Budget & Costs
Greece is one of the most affordable Mediterranean countries — but the range is vast. There is the affordable Greece of village tavernas, domatia, and off-season, and there is the expensive Greece of Mykonos beach clubs, Santorini infinity pools, and August high season. Where you end up depends entirely on your choice of island and timing.
Basic rule: Mykonos and Santorini cost 2-3× as much as most other islands. Naxos, Paros, Milos, Sifnos, Crete, or the Peloponnese offer the same (or better) experience for half the price. The high season (July/August) comes with a 50-100% surcharge.
Daily budget per person (guidelines)
| Style | €/Day | Accommodation | Food | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 35–50€ | Hostel/Camping (15-25€) | Gyros Pita + Bakery + Self-catering | Slow Ferries (Deck), KTEL Bus |
| Budget | 50–80€ | Domatia/simple studio (30-50€) | 1× Taverna + Bakery/Market | Ferries + Bus, occasionally scooter |
| Mid-range | 80–140€ | 3★ Hotel/good apartment (60-100€) | 2× Restaurant/Taverna | Rental car + Ferries |
| Comfort | 140–250€ | 4★ Boutique Hotel (100-180€) | Upscale tavernas, wineries | Rental car + Domestic flights |
| Luxury | 250€+ | 5★ Hotel/Villa with pool | Fine Dining, Private Dining | Private Transfers, Catamaran Charters |
What costs what? Price comparison
| Item | Cheap (Naxos, Peloponnese) | Expensive (Mykonos, Santorini) |
|---|---|---|
| Double room (summer) | 50-100€ | 150-400€ |
| Gyros Pita | 3-3.50€ | 5-7€ |
| Fish dinner (2 pers.) | 30-45€ | 70-120€ |
| Greek salad | 6-8€ | 12-18€ |
| Beer (0.5l, taverna) | 3-4€ | 7-12€ |
| Frappé/Freddo | 2-3€ | 4-6€ |
| Sunbed on the beach | 8-12€ (or free) | 20-60€ (Mykonos Beach Club: 100€+) |
| Rental car/day | 25-40€ | 50-100€ |
Example daily budget "Mid-range" (2 people, Naxos in September)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio with sea view (night) | 75€ |
| Breakfast (Bakery: Bougatsa + Tiropita + 2× Coffee) | 8€ |
| Frappé on the beach (2×) | 6€ |
| Lunch (Taverna: Salad + Souvlaki + Beer) | 22€ |
| Afternoon snack (Watermelon from the market) | 3€ |
| Dinner (Fish taverna at the harbor, with wine) | 50€ |
| Rental car (pro-rated per day) | 25€ |
| Gasoline (pro-rated) | 8€ |
| Total (2 pers.) | 197€ = ~99€/person |
The 10 best money-saving tips for Greece
- Domatia instead of hotel: Private rooms (often with kitchen and balcony) are the Greek tradition of hospitality and much cheaper than hotels. At the harbor, older landladies often wait with signs — bargaining is allowed and encouraged.
- Bakeries (Fournos) are your friend: Tiropita (cheese pie, 1.50€), Spanakopita (spinach pie, 1.50€), Koulouri (sesame ring, 0.50€), Bougatsa (cream pie, 2€) — these are unbeatable breakfasts and snacks.
- Carafe instead of bottle: In tavernas, always order the open house wine (Krasi chimiko or Krasi varelisio) as a carafe — half the price of bottled wine, often surprisingly good, and part of the experience.
- Slow Ferries instead of Highspeed: Conventional ferries often cost only half of the high-speed catamarans. The ride takes longer, but the sun decks are delightful and the experience more authentic.
- Book shoulder season: May/June and September/October are 30-50% cheaper than July/August — with a better experience and less stress.
- Greek salad as a main course: A Choriatiki (village salad) with bread and olive oil is a full meal in Greece — and costs 6-8 euros. Huge portions!
- Use supermarkets: For water (0.50€/1.5l instead of 2€ in the restaurant), fruit, yogurt, and snacks. Lidl and AB Basilopoulos are everywhere.
- Less known islands: Instead of Santorini → Milos. Instead of Mykonos → Naxos or Paros. Instead of Corfu → Lefkada. Same experience, half the price.
- Early bird ferries: Blue Star and ANEK offer 20-30% discount when booking 2+ weeks in advance.
- Free beaches: The most beautiful beaches in Greece are often those without sunbed service. Just bring a towel and lay on the sand or rocks — it doesn't get more Greek than that.
💡 Tipp
By far the biggest money-saving tip: Avoid Mykonos and Santorini in high season. Naxos, Paros, Milos, Sifnos, Tinos, and Serifos offer the same or better Cycladic experience for half the price, with a fraction of the tourists and often better beaches.