Heimdall

I doubt you will find anything else that cheap on Mykonos, the most expensive island in Greece, but this website shows some other possibilities:
http://www.hostelbookers.com/search/...2/ngt/3/ppl/1/

Be aware that it's not just rooms that are expensive on Mykonos — nearly everything else is too. Be prepared to spend twice as much per day on Mykonos as on Paros or Naxos. Check the prices on the menu before sitting down to eat at any restaurant. It <i>is</i> possible to eat cheaply on Mykonos with a little searching, but "cheap" on Mykonos is the same as "average" on most other islands.

Heimdall

BTW, I always bring an ample supply of Coppertone from the US with me. You will be shocked at how much sunscreen costs in Greece.

WWK

Good advice from Heimdall above. We were shocked at prices for suntan lotion on the islands.

Also a FYI: Last summer it was nearly impossible to fly back to Athens from Paros. We had to take the boat to Naxos, overnight there, then fly next day to Athens.

I assume though that you are taking the ferry?

acalish

My plan is to fly to Santorini, ferry around, and then ferry back to Piraeus. It seems like Mykonos will be too expensive, and if I have to choose one of the "luxury" islands it would be Santorini over Mykonos, so Mykonos will have to wait for a future Greece visit.

And good advice about the sunscreen - in all of my travels I've been shocked by how expensive it is in other countries.

Heimdall

Hi acalish,

Mykonos is a lovely island, but not so good for the budget conscious. When I've been there it's mainly to see the archaeological site at Delos, and then get away to Antiparos, my favourite island, as soon as possible. There are no hostels on Antiparos that I'm aware of, so your choice of Paros is a good one.

If you can stretch your budget for a round-island boat trip, I highly recommend it. They are all-day trips with lunch, snacks, and drinks included, and are a good way to meet people. The two most popular are: Alexandros, which often gets block bookings from Busabout, so is sometimes noisy; and Captain Ben, which gets a lot of good reviews. You may be able to book the trip through your hostel, or if not through one of the travel agents. Then all you have to do is take the bus to Pounta where they will pick you up at the ferry dock. The trips cost €40, which is about $50 (try to start thinking in euros).

It's not just Greece where sunscreen is expensive, as you know. It is also expensive in the UK where I now live, but I'm lucky enough to have a source where I can still buy Coppertone at US prices. It seems that in Europe sunscreen is treated as a cosmetic, and taxed accordingly. IMHO it should be considered a health product because of its role in preventing sunburn and skin cancer.

Another tip: when you get to Greece you can buy a straw beach mat for a few dollars, or even find a used one left at the hostel by a previous guest. That will save you a lot of money on sunbeds.