Greek islands on a budget

You are probably wrong if you think you cannot travel to the Greek islands on a budget.

I was born and raised in Greece and have visited several islands. Some of them were expensive, while others seemed more affordable. Sure, Greece is not a cheap country, and most of us (myself included) cannot afford to spend a fortune during our vacation. But, if you keep in mind a set of parameters while planning your holiday in Greece, then it’s absolutely possible to visit this beautiful country without paying too much.

For example, if you have followed my island-hopping to the Greek islands (I visited Santorini, Schinoussa, Sikinos, and Anafi), you might have thought I’d spent way too much. So I’ll quickly recap for you: four islands in 20 days. It sounds pretty expensive, right? How about telling you I spent less than 1,000 euros, all included? Flights, ferries, accommodation, food, occasional drinks, everything, for less than 1,000 euros. It’s tempting, isn’t it?

So, in this article, you’ll read how to plan your visit to the Greek islands on a budget. If I could do it, you can do it, too.

Let’s start.

*The text contains affiliate links. It means that if you book something, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Island hopping in the Greek islands on a budget: Pre-traveling plans

The set of parameters for your Greek islands vacation

After the short introduction, I will explain what I meant regarding the set of parameters. These are actually some travel tips that’ll help you plan your Greek vacation.

One of the privileges of Greece is that the summers are long. That said, Greece enjoys warm weather already from May on. There are days in May with 30 degrees Celsius and sunshine. Sure, the sea can be a bit cold and the nights slightly chilly. But this is the prelude of the summer.

On the other hand, the summer won’t end before the end of September, and sometimes even during mid-October, the weather is delightful. I am writing this because this is the first step of pre-planning: don’t visit Greece only in July and August. May, June, and September are equally excellent months for vacation. Plus, the prices are significantly lower, the service is so much better, and you will avoid crowded places.

Having visited several islands, I can assure you that the most beautiful are the smaller ones. Of course, the ones you see on TV or Instagram are fine, but the real beauty lies off the beaten path. Also, the cheapest Greek islands are usually the ones that don’t receive loads of tourists. So, try to avoid mass tourism and find a small island that seems interesting to you. And then, try to go there. You will be rewarded, and you will return home more relaxed.

At the end of this post, you will have a brief list of how I budget while on the Greek islands.

Flights to the Greek islands

The fact that I’m Greek saves me from the trouble of booking an international flight. However, keep in mind that not every island has an airport. So, if you come from abroad and have to pay for a flight, there are several websites to keep in mind. These are websites that I constantly use and have helped me a lot. As I state now and then, there are plenty of websites out there, but I don’t want to suggest services I have never used. So, do check the following sites:

1. Aegean Airlines. The flag carrier airline of Greece is your best choice for booking a flight. Excellent service and flights all around Greece. Plus, a very generous Miles program.
2. Domestic flights. Booking a domestic flight in Greece can save you time. Consider it as an option to get faster to the Greek islands. I wrote a comprehensive guide full of travel tips on how to book flights within Greece. You can read the guide to domestic flights in Greece here.
3. Skyscanner. I guess you all know Skyscanner and how helpful it is when looking for plane tickets. So check it out before you fly to Greece for some good deals.
4. Momondo. This is becoming lately one of my favorite websites. You can find the best deals and loads of itineraries. Sometimes you won’t believe the prices you see.
5. Secret Flying. This is also a website about flight deals, but the most important thing is that it contains error fares. What does this mean? Airlines often issue tickets with the wrong price for a couple of hours. In other words, the cost can be insanely low, like just a couple of euros/dollars. Book it straight ahead iSo if you have already planned your days off and find an itinerary. It won’t be around for long, though; the airline will correct it.
6. Flying Business Class will exceed the 1,000 euros budget. However, you can check my Aegean Airlines Business Class review if you can afford it.

Some extra tips regarding the flights

No matter what, book your flight in advance, I would say two or even three months before your departure. It is the best period to find good deals, and your chances are even better if you are not traveling in the super high season. Many people say that booking a flight mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) is better than booking during the weekend because the prices are lower. I also saw a significant difference sometimes; therefore, keep that in mind.

