With the atrocious Euro
exchange rate, saving money on your trip to Greece may be essential. Here are some of the ways you can save money without sacrificing a great trip experience.
You can get some great airfares to Greece if you know how. Here are the best tips on locating those trip-saving low fares.
Car rental rates in Greece are all in Euro and you'll pay a premium both on the basic rate and, then, on the hefty conversion to dollars. Yet reserved rates are often comparable to what you normally pay in the United States, saving you 30-50% off of the total. This is especially true with U.S.-based companies. And for the best rates of all, give up that pricy automatic transmission and go manually - but only if you're truly comfortable with Greek drivers, traffic, and mountain roads.
There's no question about it - time of year dramatically impacts the price of your travel in Greece. Choosing the right month can cut your costs by a third or more, and for most people, going in the "off" season only increases the quality of the experience. May is an excellent choice; real budgeteers will also enjoy April, but be aware the waters may still be a bit chilly.
Greece in September is an excellent budget choice. The weather is great, prices are dropping, and crowds are lighter. But, since the Aegean has had a summer full of sun to warm its waters, swimming temperatures are perfect.
As warm temperatures last later into the fall season, October is coming into its own as a great month to explore Greece. It used to be that most island hotels closed at the end of Septmeber, but most are staying open through October. The water is still warm and most of the time, the weather is still great.
This is one of the best tips I can give. For a little time and effort, you save a lot of money, easily enough for an inexpensive night at a little island hotel. If you have the energy left for a bus ride into Athens, a mere 3 Euro will take you into town. You'll save 30 Euro or more by skipping the taxi.
While more than double the cost of the cheap airport bus, the Metro is a somewhat more deluxe method of getting into town. However, be aware that you'll be pulling your luggage across the street and down to the station, and getting your bags on and off the metro quickly can be tricky. You can save a Euro or two more by asking for a group ticket if you're traveling with someone else, or if you just want a great excuse to
start traveling with that attractive person next to you in line.
You can't get much cheaper than free - and Greece has quite a few days when you can count on free admission. While these visits can be crowded ones, they are great ways to stretch the budget.
For a mere 12 Euro, this ticket gives you access to the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Roman Agora, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It's good for several days and will save you at least a third off the standard ticket prices. Just be careful not to lose the remaining portion of your ticket. If you travel in another attraction-rich area in Greece, ask about combo tickets there, too. They usually will not be automatically offered.
This works best if you have more time than money at your disposal, with a couple of exceptions. The overnight ferry from Piraeus to Heraklion, Crete is convenient and saves you a hotel room night as well, so it can really pay off. The hydrofoil from Crete to Santorini is also a good deal, saving both time and money since you don't have to arrive early at the airport to be processed through for your very short flight.
