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Cost of Greece trip

For anyone out there that can help me...how does Greece compare cost wise to say Ireland or France (Paris, Burgundy, Normandy is where I've been)? I know the flights from where I am are comparable, but what about lodging, food, transportation, etc? Thanks so much.

Posted by
7448 posts

Cost is always one of those things that the answer is "depends"...meaning depending on your tastes, what level of lodging, how you get from one point to another, and what you like to eat. But, in a general sense, I have found Greece to be lower cost than France or Ireland. Now Greece can vary widely in range, certainly I can find 400 euro a night lodging on Santorini or Mykonos, but you can also find lots of 50 euro or less lodging that is just fine, something I find almost impossible in Ireland or France. Eating out I think is also very reasonable, lots of great meals for two under 30 euro including a liter of house wine; and often under 20 euro, though once again, go to a seafood restaurant, get whole fish dinners, and you can drop 100 euro. Transportation, for the distance traveled, is actually very cheap, bus tickets are rarely more than 20 euro, ferries are cheap by most standards, even flying within Greece can be economical if tickets are bought well ahead. My best memories of low cost Greece are now 7 years old but we spent time in Matala, Crete and on Koufonissia, both places there for beach, and we spent maybe 50 euro a day for two for a room, meals and wine/snacks for the beach. On other trips we had many days of 100 euro or less. Time of year also plays a role, if possible, avoid the high-high season of late July and August, my personal favorite is September.

Posted by
2118 posts

I've not been to Ireland, but I would agree that Greece is generally lower priced than France, although a lot depends on where you go and what you do when you get there. Last September, my husband and I spent 30 days in Greece for about $4500 (not including airfare from the US). The spectacular island of Kastellorizo was the most expensive (about 150 euros/day) ... the islands of Tilos, Nisyros and Lesvos were the least expensive (about 70 euros/day). We also visited Athens and Rhodes; our total cost included several flights/ferries/taxis/rental cars. We love the little, less-touristy islands. On Lesvos, we routinely eat two freshly-caught whole fish for dinner, with wine, for about 25 euros. Tilos is noted for its roast goat (delicious and cheap). Let me know if you need more info.

Posted by
811 posts

greece is cheaper than france, and on the islands it's cheaper than in athens.

Posted by
17 posts

I can't speak for Ireland but just like any country there are more and less expensive areas. We were in Greece last June and Mykonos was expensive but you can also find great little restaurants and lodging for a good price outside of the touristy areas. From Mykonos we went to Milos and it was at least 40% cheaper than Mykonos and Athens, it falls in between the two for pricing.

Posted by
42 posts

Depends largely on where you go. Even from one part of town to the other it can vary quite a bit - the tourist restaurants on Chania harbor can charge twice what a decent local taverna will for mediocre-at-best food, and last year the Greek government raised the restaurant tax to 23% so now everyone is paying more and eating out less. For accommodation and transportation Greece is definitely cheaper though.

Posted by
1383 posts

Tina We go to Greece two or three times a year, and were most recently there at Christmas. We currently average 75 euros a night for comfortable accommodation and around 35 euros for an evening meal for two with house wine. Just back from Paris and last night I paid 45 euros for a meal for one in a not particularly smart cafe, so Greece is definitely cheaper! As people say it is possible to be cheaper, and some specific places or foods (such as fresh fish) can be more expensive. Whereabouts are you planning to be? Alan