How Much Does Greece Cost? 2026 Budget Travel Guide
Greece spans an enormous price range depending on where you go, when you travel, and what kind of trip you want. The same country that offers €15 taverna meals and €25 hostel beds also charges €800 per night for cave hotels and €40 for a cocktail overlooking the caldera in Oia. This guide breaks down what things actually cost.
All prices below are approximate as of 2026. Expect peak-season premiums of 20–50% in July and August.
Daily Budget Tiers
| Tier | Daily Budget | What It Gets You |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €50–70/day | Hostel dorm, taverna meals, public transport, free sights |
| Mid-range | €100–150/day | Private hotel room, restaurant dinners, island ferries |
| Luxury | €250+/day | Boutique hotel or villa, fine dining, private tours |
These estimates cover mainland Greece and mid-range islands. Add 30–50% for Santorini and Mykonos during peak season.
Accommodation
Hostels: Dorm beds in Athens and major tourist areas run approximately €20–35 per night. Private rooms in well-located hostels are approximately €50–70.
Budget hotels and guesthouses: A clean, air-conditioned double room in a family-run pension costs approximately €60–90 on the mainland and cheaper islands. The same standard on Santorini or Mykonos in peak season will be €150–250.
Mid-range hotels: Expect €90–150 per night on the mainland and Crete for a three-star hotel with pool. Mykonos and Santorini mid-range starts around €200.
Luxury hotels and villas: Cave hotels in Oia (Santorini), cliffside suites in Fira, and high-end boutiques on Mykonos range from €300 to over €1,000 per night in high season. Private villa rentals on quieter islands can offer better value at €200–400 per night for a whole property sleeping 4–6.
Camping: Greece has organised campsites on most islands, typically charging €10–20 per person per night including a tent pitch. Some campsites rent basic cabins for €30–50.
Food and Drink
Greek food is excellent value if you eat where Greeks eat - and noticeably more expensive at restaurants aimed entirely at tourists.
Bakery breakfast: A tiropita (cheese pie) or spanakopita at a local bakery costs approximately €2–3. Filter coffee or a frappé costs €2–3.
Taverna meal: A full sit-down lunch or dinner at a family taverna - salad, main course, bread, house wine - costs approximately €15–25 per person. On tourist-heavy islands, the same meal at a sea-view terrace runs €25–40.
Souvlaki / street food: A pork souvlaki wrap (pita souvlaki) costs approximately €3–4. One of the best quick meals in the country.
Fine dining: Athens has several restaurants with serious international reputations. Tasting menus at top-end venues run €80–150 per person without wine. In Mykonos and Santorini, dinner with wine at a regarded restaurant easily reaches €80–120 per person.
Drinks: Beer at a taverna is approximately €4–6. House wine by the carafe (500ml) costs approximately €8–15. A cocktail in a beach bar on Mykonos is approximately €15–20. Soft drinks approximately €3–4.
Self-catering: Greek supermarkets (AB Vassilopoulos, Lidl, Sklavenitis) are well-stocked. Fresh market produce, olives, cheese, and bread are genuinely good. A week of self-catering groceries for two costs approximately €80–120.
Transport
Domestic flights: Athens (ATH) has direct connections to all major islands. Sky Express and Aegean Airlines run frequent routes. Domestic fares start from approximately €40–60 one way when booked in advance, rising to €100–150 in peak season for last-minute bookings.
Ferries: The backbone of island travel. A conventional ferry deck seat from Piraeus to Santorini costs approximately €35–50; to Mykonos approximately €30–45; to Heraklion (Crete) approximately €35–55. High-speed ferries are approximately 40–60% more expensive but significantly faster. Inter-island short hops (e.g. Paros to Naxos, Mykonos to Santorini) run approximately €10–25.
Bus (KTEL): The national KTEL network covers mainland Greece well. Athens to Thessaloniki by bus costs approximately €25–35 (5–6 hours). Athens to Patras approximately €20 (3 hours). Within cities, urban bus fares are approximately €1–2.
Athens metro: Single ticket approximately €1.40, day pass approximately €4.50. The metro reaches Piraeus port and Athens airport.
