Is Ithaca expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Ithaca is moderately priced for a Greek island: cheaper than Mykonos, Santorini or Spetses, and roughly in line with Kefalonia. A realistic budget day is about €80 per person, mid-range about €155 and comfort about €330, and the money goes mainly on rooms, a rental car or scooter and water taxis, since the island has almost no buses.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €35 | €70 | €160 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €80 |
| Sights & tickets | €5 | €15 | €40 |
| Local transport | €15 | €25 | €50 |
| Per person, per day | €80 | €155 | €330 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Ithaca day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Souvlaki pitta | about €3.50–4 |
| Taverna meal with house wine | about €15–25 per person |
| Fresh grilled fish | often €50–75 per kg (ask first) |
| Water taxi Vathy–Gidaki return | around €10–15 |
| Small rental car in summer | about €35–55 a day |
| Scooter rental | about €20–30 a day |
| Archaeological or folk museum in Vathy | a few euros or free |
| Mid-range room on the Vathy waterfront | about €90–170 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Rooms are the largest cost: €50–90 a night behind the Vathy quay, €90–180 on the waterfront or in Kioni and Frikes, and €200–450 for the few villas with pools. Transport comes next, because you need wheels on Ithaca: a small car runs about €35–55 a day in summer and a scooter €20–30, and taxis are few and must be booked. Food is reasonable, with taverna meals around €15–25 per person, but fish sold by the kilo can push a bill up quickly. Sights are cheap: the museums cost a few euros and the beaches and walks are free. Ferries to the island are extra, and Greece charges a per-room, per-night climate resilience fee, higher from April to October.
When it is cheaper
Late May, June and September are cheaper and quieter than July and August, especially for rental cars, which should be booked early in peak season. Many rooms and tavernas close from November to April, so off-season choice is limited.
How to spend less
- Stay in Vathy behind the quay (about €50–90 a night), where you can manage without a car for the first days.
- Rent a car or scooter only for the days you explore the north, rather than for the whole stay.
- Share a car between two or more people; the island is small and fuel use is low.
- Ask the price and weight of fish before it is cooked.
- Use the water taxi to Gidaki and bring your own food and water; there is nothing to buy on the beach.
- Fill up with fuel in Vathy or Stavros to avoid detours; petrol stations are few.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Ithaca cost?
About €80 per person on a budget, €155 mid-range and €330 in comfort, sharing a double room and excluding the ferry.
Do I need a car in Ithaca?
Practically yes for exploring: buses are minimal. A small car costs about €35–55 a day in summer and a scooter €20–30.
Is Ithaca cheaper than Kefalonia?
Prices are broadly similar; Ithaca has fewer hotels, so the cheapest rooms go early in July and August.