A Budget Trip to Greece in 2023: How Much Should You Expect to Spend?

Do you wish to visit the Greek Islands? Although I had always heard that a trip to the Greek Islands would be costly, I was unprepared for how high the total cost of our trip would be.

Since we recently returned from a 10-day anniversary trip to Greece, during which we stayed on two separate islands, we have a good idea of how much money you will need to take on the Greek Islands. )

Even though the Greek Islands have never been a cheap vacation spot, there are plenty of high-end options for special occasions like our 20th wedding anniversary. ), it's ridiculously costly To avoid any unpleasant surprises, calculate your own Greece vacation cost before making a reservation.

Tips for Organizing a Vacation to Greece

It can be difficult to organize a trip to Greece. If you are traveling to the Greek Islands from the United States, flying directly into Athens will be the most convenient option.

Although it is possible to fly into one island and out of another, doing so requires a stopover in Europe, and depending on the day you depart, this can result in a lengthy layover. And getting around still presents a challenge, what with having to book flights and ferries. Additionally, ferry tickets sell out quickly, so early preparation is essential.

Need help arranging your Greek vacation?

In Greece, where do you hope to vacation?

The first step in organizing a trip to the Greek Islands is picking out where you want to go and how long you want to stay there. Do you like visiting ancient sites and reading about the Ancient Greeks? What about spending most of your time in Greece lounging on a beach?

Where you go in the islands is important as well. Traveling to Santorini and Mykonos can break the bank. It's no secret that Mykonos is known as a party island while Santorini is a favorite destination for honeymooners.

Naxos, like many other less-visited Greek islands, offers reasonable prices and a welcoming atmosphere for families. Crete and some other islands are so big that you'd need a week or more to see everything there is to see on the island alone.

Do you have a specific time frame in mind for your trip?

Do you want to brave the crowds of the high season, or would you rather travel during the shoulder seasons when they are thinner on the ground? The islands may be more expensive to visit, so you may want to consider visiting the mainland during the off-season to save money and avoid possible closures, cooler weather, and fewer services.

The sum of these variables makes it difficult to estimate the cost of a vacation in Greece. However, I have compiled a sample travel budget for your review in an effort to make budgeting a bit simpler.

Possible Outcomes for Greece's Budget

Although this was a lavish trip in honor of a special birthday and wedding anniversary, I based my estimates on a more modest vacation. If you're in the market for a high-end home, I've included some pointers on what to expect.

I've also used U for shorthand. S dollars; the xe currency converter is commonly used visit com today for the most recent available exchange rates Currently, the United States is experiencing some good luck. S Compared to the Euro, the Dollar is currently strong, meaning that American consumers will get more value out of their purchases.

This Greece travel budget is based on the following presumptions in order to provide an estimate of the cost of a trip there:

• Two-Person Cost Breakdown
• If you're leaving from a major East Coast airport (e.g. g JFK)
• The Summer Season is Perfect for Travel
• It's a trip that lasts for a total of 12 nights.
• Itinerary includes typical stops for a Greek island hopping vacation, including Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete.

I've included the following to help you get a handle on costs and plan for your trip to Greece:

• Cost approximation of domestic and international flights
• Athens and other popular Greek island destinations have average hotel rates that are
• Expenses incurred for Greek public transportation
• Determine how much of your budget should go toward one-of-a-kind activities, like a day trip from Athens or a sunset cruise around Santorini.

Remember that if you are traveling on a tight budget, staying on the mainland and cutting your trip short is a great way to save money. Naxos, Paros, and the like are among the more reasonably priced alternatives. Make those changes, and your hotel bill will drop by almost half!

How much would a vacation in Greece set you back?

Please note that this post may contain referral links. Clicking on one of these links could result in a commission payment to me. All prices are subject to change.

We've broken down the total price tag for your trip here by air travel, lodging, public transit, food, and entertainment. Earlier, I mentioned that I'd included some of our actual costs for purposes of comparison.

Plane tickets to Greece

The fact that there are only a few nonstop flights to Athens from the United States contributes to the high cost of getting there. S and even fewer during the shoulder and off-seasons to Athens

You will need to connect in another U.S. city if you do not live near one of the few airports that serve international flights. S or Europe prior to visiting Athens, and pay an even higher price to do so, American Airlines from Philadelphia, Delta from Boston, JFK, and Atlanta, and Emirates and United from Newark are your main choices for daily direct service to and from Athens during the peak summer months of July and August.

