If you are planning to visit Athens, the capital of Greece and one of the oldest cities in the world, you might be wondering how much it will cost you to enjoy a touristic stay in this fascinating destination. Athens is a city that offers a rich cultural heritage, a vibrant nightlife, a delicious cuisine, and a friendly atmosphere. But how much do you need to budget for your trip? In this blog post, we will give you some tips and estimates on how to plan your expenses for accommodation, transportation, food, entertainment, and sightseeing in Athens.
One of the biggest expenses for any traveler is accommodation. The price of a hotel room in Athens can vary depending on the location, the season, the type, and the amenities of the hotel. According to Budget Your Trip, the average price of a hotel room in Athens is $69 per night, and the median price is $61 per night. However, these prices can go up or down depending on the demand and availability. For example, during peak season (June to September), you can expect to pay more for your hotel room than during low season (November to March). Also, if you want to stay in a central location, such as near the Acropolis or Syntagma Square, you will pay more than if you stay in a less touristy area.
If you are looking for a budget option, you can find some cheap hotels in Athens for less than $25 per night. These hotels are usually basic and may not have many amenities, but they can be clean and comfortable. Some examples of budget hotels in Athens are Socrates Hotel, Tempi Hotel, and Sparta Team Hotel.
If you are looking for a mid-range option, you can find some decent hotels in Athens for around $50 to $100 per night. These hotels are usually more modern and offer more facilities, such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi, breakfast, and sometimes a pool or a rooftop terrace. Some examples of mid-range hotels in Athens are Athens Gate Hotel, Plaka Hotel, and Herodion Hotel.
If you are looking for a luxury option, you can find some upscale hotels in Athens for over $100 per night. These hotels are usually located in prime locations and offer high-end services, such as spa, gym, restaurant, bar, and stunning views of the city or the sea. Some examples of luxury hotels in Athens are Hotel Grande Bretagne, King George Hotel, and Electra Palace Athens.
Another major expense for any traveler is transportation. The cost of transportation in Athens depends on how you choose to get around the city and how far you want to go. The good news is that Athens has a very efficient and affordable public transportation system that includes metro, bus, tram, and trolleybus. You can use any of these modes of transport with the same ticket or pass that you can buy at any station or kiosk. A single ticket costs 1.40 euros ($1.60) and is valid for 90 minutes on any mode of transport within the city limits. A 24-hour ticket costs 4.50 euros ($5) and is valid for unlimited rides on any mode of transport within the city limits. A 5-day ticket costs 9 euros ($10) and is valid for unlimited rides on any mode of transport within the city limits.
| # | Price | Validity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | EUR 1.20 | 90 minutes on any mode of transport within the city limits | Go!! |
| 24-Hour ticket | EUR 4.10 | Unlimited rides on any mode of transport within the city limits | Go!! |
| 5-days | EUR 8.10 | Unlimited rides on any mode of transport within the city limits | Go!! |
| Tourist 3-days | EUR 20.00 | With 2 way from/to airport | Go!! |
If you want to visit some attractions outside the city center, such as Cape Sounion or Marathon Lake, you will need to take a regional bus (KTEL) that costs around 5 to 10 euros ($6 to $12) one way depending on the destination.
| # | Price | Validity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | EUR 5 – 10 | One way depending on the destination | Go!! |
If you prefer to take a taxi or use a ride-hailing app like Uber or Beat, you will pay more than using public transport but less than in other European cities. The starting fare for a taxi in Athens is 1.29 euros ($1.50) and then 0.74 euros ($0.85) per kilometer during the day and 1.18 euros ($1.35) per kilometer at night. Uber and Beat have similar rates but may charge extra fees depending on the demand and availability.
| # | Starting Fare | Per km | Extra | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | EUR 1.29 | EUR 0.74 | / | Go!! |
| Uber | Similar | Similar | + Extra fees depending on the demand and availability | Go!! |
| Beat | Similar | Similar | + Extra fees depending on the demand and availability | Go!! |
One of the best things about traveling to Athens is enjoying its delicious cuisine that combines Mediterranean flavors with local ingredients. The cost of food in Athens depends on where and what you eat but it is generally reasonable compared to other European cities. You can find cheap street food options such as souvlaki (grilled meat skewers), gyros (meat wrapped in pita bread), koulouri (sesame bread rings), or spanakopita (spinach pie) for around 2 to 4 euros ($2 to $5) each. You can also find bakeries that sell pastries …
| Name | Definition | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Souvlaki | (grilled meat skewers) | EUR 2 – 4 | |
| Gyros | (meat wrapped in pita bread) | EUR 2 – 4 | |
| Koulouri | (sesame bread rings) | EUR 2 – 4 | |
| Spanakopita | (spinach pie) | EUR 2 – 4 | |
| Meal | Middle class resto | EUR 15 – 20 |
| # | Min | Max | Average | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | ||||
| Simple breakfast (local café or bakery) |
EUR 5 | EUR 10 | EUR 7.5 | |
| Elaborate brunch (mid-range sit-down restaurants) |
EUR 10 | EUR 20 | EUR 15 | |
| EUR 11.25 | ||||
| Lunch | ||||
| Casual restaurant / taverna | EUR 10 | EUR 20 | EUR 15 | |
| Mid-range restaurant | EUR 15 | EUR 25 | EUR 20 | Fine-dining restaurant | EUR 35 | EUR 60 | EUR 47.5 |
| EUR 27.50 | ||||
| Dinner | ||||
| Casual restaurant or taverna | EUR 12 | EUR 20 | EUR 16 | |
| Mid-range restaurant | EUR 15 | EUR 25 | EUR 20 | |
| Fine-dining restaurant | EUR 25 | EUR 65 or more | EUR 45 or more | |
| EUR 27 or more | ||||
| Going Out | ||||
| Coffee | EUR 5 | EUR 5 | ||
| Fast food or street food | EUR 10 | EUR 10 | ||
| EUR 15 | ||||
| Total | 11.25 + 27.50 + 27 + 15 = | EUR 80.75 | ||
| Minimum | 5 + 10 + 12 + 15 = | EUR 42 | ||
These prices can vary depending on the location and type of restaurant. Tourist areas tend to be more expensive, while local spots offer more affordable options. Enjoy your culinary adventure in Athens! ️
[BudgetYourTrip]
[Eating Europe]
Many of the historical sites in Athens have affordable entrance fees.
| # | Attraction | Adults price | Reduced price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acropolis of Athens | €20 | €10 |
| 2 | Parthenon | Included in the Acropolis ticket | |
| 3 | Acropolis Museum | €10 | €5 |
| 4 | National Archaeological Museum | €10 | €5 |
| 5 | Temple of Olympian Zeus | €6 | €3 |
| 6 | Ancient Agora of Athens | €8 | €4 |
| 7 | Benaki Museum | €12 for adults | |
| 8 | Panathenaic Stadium | €5 | €2.50 |
| 9 | Plaka District | Free to explore | |
| 10 | Monastiraki Flea Market | Free to explore | |
With these estimates, you can budget around €80 per day for a basic stay in Athens, excluding any additional activities or luxury expenses.
| # | Min | Max | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 20 | EUR 30 | EUR 25 |
| Transportation | EUR 1.20 | EUR 4.10 | EUR 4.10 |
| Food | EUR 42 | EUR 80.75 | EUR 42 |
| Activities | FREE | EUR 20 | EUR 10 |
| 25 + 4.10 + 42 + 10 | EUR 81.1 | ||
| Total | EUR 80 | ||
