Greece Vacation Cost Breakdown (2026 Update)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Traveling in Greece
2. Quick Answer: What are the different costs for a trip to Greece?
3. Best SIM & eSIM Options for Greece
4. Coverage, Network & Performance
5. Pricing Comparison
6. When to Use eSIM vs Traditional SIM
7. Greece Vacation Cost Breakdown
8. FAQs
9. Final Thoughts

Introduction to Travelling in Greece

For many people, Greece is the ultimate destination. It's a melting pot of rich ancient history, unthinkable landscapes, and an incredibly lively culture. Greece is one of those countries that has something for everyone. Whether your ideal vacation is strolling through city centres, admiring ancient ruins, relaxing on a breathtaking beach, or partying your days and nights away, this is the destination for you. The good news about all of this is that Greece is actually one of the more affordable Western European destinations. So, no matter what your budget is, you can stretch your Euros by opting for budget hotels, eating at local restaurants, shopping local and using their public transport system. 

What are the different costs for a trip to Greece?

When it comes to the actual cost of the trip to Greece in 2026, the cost varies according to how you personally like to travel. One thing you also need to keep in mind is that the cost of travel does change quite a bit according to the time of the year and the place. This means it's super important to plan ahead. If you are looking at going to Athens or Thessaloniki, it will not cost too much; however, if you are looking at island-hopping or staying in luxury, it will cost you quite a pretty penny. 

• Flights - €150 - €600 from Europe, €600+ from North America. 
• Accommodation - Budget €25 - €50 per night, mid-range €80 - €200 per night, luxury €300+. 
• Daily Expenses - Food €25 - €60 per day, transport €5 - €20 per day, activities €15 - €50 per day. 
• SIM Cards - eSIMs from €10 for 3 - 5GB, 10 - 20GB from €30 - €40. 

Greece is a great destination for anyone looking for value for money - it offers great history, beaches and food without breaking the bank. In fact, Greece often offers the same level of beauty and culture as other European destinations like France, Switzerland or Italy but without the hefty price tag. The prices for a trip to Greece do vary depending on the time of year and where you are in the country, with July and August being the most expensive months and the period from May to September being the cheapest time to visit.

Practical tip: Getting an eSIM is a great way to avoid those airport queues and get mobile data as soon as you arrive. It's typically just a case of scanning the QR code and you're good to go.

Best SIM & eSIM Providers for Greece

Of course stauing connected whilst exploring everything Greexe has to offer is essential. If you’re anything like us, you’ll need data to use maps, book activities online, post on your socials, or even Google the closest local cafe. This means that choosing the right e-SIM provider is a top priority. You want to rely on great coverage and not have to stress that your data will run out mid-trip. 

1. Simify Travel eSIM

Simify's eSIMs are designed specifically for the needs of travelers - fast, reliable and hassle free connectivity when you need it.

• Coverage & Availability: Nationwide LTE and 5G coverage, including all of the popular islands and remote regions.
• Features: Data packages range from 3–20 GB, with high-speed data that's valid for 7–30 days.
• Activation: Instant via QR code - no queuing at the airport or swapping SIM cards required.
• Best for: Short term tourists, digital nomads and island hoppers.
• Pros: Quick and easy to set up, supports multiple devices and can be activated while you're still in the air.
• Cons: Slightly more expensive per GB for the smaller packages.

2. Cosmote

Greece’s largest provider offers dependable nationwide coverage.

• Coverage: You'll find decent signals in both urban and rural areas, with 5G available in Athens, Thessaloniki, and the major islands - because who doesn't need a fast internet connection on their Greek getaway?
• Features: They can sort you out with a physical SIM preloaded with some data, and you can even add on voice and SMS for an extra fee if you need it.
• Activation: To get set up you'll need to pop into a store and show some ID - sorry, no online sign-up for this one.
• Best for: If you're planning on exploring some of Greece's less-visited islands, this provider has got you covered (literally!) - others might not have anywhere near as strong a signal.
• The Good: Their network is reliable and they've obviously sunk a lot of cash into maintaining it.
• The Not-So-Good: You will need a physical SIM, and if you're not in the mood to wait in a store, this might not be the provider for you.

Cosmote really comes into its own when you're heading off the beaten path, where other providers might struggle to get a signal.

 

3. Vodafone Greece

Loads of visitors will already be familiar with this brand, so you know what to expect - it's like a warm welcome to Greece.

• Coverage: Their 4G LTE coverage is strong, and they're slowly rolling out 5G in major cities.
• Features: Prepaid options are super flexible, with plans ranging from daily to weekly packages - so you can sort your coverage to fit your needs.
• Activation: You'll still need to pop into a store, but you can top up online if you're on the go.
• Best for: If you're looking for a comfy, familiar provider, with straightforward pricing, this is a good bet.
• The Good: Their plans are clear, and their customer support is top-notch.
• The Not-So-Good: Their coverage might be a bit patchy on some of the smaller islands.

4. Wind Greece

Wind's a budget-friendly option, and if you're going to be mostly hanging out in cities, this could be a good fit.

• Coverage: It's strong in urban areas and major tourist hotspots - but get a bit off the beaten track and you might struggle to get a signal.
• Features: They offer data-heavy SIMs, and you can even get a social media bundle if you're a big fan of Instagram.
• Activation: You can sort this one out in-store or online, depending on whether you're feeling like a hassle or not.
• Best for: If you're on a tight budget and plan on sticking to the cities, Wind's worth looking at.
• The Good: Their plans are cheap, and social media apps are often unlimited - great if you're a bit of a social butterfly.
• The Not-So-Good: Their 5G rollout is slow, and rural coverage is patchy at best.