You should also consider flying to smaller airports because the tax is always lower. Charter or seasonal flights are something to keep an eye on too. Google Maps is your friend; just do a quick check to see if there are any nearby airports to your destination. For example, it was cheaper for me to fly from Santorini to Athens instead of taking the ferry.

If you’re looking forward to your summer vacation all winter long, there is actually something more you can do. A lot of credit cards offer bonuses for airline miles programs. That said, if you have the X credit card and you often shop with it, there is a good chance that the money you spend can convert to airline miles/points. So just by using your credit card for shopping all winter long, you might be able to collect the miles you need for your summer vacation. Contact your bank and ask them if they collaborate with an airline. They usually do.

Last but not least, when you book flights, always use an incognito window in your browser. Whenever visiting a website, cookies are stored in your browser’s memory for some time (it depends on the policy of each website). Usually, when people search for flights, they tend to visit the websites several times per day. And guess what? They often see a higher price.

This is because the cookies recognize that you are revisiting the website, and the price appears automatically higher. On the other hand, the incognito window is helpful because it deletes the stored cookies whenever you shut it. Therefore, if you visit the website the next day, the price will be the same (unless, of course, there is a high demand for some reason in the flight you are checking).

I highly recommend Aegean Airlines, the biggest Greek airline, for your flights to and within Greece. They have excellent services and fair prices. You can book your ticket with Aegean Airlines here or use the interactive widget below.

Ferries in Greece

Ferries are a synonym for Greek islands. I always book my ferries via Ferries in Greece. This website has the best structure and allows you to search for alternatives or corresponding ferries. Although you will usually find a ticket for the ferry easily, I advise you to book your tickets in advance.

The cost from the port of Piraeus can be anything between 15 and 70 euros one-way. Make a price comparison, and if you don’t need a cabin, don’t get one. While a cabin will make your journey more comfortable, it will also elevate costs. In general, a cabin is a good idea only if your trip lasts more than 7-8 hours and you’ll travel at night. If you’d like to see how it feels traveling in a cabin, check my Blue Star Ferries cabin review.

On the other hand, you will always find a place to sit in the ferry’s interior. Moreover, all ferries have an open deck, and there you can enjoy the sea and relax in the sun. Thus, traveling by ferry in Greece is always a pleasant experience.

Last but not least, if you want to bring your car with you, you should pre-book. Obviously, there is not unlimited car space on the ferry.

*Bonus: Read my comprehensive Greek ferry ticket guide or see the photo report from a slow ferry to Anafi.

Hotels in Greece

There are several websites for finding accommodation, but I always suggest Booking.com. I’ve been using it for several years, and it has never disappointed me. There are millions of hotels, apartments, B&Bs, etc. Most of the Greek islands have an adequate amount of hotels or rooms to let, and the chances are that you will find something on Booking. At the end of this post, you will find an interactive map for checking your accommodation options on the Greek islands.

If you can’t find anything, though, try to google the island’s name you want to visit and search for the island’s website. Despite looking a bit dated, most of these websites have a dedicated section about accommodation. If there are no links and just telephone numbers, consider googling the name of the hotel/room and the island’s name.

Airbnbs are becoming increasingly popular in Greece, but while there is a wide range of prices in major cities, everything seems a bit expensive on the islands. This is not a surprise, of course. I would suggest renting an Airbnb only if you are a family or a big group of friends; otherwise, it will probably be too expensive.

Rent a car in Greece

Although I say that you don’t have to book a car, the truth is that it sometimes comes in handy. If you’d like to rent a car for your stay, you can find here the best prices for renting a car in Greece. However, you should keep in mind that a car means extra expenses, and your budget will exceed the 1,000 euros margin.

One last tip

Try to stay in the island’s main settlement (in the Cyclades is always called Chora) if you’re visiting a smaller island. The Choras are always built on the top of a hill because, once upon a time, the islands suffered (among other things) from pirate invasions. Staying in Choras will make your life so much easier. You will have more options for eating or drinking. Plus, you will not need a car, and a local bus stop will always be nearby. As a result, you will be more flexible, and you will enjoy your stay more.

