Before any trip, knowing how much the experience will cost is an essential step. Greece is not the exception, and even more so given its popularity among travelers. If you want to enjoy the sun-drenched islands, ancient ruins, and vibrant cities, you need to know the real cost.
This guide will give you a breakdown of all the aspects where you’ll likely be spending your money. You’ll also find tips to help keep expenses within your budget and make the most of your experience.
Picture by Stijn te Strake on Unsplash
How much does it cost to go to Greece?
Is Greece more affordable than other European countries? Greece might not be a budget destination exactly, but it’s still cheaper than countries like France, England, and Italy. Of course, this depends on where you are in the country, as always; everything is more expensive in the big cities and cheaper in the small towns.
But in general, the accommodations and food prices are more affordable in Greece, and even in transportation, you’ll save some euros. This is because the cost of living is lower than in many other European countries.
Airfare to Greece
As always, let’s start with the first step of your trip. And that’ll be getting to Greece. Most travelers go by plane, as it’s fast and comfortable. But how much
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From the United States: During the high season, it can cost around $800-1,300, but during the low season, it can go from $450-700.
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From Northern Europe: From a place like London, the airfare is only $190-380 during the high season, and $100-190 during the low season.
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From Australia: A bit further away now, it’s going to be $1,000-1,700 on high season, or $600-950 on the low season.
Tips to get better prices
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Known Greece traveling seasons: Airfare is more expensive during the high season, from June to August, but it gets cheaper during the low season, from November to March.
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Book 2-4 months in advance: That way, you can get the best fares, and even a discount or two!
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Fly to alternative airports: A flight to a lesser-known city like Thessaloniki or a regional airport on the islands can be cheaper than one to Athens.
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Use fare comparison websites: If you’re an avid traveler, you’ll know this one. With Google Flights or Skyscanner, you can see the trends and set an alert to get the best deals.
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Accommodation Prices in Greece
Hostels are great if you’re traveling on a budget. They offer all the basic commodities one would expect, with clean and nice rooms. Some have more amenities, like Villa Manos in Santorini, which has a pool. Others offer great locations, like Athens Studios, which are very close to the Acropolis in Athens, or Kriti Hotel in Crete. In general, prices range from approximately $40 to $150, depending on the area and season.
If you want to get a bit more value for the cost, mid-range hotels are an excellent choice for you. You can stay in Plaka Hotel in Athens, just a few steps away from the Plaka district and its major sites. Or Hotel Carbonaki in Mykonos town center, a boutique style with incredible rooms. And if you decide to stay in Rhodes, there’s Hotel Mediterranean, near the Old Town. The prices range from $80 to $ 250.
For the travelers who only look for the best in accommodations, there are quite a number of luxury hotels in Greece that you can check out. Like the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, with its historic rooftop views. Or the Canaves Oia Hotel in Santorini, with stunning cliffside suites and infinity pools. The prices start at $300 and can go as high as $1000, but the experience is worth it.
Food and Drinks
Let’s start with the most basic option out there. If you’re traveling on a budget, like a backpacker or a solo traveler, you may be worried that you’ll have to live on chips and trash food. But you can definitely have a great trip to Greece and only eat street food and casual tavernas. You can have complete and healthy meals for less than $40 a day, and try popular dishes like souvlaki and spanikopita.
If you’re in Athens, a very recommended place is Kostas Souvlaki, it has been there since 1950, and it’s a local favorite. You can also visit To Paradosiako and enjoy their grilled meats and salads.
Now, street food is a great option, and perfect for eating on the go. But you surely want to visit at least one nice restaurant in Greece. Nothing too fancy, but a breakfast with Greek coffee and pastries, and a dinner with shared meze, grilled fish, and good wine are always welcome.
In Athens, there’s Oinomageiremata, a cozy tavern with baked lamb, moussaka, and local meze. All in all, these options can cost around $30-50 per meal per person, perfect for couples and families!
Now, if you’re looking for a luxurious meal and to try the best restaurants in Greece, there are great options, not as cheap as the previous meals. But there’s nothing like an excellent meal paired with sommelier-selected wine in a waterfront restaurant, is there?
In Athens, you have the Varoulko Seaside, a Michelin-starred seafood restaurant where the famous chef Lefteris Lazarou. There you can dine on carpaccio, squid with fava, or lobster pasta with fresh herbs. In Santorini, you can visit Selene, located in a converted monastery. The cuisine there is quite interesting, with many reimagined Cycladic dishes. The experience is going to be around $80-150 per person.
