14-Day Greece Itinerary with Realistic Costs: Flights, Ferries, Island Car Rentals, Stays, Tours & Transfers
If you are planning a Greece trip and want more than just a route, this guide gives you the practical side too: where to stay, how the island hops affect the budget, what Athens, Crete, Milos and Santorini realistically cost, and what a scenic 14 day trip can look like for two people when you combine flights, ferries, rental cars, archaeology, beaches and a few signature experiences.
Map of the Greece Route
This route starts in Athens, continues to Chania and inland Crete, then moves by ferry to Milos and onward to Santorini before flying back via Athens. Use the map below to visualise the flow and see how the mainland and islands connect.
Photo Inspiration for the Route
Athens
Acropolis & Agora
Delphi
Chania
West Crete Beaches
Knossos & Winery Day
Milos
Kleftiko Boat Tour
Santorini
How the Budget Breaks Down
Budget Split
Quick Takeaways
- Transport is the biggest spend, because this route stacks an international flight, a domestic hop, two ferries and three island car-rental blocks.
- The activity budget is significant, especially because Athens tours, the Crete winery, the Milos boat day and the Santorini cruise all add up quickly.
- Accommodation stays relatively controlled, with practical apartments and studios instead of premium caldera suites throughout.
- The biggest cost levers are the island experiences, especially private-ish transport logic, ferries, and the higher-value guided or boat days.
Visual Budget Summary
These charts make it easier to see where the money goes and how the nights are distributed across the main bases.
Trip Cost Split
Nights by Destination
Day-wise Itinerary
Here is the trip broken down day by day so a reader can quickly understand the route, what each stop is for, and where the major costs sit inside the itinerary.
Arrive in Athens
- Fly from Mumbai to Athens and take the airport metro into the Petralona stay.
- Keep the first day light and use the evening for the Acropolis Museum.
- This day works as the arrival and orientation layer before the more activity-heavy Athens section begins.
Likely costs today
Acropolis, Agora, Plaka and Lycabettus
- Use the morning for the Acropolis and Ancient Agora, then continue through Monastiraki, Plaka and Anafiotika.
- Finish with Mount Lycabettus for wider city views and a more elevated evening feel.
- This is one of the strongest Athens days because it combines heritage sites and atmospheric neighbourhood time.
Likely costs today
Food Tour, National Museum and Stadium
- Start with a guided Athens food tour and build the afternoon around the National Archaeological Museum.
- Close the day at the Panathenaic Stadium before returning to Petralona.
- This gives the city leg a good balance of food, museum depth and a major historic landmark.
Likely costs today
Delphi Day Trip
- Leave Athens for a full day trip to Delphi and return by evening.
- This adds depth to the Greece route because it expands beyond Athens without requiring a hotel change.
- It is one of the cleanest ways to add a major classical site before the island-hopping begins.
Likely costs today
Fly to Chania and Ease into Crete
- Head to Athens airport, fly to Chania, collect the Crete rental car and start the island section.
- Use Seitan Limania for a dramatic opening and then spend the evening in Chania Old Town and the Venetian harbour.
- This day changes the trip from city-and-history mode into a beach-and-road-trip rhythm.
Likely costs today
West Crete Beach Circuit
- Use the full day for the long west Crete driving loop and stack the major beaches into one big scenic day.
- This is one of the most movement-heavy days, but also one of the most visually rewarding.
- The route works well for travellers who want variety rather than staying anchored to one beach.
Likely costs today
Lake Kournas, Rethymno and Arkadi to Archanes
- Leave Chania and drive east through Lake Kournas and Rethymno before reaching Arkadi Monastery.
- Continue onward to the Archanes base for the more heritage-and-wine oriented Crete section.
- This split-base approach makes Crete feel broader than a simple Chania-only stay.
Likely costs today
Heraklion Museum, Knossos and Winery
- Build the day around the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the Palace of Knossos and a winery stop.
- This is one of the most layered inland days because it combines archaeology, culture and a polished food-and-wine finish.
- It is also one of the clearest premium experience days within Crete.
Likely costs today
Ferry to Milos
- Drive to Heraklion port, board the ferry to Milos, collect the second rental car and check into the island stay.
- Use the evening for Sarakiniko and the Venetian Castle side of Milos.
- This day is a clean example of how the itinerary uses travel days as part of the experience rather than wasted time.
Likely costs today
Milos Beach Day and Kleftiko Tour
- Use the morning for Milos beaches and the afternoon for the Kleftiko half-day boat tour.
- This is one of the most signature island days in the whole trip and one of the biggest activity spends.
- It works best as a full scenic day with minimal extra agenda outside water, cliffs and sea views.
Likely costs today
Milos to Santorini
- Use the morning for Firopotamos and the ancient theatre side, then take the ferry onward to Santorini.
- Settle into Fira-side movement and end with Santo Wines and caldera views.