On the other hand, if you decide on a more mainstream island like Santorini, try not to stay in the main settlement. Staying in a smaller settlement means avoiding crowded places and high prices. In the bigger islands, even in the most remote settlements, you will have some options to eat, to stay, plus a mini-market. Just check if there is a bus stop nearby. Otherwise, you will need a car -and this means more expenses.

Greek islands on a budget tips

So, you have booked everything, and now you are in Greece. Here is a short list of tips for your stay with an eye on expenses.

• If you like going to the beach (who doesn’t, right?), try to avoid organized beaches. A pair of sunbeds and umbrellas cost a minimum of 18 euros per day. Every hotel (or room to let) in Greece has spare beach umbrellas for their guests. Just ask in the reception and get one.
• Lots of beaches have tavernas or cafes nearby. I only visit them to get water. Usually, the food is expensive, and I prefer to visit a local bakery or grocery store and get some provisions. If you’ve been following this website for some time, you know I always take one-two tomato, some cheese, and bread, plus a bottle of water. In Greece, the water is valorized, and you should never pay more than 1 euro for a 1,5 liters bottle or 50 cents for a 500 ml one.
• Everybody needs a proper meal once per day; therefore, I always eat in the evening in some local tavernas. You can ask the hotel owner for recommendations or at the local mini-market or bakery. For the digital guys among us, consider checking TripAdvisor for recommendations or downloading the Foursquare app. The latter has helped me to find excellent places all around Europe. Don’t go for the mainstream restaurants that you might find. You should prefer the small local tavernas instead: the people running them cook homemade food, and the prices are much lower.
• Instead of renting a car, use local transport. It is so much cheaper: I never paid more than 2 euros one way, while the car costs a minimum of 30 euros per day (sometimes even 60 or 70). In the Greek islands, the bus drivers are also some sort of tour guides, therefore, feel free to ask them for tips. The chances are that you will also meet like-minded people on your short rides.
• Lots of islands are also a paradise for hiking, and while I’m not that much of a hiker, I do enjoy it sometimes. If you are in good shape, try to do it at least once -but not in the early afternoon because the sun is too warm. In general, avoid activities in direct sunlight between 12 and 3 pm.
• I rarely buy souvenirs from the places I visit, but I always buy something handmade. Apart from the handmade element, it helps the locals to make a living. So buying things that I can find everywhere doesn’t make any sense. The islands are also famous for their organic products, and if you are a fan of oregano, honey, or olive oil, make sure to buy some.

A short recap before talking about your budget in Greece

So, here are ten travel tips for budget traveling to the Greek islands.

1. Travel in May, June, September, and October.
2. Find one or more off-the-beaten-path islands.
3. Book your flights early (2-3 months in advance).
4. Book your ferry tickets without a cabin.
5. Find a simple place for accommodation in the main settlement.
6. Get some provisions from the local mini-market, and don’t spend money eating lunch in a restaurant.
7. Prefer a local taverna for your dinner. Find one by asking locals or by using Foursquare.
8. Don’t rent a car. Instead, walk or use the local buses.
9. Don’t get a sunbed.
10. Support the local economy by buying handmade souvenirs or local products (honey, olive oil, oregano, etc.)

How to budget for the Greek islands

The price breakdown applies to two people traveling to the Greek islands on a budget but also to solo or group travelers. As a rule of thumb, I would say that a solo traveler should calculate approx. 20 euros more per day (for accommodation and food) while for larger groups renting one room (or house), it will be slightly cheaper, approx. 10 euros per person per day. It’s absolutely possible to do island hopping in the Greek islands on a budget, so let’s see the breakdown:

• Accommodation: 20 euros per person per day. For 20 days, this is approx. 400 euros per person.
• Lunch with provisions from the mini-market: 3 euros per person per day. For twenty days, this is approx. 60 euros per person.
• Dinner in a taverna: 10 euros per person. Add an extra 200 euros per person for three weeks.
• Bus transport: 5 euros per person per day, which sums up to approximately 100 euros.
• Ferry tickets. This one varies; therefore, I will calculate the maximum, 100 euros return.
• Souvenirs and local products: 50 euros per person.

