WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO GET TO SANTORINI?

If you are considering travelling to Santorini from another country or Athens then flying is probably your best bet. Flights from within EU nations to Santorini are much more affordable than you’d expect. Additionally, the bus service connecting the airport to the capital town of Fira is easy to navigate and fairly frequent.

Due to Santorini’s enormous popularity, you can also find car ferries daily from the islands surrounding Santorini. These car ferries, such as those operated by Zante Ferries, are slower but are a much (much) cheaper option compared to fast ferries. Travelling with car ferry companies is the best way to budget travel to Santorini and other islands in Greece because of the significant savings.

WHERE TO STAY ON SANTORINI ON A BUDGET?

Fira is a fantastic base for exploring the Santorini on a budget. Fira is the capital of Santorini located on the top of a very, very steep hill. There is no beach easily accessible, however everything else is! There are numerous grocery stores, fast food chains, bars, cafes, travel agencies, hotels, and hostels nearby. Fira is also the cheapest location in Santorini as it is not only surrounded by resort beach accommodation, it is also occupied by locals who need to go about their daily lives too.

Without a doubt my top hostel in Santorini is Caveland. This hostel is one of the best, if not the best, I have ever visited. Caveland offers breakfast, family-style dinners, pool facilities, comfy dorm rooms, and inviting common areas to meet other travellers. The staff at Caveland are incredible people who will help you with anything you need, whether it’s a car rental or a drinking buddy!

Other great hostels in Fira include Fira Backpacker’s Hostel and Bedspot Hostel. These hostels are located in the centre of Fira and are top-notch in terms of cleanliness, facilities, and atmosphere. It is no secret these Santorini hostels can get expensive, which is why sometimes sharing a private room in a studio complex can work out cheaper (especially during high season). There are numerous rooms available for rent all over the island and you are more likely to find them by the beaches of Perissa and Kamari, about a 20-minute drive from Fira.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SANTORINI?

I will forever be a fan of visiting the Greek Islands during late Spring. Shoulder season is the perfect time to visit Santorini if you want to take advantage of warm weather, cheaper prices, and thinner crowds. Due to the popularity of Santorini, any time you visit there will likely be loads of other tourists just like you. However, if you are willing to travel as early as April or as late as September, you will be visiting at the prime to maintain that laid-back island feel.

HOW TO GET AROUND SANTORINI?

The bus network on Santorini is much more developed than any of its neighbouring islands in the Cyclades. Buses on the island do a great job of connecting all the major locations to Fira. If you need to get from one side of the island to the other it will be necessary to stop in Fira and change bus routes. The buses connect Perissa, Kamari, Oia, Perivolos, and the airport well. You should not expect the buses to run on time, yet even during shoulder season, this did not matter too much as buses ran every twenty minutes to half an hour. Each bus journey costs 2.5 euros payable on board in cash to the standing staff member (you should also be prepared to stand in Summer as these buses get crowded).

If you wish to visit the lesser-developed beaches or lesser-known tourist draws on the island, such as Red Beach or Pyrgos, it is probably best to hire a car or ATV. The vehicle will provide you with much more freedom and time to explore the island on your schedule. ATVs are typically the transport mode of choice with locals using these quad bikes and motorbikes as their preferred means. After driving through the narrow and windy streets, I’m sure you’ll understand why!

HOW LONG SHOULD I STAY ON SANTORINI?

For a traveller on a strict budget, I recommend a maximum of 3 nights. In my personal experience, I believe that 2 full days is enough time to relax on the famous black sand beach, cruise around Fira on a quad bike, hike toward the lighthouse for an impressive sunset and explore the charming whitewashed town of Oia.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BUDGET TRAVEL SANTORINI?

I visited Santorini in mid-May when prices were only starting to become inflated for the high season. Accommodation was still readily available to book the night before. We were able to find a studio room for rent with a private bathroom for an average of 27 euros per night per person. In hindsight, I would have happily paid more for accommodation if it meant staying in Fira. We were situated at Perissa Beach and it was a struggle to coordinate plans with other backpackers around the island.

Our studio did not have a kitchen, only a kettle and a fridge, so we were unable to prepare any home-cooked meals. I survived mainly on fast food like pizza, gyros, and snacks (mainly cookies). Looking back this was not the healthiest 3 days of my trip. I did get a few nutritious meals when I visited restaurants, but that was typically over budget. On average, I spent approximately 6 euros per meal.

We rented ATVs for one day through Caveland hostel for only 22 euros each. Keep in mind that these quad bikes were only 150cc and 2 of our 3 bikes had issues on the road. Not to say that these bikes weren’t rideable or the problems weren’t fixable, only that next time I would upgrade for a better all-round experience.

Considering accommodation, meals, and transport I spent an average of approximately 55 euros (AUD 88) per day.