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Santorini on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Santorini is not a budget island, but a careful trip is possible if you stay away from the caldera and travel in the shoulder season. Allow at least about €100 a day per person sharing a room (about €50 bed, €30 food, €15 sights, €6 buses), more in July and August.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €50 | €120 | €350 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €60 | €130 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €60 | €120 |
| Local transport | €6 | €20 | €60 |
| Per person, per day | €101 | €260 | €660 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Santorini day-cost table.
Free things to do
- The caldera cliff path from Fira through Firostefani and Imerovigli to Oia
- Sunset from Imerovigli or the walk out to Skaros Rock, instead of the crowded castle in Oia
- The hill village of Pyrgos and its Venetian castle lanes
- Megalochori and Emporio, with whitewashed lanes and old houses
- The black-sand beaches of Kamari and Perissa (free public sections between sunbed areas)
- Swimming off the rocks at Ammoudi bay below Oia
Cheap eats
- Pita gyros or kalamaki in Fira, Kamari or Perissa: €4.50–6
- Melitinia and cheese pies from a bakery: about €1.50–2.50 a piece
- Santorini fava in a village taverna: €8–12
- Tomatokeftedes (tomato fritters): €7–11 a portion
- Assyrtiko by the glass in a village taverna instead of a bottle: about €7
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in Perissa, Kamari, Karterados or inland near Fira. Hostel dorm beds cost roughly €30–60 in summer, and simple double rooms away from the caldera from around €80–150 in July and August, much less in April, May and October. Book early: the cheapest rooms go months ahead.
Getting around cheaply
The KTEL bus network from Fira's bus station reaches Oia, Kamari, Perissa, Akrotiri, the port and the airport for €2–3 a ride. Buses meet many ferries at Athinios port. From the airport, the bus to Fira costs a few euros; a taxi is roughly €25–35 and must usually be booked ahead in summer.
A sample budget day
- Morning: bakery breakfast and freddo (about €6), walk the caldera path from Fira to Imerovigli (free)
- Lunch: pita gyros in Fira (about €5–6) and supermarket water (€1)
- Afternoon: bus to Perissa (€2–3) and a swim from the free part of the beach
- Evening: bus to Pyrgos for sunset (free), fava and tomatokeftedes with a glass of wine in a village taverna (about €25)
- Total: about €45–50 plus your bed (a dorm or shared budget room brings it to about €100)
More ways to save
- Travel in late April, May or October, when rooms can cost half the August price.
- Take the ferry rather than flying if you are coming from Athens and can book early; conventional ferries are cheaper than high-speed boats.
- Self-cater breakfast and lunch from supermarkets in Fira, Kamari or Perissa.
- Use the bus timetable from Fira and plan day trips around it rather than renting a car every day.
- Pick one paid boat trip and one winery instead of several tours.
- Eat dinner after the sunset rush at village tavernas in Pyrgos, Megalochori or Exo Gonia.
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Common questions
Can you visit Santorini on a budget?
Yes, with care: stay in Perissa or Kamari, use the €2–3 KTEL buses, eat pitas and village tavernas, and watch the sunset from a free spot. Allow at least about €100 a day per person.
Where is the cheapest place to stay in Santorini?
Perissa and Kamari on the east coast, Karterados near Fira, and inland villages. Hostel dorm beds in summer are roughly €30–60.
Do I need a car in Santorini?
No. The KTEL bus from Fira reaches Oia, the beaches, Akrotiri, the port and the airport. A car for one day helps for wineries and Pyrgos, but roads are narrow and parking is hard in summer.