During this time of year, the average price of a plane ticket is $1,000. Book early if you want to visit Greece in the summer, as prices tend to rise as the season approaches.

If you can't afford to spend more than $1,000 per person on an international flight, keep in mind that during the off- and shoulder-seasons (fall, winter, and early spring), the price typically drops to $500-0. Though it is possible to see everything you want to see, some island resorts are closed from November to April, and not all ferry services run on a daily basis.

Since plane tickets will likely break the bank, it's smart to either put off the trip until you've accrued enough frequent flyer miles or credit or plan on taking a connecting flight on a low-cost carrier that passes through Europe.

Inter-Island Flights

Most visitors who venture outside of Athens during their Greek vacation will need to change planes at some point, especially if they plan to travel to the island of Crete. The shortest time it takes to travel from Crete to Athens is 7 hours on the ferry.

It is important to pay close attention to flight times if the Greek Islands are your primary destination. It is difficult, in my experience, to arrive in Athens in time to take a ferry to Santorini or Mykonos on the same day if you are connecting in Europe. That means you'll have to cancel your plans and spend the night in Athens. Skipping Athens in favor of flying straight to one of the island airports is an option if the capital city isn't necessary.

The reverse is true for the trip home. Traveling back to Athens in time for your flight may be difficult, depending on how far the island is from the city. With the reputation Greek ferries have for punctuality, this is especially important. You might not want to put yourself in danger like that.

Unless you have booked a multi-city flight and are returning from a different island, you may need to spend the night in Athens before your flight. Another thing to keep an eye on when booking flights is the fact that some flights back from Athens have extremely lengthy layovers on specific days of the week.

As a one-way flight from Athens to Crete typically costs between $50 and , this is the most economical option for this trip.

In this article, I'll assume that travelers coming from the United States will spend $1,000 round-trip on transportation to and from Athens. S , plus an additional $150 for a domestic one-way flight from Crete to Athens

All Flights Together: $2,150

Greece Hotel Rates

The Pinnacle of Santorini Is Canaves Oia

I spent two nights in Athens at the beginning of the trip, two nights in Mykonos, two nights in romantic Santorini, five nights in Crete, and then a final night in Athens before your return journey back to the United States to estimate accommodation costs.

There are many ways to shorten or expand this itinerary if you don't have two weeks to explore Greece. If you're not particularly interested in the beach, for instance, you might consider spending a few days on the islands of Naxos or Paros instead of Crete (since they're much closer to Athens and less expensive than Santorini or Mykonos).

If relaxing on the sand and taking in views of the Aegean Sea are at the top of your to-do list, though, you might want to pare down your itinerary to just Athens and one island in Greece rather than traveling all over the country.

Athens

The Acropolis as seen from the Hotel Grand Bretagne's penthouse

Costing $500-0 or more per night, hotels like the Hotel Grand Bretagne in Athens are not cheap during the summer months. Here's a little insider info: we stayed at the Hotel Grand Bretagne last night by redeeming some of our Marriott Bonvoy points.

The going rate for a standard 4-star hotel is between $300 and $500 per night. vrbos and cheap hotels can be found for less than $200 per night, but it's important to research the area beforehand to make sure you'll be in a secure, central one.

Mykonos

When it comes to lodging, Mykonos is among the most pricy places to visit in all of Greece. In the height of summer, a night at a five-star hotel can cost $1,000 or more.

Price ranges from $400-0 a night are typical for four-star accommodations. I found a "deal" at the Nissaki Mykonos for 520 euros per night when we were only going to stay there for one night. If you're looking for a place to stay for less than €400, you should expect to make some serious compromises in terms of comfort and convenience (like the availability of a pool) or location. However, this does not imply that there are no reasonably priced options out there.

Santorini

The Canaves Oia Epitome offers a honeymoon suite with a private plunge pool.

In the height of summer, a night at a Santorini 5-star hotel like the Canaves Oia can cost $1200 or more. What about the luxurious suites that have their own private pools and jacuzzis? At the high end, you might spend $2,000 per night. The most expensive place to stay is in Oia, but if it's the breathtaking sunsets and blue-domed churches you came to see, it's worth it.

