Language 
Is Greece expensive to visit? 2026 Costs & budget breakdown
A trip to Greece can cost anywhere from $1,200 to $4,000, depending on the type of traveler. Learn how to prepare your budget for a 2026 trip.
Wondering if Greece is expensive to visit? Good news: it’s actually one of the cheapest European destinations to visit. A 1-week budget for 1 person starts at around $1,200 for budget travelers and over $4,000 for luxury travelers who opt for premium flights.
However, the budget will depend on several factors, such as the season, activities, and where you’re traveling from. And if you’re going to islands like Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini, this budget can easily increase.
So, follow along as we cover everything you need to know about how expensive it is to visit Greece in 2026 and help you prepare a travel budget, including using a Holafly eSIM to stay connected during your trip.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
Is Greece expensive to visit?
Greece remains one of the most affordable European countries to visit, with spending starting at $55 for budget travelers, $100 for mid-range travelers, and over $300 for luxury travelers, excluding flights.
Compared to other Mediterranean destinations like Amalfi and Nice, Greece is cheaper and offers prices similar to those in Valletta and Lastovo.
How much does a trip to Greece cost?
A 1-week trip to Greece for one person can cost anywhere from $1,200 to over $4,000, depending on what type of traveler you are, when you’re traveling to Greece, and your departure country.
However, trip costs can easily increase if planning to visit nearby islands, as these are usually more expensive than Athens or Thessaloniki, especially due to additional ferry costs and increased visitor numbers.
It’s also important to consider flight dates, but a standard budget for 1 person for 1 week should look like this:
| Type of travelers | Budget |
| Budget | $1,200 to $2,000 |
| Mid-range | $2,500 to $3,500 |
| Luxury | Over $4,000 |
Factors that impact your Greece trip cost
When planning your trip to Greece, things like flights and accommodation can easily take up most of your budget, but these aren’t the only factors to consider for that dreamed Mediterranean vacation.
Food, drinks, transportation, and activities can easily add up to your budget, especially if you plan to visit the famous blue rooftops in Santorini, so let’s break these down.
Flight prices to Greece
Flight prices to Greece depend heavily on where you’re departing from, but flights from the US are still pretty affordable to Athens and Thessaloniki.
However, a round-trip to Samos or Lemnos can easily cost up to 3 times the standard price, so keep that in mind.
Here’s a quick breakdown of flight prices to Greece by season and departing destination:
| Departing destination | Peak season | Off season | Flight time |
|---|---|---|---|
| US – West Coast | $980 to $1,200 | $630 to $830 | 9 to 12 hours |
| US – East Coast | $950 to $1,300 | $820 to $1,030 | 10 to 12 hours |
| UK | $295 to $350 | $250 to $290 | 6 to 7 hours |
| Australia | $1,730 to $1,850 | $1,500 to $1,650 | 30 hours, usually with 2 stops |
Accommodation costs in Greece
Accommodation costs vary widely depending on your budget, but luckily, there’s room for everyone in Greece.
Here are some options to consider in Athens:
- Airbnb, hostels, and cheap hotels: Airbnb shared rooms start at roughly $28 per night, with full apartments costing $40 to $45 per night. Cheap hotels like Zeus Hostels and ROY Hotel have similar prices.
- 3- and 4-star hotels: Hotels like B48 Athens Dafni, a 4-star hotel, cost $61 per night, while Hypnos Inn and Athens Odeon cost $101 per night, with free breakfast included.
- 5-star hotels and resorts: Hotels with panoramic Athens view, like Novotel Athens, start at $177 per night, with 5-star hotels like the Wyndham Grand starting at $235 and resorts like 91 Athens Riviera costing over $920 per night.
These are the prices for Athens; what about the best islands in Greece, Mykonos and Santorini?
- Santorini: Prices start at around $60 per night in guest houses, wth 3-star hotels like Paradise Resort starting at $95 per night, with 5-star hotels easily costing over $420 per night, like the Volcano View Hotel.
- Mykonos: Hotel prices start at $80 per night, with 3-star hotels costing up to $195 per night in places like Maki Place and over $510 for an all-inclusive resort like the Anax Resort.
Food and dining costs
Greek food is among the most delicious in the Mediterranean, relying heavily on vegetables and rich in olive oil, with lamb and seafood featured in most dishes.
But the good news is that, while it sounds expensive, food is pretty affordable in Greece, especially street food.