Getting around Greece
If you’re traveling to Greece, on a 10-day itinerary, for example, you’ll be going from one place to another, taking buses, trains, and ferries. So let’s check how much money you need to put aside for transportation and what options you have.
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Intercity Buses: When traveling between major cities like Athens, Delphi, and Meteora, you’ll likely use the KTEL national network. It’s cheaper than car rentals and trains, and the routes are incredibly scenic. The fares range from $20 to $ 50, depending on the distance covered.
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Local buses and Metro: Now, if you’re inside a city moving between landmarks, you can use the urban transit system. In general, a single ticket will cost around $2-3, but you can save some money if you get a day or multi-day pass.
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Ferries: You can’t do island hopping without the ferries. They might be a bit slow, but they’re iconic and the views are fascinating. In general, they cost around $20-80, depending on how far you are going and whether you get a slow ferry or a high-speed one.
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Airfare: Not all travelers like to spend hours in a bus or a ferry, so you can catch a domestic flight! It’s not as cheap as other options, costing from $50 to $120.
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Car Rental: If you want to do a longer itinerary and stay flexible in your traveling, renting a car is your best option. Cars are pretty affordable in Greece, being around $30-50/day during the low season, and $50-90 during the high season.
Is it possible to save money without losing the experience?
Yes, it is possible to save money in Greece without missing out on the full experience. With a few thoughtful choices, you can explore beautiful islands, enjoy authentic local cuisine, and soak in the culture, without overspending.
Here are some simple yet effective tips to help you keep costs low while still making the most of your trip.
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Try Yoho Mobile’s free eSIM: If you’re looking to cut some corners during your trip to Greece, try Yoho Mobile’s free eSIM! It’s a great opportunity to see how fast the connection is. And to keep saving money afterwards, use our promo code YOHO12 for 12% off your next purchase.
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Go during the Shoulder Season: Here’s a little secret about traveling to Greece and how much it costs. You can save a lot if you travel outside of the summer months. We’re talking about 20-50% savings on accommodation, ferries, and flights. Plus, the weather is just perfect! Summer is too hot anyway.
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Stay in small family-run accommodations: Excellent advice for both budget and cultural travelers. First of all, you’ll save some money as they’re generally cheaper. Additionally, you’ll enjoy a more personalized and authentic experience! Many of them offer home-cooked breakfast, and you can taste the warm Greek hospitality.
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Eat where the locals eat: A classic tip from experienced travelers. There’s nothing wrong with the food in restaurants near tourist spots, but it tends to be more expensive. You can get the same dishes for less money and with better quality if you follow the locals’ lead. A few additional tips: order meze and share them with your friends, so you can try more dishes, and ask for the plate of the day. It’s usually cheaper and fresher.
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Explore lesser-known areas: Cultural travelers will know this one, but if you want to have an incredible trip for less money, try staying far from the main cities. If you’re island hopping, for example, you can explore the beautiful Naxos, Paros, and Milos, just as stunning as Santorini, but less touristic and cheaper.
FAQs about the cost of a trip to Greece
Is it cheaper to visit one island or multiple islands?
It’s cheaper to visit just one, as each hop means ferry tickets, transfers, and accommodations. What you can do is choose an island like Naxos and take a day trip to Koufonisia, for example. It’s cheaper and you’ll still get the experience of trying multiple islands in Greece.
What hidden travel fees do tourists forget in Greece?
There are quite a few fees that can add to your budget without you realizing it. Like luggage fees, $30-60 per checked bag, or car rental add-ons, like insurance and gas. Greece also has Hotel taxes that are paid at check-in, reserved and upgraded seats in the ferries, and so on. It might seem small, but in the end, you can spend $100-200 that you did not intend to.
Is the Athens multi-site pass worth it?
Yes, but only if you intend to visit at least three historic sites there. The pass costs €30 and lasts 5 days, so if you visit the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, it equals the cost of the regular tickets.
Can I haggle or negotiate prices in Greece?
In some places, yes. If you’re in a souvenir shop or in a private room rental, you can politely ask for a better price, like a 5-10% discount. But this is not appropriate in supermarkets, restaurants, or established hotels.