Coverage, Network & Public Transport Performance

Greece has a relatively good telecommunications infrastructure in place overall, though it's worth noting that it's not necessarily going to be perfect everywhere. In the larger cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, the internet connection is quick and reliable. The larger islands tend to be the same. However, if you end up going to one of the less populated islands, it can be a bit of a struggle to get a connection.

Most of the networks use 4G LTE as their means of connection. There is also 5G starting to be rolled out in the larger cities. If you're a digital nomad or someone who needs to stay connected at all times, it might be worth investing in an eSIM, as it can be easier to change networks if the connection isn't very good.

Pricing Comparison (2026 Update)

When it comes to choosing a provider, it's not just about getting a good connection - budget is also a big factor. Here's a rundown of some of the major options:

Sim cards may be slightly more expensive per GB with Simify eSIMs, but they are well worth the hassle and time saved queuing at the airport. Cosmote, Vodafone, and Wind are all reliable options if you are staying put for a while and want to make some local calls. Just be aware of fair use and speed reduction if you exceed your limit.

When to Use eSIM vs Traditional SIM

Digital travelers have a few options when it comes to staying connected. eSIMs are becoming more and more popular, and this is because you can activate an eSIM even before you arrive in Greece, so no more long queues in the airport!

Physical SIM cards are probably a better deal per GB, and you get some useful call credit included – but you do have to pop into a shop and get ID verified. Pocket Wi-Fi is great for families or those who use a lot of data, but a bit bulky and more expensive per GB.

If you are a solo traveler and are only in Greece for a short period of time, an eSIM is probably the best option. But if you are traveling in a group or are in Greece for a long period of time, a physical SIM or a pocket Wi-Fi might be better

Greece Vacation Cost Breakdown (2026) - A Guide To Help You Plan Ahead

The first thing to get right if you want to avoid these unexpected expenses, which might ruin your holiday, is to get to know your budget. And let's face it, prices in Greece are rather unpredictable depending on where you are coming from, when you are coming, and what kind of vacation you are looking for.

Flights

If you are traveling from Europe, you should be prepared to shell out anything between €150 and €600 for a return ticket, depending upon the airline and the season. If you are traveling from North America, the costs will be slightly higher - anything between €600 and €1,200 for a return ticket. And yes, you should consider the budget airlines that operate flights to Athens and Thessaloniki, but direct flights from North America are few and far between.

Accommodation

If you're a budget traveler, then there are some excellent deals available for hostels and guest houses in Athens, Thessaloniki, and some of the more popular islands for €25-50 per night. Mid-range hotels cost a bit more at €80-200 per night but usually offer breakfast and a good location. If money is no object, then luxury resorts start at around €300 per night - especially if you're looking at staying in one of the better locations like Santorini or Mykonos.

Food & Drink

Now, if you are looking for a cheap and delicious meal, then street food in Greece is something that cannot be beat, as a meal will cost you between €5 and €15. Eating in a restaurant is a bit more expensive, with a meal costing between €15 and €40 per person, but do try some of this local food, as it is a big part of Greece, and you don't have to break the bank to do so.

Transport

Public transportation is a good way to move around Greece, as buses and tramways are very cheap, with prices ranging from €1.20 to €2 euros. For longer journeys, you will have to pay between €10 and €50 euros.

Activities

Visiting the sites may be a bit on the pricey side, with most museums and archaeological sites costing between €5 to €20 Euros for each individual. The ticket to the Acropolis will set you back between €20 to 25 Euros. The tours and excursions will be slightly more expensive and will range between €20 to €80 Euros.

SIM/Internet

Getting online in Greece may be slightly less of a hassle these days - it will cost you between €10 and €40 Euros for 5 to 20 GB of data, and it will be usable for 7 to 14 days. Or you can just get an eSIM if you do not want to bother with queues and complicated procedures.

Sample Daily Budget

• Budget traveller: €60-100 per day (staying in a hostel, using public transport, eating in casual restaurants, doing few activities) - this is a good budget to aim for if you're really looking to save some cash\
• Mid-range traveller: €150-250 per day (staying in a 3-4 star hotel, eating in restaurants, taking ferries, going on some tours) - this is a good middle ground if you want to enjoy some of the best of Greece without breaking the bank\
• Luxury traveller: €400+/day (staying in a luxurious hotel, eating in the best restaurants, going on private tours) - if money is no object, then this is the way to go.
  
• FAQs

Does my phone need to be unlocked for a Greek SIM?

Yes, most eSIMs and SIM cards require an unlocked phone. Locked phones may struggle to register with foreign networks and could fail to connect properly in Greece.

Can I use an eSIM on multiple devices?

Some providers, including Simify, allow activation of an eSIM on multiple devices using a single QR code. However, simultaneous usage across all devices may not be supported.

Are SIM cards available at airports?

Yes, SIM cards are available at major Greek airports. However, queues are common and prices may be slightly higher compared to purchasing online before arrival.

Do I need ID for a SIM purchase in Greece?

Yes, purchasing a physical SIM card in Greece requires a passport or EU ID for registration. eSIM registration is typically completed online and is generally faster.

Which Greek islands have the best network coverage?

Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and Rhodes have strong LTE coverage and expanding 5G networks. Smaller or more remote islands may experience patchy connectivity depending on the provider.

Final Thoughts & What To Do Next

With a bit of planning, a Greece holiday in 2026 can fit any budget. And if you're looking to stay connected while you're there, then our eSIMs are a great option. They're fast, easy to use and cover you for maps, bookings and all the rest. Compared to physical SIMs or pocket Wi-Fi, our eSIMs offer the best of both worlds - convenience and reliable coverage. So why not give it a go?