Paxos on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Paxos is possible on a budget but not cheap. Plan on about €85 per person per day (bed €40, food €25, sights €10, transport €10), staying in rooms above Gaios, using the bus and eating one taverna meal a day.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €40 | €80 | €180 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €90 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €25 | €45 |
| Local transport | €10 | €25 | €50 |
| Per person, per day | €85 | €175 | €365 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Paxos day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk the Gaios waterfront along the channel facing Agios Nikolaos islet
- Swim from the rocks south of Gaios
- Swim at Levrechio or Marmari near Loggos
- Walk out to the lighthouse on the headland at Lakka (about 30–40 minutes return)
- Walk the olive-grove paths inland from Magazia, past dry-stone walls and old olive presses
- Watch the sunset from the Erimitis cliffs on the west coast
Cheap eats
- Picnic of bread, local olive oil, cheese and tomatoes from a village shop: well under €10
- Bakery pies in Gaios: a few euros
- Gyros or souvlaki pita where available: a few euros
- Shared mezedes and house wine in a taverna: about €15–20 per person
- Taverna dinner with wine: about €20–35 per person
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in rooms to let above Gaios, at about €60–100 a night for a double in summer, cheaper in late May, June and September. There are few or no hostels; book early for July and August, and well ahead for 15 August.
Getting around cheaply
Paxos has no airport. Fly to Corfu and take the fast boat to Gaios (about 1–1.5 hours), or a ferry from Igoumenitsa (about 1.5–2 hours). On the island, the bus links Gaios, Magazia, Loggos and Lakka a few times a day; a shared scooter (about €25–35 a day) is the cheap way to reach the west-coast cliffs.
A sample budget day
- Morning: bus to Loggos and swim at Levrechio (bus a few euros)
- Lunch: picnic from a village shop (about €8)
- Afternoon: continue to Lakka, walk to the lighthouse and swim (free)
- Evening: taverna dinner on Lakka harbour, then bus or shared taxi back (about €25–35)
- Total: about €40–45 plus your bed (€40), so roughly €85
More ways to save
- Travel in late May, June or September for lower prices and easier ferries.
- Choose one harbour village as a base and use the bus and your feet.
- Shop at village supermarkets for breakfast and lunch.
- Order house wine by the carafe instead of bottles.
- Split a taxi for evening returns, and book it early.
- Choose a round-island boat trip over a private boat if you are travelling alone or as a couple.
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Common questions
Can you visit Paxos on a budget?
Yes, with care: rooms above Gaios, the bus, picnics and one taverna meal a day keep it to about €85.
Is Paxos worth a day trip from Corfu?
It is possible, but you see very little; three or four nights let you swim before the day boats arrive.
Do I need a car on Paxos?
No. The bus, boats and taxis cover most needs; a scooter helps for the west-coast cliffs.