This is a total of 900 euros and let’s make it 1000 euros per person with some incidental expenses that might occur. You need, of course, a plane ticket, but this won’t cost that much if you’re flying from Europe and booking in advance. If you’re living outside of Europe, though, it will be more expensive, but how about saving some money with your credit card airline miles? 😉

Did you know that I have written a e-book about the Cyclades? You can learn more about it here.

My Greek islands’ resources

I have visited several islands over the years and have written some articles on this blog. Some are travelogues, while others are helpful guides for visiting the islands on a budget. Here you can find everything I’ve written for a couple of islands.

• Anafi. I’ve visited Anafi three times, and I have written two travelogues and a guide. Read here the first travelogue from Anafi and the second one you can read it here. My Anafi guide is here. Oh, and if you are a polaroid fan, I have some from Anafi too.
• Astypalaia. The so-called “butterfly of the Aegean Sea” is a unique island. Here you can read my impressions from Astypalaia and also my Astypalaia guide.
• Aegina. Aegina is the closest island to Athens. For the ones traveling on a limited budget, it’s an option. Read my travelogue about Aegina and my Aegina guide.
• Crete. Crete is the biggest island in Greece and one of the most beautiful ones as well. I wrote a very long guide about Crete, but remember that it might not be easy to combine it with other islands if you don’t have enough days.
• Donoussa. There are plenty of remote islands in Greece, and one of the most beautiful ones is Donoussa. The island is a hidden gem, and it’s located in the Lesser Cyclades. I wrote a travelogue about Donoussa (with plenty of photos and a 4K video) and a thorough travel guide.
• Folegandros. One of my most recent discoveries and definitely the island with the most beautiful Chora in the Cyclades. I wrote an extensive travel guide to Folegandros.
• Sikinos. That’s one of the most beautiful and unique islands in Greece. Check why Sikinos is special here, and read my Sikinos guide as well.
• Schinoussa. One more off-the-beaten-path option, Schinoussa, is tiny but very beautiful. Here you can read my thoughts about Schinoussa, and there’s also a Schinoussa guide here.
• Santorini. I know: everybody wants to go to Santorini. It’s undoubtedly a beautiful island, but it’s also -always!- crowded. So I have very mixed feelings about it. While the landscape is stunning, it is so crowded that it feels like a mall. However, if you decide to visit Santorini, I wrote a guide with the best day tours on the island.

I’ll also add another link since this is the Greek islands on a budget resources article. I wrote 10 travel tips for Greece, where you’ll find helpful information about your upcoming Greek vacation.

Greek islands on a budget: An epilogue

Whatever I’ve written above might not work for everyone, of course. What I wanted to highlight, though, is that if you keep some things in mind, you can visit the Greek islands on a budget and not spend a fortune. But, of course, it also depends on your style of traveling.

For example, if a dedicated free camper reads this post, they will probably laugh at me for spending 400 euros on accommodation. But I’m not a free camper; therefore, I must pay for a room. The same goes for someone who’d like to stay in a more upscale hotel or eat twice per day properly. The variations are endless.

Throughout my international journeys, people sigh and start talking about the Greek islands whenever I say I’m Greek. Sooner or later, they mention the prices and how expensive the islands are. If you, like them, happen to daydream about the islands, keep in mind that it is possible to travel to the Greek islands on a budget. Just follow the travel tips that I wrote above, and you’ll have a great time.

What do you think about the Greek islands? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Booking.com

More about Greece: Itineraries for 1 week in Greece, 40+ quotes about Greece

More: Are you a Xennial Traveler?, Best Travel Books & The Ultimate Berlinale Guide

Sharing is caring. Please share the article Greek Islands on a Budget with your friends.

Last Updated on February 25, 2025 by George Pavlopoulos