Are you planning to travel to Santorini but find it too expensive? Then our next article is for you! We’ll show you what costs to expect and how you can visit Santorini on a budget.
Santorini is one of the most famous Greek islands, and it’s easy to see why. Millions of people visit every year to see the whitewashed houses, the stunning caldera, and the colorful towns like Fira and Oia.
When you think of Santorini, you probably first imagine luxury places with amazing views, pictures of Greek food, and breathtaking scenery in the background. But as you start planning your trip, you realize Santorini is not cheap, and you do have to pay for the fantastic views, food, and hotels with pools.
However, don’t get discouraged. There are ways to visit Santorini even if you can’t afford luxury places. Affordable travel is possible with good planning.
In this article, we share our experiences from previous trips to Santorini on how to travel there affordably. We give travel tips for a cheaper Santorini trip, including places, activities, sights, hotels, and dining options that you can enjoy on a lower budget.
After the introduction, let’s see how we think you can travel to Santorini on a budget.
But first, the unmissable question:
Is Santorini expensive to visit?
Honestly, yes, Santorini is not only one of the most beautiful and popular destinations in Greece but also one of the most expensive.
Therefore, if you want to travel on a low budget, you need to plan well when, where, and for how long you travel, where you stay, where you eat, how you get around, as all of these are definitely expensive on Santorini.
But this guide to Santorini is here to help you with that.
What are the most expensive things in a trip to Santorini?
- Hotels: If you’re looking for a better category of hotel, let’s say 4–5 stars, you’ll immediately encounter very high prices. Unfortunately, staying on Santorini is one of the most expensive options in the whole of Greece.
- Dining: Restaurants with the best views are extremely expensive. We’ve heard of spending minimums in several places. Moreover, despite the high prices, most places are crowded.
However, these factors don’t mean that you cannot explore Santorini without breaking the bank. Because you absolutely can, and in this article, we’ll show you how.
How to make a Santorini trip cheaper in 2024
In the following, we’ll show you our specific budget tips and ideas to help you save money when planning a trip to Santorini. We’ll make recommendations for getting there, transportation, accommodation, dining, and activities.
So let’s see how you can make the most of your travel to Santorini at the best possible price:
How to plan a low budget trip to Santorini
When planning your trip to Santorini, it’s important to first identify your basic needs and preferences for the journey. It’s clear that luxury services, hotels, and restaurants may not align with a budget-friendly trip.
Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully research prices and determine when, where, and how you can find the best deals that fit within your budget.
At this stage, some key questions to consider are:
Things you can save money on
- Choosing the right time to travel: If you smartly choose when to travel to Santorini, your trip can cost half as much as during the high season. We’ll also showcase examples of when it’s worth traveling. It requires some flexibility, but you can save a lot with well-chosen travel dates.
- Flights: If multiple airlines operate from your departure airport, opt for the cheapest one. Of course, this often means sacrificing some services. Additionally, you can save on baggage (only pay for what you absolutely need), in-flight meals, and airport parking if necessary.
- Hotels: Hotels located in Fira and Oia with sea views are always expensive. If you’re not insistent on having a great view, you can find hotels for much cheaper prices. Furthermore, you can book at a much better rate a bit further away, for example, in Kamari or Akrotiri. The downside to this is that you mostly need a car to reach the more popular towns.
- Food: If you visit Greece, you undoubtedly want to try the fantastic Greek cuisine. However, it matters at what price you get it. Places with the most stunning views are usually quite expensive, but we’ll show you some affordable places to eat.
- Activities: Fortunately, Santorini has few attractions that require you to purchase tickets. In most cases, you won’t have to spend much on activities, maybe just on a few optional places, or if you feel like it, on a boat tour or water sports.
Best time to visit Santorini on a budget
One of the best ways to save money on a trip to Santorini is to choose the right time to visit. From our research on Greek prices, here’s what we’ve discovered:
- Summer: Summer (July and August) is the most expensive time. We only suggest traveling during this period if you really enjoy beach activities. However, keep in mind that Santorini isn’t particularly known for its beaches.
