Is Greece expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Greece is mid-priced by European standards: cheaper than France or Italy for food and on the mainland, but Santorini and Mykonos in summer cost as much as the Riviera. A mid-range trip averages about €180 per person per day; ferries, island hotels and the main archaeological tickets are where the money goes.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €35 | €75 | €200 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €90 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €30 | €60 |
| Local transport | €15 | €30 | €70 |
| Per person, per day | €90 | €180 | €420 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Greece day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Freddo espresso | about €2.50–4 |
| Souvlaki pitta | about €4 |
| Greek salad in a taverna | about €9–12 |
| Half-litre of house wine | about €6–10 |
| Athens metro ticket (90 minutes) | about €1.20 |
| Acropolis ticket | €30 |
| Delphi site and museum | about €20 |
| Ferry Piraeus–Naxos (economy) | roughly €40–60 |
| Mid-range double room, Plaka (Athens) | about €110–180 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the largest cost, and it varies enormously: family-run rooms in Kalambaka or Athens' Koukaki cost €60–100, while caldera-view rooms in Oia or Imerovigli run several hundred euros a night in summer, and a per-room climate resilience fee is added every night. Ferries are the second big item, especially fast boats in high season. Major sites such as the Acropolis (€30) and Delphi (about €20) add up, while monasteries at Meteora are only a few euros each. Taverna food, bakeries and souvlaki keep eating costs moderate.
When it is cheaper
May, early June, late September and October are often 20–40% cheaper than July–August on the islands, with the sea still warm. In winter many island hotels close, but Athens, Thessaloniki and the mainland are cheapest then.
How to spend less
- Book the Acropolis for the 8:00 slot on hhticket.gr and check the free-entry days (such as the first Sunday of the month from November to March).
- Take conventional ferries rather than high-speed boats; they are slower but much cheaper.
- Choose Naxos, Paros or Milos instead of Santorini or Mykonos for lower island prices.
- Eat in tavernas away from the main square or harbour front, where prices are lower.
- Use KTEL buses between towns and to beaches (island buses about €2–3).
- Ask for house wine (hima) by the kilo or half kilo instead of bottled wine.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Greece cost?
About €90 per person on a budget, €180 mid-range and €420 for comfort, sharing a double and including buses and ferries. Santorini costs about twice the mainland.
Is Greece cheaper than Italy?
Generally yes, especially for food and mainland hotels. Santorini and Mykonos in summer are exceptions.
How much is the Acropolis ticket?
€30, booked on hhticket.gr. There are free-entry days, such as the first Sunday of the month from November to March.