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

Should you visit Skiathos or Zadar?

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

Where Should I go: Skiathos or Zadar?

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.

Zadar

You'll find Zadar in northern Dalmatia, Croatia. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and is the center of Zadar County. It is both the historic center for the region and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar. There are a handful of sights around town, most of which can be explored on foot.

The climate for the city is a mix between humid subtropical and a Mediterranean climate. The winters are usually mild and wet, and the summers are humid and warm. The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Average yearly rainfall usually exceeds 917 mm. Fall months often remain warm and temperatures are often around 30 degrees Celsius as well. In general, the temperatures rarely drop below freezing, even during the coldest month of January. The rainiest months are October and November, although winter is considered the wet season. July is usually the driest month. Water temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius in July and August and it may be possible to swim any time between May and October.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Greece, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Greece, The Best Tours for Seniors to Croatia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Zadar 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 Zadar is €110. 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 Zadar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Skiathos 215
    Zadar 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Skiathos 430
    Zadar 102
Compare Hotels in Skiathos and Zadar

Looking for a hotel in Skiathos or Zadar? 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 Zadar


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 Zadar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Skiathos 115
    Zadar 9.53

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 Zadar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zadar:

  • Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Novalja: $299
  • Private one way transfer from Zadar to Split: $295
  • Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Šibenik: $286
  • Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Murter: $286
  • Zadar Airport to Novalja Private Transfer: $262
  • Private Transfer from Zadar to Split with 2 hours for sightseeing: $244
  • Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Pag Island: $239
  • Private Transfer from Zadar Airport to Novalja: $239
  • Private Transfer from Zadar to Zagreb with 2h of Sightseeing: $237
  • Private Transfer from Starigrad Paklenica to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $199
  • Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Starigrad Paklenica: $194
  • Private Transfer from Zadar Cruise Port to Split Airport (SPU): $168

Is it cheaper to fly into Skiathos or Zadar?

Prices for flights to both Zadar 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
    Zadar 49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zadar

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

  • Morning Zadar Food Tour: $142
  • Preko Cooking Class and Shellfishing Experience with a Local: $190
  • Gourmet Sunset dinner on board: $239

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Skiathos 45
    Zadar 19

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 Zadar

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

  • Panorama guided Zadar Eco Tuk Tuk tour: $65
  • Private Sunset tour with Antares Sailing : $107
  • Sunset boat Tour in Zadar: $24
  • Zadar Boat Tour Half Day: $42
  • Šibenik and Zadar private tour from Split or Trogir: $181
  • 2 Hour Quad Buggy ATV Mountain Adventure in Starigrad: $116
  • 3 Island Tour Swim and Snorkel with Drinks on Traditional Boat: $24
  • 3 Islands Luxury Boat Tour with Aperol Spritz: $33
  • A Self-Guided Tour of Zadar's Medieval Heart: $12
  • Adrenaline Adventure on Speedboat with 3 stops and Snorkeling: $38
  • Be a Local: Private Tour from Olive Harvest to Culinary Delight: $238
  • Boat Tour around Zadar Islands with snorkeling during half day excursion: $34

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Skiathos 23
    Zadar 12

Sample the Local Flavors in Zadar

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

  • Brlog Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting : $30
  • Guided Speedboat Tour with Food, Oil & Wine Tasting: $42
  • Craft Gin and exclusive brandies in unique distillery: $78
  • City Tour with Educational Beer Tour in Brlog Brewery: $94
  • City and Wine Tour in Zadar with Eco Tuk Tuk: $107


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

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


Which is Bigger, Skiathos or Zadar?

Zadar has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Skiathos. When comparing the sizes of Skiathos and Zadar, 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.