- This day shifts the trip into a more polished and high-contrast final island stretch.
Likely costs today
Akrotiri, Perissa and Oia Day
- Pick up the Santorini rental car and use the day for Akrotiri, Perissa Beach, Prophet Elias and an Oia stretch.
- This is one of the best-balanced Santorini days because it combines history, beach time and village atmosphere.
- It gives the island a broader feel than a caldera-only itinerary.
Likely costs today
Santorini Cruise and Ancient Thera
- Use the first half of the day for the caldera cruise with meal and drinks, then visit Ancient Thera later.
- This is one of the final splurge days and one of the clearest reasons the Santorini leg feels celebratory.
- It gives the itinerary a strong finish before departure.
Likely costs today
Departure via Athens
- Take the short taxi to Santorini airport, fly to Athens and connect onward to Mumbai.
- The route ends without an extra airport night because the final island stay is already built for the departure flow.
- This overall structure works well for travellers who want both a strong city opening and a high-impact island finish.
Likely costs today
What This Greece Trip Costs in Real Terms
This itinerary is not backpacking, but it is also not ultra-luxury. It sits in the comfort segment many travellers actually want: practical apartments, efficient island movement, rental-car flexibility, a few guided experiences, and enough signature activities to make the trip feel special.
For 2 people, the full estimated cost comes to ₹4.16 lakh. That works out to roughly ₹29,687 per day for two, or ₹14,844 per person per day when you include flights, stays, ferries, rentals, tours, visa and essentials.
Accommodation Plan: City Apartment, Crete Bases, Milos Studio & Santorini Sea View
One of the strongest parts of this itinerary is that the stays are chosen to match the route flow. The trip opens with a practical Athens apartment, splits Crete into west and inland bases, then uses Milos and Santorini as the two final island anchors.
| City | Property | Type | Room | Rating | Nights | Per night | Total | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | Grandma’s Chic & Bright Athenian home with a Patio | Airbnb | 1 Bedroom Apartment | 4.98 (Airbnb) | 4 | ₹6,539 | ₹26,156 | View stay |
| Chania | Modern apt in quiet neighborhood – Evaris | Airbnb | 2 Bedroom Apartment | 5.0 (Airbnb) | 2 | ₹9,418 | ₹18,836 | View stay |
| Archanes | Troullos Traditional Homes | Hotel | 1 Bedroom Apartment | 9.5 (Booking) | 2 | ₹7,681 | ₹15,362 | View stay |
| Milos | VILLA FLORA AKIS (“SARAKINIKO” APARTAMENT) | Airbnb | Studio | 4.97 (Airbnb) | 2 | ₹6,557 | ₹13,113 | View stay |
| Santorini | So close to Caldera cliff, Seaview studio No6 | Airbnb | Studio | 4.95 (Airbnb) | 3 | ₹7,706 | ₹23,119 | View stay |
Total stay cost: ₹96,586. The route stays efficient because it uses practical apartments and studios rather than premium design hotels or luxury cave suites throughout.
Flights, Ferries, Metro, Rental Cars, Fuel & Transfers
Because this Greece itinerary is designed as a moving route rather than a single-base holiday, the transport budget includes the long-haul flight, a domestic Athens-Crete hop, ferries, metro tickets, buses, taxis, and car rentals across Crete, Milos and Santorini.
| Category | Route / Service | Provider | Notes | Final Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International flight | Mumbai – Athens Return | Royal Jordanian | Economy routing via Amman | ₹44,958 | Check flight |
| Public transport | Athens Airport Metro | OASA | Round-trip airport movement | ₹3,624 | View |
| Public transport | Athens Metro / Bus ticket pack | OASA | 5 day city transport pass | ₹1,651 | View |
| Taxi | Anafiotika – Funicular | Uber / Local Taxi | Short Athens estimate | ₹805 | Estimate |
| Flight | Athens – Chania | Aegean | Domestic island connection | ₹12,942 | View |
| Car rental | Chania Airport – Heraklion Port | Selecta / Discover Cars | Crete self-drive block | ₹32,391 | View |
| Fuel | Crete island fuel estimate | Unleaded 95 | Approx. 488 km driving | ₹4,762 | View |
| Ferry | Heraklion – Milos | Minoan Lines | Deck class | ₹10,672 | View |
| Car rental | Milos Port – Milos Port | Avance / Discover Cars | Milos island self-drive block | ₹16,508 | View |
| Fuel | Milos island fuel estimate | Unleaded 95 | Approx. 59 km driving | ₹791 | View |
| Ferry | Milos – Santorini | Seajets | Fast ferry sector | ₹18,867 | View |
| Bus | Santorini local buses | KTEL | Port, Fira and winery sectors | ₹1,712 | View |
| Car rental | Fira – Fira | Green Motion / Discover Cars | Santorini self-drive block | ₹9,682 | View |
| Fuel | Santorini island fuel estimate | Unleaded 95 | Approx. 66 km driving | ₹644 | View |
| Taxi | Airbnb – Santorini Airport | Local Taxi / Welcome Pickups | Departure transfer | ₹3,020 | View |
| Flight | Santorini – Athens | Aegean | Final domestic connection | ₹9,296 | View |
Total transport cost: ₹1,72,730. In this itinerary, transport becomes the largest fixed cost head because the route is built around mainland-to-island and island-to-island movement.
