Trying to figure out the average daily budget on the Greek Islands?
I get it — I’m Greek, based in Athens, and I’m constantly traveling around the islands myself. Whether it’s for a weekend escape or a longer summer stay, budgeting is always part of the plan.
Prices can really vary depending on where you go — Santorini, Skopelos, Crete — and how you like to travel. Some people splurge on seafood and cocktails, while others are totally happy with a bakery pie, a freddo cappuccino, and a sunset view.
So instead of giving you one-size-fits-all advice, I’ve broken it down by travel type: solo travelers, couples, and families. That way, you can figure out what makes sense for your kind of trip.
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Daily Budget on the Greek Islands: The Fast Facts
- Solo traveler: €50–€100 per day.
- Couples: €80–€160 per day (yep, two people can often eat cheaper than one!).
- Families (with 2 kids): €120–€250 per day, depending on food choices, activities, and how much your kids love gelato.
This includes food, drinks, small extras, and a few local experiences—but doesn’t include hotels or big-ticket excursions.
Solo Travelers: Freedom on a Flexible Budget
Traveling alone? You’ve got full control over what and where you eat—and how much you spend.
Budget (€50/day):
- Breakfast: Bakery pie + coffee (€5–8)
- Lunch: Supermarket salad or gyro (€6–10)
- Dinner: Casual taverna meal + glass of wine (€20–25)
- Treats: Gelato + water (€3–5)
- Drinks: One beer or local wine (€5).
Mid-range (€70/day):
- Café breakfast + freddo cappuccino (€10)
- Lunch at a seaside taverna (€12–15)
- Dinner with fish, wine, and dessert (€30–35)
- Evening drink at a bar (€10)
Solo tip: It’s easier to save if your hotel includes breakfast or has a kitchenette.
Couples: Two People, Shared Plates, Shared Costs
Two people means more variety—and better value. You can split mains, share wine, and prep meals together when needed.
Budget (€80–€100/day for 2):
- Shared breakfast at bakery or DIY (€6–10)
- Sandwiches from the mini market (€10–12)
- Dinner at a low-key taverna with shared salad + main + house wine (€25–35)
- Extras: Ice cream or snacks (€5–10)
- Bottle of wine or local drinks at your hotel (€5–10).
Mid-range (€120–€150/day for 2):
- Breakfast at a café or hotel buffet (€15–20)
- Lunch: Meze plates + drinks at a beachside spot (€25–30)
- Dinner: Grilled seafood, wine, dessert (€50–60)
- Cocktails or a nightcap (€15–20).
Couple tip: Greek dishes like Greek salad, gemista (stuffed veggies), and grilled meats are built for sharing—portion sizes are generous!
Families: Feeding the Crew Without Breaking the Bank
Family travel doesn’t have to mean budget chaos—especially in Greece, where you can eat well without going fancy.
Budget (€120–€150/day for 2 adults + 2 kids):
- Breakfast: Hotel buffet or self-catered with bakery items (€20–40)
- Lunch: Supermarket food for a beach picnic + water/juice (€15–30)
- Dinner: Shared mains, bread, and drinks at a casual taverna (€40–60)
- Snacks: Ice creams for the kids, maybe a coffee for you (€10–20)
- Drinks at the accommodation: local wine, juice, water (€5–10)
Mid-range (€180–€250/day for 2 adults + 2 kids):
- Full breakfast at a café or hotel buffet (€20–30)
- Lunch at a sit-down restaurant (kids portions + shared plates) (€30–40)
- Dinner: Grilled fish, souvlaki, Greek salad, and dessert (€70–90)
- A few extras: gelato, wine, coffee, or sunset cocktails (€20–30)
Family tip: Kids under 10 often eat small portions, so sharing adult meals (or ordering 1–2 extra sides) can save you a lot.
Sample Day Budgets: Choose Your Style
Travel Type | Budget Style | Daily Spend |
---|---|---|
Solo | DIY meals + light treats | €50 |
Solo | Casual eats + one splurge meal | €70–90 |
Couple | Bakery + taverna + shared wine | €90 |
Couple | Dining out all meals + cocktails | €150 |
Family | Basic meals + gelato + dinner out | €130 |
Family | Sit-down meals + snacks + drinks | €200–250 |
Food Price Table
This is a small sample of some popular budget dishes you can have in Greece:
Food Item | Price (EUR) |
---|---|
Souvlaki or Gyros | €4.50 |
Greek Salad | €9.00 |
Fries | €5.00 |
Gemista (Stuffed Vegetables) | €8.00 |
Moussaka | €10.00 |
Baklava (Dessert) | €5.00 |
Where to Stay: Accommodation Options for Every Budget
While food and drinks are a big part of your average daily budget on the Greek Islands, accommodation is usually the largest single expense. The good news?
There’s something for everyone — from budget beach bungalows to romantic boutique hotels and spacious family resorts.
Budget-Friendly Stays
- Studios & Apartments: Great for self-catering travelers. Many come with kitchenettes, which help you save even more on food.
- Guesthouses or pension-style rooms: Basic but clean, often run by friendly locals.
Mid-Range Comfort
- 3-star hotels or boutique B&Bs: Often include breakfast, and are centrally located near beaches or old towns.
- Charming apartments: A good blend of comfort, Greek hospitality, and walkability.
Upscale & Luxury
- Villas with sea views: Ideal for couples or families who want privacy and sunset magic.
- Luxury resorts in Santorini, Rhodes, or Crete: Pools, spas, fine dining — and price tags to match.
Tip: Prices vary by island and season. Book early for the best deals — especially in July and August!
