13 Smart Ways To Save Money Traveling in Greece
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Greece is a dream destination for many travelers, known for its stunning landscapes, historical sites, and vibrant culture. However, visiting Greece doesn’t have to be expensive. With a few smart choices, you can explore this beautiful country without straining your budget.
Born and raised in Greece, I’ve explored every corner of the country on various budgets over the years. You want to stretch your euros while still enjoying all this beautiful country has to offer.
Here are 13 tried and tested ways to save money while enjoying the best of Greece.
Travel During the Off-Season
Traveling to Greece during the off-season (late autumn to early spring) and shoulder seasons (late spring and early autumn) can significantly reduce the cost of your trip.
Enjoy lower airfares and accommodation rates, fewer crowds at major attractions like the Acropolis, and milder weather ideal for exploring.
If you want to swim, September and early October are ideal, with fewer crowds and a warm sea. May and June are great for exploring, but the sea can still be chilly.
These periods also allow for a more authentic experience. Join local festivals and enjoy seasonal cuisine without the usual tourist rush.
Read also: Best Time To Visit Greece
Choose Where To Go Wisely
Choosing where to visit in Greece can greatly affect your budget. Popular tourist spots like Santorini and Mykonos are beautiful but can be very expensive.
For a more budget-friendly trip, consider exploring cheaper islands or staying on the mainland. These areas offer many of the same stunning views and rich culture as popular destinations at a fraction of the cost.
By selecting your destinations wisely, you can save money and still have a fantastic Greek adventure.
Read also: Greece Island Hopping Tips
Save on Airfare Tickets
To save money on airfare, book your flights early, as prices usually go up closer to the travel date. If you book last minute, then flights can be very expensive.
Try to be flexible with your travel days because some days offer cheaper flights than others. Use websites that compare flight prices from different airlines to find the best deals, such as Skyscanner.
We compare all airlines with this search engine to get the lowest price possible for flights. You can also set ‘Everywhere’ as destination and it gives you the cheapest flight anywhere on any given day or find out when is the lowest price to fly to a specific destination.
Search for flights here
Also, check if smaller airports offer cheaper tickets than major ones. Lastly, sign up for email alerts from travel sites; they’ll let you know when prices drop for your destination.
Read also: Greek Islands You Can Easily Fly To
Use Public Transportation
Greece has an extensive network of public transportation, including buses, trains, and ferries, which are much cheaper than renting a car or taking taxis.
Familiarize yourself with the schedules and routes to make the most of these services. For islands, consider using local boats instead of private tours to get around.
We use this search engine to find the best deals in train tickets. You can compare and book journeys by train, bus and flight.
Search for train tickets here
However, if you are traveling during shoulder season or off-season, car rentals can be very cheap. We rented a car in Rhodes for a week in May for about EUR 50—this is normally a low price for one day only in August.
Read also: Budget-Friendly Greek Islands
Opt for Budget Accommodations
Instead of staying in hotels, consider budget-friendly options such as hostels, guesthouses, or Airbnb rentals. These accommodations offer substantial savings, especially if you’re traveling during the peak season. Many also provide access to a kitchen, which can help you save on meals.
🏨 Explore all your accommodation options here
These options are more affordable and often include kitchen access, so you can save even more by preparing some of your own meals. Additionally, staying in these types of accommodations can provide a more local experience, as you might meet travelers from around the world in hostels or get tips from your Airbnb host about the best spots to visit in the area.
Read also: Top Secret Spots on Greek Islands
Eat Like a Local
Eating out in tourist spots can be expensive. Instead, eat where the locals eat.
Tavernas and small eateries offer delicious Greek food at lower prices than restaurants geared toward tourists. Also, buying fresh produce from local markets and cooking a few meals can cut down your food expenses.
And don’t forget souvlaki and pita gyros—meat on a stick and gyros in a pita with tzatziki, tomato, and potatoes. This Greek street food is delicious and great for a budget dinner. Add a Greek salad and feta cheese, and you’re good to go.
Try spinach pie and bougatsa, a cream-filled pastry, for breakfast. These pastries are low-cost and filling.
Read also: Top Secret Spots on Greek Islands
Visit Free Attractions
Many of Greece’s attractions, like historical ruins, churches, and museums, offer free admission on certain days of the month. Plan your itinerary around these dates.
Additionally, simply exploring the charming streets and neighborhoods of Greek cities costs nothing and can be equally rewarding.
There are also free walking tours in most cities, a great way to explore with a local.
Read also: Top Greek Islands for Beaches
Take Advantage of City Passes
If you plan to visit many sites within a city, look into city passes. These can offer free or discounted entry to major attractions and sometimes include public transportation.
There are also discounted tickets for more than one attraction. This is particularly useful in cities like Athens, where historical sites are a major draw.
Read also: Best Things To Do in Athens
Book Accommodation in Advance
Planning ahead can lead to significant savings, especially for airfare and accommodations. Early booking discounts are common, and setting your itinerary in advance helps you manage your budget more effectively.
-🏨 Explore all your accommodation options here
Let’s face it: good and cheap accommodation is the first thing to get booked. The later you book, the fewer and more expensive options you have.
Read also: Top Must-Visit Greek Islands
Book Ferry Tickets in Advance
When you’re island-hopping around the Greek islands, book your ferry tickets in advance. We always use this search engine that compares all options.
We use this search engine to book our ferry tickets. They compare all companies and you get the best deal. You can also find all indirect connections between islands, which makes island-hopping super easy!
Book ferry tickets here
Using overnight ferries can be a smart travel option, especially when you want to move between locations without losing precious daytime hours for exploring. Many travelers choose overnight ferries for trips between islands or across longer distances because they combine transportation and accommodation costs into one.
Read also: Top Must-Visit Greek Islands
Stay Connected for Less
Staying connected while traveling doesn’t have to be expensive. Roaming charges on your usual phone plan can add up quickly.
A great way to save money is by purchasing a local SIM card once you arrive at your destination. These SIM cards are affordable and include data that you can use for navigating with maps, checking local attractions, and staying in touch with friends and family.
Remember to make sure your phone is unlocked before you travel so it can accept a new SIM card.
Read also: Instagrammable Spots in Greece
Pack Smart
Packing smart can save you a lot of money, especially when flying with budget airlines like Ryanair, which often charge extra for checked luggage. To avoid these fees, try to pack everything you need into a carry-on bag.
Before you start packing, check the weather forecast for your destination so you can bring appropriate clothing. This way, you won’t have to spend extra on clothes or accessories you forgot at home. Packing light helps you move around more easily and keeps your travel costs down.
Read also: Best Things To Do in Athens
Enjoy Natural Beauty
Enjoying nature is a great and budget-friendly way to make your travels special. Exploring the outdoors, like hiking the trails in Samaria Gorge in Crete, or strolling along the beautiful beaches of Lefkada, doesn’t usually cost anything.
These activities let you see amazing sights and have fun without spending any money. So, when you travel, consider adding some nature adventures to your budget travel plan.
By using these tips, you can make your Greek adventure affordable without missing out on what this spectacular country has to offer. Travel smart, spend wisely, and enjoy the rich history and breathtaking landscapes of Greece.
Read also: Best Greek Islands for Beaches
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Georgia Konidari is a nationally syndicated writer and the creator of World Wild Schooling, a digital platform dedicated to travel. She is on a mission to explore the globe and share her experiences with fellow travelers. She has been featured on MSN, the Associated Press Wire and more. You can follow Georgia on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.