We stayed at the Canaves Oia Epitome, one of the more reasonably priced hotels in the Canaves chain, where the honeymoon suite with a plunge pool cost just $1,200 per night. The price of the hotel room seems outrageous, but as I've mentioned, we're treating this trip as a lavish celebration. One example of a high-end boutique hotel that might not cost you more than $500 per night is the Vedema Resort.

Getting to Oia from Fira is convenient and inexpensive, as the bus or taxi terminal is located there. In the summer, a stay at a Fira 4-star hotel like the Aria Suites will set you back around $500.

During high season, you can expect to pay upwards of $300 per night for even the most basic three-star hotel in Fira. Once again, Airbnb/VRBO can provide much more affordable options, though many have a three-night minimum that may necessitate a change in plans. Santorini vrbos have a reputation for being expensive, so before you book one, make sure you know what the cancellation policy is and if there are any hidden fees for things like cleaning or service.

Crete

The largest of the Greek islands, Crete, is a perfect vacation destination thanks to its combination of stunning natural beauty and fascinating cultural attractions. There is a wide variety of family-friendly resorts and a sophisticated tourism industry to enjoy.

All of these things make Crete an ideal place to set up camp for a longer period of time during a visit to Greece. For a summer stay at a luxury resort or boutique hotel like the Ammos Hotel or Porto Elounda Deluxe Resort, a family of four can expect to pay $200-$500 per night.

In the peak summer months of July and August, high-end, five-star hotels like the Daios Cove Resort can be found for $500–0 per night.

One way to cut costs is to look for U.S. S chain hotels, such as the Marriott and the Hilton Guests of the many Greek hotels and resorts that are part of these networks can earn and redeem a large number of points.

Agios Prokopios, Naxos, pool of the Virtu Suites

Naxos

You could also forego Crete in favor of a more accessible Cycladic island like Naxos or Paros. Since our time was limited, we stayed at the Virtu Suites in Naxos for five nights. For about 0.00 a night, we were able to secure a deluxe suite with a view of the ocean.

We assumed staying at 4-star hotels across the board, so we averaged $400 per night to get a ballpark figure for lodging expenses. Booking an Airbnb for part of the trip (or the whole trip) or using hotel points to cover part of the stay is a great way to save money on lodging. Going all out for a 5-star stay can easily cost over a thousand dollars a night in some cities.

Cost of lodging for the entire 12 night period comes to $4,800.

The Price of Local Transportation in Greece

In order to reach all four destinations quickly, you should take the ferry from Athens to Mykonos, another ferry from Mykonos to Santorini, and a final ferry from Santorini to Crete. After spending time in Crete, most tourists would return to Athens to catch their flight back to the United States. S You can take a ferry that operates overnight for that specific trip, though.

The price of a flight and a ferry ticket are roughly the same. Use FerryHopper to compare prices and times across ferry companies and reserve tickets in advance.

The duration of each of the aforementioned ferry rides is approximately three hours, and the price of a ticket ranges from $20 to (more if you take a fast ferry). Savings are minimal, at best, when taking less frequent ferries or avoiding peak times. First-class and VIP tickets, which include perks like early boarding and better seating, are also available for a higher price.

If you want to make sure you have a way to get from island to island, book your ferry tickets at least a couple of months in advance of your trip.

If you plan on visiting the popular tourist spots in Greece (like Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, as mentioned here), then you won't need to rent a car. We were relieved to not have to wait in a long taxi line, and hotels can arrange transfers, or I used Welcome Pickups, to schedule transfers to/from the port in many different destinations.

The average cost of a private driver in Greece ranges from $200-$400 per day, depending on the season. While ATVs are available for rent on some islands, locals strongly discourage their use due to the high number of annual fatalities. We got around the islands easily by hailing taxis, using the hotel shuttle, or signing up for customized tours.

Let's say you need to take three ferry rides, each costing per person, plus pay $200 for a private driver service or day trip, plus another $200 for public transportation and taxis. Actually, this is a very reasonable price for a vacation of two weeks' duration. One of the keys to saving money on vacations is choosing accommodations in high-demand areas.

