10+1 Greek islands for cheap holidays
Plan an affordable vacation in Greece!
Cheap Greek islands for holidays on a budget? It’s perfectly possible! Check out our list of some of the top destination picks in Greece for travelers wishing to save on their holiday budget for accommodation, services, and activities.
Get ready for an unforgettable trip with cheap ferry tickets on Ferryhopper!
Here are 10+1 Greek islands for vacation on a budget:
The capital of Astypalea, Chora, one of the most impressive in the Aegean
1. Low-budget holidays in Astypalea
Astypalea, “the butterfly of the Aegean Sea” as it is called, is a perfect destination for cheaper holidays in Greece. Accommodation in Astypalea can be quite affordable. The island has a camping site with prices starting at around €13 per day for a person and a tent.
In the main village of Chora in Astypalea, you can find hotel rooms or small vacation rentals starting at around €45 per night. Ferry tickets are also affordable, with the cost of a single ticket for the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Astypalea ranging from €44 to €56.
Tip: bear in mind that accommodation prices in the Greek islands depend on the season and demand.
2. Budget-friendly vacation in Agistri
Agistri is one of the best islands for quick weekend getaways from Athens, as the ferry trip from the port of Piraeus takes only 1-1.5 hours. Tickets for the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Agistri start at around €13. Accommodation is also affordable with rooms starting at about €47.
The distances on the island are short, so you can walk or cycle instead of renting a vehicle and save good money on transportation.
The amazing turquoise beach of Dragonera in Agistri
3. Gavdos: cheap holidays in Crete
The island of Gavdos in the south of Crete is an untouched paradise. There are a few rooms-to-let on the island, and many people go camping on one of the island’s beautiful beaches. There are tavernes and beach bars across the island with value-for-money food and drinks.
You can catch the ferry to Gavdos from the ports of Sfakia or Paleochora, not far from Chania in Crete. There are regular ferry crossings from Athens (port of Piraeus) to Chania, with the trip taking approximately 9 hours and tickets starting at €49.
Note: at the moment, ferry tickets from Sfakia or Paleochora to Gavdos can only be issued at departure ports and online booking is not available.
Laid-back vacation in the paradise of Gavdos
4. Low-budget trip to Anafi
In Anafi, you can enjoy the charm and simplicity of the Cyclades on a small travel budget. Tickets for the Athens (Piraeus) - Anafi ferry connection start at around €45 and, if you book in advance, you can find a room for €57 per night.
Local tavernes and traditional kafeneia in Anafi serve delicious and affordable food and drinks.
5. Traveling to Samothrace on a budget
Located in northern Greece, Samothrace is one of the top island destinations for cheap holidays in the country. Its unique landscape with waterfalls and natural pools (vathres) is adored by hippies and nature aficionados.
The island has 2 camping sites: the municipal one is free of charge (with few amenities), while for the other one (Varades) prices start at around €8 a day for a person and a tent. You can also find affordable rooms across the island, while many travelers spend their vacation at the beach or the forests.
The ferry from the port of Alexandroupoli to Samothrace makes the crossing in less than 2 hours and tickets are pretty cheap, starting at €9.
Amazing waterfall, natural pool and lush vegetation in Samothrace
6. Low-budget vacation in Sikinos
Sikinos is a beautiful island that maintains a traditional Cycladic style. The island is small, with impressive hiking routes, amazing local gastronomy, and unspoilt natural sites.
Food and accommodation in Sikinos are affordable and you can find a room for about €45 per night. Tickets for the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Sikinos cost around €39-€48, while you can take advantage of 20% ferry offers to the Cyclades by Zante Ferries.
Tip: Sikinos is a small island, so we recommend booking your accommodation in advance as availability might be limited.
The minimalist Cyladic beauty of Sikinos’ Chora village
7. Affordable Greece holidays in Skyros
Skyros, the largest and southernmost island of the Sporades is a great choice for Greece holidays on a budget. It has beautiful beaches ranging from long stretches of sand to hidden coves, a diverse landscape, mouthwatering food, and laid-back vibes.
You can spend your vacation in a nice hotel or a cozy apartment by the sea with prices starting at approximately €50 per night. You can find street food at around €5 per person, while a meal at a local taverna can cost around €10-€15 per person.
The ferry trip to Skyros is smooth sailing. By catching a ferry from Kymi (Evia) to Skyros, you can reach the island in about 1 hour 45 minutes. Passenger tickets for the trip cost around €19.
The imposing castle of Skyros above the island's capital
8. Low-cost vacation in Kythira
Kythira is an impressive island of exceptional natural beauty. Due to its large size, it offers many options for accommodation, with prices starting at approximately €45 per night. The local restaurants and cafeterias serve food at very good prices.
Tickets for the ferry from Neapoli (Peloponnese) to Kythira start at €12.50, and you can reach the island in just 1 hour 15 minutes. You can also get to Kythira from the ports of Piraeus in Athens and Gythio in the Peloponnese.
Tip: we suggest bringing your own vehicle to Kythira as the island is ideal for trips and excursions.
The majestic castle of Kythira in Chora town
9. Low-budget holidays in Kythnos
You can travel from Athens to Kythnos in less than 2 hours from the port of Lavrio, which makes Kythnos one of the best islands for day trips from Athens. Tickets for the ferry to Kythnos from Lavrio are quite affordable, starting at around €15.
The island has some of the most beautiful and cleanest beaches in Greece, such as Kolona beach, and a relaxing pace. Accommodation is very affordable, with a variety of rental options for all types of travelers.
Kolona beach: a unique double beach in Kythnos
10. Nisyros: cheap Greek island holidays
The volcanic island of Nisyros is an ideal destination for relaxing holidays. Ticket prices for the ferry to Nisyros from Athens (Piraeus) are normally at around €63.
Most rooms and hotels on the island are located at the port of Mandraki or the coastal village of Pali. Room prices start at around €40-€50, depending on the season.
The breathtaking volcanic landscape of Nisyros
11. Budget-friendly Amorgos vacation
Famous for its Big Blue, Amorgos is one of the most popular holiday destinations for campers in the Aegean Sea. The island has 3 camping sites where you can stay for around €10 per night for a person and a tent. You can also find low-cost accommodation in the larger villages of Amorgos.
Tickets for the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Amorgos start at around €51, and you can also find cheap tickets to nearby islands for day trips and excursions.
The magical underwater world of Amorgos
You can check the latest Greece ferry offers for 2024 to easily book cheap ferry tickets to the Greek islands online! And if you are entitled to a discount (student, family with children, etc.), don’t forget to select it when booking on the Ferryhopper App to save on your holiday budget.
Extra tip: feeling adventurous? Let luck decide where you'll spend your ferry-tale this year!
