Is Ioannina expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Ioannina is one of the better-value destinations in Greece: a budget day is about €63 per person and a mid-range day about €130. As a university city with a year-round local life, its food and rooms cost less than Athens or the islands; the main extra is a rental car for Zagori.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €28 | €55 | €110 |
| Food & drink | €20 | €35 | €60 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €20 | €35 |
| Local transport | €5 | €20 | €45 |
| Per person, per day | €63 | €130 | €250 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Ioannina day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Cheese or greens pie from a bakery | a few euros |
| Bougatsa and coffee for breakfast | a few euros |
| Full meal with tsipouro, per person | about €15–25 |
| Boat to the island in the lake, return | about €2–3 each way |
| Perama Cave guided visit | around €10 |
| Dodona archaeological site | around €8 |
| Rental car per day | about €35–60 |
| Room in the centre, double | about €45–75 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Rooms are reasonably priced: about €45–75 a double in the centre, €80–150 inside the Kastro or by the lake, and €150–280 for boutique hotels in the old town. Food is excellent value, especially pies, bougatsa and tsipouro rounds that come with free meze. Sights cost a few euros each, and the main extra is transport to Zagori, Dodona and Perama, where a car or taxi is easiest.
When it is cheaper
Prices are fairly steady through the year because Ioannina is a working city, but rooms in Zagori and by the lake can cost more around Christmas, Easter and August weekends. Late spring and autumn weekdays are usually the best value.
How to spend less
- Order tsipouro in a tsipouradiko: each round of small glasses comes with free meze.
- Breakfast on pies and bougatsa from the bakeries rather than hotel buffets.
- Stay in the centre near the bus station for the lowest room rates.
- Share a rental car for the Zagori and Dodona days instead of booking separate tours.
- Walk the Kastro and the Mole, which are free and open at any hour.
- Eat lake specialities by the shore or on the island at lunch, when tavernas are less busy.
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Common questions
Is Ioannina expensive?
No, it is one of the better-value Greek destinations: about €63 a day on a budget and about €130 mid-range.
How much does a meal cost in Ioannina?
A full taverna meal with tsipouro is about €15–25 per person; pies and bougatsa cost a few euros.
How much is the boat to the island?
A few euros each way from the Mole, about 10 minutes.