Total Transportation Expenses: 0 (Including Car Rental)

Price of Food in Greece

Greece is one of the more affordable European countries in terms of food and dining out, which is good news if the price of flights and lodging has left you feeling strapped. As a first matter, most hotels and resorts offer free breakfast (but check before you book). In any case, a cup of coffee and a pastry for one person at a cafe should cost no more than $5 per week.

Eating at local establishments (and you probably came for the fresh seafood and local food anyway) or trying some street food is the best way to save money on Greek food. A filling meal at a local taverna will set you back around $10-15 per person, or you can grab some fast food sandwiches, a light bite, and some feta cheese from one of the many bakeries or cafes and have a picnic on the beach or in between visits to the sites.

Several of the shops and stands around town offer filling sandwiches and inexpensive gyros for less than five dollars. At local restaurants, a multi-course dinner will only set you back $15-$20 per person. Of course, if you are dining at a five-star establishment or experiencing a degustation menu (in Santorini, a meal like that with wine pairing can cost you $500 for two), all of this goes out the window. )

However, some drinks and wines can really break the bank in Greece. If you're trying to save money, drink only beer or house wine.

We estimated that a couple would spend $40 on dinner and $20 on lunch per day, but that number is easily lowered if they opted for cheaper, less formal dining options. An extra $100 has been set aside for a special occasion dinner.

0 is the grand total for food expenses.

Prices for Attractions and Tours in Greece

Enjoying a day at one of Greece's stunning beaches or wandering Santorini's picturesque alleys and side streets can be done without spending a dime. However, it is recommended that you set aside some funds for some exciting excursions.

My recommendation for history buffs visiting Athens is a private tour. These can be tailored to suit your specific interests and requirements, from a basic walking tour on your first day to help you get your bearings, to in-depth explorations of significant archaeological sites like the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. as well as a simple food tour Half-day private tours in Athens can cost $300-$500, while $50- will get you into a group tour.

If you plan on visiting the Acropolis Museum and other famous landmarks during your time in Athens, it may be worthwhile to purchase a sightseeing pass to save money on admission fees. Those who intend to visit multiple attractions included on the pass can save money by purchasing a pass. Prices for adults average $40.

Sunset cruises off the coast of Santorini, Mykonos, or Crete are a common highlight for tourists in Greece. If you do it with a small group, it won't cost more than $200 per couple and may even include food and drink. Costs can range from $550 to $1,000 or more when done privately.

Other popular tourist activities on Crete include visits to the Knossos Palace and olive oil tasting. Once more, a private tour will cost you $500, while a smaller group tour will run you $200 to $300. Santorini and Naxos both have some fun food and wine tours that can fill an afternoon. We spent about $350 for a half-day private wine-tasting tour on Santorini and about 0 for a full-day tour of the island's food, wine, and culture.

Based on my research and the prices of two tours and an Athens sightseeing pass, I came up with a total cost of $1,000 for this Greece vacation. You may need to increase your activity budget if the resorts or hotels you book do not include some or even most of the cost of the activities and amenities you wish to participate in.

The overall expenditure for the event is $1,000.

Overall Cost of Greece Vacation

Using these estimates, a summer trip to Greece for two adults lasting 12 nights would cost ,710. A trip to Greece can seem prohibitively expensive, but it's worth it if you can figure out how to use miles or points for airfare or accommodations.

Consider alternative options for visiting Greece if you can't afford to spend nearly $10,000 on a two-week trip. If you're able to be flexible with your travel dates, you might be able to save quite a bit on airfare and lodging by going in the shoulder season (April through June). )

Furthermore, if you're willing to forego luxuries like a pool, renting a house through an online booking site can be significantly cheaper than staying in a hotel. You could also avoid the high costs of tourist hotspots like Mykonos and Santorini by visiting some of the less well-known islands or cities in the region.

Category Cost Airfare $2,150 Accommodations $4,800 Transportation $ 940 Food $ 820 Activities $1,000 The Full Price of Your Vacation to Greece ,710

If you're planning a trip to Greece, don't forget to include the cost of travel insurance. Also, don't reserve anything that can't be canceled without penalty.

Visiting the beautiful country of Greece

Wanting to Compare Vacation Costs

Save this for later by pinning it!