From sun kissed beaches to elegant ancient ruins, Greece has something for everybody. Whether you’re heading for the romance of the islands, or shitting the shops in Athens, getting around easily is an essential part of enjoying your trip. In this post, we’ll talk you through how to get around Greece, where to stay, what to eat and, most importantly…how to budget for it all!
Types of accommodation on offer
When visiting Greece, the types of accommodation available to you are much the same as in any other country, but you need to go equipped with knowledge of prices!
Hostel
Simple, no frills, with communal bathroom – can be found in most Greek cities. If you’re happy sharing a bedroom with other travellers, expect to pay €10 – €15 per night. For a private dorm, you’re looking at no lower than €30 – €60 per night.
Hotels
If you’re visiting Greece’s cities, you can find a budget hotel for €40 – €6o per night if you’re prepared to put the work in. If you’re booking in a hurry, your average hotel price in Athens is around €220 per night.
AirBnb
Prices for whole-property rentals have risen across Europe since Covid. In a Greek city such as Thessaloniki, you should expect to pay at least €50 per night for a private flat that sleeps two people.
As with any holiday, the further ahead you plan, the cheaper you will get your digs. Also look at staying on one of the islands, like Aegina, and travelling to and from Athens. The surrounding islands are often cheaper to stay on than the mainland, and are just as beautiful and worthy of an exploration!
Lastly, it’s always worth considering a visit off-season as this will drastically reduce your travel and accommodation costs.
Public transport
Public transport in Greece can be confusing for those not accustomed to it. With popular routes being operated by a number of different private companies, finding one reliable timetable can prove almost impossible. Here’s a brief overview of how you can get around in Greece…
Bus
KTEL, (the Joint Association of Bus Operators) is a network of Greek bus services made up of a dozen or more private companies -with not one central website for times and information! If you’re using a KTEL, it’s best to google your route well in advance to allow time to work out your plan of action. Don’t be put off, though, as these buses are a fantastic way to explore Greece.
Ferries
You can also look for discounts by booking through the Trainose mobile app. Ferries are a fantastic and scenic way to visit the Greek islands. You can book ferries easily online through Ferryhopper. Be sure to compare routes and times to get the best price.
Train
Over the last decade, Greece’s train service has gone through a bit of an upgrade and offers a very easy and comfortable way to see the country. From Athens you can visit many of the smaller towns and cities like Thebes and Thessaloniki. Prices vary depending on time of day and distance travelled, but as an example, the town of Kalambaka is 5 1⁄2 hours train ride from Athens, and the journey will set you back around €30.
Taxi
If you’re ordering a cab in Greece ahead of time, consider booking it through apps like Beat or Taxiplon, as these will give you an estimated fair and let you know when your driver is due. Taxi fares differ from city to city, but you should expect to pay an average of €4 just for getting in a cab, with the average tariff being €1.30 per kilometre.
One ticket to rule them all
In Greek cities, you can buy a single ticket that grants you access to a variety of public transport including busses, trains, ferries and metro. As a rough guide, a single ticket for public transport in Athens will cost you less than €2, and is valid for 90 minutes. Within
those 90 minutes you are entitled to any number of journeys. There are other ticket types available, with a five day transport pass coming in at less than €90.
Food and entertainment
Greece has a lot to offer in terms of night life and cuisine, with traditional theatre sitting alongside nightclubs and authentic cuisine sharing menus with exciting gastronomic experimentation. If you’re looking to go for broke, casinos are all the rage in Greece, while a more conservative night at a cinema will cost you on average of €8.55 a ticket.
When it comes to eating out, prices vary wildly from city to city, from street to street. Street food vendors offer fantastic kebabs and souvlaki for €3-€4, while high end dining can cost upward of €35 per person for a three course meal. (Not including booze!) In the middle, you have the Tavernas which offer incredible and authentic Greek cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere – and you can pick up moussaka and a drink for a respectable €10!
Additional costs
Budget as best you can, but there’s always the odd little surprise charge that leaves a dent in your pride (and your wallet)
While working out your allotted spends, always try and allow a little extra to just enjoy a bit of shopping! Greece is considered a Mecca for retail, with jewellery stores to electronics and furs.
Guided tours are also an excellent way to see Greece, but aren’t always cheap. You can expect to pay €20 per adult to enter the Acropolis (less if you visit off season, of course), while food or wine tasting tours in Greece start at around €100 per person per day.
There are a number of “jump the queue” websites that allow you to book tours and museum tickets ahead of time, and it’s worth doing so as you will often save a good amount of money.
Conclusion
When travelling through Greece, be it by ferry, train, boat or bus, the most important thing to do is plan ahead! Here’s a little recap to help you!
- Look for digs on the islands for a better price
- Remember, everything is cheaper off season
- Allow plenty of time to plan public transport routes
- Budget extra if you can!
If you’d like to read more, check out the links below for more information.
Until next time…happy budgeting!
Greece Travel Cost – Average Price of a Vacation to Greece: Food & Meal Budget, Daily & Weekly Expenses | BudgetYourTrip.com
Getting around in Greece – Lonely Planet Home | Hellenic Train
