Which place is cheaper, Thessaloniki or Zakynthos?
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 Zakynthos or Thessaloniki?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zakynthos and Thessaloniki can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Zakynthos or Thessaloniki?
Zakynthos
Zakynthos (also known as Zante) is a breathtaking island in the Ionian Sea, renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and rich cultural heritage. Whether you're traveling on a budget, seeking scenic sights, engaging in activities, or savoring Greek cuisine, Zakynthos has it all. Exploring Zakynthos without breaking the bank is absolutely possible despite its generally high prices for hotels. Budget travelers can find affordable accommodations, dine at local tavernas, and enjoy many of the island's attractions for free or at a low cost, such as on the numerous hiking trails with epic views. Also, utilize public buses or rent a scooter for economical travel around the island.
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 Honeymoon Tours in Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece.
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Zakynthos Prices
Greece PricesThessaloniki Prices
Greece Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZakynthos €521Thessaloniki €165
The average daily cost (per person) in Zakynthos is €521, 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 Zakynthos and Thessaloniki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZakynthos €334Thessaloniki €79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZakynthos €668Thessaloniki €158
Compare Hotels in Zakynthos and Thessaloniki
Looking for a hotel in Zakynthos 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: Zakynthos Hotel Prices and Thessaloniki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zakynthos €84Thessaloniki €13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zakynthos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zakynthos:
- Zante Water Village Admission Ticket & Transfers Included: $41
- Zakynthos Sunset Cruise to Myzithres with Wine & transfer: $66
- Zakynthos Airport ZTH to Zakynthos - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $84
- Private Transfer from Zakynthos Cruise Port to City Hotels: $30
- Private Transfer from Zakynthos Airport (ZTH) to Zakynthos Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Lavrio Port to Athens City Center: $136
- Private Lavrio Port Transfer to Athens City Center: $191
- Private Airport Transfer Zakynthos Town - Return Journey: $53
- Private Airport Transfer Zakynthos Town - One Way Journey: $27
- Private Airport Transfer Xirocastello - One Way Journey: $33
- Private Airport Transfer Tsilivi/Planos - Return Journey: $75
- Private Airport Transfer Alykes- Return Journey: $90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Transfer to/from Kavala: $25
- Thessaloniki Airport Private Transfer Service: $35
- From Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer: $493
- Athens to/from Thessaloniki : Private Transfer: $1,006
Is it cheaper to fly into Zakynthos or Thessaloniki?
Prices for flights to both Thessaloniki and Zakynthos 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 dayZakynthos €126Thessaloniki €72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zakynthos
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zakynthos.
- Half-Day Greek Cooking Class of Zakynthian Culture with Lunch: $108
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.Zakynthos €74Thessaloniki €26
Tours and Activities in Zakynthos
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zakynthos are as follows:
- 3 Hours Marathonissi Island Tour, Keri Caves and Turtles Spotting: $30
- 7 Hour Shared 4x4 Off Road Experience in Zakynthos: $131
- Ceramic Making Experience in Zakynthos: $59
- Corelli's Kefalonia Island Tour from Zante: $69
- Cruise to turtle's island and caves with a glass bottom boat: $299
- Discover the Zakynthos Past an Exclusive Tour: $54
- Exclusive Shipwreck & Blue caves Tour : Up to 10 guests: $60
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour of Kefalonia From Zakynthos: $130
- Go karting experience: $27
- Half Day Shipwreck Bay Guided Tour by Fast Boat: $115
- Mizithres Sunset Cruise and Turtle Spotting Boat Tour Zakynthos : $78
- Mizithres Sunset Cruise in Zakynthos: $45
Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- White Tower Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.37
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour & Narrative: $9.37
- Thessaloniki:Selfie Museum, a 60-minute immersive experience: $13
- Museum of Illusions Admission Ticket: $13
- Ticket for Frida Kahlo Beyond the Icon Immersive Experience: $18
- Cretan Olive Oil Tasting Experience: $18
- Thessaloniki Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $19
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $19
- OTE Tower Rotating Experience with Light Meal: $21
- Byzantine Museum E-Ticket with Audio Tour: $21
- Byzantine Museum E-Ticket & Audio City Tour: $25
- Polycentric Museum & Aigai Royal Graves E-ticket with Audio Guide: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZakynthos €22Thessaloniki €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 Zakynthos and Thessaloniki, we can see that Zakynthos 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 Zakynthos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zakynthos 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 Zakynthos Expensive? and Is Thessaloniki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zakynthos or Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Zakynthos. When comparing the sizes of Zakynthos 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.