Accommodation Tax (April–October)
Starting January 1st, 2025, Greece is introducing a new “Resilience Fee”. It’s replacing the old Stayover Tax and applies to all kinds of tourist stays — from hotels and Airbnbs to guesthouses, villas, and furnished apartments.
This fee is charged per night and is usually settled at check-in or check-out. You need to add this to your budget as well.
- ★–★★ Hotels: €2/night
- ★★★ Hotels: €5/night
- ★★★★ Hotels: €10/night
- ★★★★★ Hotels: €15/night
- Furnished rooms/apartments: €2/night
- Airbnb & short-term rentals: €8/night
- Homes/villas over 80m²: €15/night
- Homes under 80m²: €8/night
Local Transportation Budget in Greece
Local transportation can really impact the average daily budget on the Greek Islands. Here’s a detailed breakdown of local transportation costs in Greece, especially relevant for island-hopping and daily exploration.
Walking & Beach Town Life (Free!)
Many Greek island villages are small, walkable, and designed for wandering. If you’re staying near the beach or a port town, you might spend nothing at all on transport some days.
Public Buses (KTEL)
- Price: €1.80–€5.00 per ride (depending on island and distance).
- Buses are reliable but as they are still quite cheap, they can get crowded very easily.
- Good option for airport/port transfers and reaching nearby beaches or towns.
👉 Tip: Buy a round-trip ticket in advance at the bus stations to save time.
Taxis
- Start fare: ~€4 (applicable in cities, towns)
- Average 10-min ride: €10–€15
- Some islands like Santorini and Mykonos have limited taxis — expect longer waits and (much) higher rates in peak season.
👉 Tip: Always ask for an estimate or meter before hopping in.
Scooter & ATV Rentals
- Scooters: €20–€35 per day
- ATVs: €30–€50 per day
- Ideal for places like Naxos or Milos, where you want beach access or dramatic viewpoints
👉 License required. Helmets aren’t optional — even if locals ride without them.
Scooters and ATVs can be risky, especially on narrow countryside roads with sharp turns and loose gravel. If you’re not experienced, stick to slower routes or opt for a car instead.
Car Rentals
- Small car: €35–€70/day in high season
- Fuel: ~€1.7 – 1.9/liter (yes, gas is expensive here!)
- Parking is free in many areas but tight in tourist zones.
👉 Best for Crete, Rhodes, or larger islands where towns and sites are spread out. I normally use my own car, but sometimes the ferry costs are so high that I rent a local car for a day or two.
Ferries
- Small routes (e.g., Naxos to Paros): €15–€35
- Longer ferries (e.g., Athens to islands ): €40–€90
👉 Tip: Use sites like FerryHopper or FerryScanner to compare prices and book online.
Archaeological Site Ticket Prices (What to Expect)
Greece is full of amazing ruins — and yeah, most of them come with an entry fee. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll pay to explore some of the most famous sites around the islands.
Site | Location | Ticket Price |
---|---|---|
Delos | Near Mykonos | €20 |
Knossos Palace | Crete | €20 |
Faistos (Phaistos) | Crete | €15 |
Akrotiri | Santorini | €20 |
Temple of Demeter | Naxos | €5 |
Tips:
- Students & EU citizens under 25 often get free or reduced entry
- Tickets are usually valid for a full day
- In summer, go early or late to avoid the heat and crowds
- Book your tickets in advance if you are traveling in high season.
Island Pricing: What You’ll Pay Depends on Where You Go
Island costs can vary a lot. Here’s a quick overview from recent traveler experiences:
- Santorini, Mykonos, Paros: High-end, scenic but expensive. Expect premium prices even for simple meals. (€€€€)
- Naxos, Milos: Mid-range islands, still popular but with more affordable local options. (€€€)
- Andros & Donoussa: Less touristy = more budget-friendly. Great for DIY eaters. (€€)
- Skopelos: Charming and green, with a balanced cost of living. Bakery breakfasts and tavernas are very affordable here. (€€)
- Rhodes: Popular with families and tour groups. Prices range from cheap eats in the Old Town to high-end resort dining. (€€–€€€)
- Crete: Greece’s biggest island means big variety—cheap street food in Heraklion, luxe dining in Elounda, and everything in between. (€–€€€)
Local tip: The farther you go from the port or tourist hotspots, the more the prices drop, especially on Crete and Rhodes.
Extra Saving Tips (for All Types of Travelers)
- Book accommodation with breakfast included
- Eat big at lunch, when menus are cheaper
- Cook simple meals if you’ve got a kitchenette
- Buy wine at the supermarket—it’s delicious and cheap
- Cocktails at bars are fun, but sipping local wine or ouzo on your balcony can be just as magical (and cheaper).
Final Word: Make It Work for You
There’s no single “average daily budget” for the Greek Islands, because there’s no average traveler. The real win? Deciding what you’re comfortable spending, and building your trip around that.
Whether you’re sipping a €3 espresso on a quiet Amorgos beach or going all out with sunset cocktails on Santorini, the Greek islands can meet your vibe and your budget.
So, how much are you thinking of spending per day? Once you know that, you’ll find plenty of options to make it work.
Kalo taxidi! (That’s “Have a good trip!” in Greek 😄)
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Essential Travel Resources for Greece
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Ya sou” and “Efharisto”
- Booking.com: I use Booking.com mostly for Europe.
- All-Inclusive Resorts in Greece
- FerryScanner to book ferries to the Greek Islands
- Rent an Affordable Car in Greece
- Athens Metro Website (timetables and ticket info)
- Trains (Hellenic Train)
- Public Buses KTEL
- Get Your Guide: For all your day or multi-day tours and city guide needs, I use Get Your Guide
- Emergency Numbers Anywhere in Greece: AMBULANCE 166 – FIRE 199 – POLICE 100– EMERGENCY NUMBER 112