So, we’ve all seen the jaw dropping cliff photoshoots of couple dining with the ocean view, the super gorgeous model with perfect hair and the wind graciously blowing her long-tailed gown, the famous blue dome rooftops, or the latest fad: the stunning model on a swing bed over a pool in a cave with the one in a lifetime view. As your new Plane Hopping Bestie, I’m here to tell you they’re all real. But what you don’t know is that YES! YOU CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD A TRIP TO GREECE! Trust me if I did it, you can to or do it even better! I challenge you to catch that flight right now!
Let’s dive right on into what you really came here for because I know it’s not the fluff. So, here’s the facts of budgeting for a trip to Greece.
How much did it actually cost?
My Planned Budget Breakdown: $3,000.00
- Flight Goal: Under $1,000.00
- I would like to consider myself a prodigy flight bounty hunter. Now I may not have mastered the cheapest deal, but I’m quickly learning through lassoing great price fares thus far compared to most of the society. So, I set my goal at an ambitious UNDER $1K. That means I really didn’t want to pay $1K either, but that was my maximum no fly price. As I prepped for this trip I headed over to Google Flights and begin my hunt in July 2022, utilizing the low fare calendar to figure out when would be the best time to travel. KEEP READING BELOW TO SEE THE FLIGHT DEAL I FOUND. Shop my travel eBook and guides.
- Expenses: $2,000
- Now most normal international plane tickets cost anywhere from $1,000.00 - $2,000.00. Setting my expense budget at $2,000.00 seemed obtainable after browsing through a boat load of TikToks to get my full census of what to expect. My goal wasn’t to go to Greece and blow bags, but instead challenge the thought that it was too expensive as a trip. Who couldn’t afford the lifetime experience? Because with a little razzle dazzle monthly budget, I could, and so can you. Challenge accepted?
- Shopping/Leisure: $500.00
- I cared more about experiences which were included in my expense budget. My shopping budget was built for souvenirs and trinkets that captured my attention. So, I thought $500.00 was good enough for a budget.
Flights: $ 617 .00 TOTAL ACTUALLY SPENT
- I would highly suggest flying into Athens then either flying to your desired destination or catching a ferry. This will save you tons when planning your Greece exploration!
- My flight was booked in July which is approximately 2 months in advance. Booking early is the literally key to finding the best deals. I was playing Russian roulette, but even though early booking is the best route, I come to find sometimes last minute can present a better deal. Just as much as you want to buy, airlines want to sell as many seats as possible to fill their planes. Waiting last minute or deciding to be spontaneous will cost you a pretty penny without the slim chance of lady luck gracing you with her presence, and you can throw a budget out the window. Unless you have $5k + as your range then that’s a different story, do your thing and stop reading because you got it!
- Another key tip to booking cheap flights, which you can find the exact strategy that I used in my eBooks. An alternate suggestion would be to consider flight hopping. You may ask, “What is Flight Hopping?” Flight hopping is when you consider alternate airlines and locations in order to reach your final destination. I know, maybe that’s not what you want to hear because you are loyal to Southwest for their 2 free bags or Delta for their Sky Club lounge and first-class seating. You may even be one of those who wouldn’t dare to even consider spirit despite the fact that they have the most updated planes out of all airlines because we all know you’re way too good to be caught flighting with them and their additional fees to breathe on their plane. Instagram, TikTok, image, or reputation to protect right? Well look here, if you were balling the way your timeline appears, then you would never be reading this in the first place. Don’t get spicy with me! You did ask for the honest truth, right? Highly, recommend you check out my travel guides & eBooks, for step-by-step hand holding on exactly how to find travel deals and common tips that you’ll find on every blog, TikTok, and Google search that I just gave you. Don’t want to listen to me because you’re an experienced traveler and know what your doing? Again, why are you reading this? Go ahead with your hours on end page after page search for the conclusive results.
