How you can travel Greece on a budget
This is the second time I've spent a summer in Greece, I decided to go back because, Greece stole my heart at first sight 😍 This time around I had a pretty good idea of how to get around and what places I wanted to see; some new and some for the second time. Greece doesn't have to be an expensive travel destination, especially if you do it the way I did, here in how..
Don't book a room in advance
Take risks when it comes to booking accommodation on the small islands (Santorini, Milos, Mykonos, Paros and Ios). It’s a bold move but worth the effort if you are trying to save money. Searching the streets for rooms to rent is the cheapest way to book a place while in Greece. Rooms for rent are literally everywhere. Almost every building is a house with rooms for rent, just be prepared to search a little harder in the busier islands like Mykonos. Have faith that you will always find something.
Note: This isn’t for everyone and if you are the kind of person that likes to plan every detail of your trip in advance, skip this tip.
Shop around when booking excursions
Most of my sightseeing trips I did without a guide and for a fraction of the price by taking the public bus on my own to each destination or by renting a car and splitting the cost with a friend.
Balos, Crete
Travel with a friend or someone you meet
It can break down costs substantially when you start dividing everything by two. Travelling in odd numbers will limit accommodation options because majority of the bargains on rooms are best suited for two.
Oia, Santorini
Stay close to the supermarket
Book a place in the center of town to ensure your commutes are minimal to all the key locations. If supermarkets are within walking distance, buying snacks for the road is going to save you at least 20€ a day. If you're unsure where the town centre is, always look at a map online before booking your accommodation.
PRO TIP: Carry one to-go container
This is ABSOLUTELY necessary for packing meals and food to go. The lid of the container can also be used as a cutting board for prepping vegetables, fruits and cheese. A good quality container and knife goes a long way especially when you might not find accommodation with a kitchen.
Find the food specials & eat local
Talk to the locals and ask where their favourite spots are (usually that's where it's reasonably priced too) If you are keen on Greek gyros (pita wraps) and kebabs you can find shops with options for 3-5€ per meal. Wine is super cheap, just keep in mind if you’re paying more than 4€ for a glass it’s overpriced.
Talk to the locals and ask where their favourite spots are (usually that's where it's reasonably priced too) If you are keen on Greek gyros (pita wraps) and kebabs you can find shops with options for 3-5€ per meal. Wine is super cheap, just keep in mind if you’re paying more than 4€ for a glass it’s overpriced.
Mikrolimano Chania, Crete.
Talk to the locals and ask where their favourite spots are (usually that's where it's reasonably priced too) If you are keen on Greek gyros (pita wraps) and kebabs you can find shops with options for 3-5€ per meal. Wine is super cheap, just keep in mind if you’re paying more than 4€ for a glass it’s overpriced.
Take the public transit
On the islands the buses are very efficient, they will get you to your destination almost as fast as a car. I’ve never paid more than 2€ for a ride if the travel time was less than 30 minutes. Rides for 1.5-2 hours each way costs around 10-20€ round trip.
Rent a car, scooter or quad
If you have a little more money to spend renting a scooter for 30-50€ a day is the next best option to taking the bus, the luxury of having your own vehicle to make pit stops where ever you see a place worth admiring.
Avoid Taxi's
Especially in islands like Santorini or Mykonos it's a fixed price to places and quite a rip off. We payed 20€ to get from the airport to Fira which is only an 10 minute commute.
Take the ferry route island hopping
The inter-island ferries leave daily and are comfortable and the cheapest route to get from island to island unless you can find a cheaper flight but, it's highly unlikely during peek season keep your eyes peeled on Skyscanner.
Blue Star Ferries is a company operating all the ferries comuting from island to island. You can easily locate a office or travel agency to buy tickets for your next destination.
Tip: It's better to book your ticket as soon as possible, because tickets potentially sell out 1-2 days before departure.
Kastro's, Mykonos