Traveling on a budget may be easy for some, but to many people this can be quite challenging. But when it comes to Greece, you’ll be pleased to know that you don’t have to resort to wild camping to travel on the cheap. All it requires is some proper planning.

Greece is an incredibly popular tourist destination, though despite this, the country has taken a hit economically, and travel here is incredibly cheap. When compared to other European destinations, it is a bargain and it gives you an array of things to do on a small budget.

If you are looking to visit Greece, here are our favorite frugal tips to get you started.

Greece on a Budget: Frugal Travel Tips for Making Greece Cheap

Accommodation for 10 Euros

Vacationing in Greece does not need to cost you a lot on accommodation. One of the ideas that will work well to give you an affordable solution is to book hostels, which you can find on a small budget.

With only 10 Euros, you can find a hostel that would give you an experience similar to what you would enjoy in a 100 Euro hotel. Most of these hostels are safe, offer travel services and secure luggage, and they are also clean with decent meals.

If you’re truly adventurous and want to save that 10 Euros, you might also consider wild camping in Greece. Wild camping is setting up camp anywhere that isn’t a designated campground. This may be a park, the forest, on the beach, the side of the road, or deep in the mountains.

Photo credit: Marilou Chatzicharalampous Savopoulou

Transportation

You may opt for organized tours, which guarantee more security and educational information, but do keep in mind that you pay more. For someone traveling on a budget, this may not seem like an option.

There are different transportation options in Greece that you can utilize for island hopping, or touring different destinations. Local transportation will save you money and will help you to travel to your preferred destinations.

Many coaches in Greece allow passengers to have food and drinks on board, and their buses are clean. The only challenge you might encounter is the fact that it might take slightly longer to arrive when you use public transportation.

For your travel to Greece, book flights through platforms like travelo.gr that help you to find the cheapest tickets possible. Browse for the cheapest routes and also compare destinations to know what you can afford to pay for.

Photo credit: Arthur Yeti

Buy from Local Markets

The food options offered in hotels are costly and could easily consume your small budget in few days. To solve this, opt for food and drinks from local markets.

You can find all the things you need for cheap at local eateries. All kinds of food are sold in the market, and a great noe to visit is the market around Paros Island.

For example, with 0.40 Euros, you can get 1.5 liters of water, which would cost almost three times if bought at a supermarket. You don’t always need to prepare the food as you can find already cooked meals that you can stock up.

Many people in Athens prefer to take bottled water, and the reason is that the tap water, although drinkable, is desalinated and tastes funny. You could ignore the taste and save those cents from buying bottled water.

Ask Locals Using the Word “Cheap”

When looking for restaurant recommendations, always include the word “cheap” in your description. This will pay off as you will be directed to the most affordable restaurants in town.

Cheap, in this case, does not refer to poor quality food. Rather, it is about choosing a modest eatery that also gives you perfect local treats that you can sample. Most cheap restaurants also serve substantial portions compared to high-end hotels.

When asking for local recommendations, the word ‘cheap’ in Greek is φτηνός (ftinós pronounced phonetically).

Photo credit: Nick Karvounis

Use Cash for Payments

Using a credit card offers a convenient way to pay, but research has shown that you are likely to spend more while using a card than when paying with cash.

With cash, you are able to ration your money and in the end of the day you could end up spending less. Additionally, many credit cards charge excessively for foreign transaction fees and have some of the worst conversion rates.

Just ask locals for advice, and you will be directed to the best places to use cash instead of credit cards. Euro is the currency of Greece.

Rent a Moped Instead of a Car

Car rentals can be extremely useful when you want to save on transportation cost, but with a moped, you can take your savings even further.

Confirm with neighboring towns and cities to see if you can get a moped for as low as 14 Euros day. It is also a perfect way to explore the islands and beaches, and you will not struggle to find parking space.

Just ensure you are safe while using the mopped or a scooter and have familiarized yourself with local road rules. It’s also a wise idea to make sure that your travel insurance include third party liability, which will come into play if you are in an accident and injure someone else or their property.

GUIDES WE RECOMMEND FOR GREECE: CLICK PHOTO TO LOOK INSIDE ↓

Frommer’s Athens & Greek Islands

Greece, Athens & the Mainland

DK Eyewitness: The Greek Islands

INSPIRED?! PIN THIS TO YOUR TRAVEL PINTEREST BOARDS ↓

Budget tips for Greece travel, including Greece budget hotel, transport, and other fabulous tips traveling for cheap.

Budget tips for Greece travel, including Greece budget hotel, transport, and other fabulous tips traveling for cheap.

Andrew is a Greek traveler who has traveled widely around the world. He is dedicated to sharing his local knowledge and experience so that travelers can fall in love with his home country without spending their life savings.