- Shoulder season: Early autumn (September, October) and late spring (April and May) are the best times to visit. The off-season offers great weather for sightseeing, hiking, and boating. Plus, prices are much lower compared to summer.
- Winter: For winter visits, note that from the second half of autumn to spring, many places are closed, so there are fewer options. This time is also less recommended.
Overall, for the best experience and prices, we recommend visiting Santorini in April, May, September, or October.
How many days to spend on Santorini
It’s a good idea to spend at least 2–3 days in Santorini, but even a week would be great. To fully enjoy the best spots, views, sunsets, local food, and wine, less than 2–3 days isn’t really enough.
Many cruise companies offer one-day trips to Santorini, but these only give you a small taste of the island.
If you’re wondering about the ideal length of stay, we suggest 3 to 5 days. This gives you enough time to explore all parts of the island, enjoy the experiences, and still have some time to relax.
Budget airlines to Santorini
As many readers as there are, there are as many departure airports.
The destination airport is most often Santorini, or sometimes Athens.
Within Europe, the following budget airlines operate flights to these places:
- RyanAir
- WizzAir
- Jet2.com
- Vueling
- Volotea
- Sky Express
It’s worth comparing the prices of these airlines and calculating travel costs accordingly.
If you’re traveling to Greece from further away, low-cost airline flights may not be available, and you may have to deal with higher flight costs.
In any case, it’s worth checking flight comparison websites such as:
Additionally, it’s a general rule to always keep an eye out for deals: around Valentine’s Day, Easter, and other holidays, there are often promotions, especially on flight prices!
However, it’s important to know that it’s hardest to save on flight costs, especially if only one or two airlines are available. We can be more flexible with other expenses.
Where to stay in Santorini on a budget
Accommodation is one of the most customizable aspects of trip planning, and Santorini offers a wide range of options. You can choose from budget-friendly places, three- and four-star hotels, to luxury resorts.
Since this article focuses on budget travel, we recommend the following accommodation options, with an average rate of up to 200 euros per night:
Best affordable accommodations in Santorini
- Casa Sigala Volcano: Apartments in the center of Oia with caldera views, offering affordable prices compared to typical Oia rates
- White Cave Villas: Suites in Finikia, near Oia, with optional private pools
- Abasa Suites: Budget-friendly rooms in Fira, slightly outside the main area, with excellent reviews
- Abelonas Retreat: Suites in Imerovigli with caldera views
- Smaragdi Hotel: Three-star hotel in Perivolos, on the southern part of the island, offering very affordable prices and good reviews
- Pancratium Villas & Suites: Rooms in Akrotiri with exceptional reviews and optional sea views
A common question among tourists is whether to book on sites like Booking.com or directly on the hotel’s website. We recommend comparing prices and booking the cheaper option!
We often book through Booking.com because of their frequent deals and Genius membership discounts, which can be more cost-effective. They also regularly offer coupon deals.
Another tip to save money is to skip the hotel breakfast, especially if you don’t eat much in the morning. If breakfast costs $30-50 per person, it’s usually cheaper to eat elsewhere!
Where to eat in Santorini on a budget
Greece is famous for its delicious food, and wherever you travel, you’ll find plenty of places to try it. The same is true for Santorini, where you’ll find one of the widest ranges of restaurants.
However, prices in Santorini can be quite high, so if you want to travel on a budget, you need to choose your dining spots carefully.
We’ve put together a list of some restaurants and street food places where you can eat at relatively affordable prices:
- FalafeLAND: A vegan falafel bar in the center of Fira with great prices and gluten-free options.
- Kokkalo: A Greek restaurant in Fira offering good prices and tasty dishes, with some Italian options.
- Pitogyros Traditional Grill House: A Greek restaurant in Oia with good prices and positive reviews.
- Elias Grill: A souvlaki and gyros restaurant in Kamaris with reasonable prices.
