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Travel To Greece Cheap – How To Travel In Greece On A Budget

Contrary to popular belief, Greece is not an overly pricey destination, and you can travel to Greece cheaply. Suppose you keep away from some selected, exclusive islands, such as Mykonos or specific areas in Santorini. In that case, enjoying a stunning holiday while traveling to Greece on a budget is still very much possible.

You don’t need to break the bank to travel to Greece; otherwise, it wouldn’t be as popular as it is. You need to pay attention to some of these tips, and you will be fine.

Tips To Save Some Money When Traveling To Greece

Here are my best tips (as a local) for helping you save money in Greece. 

Save Early By Booking In Advance

Saving money for a holiday in Greece should start early in your holiday planning. Once you have a clear picture of which islands you wish to visit, when, and how long to stay, booking your property in advance will be essential when trying to cut costs.

Saving from the beginning also applies to transportation travel expenses, both for the plane and ferry tickets and also for car rental.

Booking your airfare several months in advance is always a great way to save money, no matter the destination. Start looking up to a year ahead of time – these prices will likely be on the high end. As your travel date gets closer, you’ll notice price drops, and you will quickly know a good fare deal when you see it. 

If you need to cut costs, you may find it cheaper to fly to a different European destination and then take a cheap flight or train from there to Greece. Often RyanAir and EasyJet are budget airlines that you can use to connect to Greece from most European countries.

Renting a car in Greece is still relatively cheap, especially if you book your vehicle through a local car rental company. Car leasing  in Greece is budget-friendly, even in high season. Renting your vehicle way ahead of time can be even cheaper than traveling with public transport, especially if you intend to explore bigger islands such as Rhodes, Corfu, or Crete. Avoid international car rental companies whenever possible. 

Visit During The Off Season

Avoiding the peak seasons of July and August will also help you cut costs and crowds! July and August coincide with the European school summer holidays, so these months are hectic and more expensive!

Instead, plan to travel during the shoulder months – April to early June and September to October. 

Greece is in the Mediterranean. That means you will undoubtedly get excellent beach weather during less traditional months. September and October are great times to plan a beach holiday, as the sea is still warm from the summer heat. While the temperatures are pleasant during May and June, the sea will not have warmed fully from the winter yet. 

Speaking of winter, it is also becoming a popular time to visit Greece!  Archaeological sites and museums have reduced entrance fees from November to March, making it a budget-friendly time to visit if you plan to focus on exploring Greek history. 

Choose Less Visited Islands (Skip Mykonos & Santorini)

It’s relatively easy to be tempted to visit the most popular Greek Islands. How can you resist the breathtaking views from the Santorini Caldera or the unique perspective of Mykonos’ windmills?

Well, you can actually soak in superb Greek panoramas without spending a fortune – in fact, Greece has over 200 inhabited islands to choose from, and choosing a less popular island will cut your total cost by 30% right off the bat!

There are many more islands in the Cycladic cluster besides Mykonos and Santorini. Almost any other Cycladic Island will guarantee the same blue-domed churches, the whitewashed cubic houses, and the gardens and paths adorned with pink bougainvillea, while the price tag won’t be as high. 

Choose less-visited islands, such as Sifnos, Serifos, Anafi, or even Paros, to get the authentic Greek island vibe at more affordable prices. You will undoubtedly discover unspoiled beaches and much, much more.

Another great idea to cut out spending the big bucks is to explore Greece’s mainland. Although the Greek Islands might sound like a paradise, you can enjoy many other places on the mainland, including beaches, ruins, and much more!

Tip: Select islands close together to minimize ferry ticket costs when planning a Greek island hopping route. 

Catch The Ferry To The Islands

Air travel is undoubtedly the fastest way to reach the islands from the capital. If you want to save time, always look into flight offers first.

However, ferries have an advantage for budget travelers: their price. 

A ferry ticket is much cheaper than a plane ticket, but you will spend more time traveling. For instance, it can take you about an hour to fly to Chania, in Crete, from Athens, but you will need to sail all night long to get there by the early morning by ferry.

That being said, ferry travel is ideal on a budget.

TIP: Ferryhopper is an excellent tool for pre-booking ferry rides and comparing route options, or check out our complete guide to traveling between the islands. 

Move Around Greece On A Budget

As mentioned, traveling to the islands is cheapest by ferry, but how should you travel once you are on the island or if you choose to stay on the mainland?