Rental car: Mainland and larger islands (Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Kefalonia) are well-suited to driving. A small hatchback rents for approximately €30–50 per day including basic insurance from a local operator. International chains (Hertz, Europcar, Avis) charge €50–80. Add fuel: unleaded petrol costs approximately €1.80–2.00 per litre as of 2026. Compare car hire rates for Greece to find the best deal for your dates.
Taxis: Athens taxis are metered. A journey from Athens city centre to Piraeus port costs approximately €20–25. From the airport to central Athens, a fixed rate of approximately €38 applies during the day (€54 at night).
Activities and Attractions
Acropolis of Athens: Approximately €20 general admission. A combined ticket covering the Acropolis plus 6 other archaeological sites (including the Ancient Agora, Kerameikos, Roman Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and the slopes of the Acropolis) costs approximately €30. Free on certain national holidays and for EU citizens under 25.
National Archaeological Museum (Athens): Approximately €12.
Delphi: Approximately €12 including the archaeological site and museum.
Santorini caldera boat tour: A group catamaran tour with snorkelling and meal costs approximately €80–120. Private sailing tours run €200–400 per person.
Water taxis and boat trips: Day trips from Crete to the island of Spinalonga (including a boat and guided tour) run approximately €30–40. Island boat tours from Mykonos to Delos cost approximately €20–30.
Archaeological sites on islands: Most island sites charge approximately €6–12 admission. Knossos (Crete) costs approximately €15.
Water parks: Crete has several large water parks. Day admission is approximately €30–40 for adults.
Budget Travel Tips
Travel in shoulder season. May–June and September–October offer lower prices, fewer crowds, and better weather than the peak of July–August. Accommodation rates on Santorini can drop 40–60% compared to August.
Choose islands wisely. Naxos, Paros, Milos, and Lefkada offer comparable beauty to Santorini and Mykonos at a fraction of the cost.
Eat where Greeks eat. Any taverna without photos on the menu and without staff flagging you down from the street is likely to be cheaper and better.
Book ferries in advance for peak season. July–August sailings fill up, and last-minute tickets (where available) cost more.
Use Athens as a cheap base. Athens remains one of Western Europe’s more affordable capitals for accommodation, food, and nightlife. Staying in Athens and doing day trips to Hydra, Aegina, or the Peloponnese can significantly cut island costs. If you’re planning a longer stay, see our Greece digital nomad guide - the 50% tax incentive and nomad visa make Greece unusually attractive for remote workers.
Related Guides
- Greece Travel Tips - practical advice on visas, health, and safety
- Getting Around Greece - ferries, domestic flights, buses, and trains
- Best Time to Visit Greece - saving money with shoulder-season timing
- Greek Island Ferry Guide - how to book and what to expect
- One Week in Greece Itinerary - budget breakdown for a week-long trip
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a realistic daily budget for Greece?
- A budget traveller staying in hostels and eating at tavernas can manage approximately €50–70 per day on the mainland and lower-cost islands. Mid-range travellers spending on private hotels and sit-down meals typically spend €100–150 per day. Luxury travellers in high-end hotels and restaurants should budget €250 or more.
- Is Greece expensive to visit compared to other European countries?
- Greece is mid-range for Western Europe. The mainland and less-visited islands (Lefkada, Pelion, Epirus) are noticeably cheaper than Santorini or Mykonos, which rival Paris and London in peak season. Choosing the right island makes a significant difference to your overall costs.
- How much do ferry tickets cost in Greece?
- Ferry prices vary widely by route, speed, and seat class. A conventional ferry from Piraeus to Santorini costs approximately €35–50 for a deck seat. High-speed catamarans on the same route run approximately €60–80. Short island-hopping routes between nearby islands can be as low as €10–20.
- Are islands more expensive than the mainland?
- Yes - popular islands in peak season (July–August) typically cost 30–50% more than equivalent options on the mainland. Santorini and Mykonos are the most expensive. Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu sit in a mid-price range. Less-visited islands like Ikaria, Samos, or Leros can match mainland prices.