Is Ikaria expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
No, Ikaria is one of the better-value Greek islands, cheaper than the Cyclades favourites and similar to other North Aegean islands. A realistic budget day is about €65 per person, mid-range about €115, and the main costs are getting there, your room and a rental car.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €25 | €45 | €110 |
| Food & drink | €20 | €35 | €65 |
| Sights & tickets | €5 | €10 | €20 |
| Local transport | €15 | €25 | €40 |
| Per person, per day | €65 | €115 | €235 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Ikaria day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Mountain tea or Greek coffee in a kafeneio | about €2–3 |
| Bakery pie | about €3 |
| Soufiko in a taverna | about €8–11 |
| Taverna dinner with house wine | about €15–25 per person |
| Panigyri meal | usually about €8–20 a plate, wine cheap by the jug |
| Ferry Piraeus–Ikaria, deck | about €40–50 one way |
| Rental car, summer | about €35–60 a day |
| Double room in Armenistis, summer | about €70–130 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
The biggest single costs are getting there (an 8–10 hour ferry from Piraeus or a short flight from Athens) and a rental car, which is almost essential because buses are few and the villages, beaches and two coasts are linked by long mountain roads. Rooms are moderate, from €45–75 in Evdilos to €70–130 in Armenistis in summer, with villas above Armenistis and Nas costing more. Food is good value: family tavernas, house wine by the carafe and panigyri plates keep meals cheap, though fish by the kilo (often €45–80/kg) can raise a bill. Greece also adds a per-room, per-night climate resilience fee, higher from April to October.
When it is cheaper
June and September are usually cheaper and easier for rooms and cars than late July and August; May and October are cheaper still, but some tavernas and rooms in Armenistis are closed.
How to spend less
- Stay in Evdilos (about €45–75 a night) rather than Armenistis for lower prices and a ferry port on the doorstep.
- Book the rental car early for August, when cars run out and prices rise.
- Eat at a panigyri: a full meal at a shared table usually costs about €15–20 with wine.
- Order house wine by the carafe instead of bottles.
- Ask to see fish weighed and confirm the total before it is cooked.
- Buy honey and mountain herbs in village shops instead of 'longevity'-branded products.
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
How much does a day on Ikaria cost?
About €65 per person on a budget, €115 mid-range and €235 in comfort, sharing a double room and a rental car.
Is Ikaria cheaper than Mykonos or Santorini?
Yes, by a wide margin. Rooms, tavernas and wine are much closer to normal Greek prices.
How much does a panigyri cost?
Entry is free; you pay for food and wine at the table, usually about €15–20 per person. The money goes to the village or church.