Budget · Crete · Greece
Crete on a budget
What a trip to Crete really costs, and where the savings are.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Z thomas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Crete is moderately priced for most international visitors. Budget roughly $60–$100 per person per day on a tight budget, $130–$230 mid-range and $350–$900 for luxury, excluding flights. Hotel prices are usually lowest in November–March.
Key facts
- Budget traveller
- $60–$100 a day
- Mid-range
- $130–$230 a day
- Luxury
- $350–$900 a day
- Local currency
- EUR
- Free sights
- 4
Daily budget and trip cost
AMZBooking estimates per person in US dollars, excluding flights, reviewed October 2026. Accommodation is the biggest variable; prices rise in peak months.
| Style | Per day | 3 days | 5 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $60–$100 | $180–$300 | $300–$500 | $420–$700 |
| Mid-range | $130–$230 | $390–$690 | $650–$1,150 | $910–$1,610 |
| Luxury | $350–$900 | $1,050–$2,700 | $1,750–$4,500 | $2,450–$6,300 |
Typical prices
Approximate prices in Crete, October 2026. They change; use them for planning, not as quotes.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| KTEL bus Chania to Heraklion | about €14–€18 |
| Freddo espresso | about €2.50–€4 |
| Gyros pitta | about €3.50–€5 |
| Pair of sunbeds with umbrella | about €10–€25 |
| Taverna dinner with wine | about €18–€35 per person |
| Small hire car per day outside peak | about €30–€70 |
Money-saving tips
- Village tavernas inland are better value than harbour-front restaurants.
- Book hire cars early for July and August, when prices rise sharply.
- Travel in May, June, September or October for lower hotel prices and warm weather.
- House wine by the carafe is inexpensive and usually good.
- Many beaches have free sections; bring your own umbrella to avoid sunbed fees.
Free things to do
- Chania Old Town and Venetian Harbour — A crescent of Venetian and Ottoman buildings lines Chania's harbour, from the domed Küçük Hasan mosque to the stone lighthouse at the end of the breakwater.
- Elafonisi — A protected island and lagoon in the southwest where crushed shells tint the sand pink in places.
- Preveli Beach and palm forest — On the south coast, the Kourtaliotis river emerges from a gorge lined with palm trees and runs into the sea at a sandy beach.
- Agios Nikolaos and Lake Voulismeni — A small, deep lake joined to the harbour by a channel forms the heart of this attractive eastern town, ringed by cafés and restaurants.
Where to stay on a budget
$$ · Best for families, beach and nightlife
Platanias and Agia Marina
Resort strip of sandy beaches west of Chania
$$ · Best for quiet stays, budget and beach
Kissamos
Small, unhurried town in the far west, close to Balos and Falasarna
$$ · Best for families, first-timers, couples and beach
Rethymno
Venetian-Ottoman old town and fortress beside a long sandy beach
Eating well for less
- Kalitsounia — Bakeries and tavernas across Crete, especially around Easter.
- Bougatsa with mizithra — Bougatsa shops in Chania's old town and around Lions Square in Heraklion.
- Graviera — Tavernas, markets and village dairies, especially in the Psiloritis mountains.
- Apaki — Traditional tavernas and butchers across the island.
Getting around for less
Crete is large and mountainous, so travel times are longer than distances suggest. KTEL buses connect the north-coast towns and main sights, but a hire car is the practical way to reach the south coast, villages and remote beaches.
Questions travellers ask
+How much does a trip to Crete cost?
About $650–$1,150 per person for five days mid-range, excluding flights (estimate), or $300–$500 on a tight budget.
+Is Crete expensive?
It is moderately priced for international visitors. Village tavernas inland are better value than harbour-front restaurants.
+How much money do I need per day in Crete?
Roughly $60–$100 on a budget and $130–$230 mid-range (estimates).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Crete?
Usually in November–March.