'Money' - Attribution: One of the reassuring things I can tell you about Crete is that it offers great value for money. Travellers often ask me, “Is Crete expensive?” and I enjoy seeing their relief when I say that compared to many other Mediterranean destinations (looking at you, Santorini and Mykonos!), Crete is quite affordable. Whether you're on a shoestring or indulging in luxury, you'll find that you get a good deal for what you pay. I'll break down the costs of key travel aspects – accommodation, food, transport, activities – peppered with my personal experiences and some hard figures so you can budget smartly and enjoy the island without financial stress.
Accommodation Costs
Crete's wide range of accommodations means you can spend €15 a night at a hostel or €500 at a five-star resort, with plenty of options in between. Generally, accommodations in Crete are reasonably priced for the quality and location you get. In many seaside towns, a clean family-run hotel or studio in high season might be around €50-80 per night, often with a kitchenette. I had a Canadian friend visit in July – she stayed at a lovely guesthouse in Kalyves (a beach town) for €55/night, right across from the sea, including breakfast. She was amazed because a similar setup in Spain or France would have been at least 50% more.
Luxury can be found but even top resorts here often charge less than top resorts on more “glamorous” islands. For example, a five-star beach resort in Elounda might be €300/night in peak summer, which, while not cheap, often comes all-inclusive or half-board, adding value. Meanwhile, that price on Santorini might only fetch a 3-star with a basic room. I have seen plenty of guests delighted that their splurge in Crete got them a private pool villa that would be unattainable elsewhere for the same budget.
For budget travellers, as mentioned in our Cheap Holidays section, you can find hostel beds or basic rooms starting around €15-25. In off-season (October-April), many hotels drop prices drastically, a room that's €70 in August could be €40 or less in October. I often advise friends to come in late September when prices start to dip and the weather's still great.
According to a travel cost guide, studios and rooms can start at €40-60 on the cheap end and around €100 for a mid-range hotel room. These numbers align with what I see day-to-day. Villas or houses, interestingly, can be cost-effective for groups – split between four or six people, a beautiful villa with a pool might come out to €30-40 per person per night in shoulder season.
Eating and Drinking
Food in Crete is a highlight and it won't break the bank. If you stick to local tavernas and cafes, you'll find prices very reasonable. At a typical village taverna, a generous portion of moussaka might be €8-9, a Greek salad around €7, a half-litre of house wine €5-6. Often, two people can dine well (with starters, mains, wine) for about €30 total in a local joint. In tourist-heavy spots, prices can be a bit higher but still not crazy – maybe €10-15 for mains. Upscale restaurants in big towns or resort hotels will charge more, comparable to mid-range European cities (think €18-25 for a main).
What's remarkable is how large the portions usually are and how many extras you get for free. It's routine in Crete that you'll be given free bread, olives, or a little appetiser, and almost always a parting gift of fruit or a tiny dessert plus raki. So you may pay for two courses and end up effectively getting four. As a local, I sometimes caution visitors not to over-order – our hospitality might have you rolling out of the place (both in fullness and tipsiness if you accept all the free raki!).
Street food and snacks are a bargain. A big gyros pita is ~€3.50, a slice of bakery pizza €2-3. Coffee at a café (like a freddo cappuccino) is about €3.50 in tourist areas, but in a local haunt maybe €2-3. One thing: branded soft drinks or imported beers can be surprisingly pricey in restaurants (€3-4 for a Coke). But a local beer draft is usually around €3.
If you cook for yourself, groceries are affordable. Fresh produce at markets is much cheaper than northern Europe – I can fill a basket with tomatoes, peppers, courgette, and fruit for under €10 easily. Dairy like Greek yoghurt or cheese is also well-priced, since much is local. A loaf of bread ~€2, a litre of milk ~€1.5, big bottle of water €0.50. Meat and fish can be a bit expensive if you buy at supermarkets (since much is high quality local and priced accordingly), but still reasonable compared to dining out.
Drinks and nightlife: Local wine is a steal. In shops, you can get a decent bottle for €6-10 (and tavernas often serve their own house wine at low markup). Domestic beer (Mythos, Alfa) in supermarkets is about €1 per can. Cocktails at bars in touristy areas might run €7-9, simpler spirit mixers ~€6. Chania's fancy rooftop bars charge maybe €10-12 for cocktails – still less than trendy bars in London or Paris.
