Greece Summer Getaways Become an Expensive Luxury

Greek households are increasingly giving up summer holidays due to the rising cost of living, according to recent opinion polls showing nearly 47 percent of respondents will not travel this season. Ferry fares, accommodation, and fuel prices are driving the squeeze, forcing travelers to bypass expensive islands for mainland alternatives or cut trips short altogether, based on data from domestic surveys and an international study by Hellosafe naming Greece the most expensive Mediterranean country for holiday travel in 2026.

Rising Transport and Accommodation Costs Outpace Household Budgets

The cost-of-living crisis is transforming the traditional Greek summer holiday from an expected part of life into an unaffordable luxury. Ferry fares, accommodation rates, and fuel prices have all risen, putting immense strain on family budgets. According to recent opinion polls, nearly 47% of respondents state they will not take a summer holiday this year. More than 75% of those staying home cite the high cost of accommodation as a main reason, compounded by essential expenses and transport inflation.

Car Travel Expenses: Fuel and Tolls Add Up Across the Mainland

With island destinations pushed out of reach—where the combined cost of car and ferry tickets can approach the price of lodging—many travelers are turning to mainland alternatives like the Peloponnese, Epirus, Central Greece, and Halkidiki. However, driving across the country carries its own financial burden. High petrol prices and motorway tolls inflate road trip expenses significantly, according to recent travel cost data.

A round trip from Athens to Nafplio totals around 57 euros in fuel and tolls. Venturing further south to Methoni drives the expense up to approximately 118 euros. Longer routes stretch budgets even thinner: a round trip to Monemvasia costs nearly 130 euros, while the journey to Horefto in Pelion is just under 160 euros.

How Greek Households Are Adapting with Cost-Cutting Strategies

For the citizens who do manage to get away, carefree and extended summer vacations are increasingly being replaced by cost-cutting strategies. Over 45% of traveling respondents now bypass commercial lodging entirely, choosing instead to stay in their own homes or properties belonging to relatives and friends. To manage daily expenses, vacationers are cutting back on restaurant meals and nightlife, relying more on supermarket shopping.

This shift exposes a paradox within the national economy. While international arrivals continue to reach record levels, domestic tourism spending is declining. The widening gap highlights a contrast between a flourishing tourism sector and the declining purchasing power of local households, nearly half of whom report that their financial situation is worse than it was a year ago.

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