HOW TO GET TO MILOS ISLAND ON A BUDGET?

Milos is situated on the southern side of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea. During peak season (late June – August) numerous ferries connect Milos to surrounding islands and Athens. In shoulder season there are still lots of ferries to choose from but you may be limited by what day and time certain routes or ferry companies are available.

Without a doubt, the cheapest way to reach Milos is by car ferry. Zante Ferries offers very cheap passenger tickets and runs fairly frequently. I paid as little as 12 euros for a ferry between Milos and Sifnos, compared to the outrageous Sea Jets pricing (upwards of 80 euros). Other ferry companies that offer cheaper tickets perfect for budget travel include Hellenic Seaways, Aegean Sea Lines, and Blue Star Ferries. You can book these tickets at most tourist offices from your departure destination or try booking online through websites like Ferryhopper (my personal favourite) and FerryScanner.

It is also possible to fly between the islands in the Cyclades. However, do take into account that the propeller planes can have extreme turbulence (sometimes preventing the plane from landing) and delays (as much as a full day).

WHERE TO STAY ON MILOS?

If you are on a strict budget the best town to stay in is Adamas. This is the port town, sometimes also referred to as Adamantas. All ferries docking in and departing from Milos will be moored at the port in Adamas so you can walk to your accommodation as soon as you disembark (how convenient). Adamas town includes a supermarket, cafes, bars, travel companies, car rental services, and beaches. Adamas is located at a maximum of 15 minutes from anywhere else accessible by car on the island which makes it a perfect base.

Unfortunately, there are no hostels located on the island. However, this does not mean that cheap accommodation is unavailable to you. Many travel companies own units with individual rooms for rent. These rooms are usually equipped with a fridge, kettle, private bathroom, and a terrace or balcony. This makes these rooms a great option for one or two people. If you wish to be more at home on the island or have a larger group of travellers, there are plenty of Airbnb/Booking.com stays available. All of the locals on Milos are nice and friendly, they will do their very best to accommodate you in any way possible (please do not try and sneak more than the allowed number of guests into an Airbnb, they will know!).

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT MILOS?

I visited Milos in late May and could not have had a better experience. During shoulder season (from April to early June) the prices are cheaper, crowds are significantly thinner, and the weather is pleasantly warm. Milos during May still felt like an ‘off the beaten track’ travel destination. When we arrived at the beach we usually found only two or three other groups present. This was also true for restaurants and fast food joints. During Spring we could still take advantage of all that Milos had to offer under the sun in 24-28 degree heat. I also found that locals were friendly as they had the time to talk with us and share their travel tips, favourite spots, and personal stories.

HOW TO GET AROUND MILOS?

Yes, Milos does have a bus network yet the timetable can be tricky to understand and buses are infrequent. From Adamas or Plaka it can be easy to reach the main tourist draws like Sarakiniko Beach or Pollonia. Other destinations that can be reached include Firiplaka, Provatas, Tsigardo, Mytakas, Papafragas, Paleochori, and the airport. It can be difficult to coordinate your days when certain bus routes only run five times per day, even in the height of Summer. However, these buses are a very cheap way to see the highlights of Milos Island as tickets are only 2 euros per journey (payable to the driver in cash upon disembarkation).

To gain the most out of your Milos Island experience, I highly recommend hiring a car or ATV. A car is the best option if your group is over 2 people as rental companies will charge roughly the same price for either vehicle. Do not assume that all rental companies will charge the same price, even in late May there were drastic 30 euro differences between companies in the same town. The best price I discovered was Athena Travel Services (located to the right of the port in Adamas).

A couple of further things to note if you plan on hiring a car or ATV include your license class and age. Manual cars, like in the rest of Europe, are cheaper to rent than automatic cars. Additionally, automatic cars are in high demand so it is generally a good idea to book your hire car in advance for the Summer. If you are below the age of 21 it is incredibly difficult to hire a car, and especially an ATV, so do not expect to be able to hire a vehicle because of insurance reasons (so sorry).

The vast majority of tourist hot spots like Sarakiniko Beach, Plaka, and the traditional fishing villages are easily accessible on sealed roads. This is not the case for the Western side of the island and a small section of the Eastern side. Participating in a day cruise to see the famous Kleftiko Cove is certainly worth the money. If you have a larger group then hiring a motor boat to visit the Western side might be something to consider – you can be your own skipper without a license in Greece!

HOW LONG SHOULD I STAY ON MILOS?

Originally planned to spend 3 nights on Milos Island before heading to another island. I ended up loving Milos so much that I stayed an entire 7 nights! I would suggest that you spend a minimum of 4 nights on Milos which provides you with 3 whole days to cliff jump Sarakiniko Beach, admire the colourful symrata, stroll through the streets of Plaka, explore the catacombs at Trypiti, and sail to Kleftiko. The list goes on and on so I generally recommend that you keep your island hopping itinerary open to allow for the extension of your time on Milos for as long as you desire (forever probably).

SO HOW MUCH DOES BUDGET TRAVELLING MILOS COST?

Compared to other Greek islands in the Cyclades that offer similar things, Milos is incredibly affordable. We were able to find last-minute accommodation for as little as 17 euros each. We spent an average of 23 euros on accommodation per night in 2 different Airbnb-style apartments. Both apartments were equipped with 2 bedrooms and a full kitchen.

As we were below 23 years old, car rental cost a tad more money than it usually would due to insurance reasons. We rented 2 different cars from separate rental companies and paid an average of 17 euros per person per day for an automatic vehicle.

Our Airbnb’s were equipped with full kitchens so I ate homemade meals about 2 times per day. Do not be fooled however as supermarket prices on the island can be quite expensive. Sometimes grabbing a gyro from Andreas down by the port can work out cheaper than buying groceries. On average we spent approximately 5 euros per meal, which is more expensive than in other locations but I felt it was worthwhile.

Considering accommodation, transport, and meals I spent an average of approximately 50 euros ($80 AUD) per day while budget travelling Milos Island.