How to get around Santorini cheaply
On Santorini, the following transportation options are available:
By car
Getting around Santorini by car is easy. Car rentals are quite affordable. You don’t need a big car on the island, so you can rent a small car for as low as 40 euros per day.
Fuel is a bit expensive in Greece, but since the distances are short, it won’t be a major expense. There are no tolls, and parking is mostly free, both in the city and at most hotels.
If you want to rent a scooter or an ATV, which are also popular on the island, you’ll find similar prices to car rentals.
Public transportation
On Santorini, public transportation is quite limited. There are no trains, and bus services are limited. If you are interested in the local bus network, click on the link for more information.
So if you don’t want to rent a car, you might need to rely on private transfers.
Some hotels offer private transfers, but you can also find many options on GetYourGuide:
Cheap things to do in Santorini
If you’re looking for affordable activities on Santorini, you’re in luck because the island is enjoyable even if you don’t spend much on activities.
Here are a few of them:
- Explore the old towns: Wander through the charming, narrow streets of Fira and Oia. These areas are filled with picturesque buildings, local shops, and beautiful views. It’s a great way to soak in the local atmosphere and enjoy the architecture without spending much.
- Enjoy the beaches: Visit some of Santorini’s public beaches like Perissa and Kamari. These beaches are free to access and offer a relaxing place to sunbathe and swim.
- Hike the caldera: Take the scenic hike between Fira and Oia. This trail offers breathtaking views of the caldera and the Aegean Sea. The hike takes a few hours and is free, making it a perfect way to experience the island’s natural beauty.
- Visit the local markets: Browse through local markets in Fira or Oia. You can find a variety of local crafts, produce, and souvenirs. Walking around and window shopping is free, and you might discover unique items or local specialties.
- Watch the sunset: Find a good spot to view the famous Santorini sunset, especially from Oia. The sunsets here are renowned for their beauty, and watching them from various vantage points around the island is a memorable experience that doesn’t cost a thing.
- Discover ancient ruins: Explore the ancient site of Akrotiri or visit the archaeological museum in Fira. While Akrotiri might have an entrance fee, it’s often minimal. The ruins offer a glimpse into the island’s past and are well worth the visit.
- Relax in public squares: Spend time in the picturesque squares of the island’s villages. Places like Oia’s central square provide a pleasant environment to relax, people-watch, and enjoy the local vibe.
- Photograph the scenery: Capture the iconic whitewashed buildings and blue domes of Santorini. The island’s unique architecture and stunning landscapes offer countless photo opportunities, which are free to enjoy.
- Taste local street food: Try affordable street food options, such as gyros or souvlaki, from local vendors. These can be a tasty and budget-friendly way to sample Greek cuisine without dining in a restaurant.
So, that’s our guide to planning a trip to Santorini without breaking the bank. Whether you want to watch the sunset over the caldera view, explore the charming streets of Fira and Oia, or enjoy authentic Greek food, there are plenty of ways to make your Santorini vacation affordable.
Although Santorini is one of the most expensive places to visit in Greece, it’s still possible to visit the island of Santorini on a budget. We’ve highlighted the best prices for hotels in Santorini, shown you the cost of food in Santorini, and provided tips for affordable activities in Santorini. The average meal in Santorini or a drink in Santorini can be quite expensive, but street food and budget restaurants offer a cheaper option in Santorini.
If you’re wondering, how much does it cost to visit Santorini, keep in mind that prices in Santorini can vary depending on the season. Flights to Santorini and ticket prices for tours can be expensive, but with careful planning, a visit to Santorini can still be affordable. For a budget-friendly trip, the time to visit Santorini is outside the peak season when the prices are lower.
Despite Santorini being quite expensive, it’s worth the visit for its breathtaking views, beautiful villages, and iconic experiences. So, if you’re planning a vacation in Santorini, keep an eye out for the best prices, and you’ll see that Santorini is worth every euro spent.
Enjoy Santorini without blowing your budget!
