Greece
Greek Island Hop
Ferry-hopping the Cyclades on a hostel budget
18 days
Duration
$55
Daily budget
Easy
Difficulty
May – Jun, Sep
Best months
Skip July–August prices and the Cyclades are genuinely cheap. Slow ferries cost a third of the fast ones, and most islands have one big social hostel.
The route, stop by stop
🇬🇷 Athens · Greece
Acropolis at opening time, then Anafiotika alleys.
3 nights$45/day
⛵ Paros · Greece
Best balance of beaches, nightlife and price.
3 nights$52/day
🏝️ Naxos · Greece
Biggest island, cheapest food, mountain villages.
3 nights$48/day
🎉 Ios · Greece
The party island — hostels run the whole scene.
3 nights$58/day
🌅 Santorini · Greece
Hike Fira to Oia instead of paying for a sunset tour.
3 nights$78/day
🥾 Crete · Greece
Samaria Gorge and pink-sand Elafonissi.
3 nights$50/day
6 stops · 18 nights
≈ $993 total
Totals are estimates built from the per-night budgets above — your real spend will vary.
Getting around
- →Blue Star slow ferries
- →SeaJets when time-tight
- →Scooter rental per island
- →Local KTEL buses
Don't forget
- ✓Reef shoes
- ✓Dry bag
- ✓Sun hat
- ✓Motorbike licence for scooters
Ready to walk it?
Save the stops as a trip, track your budget and find hostels along the way.
Start planning free