Traveling In Greek Cities

Public transport is cheap and easy. You can hop on the metro in Athens for as little as 1.4 euros. 

Most cities are also set up so you can easily walk, including central Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, and Kalamata. If you are visiting these locations, you may be able to see everything without spending on transport at all.

If you need to take a taxi, use the app iMove to schedule a car transport.

Traveling Off The Beaten Path

If you are hoping to travel off the beaten path a bit in Greece, the best option is to rent a car, especially if there are multiple people in your travel group. Sharing car rental costs will be more effective than paying for taxis or buying bus tickets if you’re traveling with friends.

Remember that toll road are found throughout the country, and taking a car on a ferry is costly, so you may want to rent a car for short periods when you really need it. 

Check Flights Within Greece

You may be surprised to find that some flights within Greece are cheaper than long-distance bus or train travel, so it’s always worth checking prices. A short flight could cost $35 and save loads of time.

Save With Cheap Accommodation

There are so many options for accommodation that it won’t be challenging to find the perfect place to stay. No matter your budget, it’s always possible to rent a flat or a house on Airbnb for a short term or longer to save on hotel fees.

You can also opt to stay in a family-run hotel instead of a large, international structure. Other cheap accommodations include hostels (common in bigger cities & popular islands) and campgrounds (which often have tents for rent).

Prices tend to be lower the sooner you start looking, so don’t leave this step until the last minute. Cheap and easy places book really fast!

TIP: Book accommodations that include breakfast or have cooking amenities to save on food budget.

Look For Free & Discounted Tours And Activities

Museums, Archaeological Sites & Art Galleries

Generally speaking, activities and attractions such as archaeological sites and museums are not insanely expensive. It’s common to find package deals that allow you to visit several places within the same week to save money. 

You can even access some of these sites for free on some occasions or special days of the year. 

Discounts also apply to children, students, senior citizens, journalists, and more, so it’s always a good idea to contact the museum or site you want to visit in advance to check what identification you need to carry with you and present at the ticket office for you to enjoy a discount.

In big cities, such as Athens, city passes are available to make your life easier by allowing you to save a few euros as you go.

Keep in mind that free days are busy, so arrive early and expect crowds.

Free Walking Tours

In large cities like Mykonos or Athens, joining a free walking tour is a fun way to orient yourself with the city and learn some of its history. 

Even though it’s free, don’t forget to tip your guide!

Beach Days

Swimming in the Mediterranean is free, so plan lots of beach days! Equipment rentals for activities such as water sports are also easy to do on location and are sensibly priced.

Picnics & Sunsets

One of the best ways to enjoy Greece on a budget is to pack up a picnic, your camera, and a bottle of wine, then head to the coast, a national park, or some other natural space where you can catch a sunset and enjoy nature while you eat fresh food.

Track Down Cheap Eats

When it comes to the capital, Athens, or even bigger cities such as Thessaloniki, Larisa, or Heraklion, you will be able to find endless food choices, not just Greek, if you were wondering, at relatively low fees.

Street food is usually delicious, and the prices are even more affordable.

Local markets are also great places to pick up inexpensive produce, cheese, and bread for easy picnic meals and snacks on the go.

When traveling around the islands, choose the same places locals go for lunch or dinner. Traditional, family-run tavernas are more convenient than fancy restaurants with views, music, or shows. Portions are generally massive in more modest restaurants, so sharing meals with your travel mates won’t be hard to cut even more expenses.

Those who love to pair their meals with a glass of wine will be happy to know that wine in Greece is generally not expensive and even more delighted to discover that quality is top-notch. Not all Greek wine is retsina! On the contrary, more and more local wineries are producing unique labels that are getting recognition worldwide, so take advantage of the trip and taste some stunning Greek wine!

Those who are not keen on alcohol will find that bottled water is cheap. Soft drinks are more expensive than freshly squeezed orange juice, so if the fruit is your thing, you won’t be disappointed at the taste of Greek oranges. On the contrary, you will love the fragrance, the taste, and the freshness!

Enjoy The Coffee Culture

Make sure you take advantage of the local customs, including the opportunity to spend hours over a coffee while you chat, read a book, or take in the stunning local views. Spending just a few bucks to enjoy a whole afternoon is well spent!

Making intelligent decisions about where to go, when to go, and how much in advance to book can make all the difference when traveling to Greece on a budget, letting you enjoy a top-class holiday at a very reasonable price.

Bookmark this guide and remember all these traveling to Greece on budget tips for your next trip to Greece!