Safari Shared Tour: $113
- Explore Kavala City with Eco Friendly Tuk Tuk Tour: $72
- From City Tour and Archaelogical Museum: $47
- From Guided Tour of The Land of Aristoteles: $70
- From Halkidiki Blue Lagoon Pirate Boat Cruise: $75
- From Sithonia Beaches and Scenic Villages Tour: $100
- Kavala Fun Day Private Outdoor Experience: $167
- Kavala: The Sacred Path of Apostle Paul Private Tour: $167
- Meteora: 2-Days Train Tour from Thessaloniki - Local Agency: $197
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySkiathos €23Thessaloniki €15
Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki
Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Pella-Edessa-Naousa wine tasting: $76
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $89
- Wine Tasting & Farm tour in Thessaloniki: $95
- Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $111
- Northern Greece Wine Tasting Tour in Kavala: $155
- Small Group Kavala Tour: Pangaion Mountain & Wine Tasting: $274
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Skiathos and Thessaloniki, we can see that Skiathos is more expensive. And not only is Thessaloniki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Thessaloniki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Skiathos Expensive? and Is Thessaloniki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Skiathos or Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Skiathos. When comparing the sizes of Skiathos and Thessaloniki, 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.