Budget for mainland Greece, Cyclades, and car rental

Hi Paul,

For the mainland, you could tour the Peloponnese, which gives a great overview of Greece for a first-time visit, with stops at Epidaurus, Mycenae, Nafplio, Monemvasia, and why not Mystras if you have time. You can rent a car at the airport. It’s best to compare prices by checking each rental company’s website. I find that Sixt is usually cheaper than the others for equally good service.

Before heading to the islands, return the car, as taking a car on the ferry is very expensive and limits your options. You can rent a car on each island if needed. Absolutely avoid islands like Santorini and Mykonos. Then it all depends on your budget. Check Booking.com—the prices fluctuate so much that it’s hard to give you a price range. For the islands, consider Folegandros or Sifnos. At restaurants, don’t order one dish each—order several small meze dishes like the Greeks do and share them.

Have a great trip!

Hi there, Thanks so much for all this info! Having been to Crete a few years ago, I remember how fantastic Greek food is and that you can graze from each other’s plates! Is it absolutely necessary to rent the car before arriving, or is it possible to do it on-site? For accommodation, I was planning to book only for Athens and then play it by ear afterward... Is that realistic, or is everything booked solid?

It's peak season, so it's best to book before you go. Same goes for car rental. And don’t rent one when you're visiting Athens—it won’t be any use to you. Near the Syngrou-Fix metro station in Athens, there are plenty of car rental agencies. Avoid renting directly at airports to skip the airport taxes.

For budgeting, here’s what we spent as a family in Greece. I tracked all our expenses (accommodation, car rental, meals, visits...)

Hello,

The budget shared by chrissand is very helpful, but it's a wide range since prices have gone up since their trip—except for gas, which has dropped. Now, entry to the Acropolis is 30 €, and 20 € for sites like Mycenae. The Rio-Antirio bridge toll is now 14.50 €.

Same goes for car rentals—at Sixt, for example, it’s actually CHEAPER at the airport than in the city center. The difference is just a few euros, and there are no airport taxes, as Chrissand mentioned. The advantage of renting at the airport is that you’re immediately on the highway, so you avoid Athens traffic.

For the car, it’s best to book in advance since you’re traveling in high season. Try to head to the Peloponnese right after you arrive and save Athens for the end of your trip. Same for accommodations—you might find something, but mostly expensive options will be left, and it can be tough to find places in certain areas. Plus, in July, when it’s 35 or even 40 degrees, you won’t be in the best conditions to hunt for a place—especially with kids.

Happy planning!

Hi Paul,

I’ve been to mainland Greece twice, in 2017 and 2020 (including the Peloponnese), and the two trips were very different (I kept travel journals you can check out on my profile—they might give you some ideas, even though each trip took two weeks). Both times, we rented a car at the airport from Thrifty (simply because for small cars, they were the cheapest on comparison sites).

Happy planning! [:)]

Hello,

Thanks so much for all this info! I hadn’t thought about starting in the Peloponnese and ending in Athens—that’s a great idea! But what would be the most logical first stop? Given that I’d really like to make it to Meteora, which I’m super excited to see...

There isn’t necessarily a set route—you can start with the Peloponnese or Meteora, whichever you prefer. The key is to save Athens for the end of your trip. I’d even say *after* visiting the islands, so you’re already in Athens to catch your flight without stress or potential ferry delays.

Maybe you could even start with one or more islands and finish on the mainland. I mention this because there are slightly fewer crowds in the islands in early July. But make sure to pick an island with ferry schedules that let you connect directly from your flight arrival to avoid having to spend a night in Athens or Piraeus.

Good evening,

The key is to save Athens for the end of your trip. I’d even say after visiting the islands, so you’re in Athens to catch your flight without stress or potential ferry delays.

While I agree with the practical side of returning to the mainland early enough to catch your return flight stress-free, leaving Athens for the end of the trip leaves me puzzled. I love this city—it’s worth a trip on its own—but I’ve always found it unbearable after coming back from the islands. The chaos, the traffic, the heat, the dust, and the overwhelming crowds of tourists rushing around create too stark a contrast with the slow, serene island life. And you might miss out on its charm.

What about starting your trip in Athens to get a feel for Greece, and then, if you’re heading to the mainland before the Cyclades, stopping for a night in Lavrio on the way back?

Catherine

Hi Catherine,

Yes, I completely understand that point of view, which many people share.

That’s why visiting the islands first can be a good idea, as there are slightly fewer people in early July. You can start with Athens upon arrival, then head to the islands, and afterward explore the mainland—like Meteora, for example—then the Peloponnese, and finish with a stop not too far from Athens, such as Nafplio, which is about a 2-hour drive. That way, you have some buffer time for your return flight if it’s later in the day.

For me, the biggest risk is a ferry delay, so it’s way too risky to plan a boat trip back from the islands followed by a flight. It’s better to be on the mainland beforehand, which is why I suggested ending in Athens—even if, after the islands, it feels like a bit of a culture shock .

Elenitsa

I'm sure I'll start on the mainland and in Athens and finish up in the islands! It's clear that I'd rather end with some relaxation on the beach, peace, and nature after a bit of exploring for sightseeing... after the effort, the comfort! I can easily return to the mainland 24 or 48 hours before my return flight, depending on the schedule.

Hi there

Whether it’s peaceful and natural depends on which islands you choose. Some islands are anything but quiet because of the crowds, traffic (yes, really...), especially in the middle of summer. Don’t forget that the islands are small, with LOTS of people and few roads. It can sometimes be hard to find a quiet spot or nature on islands that are quite dry with little vegetation.

That’s why you should definitely avoid Santorini and Mykonos, for example. Here are a few photos of Santorini: https://www.memoirs-of-acacia.com/post/why-you-should-not-visit-santorini

On the mainland, on the other hand, you can always get away and find quiet beaches, nice hikes to do...