Transportation: $. .00
- The Metro:
- The metro is one of the cheapest ways to get around Athens in particular if you land here and this is your entry point into Greece. The average ticket cost is approximately $9.00 per person. This price point was accurate dated in September 2022. I urge you to do your own research on updated prices. There are 2 different metro lines. Leaving the airport will have you on a crowded nicer compared to the ladder subway transport. Depending on where you are staying there may be a trainline switch. This may include the graffiti version of the metro that ventures into the more cultured side of the city. Remember, if you want to go a cheap route, don’t expect quality, or fast arrival.
- Taxis/Uber:
- For safety, security, and convenience I chose to travel mostly by taxis/uber. AS this method of transportation is frowned upon due to accumulating trips becoming costly, the drivers tend to get you to your destination in the nick of time with their speed racer skills. The average cost of a taxi/uber in Greece could range anywhere from $8 - $30 depending on your destination. Airport trips will be more on the costly around the $40-$60 range.
- The Bus:
- Public transportation isn’t terrible when navigating around the inner city and desiring to penny pinch as much as possible. Although uncertain, quoting a local who stated, “riding the bus is no money, uber (taxi) is money.” I was uncertain because although I did ride the bus on the way to the historical landmark, The Acropolis, I did not make a payment; however, it seemed as if some local riders scanned a ticket and some just hopped on. In summary the bus tickets are monitored loosely upon entry. This information may change as it is up to date as of September 2022. I advise you to choose to purchase or not purchase tickets according to your own research. It is confirmed that interchangeable metro and bus tickets can be purchase at every station if desired.
- Ferries:
- If you are planning to explore as much of Greece as you have time for, island hopping like I did may be the way to go! Island hopping is made possible through the ferry transportation system. There are several companies to choose from along with different seating classes. The cheapest tickets will range from $30 - $50 and will result in seating in the economy section of the boat. The economy section is still decently comfortable seating, located relatively close to another seat, in the rear end of the boat or the lowest deck level. Our GCC experts traveled via economy (standard) & business to explore all options. The medium price range tickets of business class etc. are more comfortably spaced seating located on the middle areas of the vessels or the middle deck location of the snack bar area. And of course, the higher priced tickets of VIP will land you in luxury treatment and spacious seating of the front portion of the boat or top deck level.
- Companies that our GCC experts have left honest reviews of are Bluestar, Santorini Palace, and Sea Jets. According to our experts these companies have been listed in ranking or from most preferred to least and most unrecommended.
- Alternate Forms of Transportation
- Our GCC travel experts also traveled by their most favorite form of transportation with a thrill, ATVs. ATV, scooter, raptor carts, etc. are available for rent upon almost every island traveled to. The price range for this style of adventurous travel is from $25 - $100 depending on the duration of your trip or rental expectation. This is voted as the #1 method of exploring and is budget-friendly!
Food:
- Your food budget will be strictly up to you traveler! It will vary based on your desire to eat out or explore the local markets. Eating locally will have you spending as low as 2.50 euros to 15.00 euros. Dinning out continuously will have you spending anywhere from 7 euros to 72 euros depending on which location you are occupying. A week budget of $500 – 700 will be comfortable, mainly because you may get caught up in exploring or having fun by the time you realize eating is a life essential.
Leisure:
- Spending budget will be strictly up to you! There are several stores and shops with appetizing discounts and prices to make anyone want to willingly open their wallet, if not give it away. We recommend planning to spend at least $100 - $400 on leisure spending at minimum.
You made it to the end! Hey, you really want to see the world! Go for it! I encourage you not to let anything limit your dreams! There is no such thing as a glass ceiling if you put your mind to it. I hope this blog post has assisted you in your travel needs! Don’t forget to explore my travel world of products or book your consultation by catching the next flight to my Shop. Get ready for your FLIGHT, practice your smile for the CAMERA, it’s time to take ACTION!
Catch the red eye with Miss International to the next blog post!