3 Options for Traveling to Greece on Every Budget

Greece is an ideal destination for almost any type of trip. Between the nightlife, gorgeous beaches, historical sites, and cuisine, the country has something for everyone, ranging from families with young children to single adults. Greece is also an affordable destination for travelers on any budget. You’ll just need to plan your vacation according to your budget.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can generally expect to pay for a Greek vacation.

If you’re crossing an ocean to travel to Greece, this portion of the trip will likely account for most of your vacation budget. Most of the direct flights to Greece from the United States leave from Philadelphia, JFK Airport in New York City, and Newark, New Jersey. If it’s not convenient for you to drive to any of these airports, then you should factor in the cost of connecting flights.

A direct flight from the US to Athens during the peak season (July and August) averages about $1,500 per person. However, that price falls to as low as $900 during the winter, fall, and early spring.

The best advice? Track flight costs on a site such as AirfareWatchdog, and plan to book between six to nine months in advance. Once you arrive in Greece, flights between Athens and the Greek islands typically cost about $100 round-trip.

Shoestring Budget

If you’re on a budget, the cheapest way to travel in Greece is to backpack, which can save you significantly on the cost of hotels and food. You can plan to budget between 40 to 60 euros per day, which will cover cheap food (which includes cooking some meals yourself), staying in hostels, using local transportation, and limiting your tours and admissions fees for tours or attractions.

Travelers on a budget should keep in mind that Mykonos and Santorini are among the more expensive Greek islands. For example, hotel accommodations on Mykonos can range from between 350 and 900 euros per night in the summer, while a five-star hotel in Santorini can run 790 euros or more each night for a family suite.

Travelers on a shoestring budget should allocate about 10 euros a day to stay at a hostel, between 10 and 20 euros per day for street food, and 10 euros a day for activities. Staying at an Airbnb, buying souvenirs, and visiting higher-priced attractions will add to that basic budget.

Mid-Range Budget

One of the best ways to cut your budget is to travel with a companion with whom you can share accommodations. You then can upgrade hostel stays and dorm beds to small hotels, where you can expect to spend between 30 and 40 euros per night.

A mid-range budget will also allow you to eat at sit-down restaurants rather than buy from street food vendors. Taverna meals can cost as little as 6 euros, which will buy you a filling meal of grilled meat or fresh seafood and salad. You will be most likely to find the cheapest prices (and the best food) at establishments that are filled with local people. Your budget also can also allow for drinks — local beer can be found for as cheap as 1 euro, and local wine is about 2 euros per glass. To reduce the price even further, you can consider splitting a carafe with your traveling companion.

To keep your activities budget under control, you should plan to split your time between free activities, such as a day at the beach, with mid-priced options. On the Greek islands, you can rent a four-wheeled motorbike for 22 euros per day, plus fuel, and explore the islands. You may want to splurge on the 21-euro entrance fee for the Acropolis in Athens. Otherwise, you can take advantage of the many free or cheap things to do in Greece. Thirty euros a day would be a reasonable budget for activities.

When you total up a mid-priced budget, you can expect to spend between 105 and 135 euros a day per person.

Luxury Budget

Travelers with larger budgets can consider in-town hotels, more expensive restaurants, and private guided tours.

In Athens, a room for a family of four can range in price from between 260 to 600 euros per night, although a budget Airbnb or VRBO may cost a little less. You’ll save some money on breakfast, which is often included at pricier hotels and resorts. Expect to pay an average of 12 euros per person for a large sit-down lunch or dinner at a taverna.

Budgeting more for sightseeing opens up a range of options, along with the standard museums and historical sites that you can visit. You can add a private tour of Athens (as low as 260 euros for a family of four) or a sunset cruise in Santorini or Mykonos for around 175 euros for a family.

Greece is truly a destination for visitors of any budget, and regardless of how much you spend, you are guaranteed to have an amazing experience.