Greek islands on a budget

Last Updated on November 7, 2026 by George Pavlopoulos

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 isn’t a cheap country, and most of us (myself included) cannot afford to spend a fortune on vacation. But if you keep a set of parameters in mind while planning your holiday in Greece, 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 1,500 euros, all included? Flights, ferries, accommodation, food, occasional drinks -everything- for less than 1,500 euros. It’s tempting, isn’t it?

In this article, you’ll learn how to plan your visit to the Greek islands on a budget. If I can do it, you can 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. Some days in May reach 30 degrees Celsius with sunshine. Sure, the sea can be a bit cold and the nights slightly chilly. But this is the prelude to 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 it is the first step in 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 interests 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

Being Greek saves me 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, keep these websites in mind. I use these websites often, and they have helped me a lot. As I say, there are plenty of websites out there, but I don’t want to suggest services I haven’t used. So, do check the following sites:

1. Aegean Airlines. As Greece’s flag carrier, Aegean Airlines is a great choice for booking flights. 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 an option to get to the Greek islands faster. 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. Kiwi. I guess you all know Kiwi and how helpful it is when looking for plane tickets. So check it out before you fly to Greece for some good deals.

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 booking a flight mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) is better than booking on the weekend because prices are lower. I’ve also seen a big difference sometimes, so keep that in mind.

You should also consider flying to smaller airports because the tax is always lower. Keep an eye out for charter or seasonal flights, 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 than to take the ferry.

If you’re looking forward to your summer vacation all winter long, there is actually something more you can do. Many 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 you visit 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 visit the same websites several times a day. And guess what? They often see a higher price.

This is because cookies recognize that you are revisiting the website, and the price automatically appears higher. On the other hand, an incognito window helps because it deletes stored cookies when you close it. So if you visit the website the next day, the price will be the same (unless, of course, demand is high for 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.

Ferries in Greece

Ferries are synonymous with the Greek islands. I always book my ferries via Ferries in Greece. This website has the best structure and lets you search for alternatives or matching ferries. Although you can usually find a ferry ticket easily, I advise booking in advance.

Fares from the port of Piraeus range from 15 to 70 euros one way. Compare prices, and if you don’t need a cabin, don’t book one. A cabin makes your journey more comfortable, but it also increases the cost. 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 what it’s like to travel in a cabin, check out my Blue Star Ferries cabin review.

On the other hand, you will always find a place to sit inside the ferry. 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, the ferry doesn’t have unlimited car space.

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

Hotels in Greece

Several websites offer 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 Greek islands have enough hotels or rooms to rent, so you’ll likely 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, try Googling the island you want to visit and searching for its website. Although they may look a bit dated, most of these websites have a dedicated section on accommodation. If there are no links and only telephone numbers, consider googling the hotel/room name along with the island’s name.

Airbnbs are becoming increasingly popular in Greece, but while prices vary widely in major cities, everything seems a bit more 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 you don’t have to book a car, it can still come 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, it’s 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 food and drinks. 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 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. On the bigger islands, even in the most remote settlements, you’ll still have options to eat, stay, and 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 at 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 or two tomatoes, 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. Instead, choose small local tavernas: the people running them cook homemade food, and prices are much lower.
• Instead of renting a car, use local transport. It’s much cheaper: I never paid more than 2 euros one way, while the car costs at least 30 euros per day (sometimes even 60 or 70). On the Greek islands, bus drivers are also tour guides; feel free to ask them for tips. You’ll also meet like-minded people on your short rides.
• Many islands are also a paradise for hiking, and while I’m not 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. Beyond the handmade element, it helps locals 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

Here are ten travel tips for budget travel 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 simple accommodation in the main settlement.
6. Get provisions from the local mini-market, and don’t spend money on lunch at 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 larger groups renting one room (or house) 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: 40 euros per person per day. For 20 days, this is approx. 800 euros per person.
• Lunch with provisions from the mini-market: 5 euros per person per day. For twenty days, this is approx. 100 euros per person.
• Dinner in a taverna: 20 euros per person. Add an extra 400 euros per person for three weeks.
• Bus transport: 5 euros per person per day, which sums up to approximately 100 euros.
• Ferry tickets. This varies, so I’ll calculate the maximum: 100 euros return.
• Souvenirs and local products: 50 euros per person (optional).

This is a total of 1500 euros per person, with some incidental expenses that might occur. You’ll need a plane ticket, but it won’t cost 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 the first travelogue from Anafi here, and the second one you can read 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 of Astypalaia, as well as my Astypalaia guide.
• Aegina. Aegina is the closest island to Athens. For those 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. 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. Greece has plenty of remote islands, and one of the most beautiful is Donoussa. The island is a hidden gem 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.
• Kythnos. Kythnos is one of the closest islands to Athens, and it takes less than two hours to reach it from Lavrio. I wrote a comprehensive guide for visiting Kythnos without a car.
• 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. Another off-the-beaten-path option, Schinoussa, is tiny but 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 to my 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: Final Thoughts

Whatever I’ve written above might not work for everyone, of course. What I wanted to highlight, though, is that if you keep a few things in mind, you can visit the Greek islands on a budget without spending a fortune. But, of course, it also depends on your travel style.

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; I have to pay for a room. The same goes for someone who’d like to stay in a more upscale hotel or eat a proper meal twice a day. 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, daydream about the islands, keep in mind that you can travel to the Greek islands on a budget. Just follow the travel tips above, and you’ll have a great time.

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