Tours, Activities & Ticketed Experiences
This is where the itinerary becomes memorable. If your readers want to recreate the highlights rather than just copy the route, these are the experiences that define the trip.
| Experience | Location | What it is | Final Cost for 2 | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acropolis Museum | Athens | Evening museum ticket with audio guide | ₹4,027 | View |
| Acropolis | Athens | Main archaeological ticket | ₹6,041 | View |
| Ancient Agora of Athens | Athens | Classical site ticket | ₹4,027 | View |
| Athens Highlights Mythology Tour | Athens | Guided highlights tour | ₹13,088 | View |
| Mount Lycabettus | Athens | Cable car ticket | ₹2,416 | View |
| The Delicious Athens Food Tour | Athens | Guided food experience | ₹13,088 | View |
| National Archaeological Museum | Athens | Museum ticket | ₹2,416 | View |
| Panathenaic Stadium | Athens | Stadium ticket with audio guide | ₹2,014 | View |
| Delphi Ancient Town | Delphi | Archaeological site ticket | ₹4,027 | View |
| Delphi & Arachova Day Trip | Delphi | Bus day trip with audio guide | ₹5,940 | View |
| Balos Lagoon | Crete | Access + parking | ₹403 | View |
| Elafonissi Beach | Crete | Parking / access cost | ₹302 | View |
| Arkadi Monastery | Crete | Monastery ticket | ₹805 | View |
| Heraklion Archaeological Museum | Crete | Museum ticket | ₹2,416 | View |
| Palace of Knossos | Crete | Site ticket | ₹4,027 | View |
| Lyrarakis Winery Picnic Experience | Crete | Food + wine experience | ₹14,095 | View |
| Kleftiko Half-day Tour | Milos | Boat tour | ₹9,061 | View |
| Santo Wines | Santorini | Wine tasting ticket | ₹8,860 | View |
| Akrotiri Archaeological Site | Santorini | Site ticket | ₹4,027 | View |
| Caldera Traditional Cruise | Santorini | Boat + lunch + drinks | ₹16,109 | View |
| Ancient Thera | Santorini | Archaeological site ticket | ₹2,014 | View |
Total tours & tickets: ₹1,20,212. If you want to reduce the budget without changing the route too much, this is one of the easiest categories to optimise.
Visa, SIM & Pre-Trip Essentials
| Item | Details | Cost for 2 | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen Visa | Greece short-stay visa | ₹18,180 | Visa details |
| Visa service fee | Global Visa Center with biometrics | ₹6,041 | GVC details |
| eSIM | Greece 20 GB data-only plan | ₹1,873 | View eSIM |
How I Would Read This Budget as a Traveller
If you are planning your own Greece trip, this budget tells you something useful: the country can be very manageable in accommodation terms, but the moment you combine multiple islands, ferries, domestic flights, rental cars and a few signature tours, the trip starts behaving more like a curated Mediterranean circuit than a simple beach holiday.
In this plan, the expensive parts are not the everyday basics. They are the inter-island movement and the premium experience days, especially the Athens guided tours, the Crete winery day, the Kleftiko boat trip and the Santorini cruise. That means the itinerary can be flexed up or down depending on your style.
Easy ways to make this itinerary cheaper
- Trim one of the premium guided or boat experiences, especially the winery day, Milos boat trip or Santorini cruise.
- Keep the route but replace a few paid experiences with free beaches, village walks and sunset viewpoints.
- Reduce car-rental days and lean harder into selective taxis, buses and slower island pacing.
- Swap ferries or flights for different island combinations if availability or pricing changes.
- Treat the trip more as a slow Greece route rather than a checklist of every paid experience on each island.
Easy ways to make this itinerary more premium
- Upgrade the stay plan to caldera suites, boutique cave hotels or design-led beach properties.
- Add private transfers, premium ferry seats or guided archaeological experiences.
- Swap some shared transport logic for private sailing or premium catamaran days.
- Extend Milos or Santorini by an extra night or two if you want a less transit-heavy pace.
Final Thoughts
This Greece itinerary works well because it balances the big-name experiences with a route that still feels coherent: Athens for heritage and food, Crete for variety and road-trip scale, Milos for beach drama, and Santorini for a polished caldera finish.
For a reader planning their own trip, that is the most useful kind of itinerary: not just where to go, but how the trip actually comes together in money terms before you book.