Transport Costs
Getting around Crete won't gouge your wallet. Public buses are a budget-friendly way: e.g., Chania to Heraklion ~€15, Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos ~€8. Local city buses are €1.20-2 a ride. Taxis, as elsewhere, can add up if used a lot – but for short distances or within town, it's usually €5-10. They're metered, roughly €1 per km plus base fare. I often take a taxi with friends from Chania centre back to our suburb after a late night and it's like €7 for all of us.
Car rentals vary by season and car type, but a small car in summer might be ~€30-40 per day, cheaper if you rent for a week. Petrol is an expense to consider – fuel in Greece is not cheap, around €1.8-2 per litre recently (that's roughly $7.5 per gallon). I recall a road-trip with friends around west Crete: we spent more on fuel than on the car rental! But if you split it, not bad. For instance, a full week rental + fuel for a small group could average ~€15-20 per person per day, giving tremendous freedom.
Flights/ferries: If you haven't booked yet, note that flights to Crete can be quite affordable, especially off peak or with budget airlines. Direct charter flights from Europe sometimes go for under €100 return if you catch a deal. Ferries, as mentioned, are around €30-50 deck/economy class from Athens. There are also faster catamarans to nearby islands (e.g., Crete to Santorini ~€70 one way in high season).
Activity and Sightseeing Costs
Here's where Crete can really be kind to your wallet: many of its greatest attractions (the beaches, the old towns, hiking trails) are free or low-cost. You don't pay to enjoy Balos lagoon or wander the old Venetian harbour of Rethymno. Even some organised activities are good value. The Samaria Gorge national park entry is only a few euros. Museums like the Heraklion Archaeological Museum charge about €12 (and combined with the Knossos site €20). Compare that to some European museums at €20+ each – Crete's historical sites are a relative bargain given their importance.
Guided tours and excursions are reasonably priced as well, thanks to competition. A full-day bus tour to, say, Elafonissi beach or Knossos & Lasithi might be €30-50 (excluding entry fees). Boat trips to Chrissi Island or Balos are in that range too.
Watersports: Renting a sunbed and umbrella on an organised beach is ~€7 for the day. Snorkel gear might be €5. Jet-ski or banana boat rides are typically €15-25 each. I once did a guided scuba dive as a beginner for €60, which included equipment and a guide – a fair price for a unique experience.
Souvenirs and shopping can be as cheap or expensive as you desire. Local products like olive oil, honey, herbs might be of great value here compared to abroad. A 1-litre bottle of quality Cretan olive oil, reflecting its premium nature, typically costs between €11.50 and €14.00, with prices potentially higher elsewhere. Handmade crafts like pottery or textiles, you can often find beautiful pieces for under €20. Of course, there's high-end jewellery or art, but sticking to typical keepsakes won't strain your budget.
The Verdict
Overall, Crete is not an expensive destination – certainly not in the realm of some popular European tourist spots. It consistently ranks as more affordable than Mykonos, Santorini, or much of Italy and France. Several travel cost surveys list a daily budget for Crete around €60-80 per person for mid-range comfort (which covers a nice hotel, meals, local transport, and some activities). If you're frugal, you can go much lower, and if you splurge, you'll get top-notch experiences often at a lower cost than you'd pay elsewhere for similar luxury.
Anecdotally, I've had friends visit with various budgets: The backpacker duo who camped and hitchhiked spent maybe €20 each per day (mostly on food and occasional bus). The honeymoon couple who went all out with a private pool suite and fine dining still commented that they felt they got great value – their fancy suite was half the price of a similar one they looked at in the Maldives.
One area that can surprise is fuel and certain imported goods being pricey due to Crete's location (island economy). But day-to-day tourist spending mostly goes on local services which remain (mostly) fairly priced.
So, whether you're counting every euro or ready to treat yourself, Crete accommodates. Just remember that costs can spike in peak season (July-August) due to demand, so shoulder season travel can stretch your money further. And always do what locals do: compare menus, ask for local recommendations (we'll direct you to places that won't overcharge), and don't hesitate to explore slightly off the beaten path – often the best food and finds at the best prices are a block or two away from the main tourist drag.
In conclusion, Crete offers excellent value – you can indulge in the island's rich offerings without feeling like you overspent. As someone who loves my home and wants you to love it too, I'm glad cost won't be a major barrier here. Enjoy Crete with your mind at ease and your wallet only lightly lighter.