Things change if you think about fine dining, but that applies to most destinations, so let’s break down prices:
- Street food: Souvlaki and gyros range from $5 to $10, and can easily work for a quick lunch or dinner.
- Drinking: Local beers range from $4 to $6, with imported beers costing around $10. Cocktails can easily cost over $10, and these prices can increase 20% to 30% on high-end bars.
- Fine dining: Restaurants like Jenny’s Rooftop, Tudor Hall, and Okio will easily set you back at $60 to $100 per person for a full meal in Athens, while high-end restaurants on islands can cost double the price.
- Coffee: Expect mostly espresso-based drinks, priced from $2 to $5 on most sites.
Transportation costs
Getting around Greece depends on where you plan to stay, but there are still plenty of transportation options.
Transportation in Greece includes buses, ferries, trains, and the metro, and here’s a quick cost breakdown for each:
- Ferries: Several companies, such as Blue Star, SeaJets, and Minoan Lines, offer services priced from $25 to $100 per person per ride and are helpful for island hopping.
- Buses and metro: Travelers can use the same ticketing service for both, with a 90-minute ticket costing around $2.
- Trains: Ideal for intercity travel, Hellenic Train is a great option that offers first- and second-class tickets, with prices ranging from $30 to $50 for second class and over $80 for first class.
- Uber and taxis: Widely available in Greece, with taxis costing around $1.20/km and Ubers costing around $4 for short trips. These services have a double tariff for night rides.
Activities and attractions costs
For many, visiting Greece might sound like going to the beach, riding a ferry to nearby beaches, or simply enjoying local food, but there’s more.
From day trips from Athens to private tours, here are some activities and attraction costs to consider:
- Full-day tours: In Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, these cost around $100 to $150 per person and cover most major tourist attractions, such as the Parthenon, the Acropolis, and historical sites.
- Catamaran rides: Cost around $200 to $300 per person and may vary depending on group size; ideal for exclusive rides around the most famous islands.
- Private yachts: Ideal for exclusive visits to nearby islands like Corfu and Santorini, with prices costing around $450 per group.
- Private tours: Available in most major cities for those looking for a private experience, with prices ranging from $150 to $250 per person.
- Quad tours: Mostly available in Santorini and Mykonos, ranging from $60 to $80 with guidance included.
Peak season vs. shoulder season in Greece
Peak season in Greece starts in May, when it gets hotter, and crowds begin arriving, looking to spend their days at the crystal-clear Mediterranean beaches.
Shoulder season goes from September to November and late-April, with fewer crowds and colder weather, but it’s still worth visiting to take day trips, explore Meteora, or even hike without worrying about the extreme summer heat.
Price-wise, shoulder season is roughly 30% cheaper compared to peak season, so it’s worth considering a trip during these dates.
Essential money-saving tips for Greece
Still thinking about how to save some money when visiting Greece? Here are some money-saving tips for your trip.
- Book in advance: Book everything you can. Flights, accommodation, and even restaurants, if possible, so you can save some money compared to last-minute bookings.
- Avoid roaming: Using roaming in Greece can easily cost over $10 per day for US travelers, so it’s better to rely on an eSIM to help you reduce overall costs during your trip.
- Visit free attractions: Places like the National Gardens, Mars Hill, and Plaka are great for tourists, and you can check local museum schedules for free entry times.
- Don’t eat at tourist sites: Everything there is more expensive than elsewhere. Look where locals eat, your pocket will thank you.
Staying connected in Greece
One last thing to add to your travel guide for Greece is connectivity. Instead of paying too much for roaming or other services, like a pocket WiFi, get an eSIM for Greece.
With the eSIM for Greece from Holafly, you get unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, 1 GB of hotspot data per day, 5G data speeds, and plans start at $3.90 for 1 day.
Going to other countries aside from Greece? Holafly Plans is your solution, then. With coverage in over 170 destinations and unlimited data plans, you’ll stay connected wherever you go.
What’s more, Holafly always has your back with Always On; a perk included with every Holafly eSIM that provides 1 GB of monthly backup data at no extra cost. Just keep your eSIM installed to enjoy instant internet access for emergencies, like calling an Uber or booking a last-minute flight.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
FAQs
For a 10-day trip to Greece, budget travelers need around $2,500, mid-range travelers need around $4,000 to $4,500, and for luxury travelers, over $5,000
Greece is cheaper than Italy, except for the islands. However, overall prices are 15% to 20% lower compared to Italy.
The cheapest months to visit Greece are January and February, with lower prices and crowds, but many hotels and resorts are closed due to winter.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
