Quick answer: It depends where you go. Mainland Greece and the lesser-known islands are good value (mid-range ~€100–150 / £85–130 a day), but Santorini and Mykonos in July–August are genuinely expensive. Travel in the shoulder season and skip the two famous islands to save a lot.
Greece can be a bargain or a blowout depending on which island you pick and when you go. Here is an honest 2026 cost breakdown and the simple choices that keep a Greek trip affordable.
What things cost in Greece Expensive
| Item | Typical price | Budget tip |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | €15–25 | Athens & larger islands |
| Mid-range hotel | €60–120 | Santorini/Mykonos €150–400 in summer |
| Taverna meal | €12–20 | Gyros from just €3–4 |
| Coffee / beer | €3 / €4 | Cafés away from the main square |
| Ferry between islands | €30–60 per leg | Book early; slow ferries are cheaper |
| Car hire (per day) | €35–60 | Split between travellers |
| Daily budget (mid-range) | €100–150 | £85–130 per person |
How to visit Greece Expensive on a budget
- Skip Santorini & Mykonos (or visit briefly) — choose Naxos, Paros, Milos or the mainland.
- Travel in May–June or September–October — warm, far cheaper than peak summer.
- Eat at tavernas and gyros joints rather than tourist-strip restaurants.
- Use slow ferries and book island hops early for the best fares.
- Self-cater breakfast from bakeries and supermarkets.
Where Greece gets expensive
The big costs are the famous Cyclades — Santorini and Mykonos — in July and August, when hotels can run €200–400 a night and sunset restaurants charge a premium. Ferries between islands also add up fast on a multi-island trip. Choose quieter islands and shoulder-season dates and Greece becomes very affordable.
The honest two-tier budget: shoestring vs comfortable, and the costs people forget
The figures above hold up, but here is the split most planning skips. A genuine shoestring day in Greece runs about 55 to 75 euros if you sleep in dorms, eat gyros and bakery pies, and stick to public transport. A comfortable day, meaning a private room, a sit-down taverna dinner, and the occasional taxi, sits closer to 120 to 160 euros per person. For a typical 10-day island trip, expect a ballpark total of roughly 1,100 to 1,600 euros per person excluding flights at the comfortable end, and around half that on the shoestring track.
The cost travelers underestimate is the Climate Crisis Resilience Fee, charged per room per night on every stay. In high season (April through October 2026) it runs about 2 euros for apartments and budget hotels up to 15 euros for luxury and villas, paid at checkout and easy to forget when comparing room rates.
Two swaps that genuinely move the needle:
- Skip the airport metro (around 9 to 10 euros one way) for Athens trips and ride the standard 90-minute city ticket at about 1.20 euros once you are in town.
- Take the conventional Blue Star ferry to Santorini (roughly 48 to 59 euros, 7 to 8 hours) instead of the SeaJets high-speed boat (from about 90 euros), saving close to 30 to 40 euros per leg for a few extra hours on deck.
FAQ
Is Greece cheaper than Italy or Spain?
Greece is broadly similar to Spain and usually a little cheaper than Italy — apart from Santorini and Mykonos in peak summer, which are among the priciest spots in the Mediterranean.
How much does a week in Greece cost?
A mid-range week costs roughly €700–1,050 (£600–900) per person excluding flights, more if you base yourself on Santorini or Mykonos in summer.
What is the cheapest way to visit the Greek islands?
Travel in the shoulder season, choose lesser-known islands (Naxos, Paros, Milos), use slow ferries booked in advance, and stay in guesthouses or studios with kitchenettes.
Want an itemised budget? See how much a trip to Greece costs (daily budgets & breakdowns).
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.