Is Chios expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Chios is good value for a Greek island: a budget day is about €65 per person and a mid-range day about €130, including a share of a rental car. It is cheaper than the Cyclades because it lives from shipping, mastic and its own town rather than mass tourism, and most visitors in summer are Greek.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €25 | €55 | €120 |
| Food & drink | €20 | €35 | €65 |
| Sights & tickets | €5 | €15 | €30 |
| Local transport | €15 | €25 | €45 |
| Per person, per day | €65 | €130 | €260 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Chios day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Rental car per day, summer | about €30–50 |
| Freddo espresso in Chios town | about €3–4 |
| Taverna meal with wine, per person | about €15–25 |
| Archaeological Museum ticket | about €4 |
| Nea Moni or Chios Mastic Museum entry | a few euros |
| Mastic ice cream or loukoumi | a few euros |
| Room in Chios town, double | about €40–70 |
| Kampos mansion guesthouse, double | about €90–170 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Rooms are reasonable: about €40–70 a double in Chios town, €70–130 at Karfas and €90–170 in the Kampos mansions. The main extra is transport, because the island is about 50 km long and the villages are spread out, so a car (about €30–50 a day plus fuel) is the usual choice. Food is good value in local tavernas, and sights mostly cost a few euros. Ferries from Piraeus and fish priced by weight are the other costs to watch.
When it is cheaper
May, early June and late September to October are usually cheaper than July–August, often by roughly 20–30% for rooms and cars. Chios town stays open in winter, though many beach hotels close.
How to spend less
- Share a small rental car and plan one area per day to save fuel.
- Stay in Chios town, where rooms are cheapest and the green and blue KTEL buses start.
- Ask the price per kilo before ordering fish in the southern harbours.
- Buy mastic products in the villages or the Aplotaria market lane, comparing prices.
- Eat at ouzeris and tavernas in town away from the seafront for lower prices.
- Book ferries and the car early for July–August, when Greek visitors fill the island.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
Is Chios expensive?
No, it is good value for a Greek island: about €65 a day on a budget and about €130 mid-range, including a car share.
How much is a car rental on Chios?
About €30–50 a day in summer, plus fuel.
How much does a meal cost on Chios?
A taverna meal with wine is about €15–25 per person; fish is priced by weight.