We are going to Greece (Santorini, Crete and Athens) soon. No, TravelerJan, we haven't left yet, but I surely appreciate you!. We have the money set aside for all hotels. All hotels include breakfast. What would you budget in EURO a day for two for food and transportation? Keeping in mind that some days we'll self-tour, some days maybe hop on a bus, some days just stay where we are. Budget minded, but not too cheap. Neither of us are big drinkers or night lifers. Just an average Euro per day....Thanks!

I thought there were SIX of you?!?!? What happened??? I don't do budgets for 2, sorry. For one is how we plan.

As for me & my travel pals, we budget 40€ max daily besides lodging. but as you know we are poor (i'm not kidding here; blame a life spent in virtuous nonprofits mostly) -- and thus are serious budgeteers. I'm sure this would not do for you.

40€ would cover the very basics --
Picnic lunches--3-4€ average, basic taverna dinner/1 glass wine--11-12€, Snacks & water -- 2-3€ (in crete & Naxos we fill from the tap) daily activities--10€ (museum or site admissions, local busses, internet, sunbed/brella rental) and 10-11€ for pro-rated expenses like shared car rental, or ferry to the next island.

Anything else is up to each of us-- from postcards to expensive dinner choices to souvenirs, guidebooks, and shopping sprees.

For frugal folk, this budget works well in many isles, not so much in Santorini or Mykonos. Just 1 example --average internet use charge on, say Samos, is 4-5€ an hr. ON my very FIRST trip, in '99, in Mykonos, in drachmas it came to $40 an hour!! I waited until the next island.

I'm sure the above limits would seem like penury to you, but its fortunate that I enjoy most of all the life of the mind, and the touch of the sea, and it works for me.

Have a happy and relaxed time, and live in the moment. Greece is a great place to learn to simplify your life.

Thanks Jan,
Sage words!! We all are lovers of all visual and simple and probably not at all who you may imagine us/me to be. I am just always curious and am not afraid to ask for advise on a travel forum! I'll give it too, if anyone asks! Thanks again

Please take notes for a detailed trip report as we have the same itinerary planned for September!

Wise words, Jan and I couldn't agree more.

It IS a struggle on Mykonos to stay on a low budget but I have managed thus far. For how much longer I do not know.

Bill

I sympathize Bill, but at least u are on the UK pound, not on the (deservedly) totally-tanking dollar. As as an "old Mykonos hand," you know how to pare costs here & there. I hope you enjoy your time there this year!!

Jan, the £ has been hitting record lows against the € as well. We dollar earners are not alone.