Fair prices in Griekenland — what things really cost

Licensed taxis charge a set flat fare between the airport and the city centre, higher at night. Confirm the fixed rate before setting off and use only the official taxi rank outside arrivals.

The metro links the airport directly with the centre for a set airport fare, far cheaper than a taxi. A discounted group ticket exists if several of you travel together.

One ticket covers a timed window with transfers across metro, bus and trolley. Buy a day pass if you ride often, and always validate before boarding to avoid fines.

Eat a street or two away from the Acropolis and Plaka's main lanes for better food and prices. Bread and a cover charge are often added, so check the menu.

Coffee culture is strong and prices are reasonable away from the busiest tourist terraces. A frappe or freddo at a local cafe is cheap and a good way to slow down.

Street-side gyros is one of the best cheap meals in the city. A busy local souvlaki spot costs a fraction of a sit-down restaurant for a filling wrap.

Buy water from a street kiosk or supermarket rather than at the sights, where it costs much more. Athens tap water is generally considered safe to drink.

Corfu's airport sits only about 3 km from the Old Town, so a taxi is a short hop. Agree the fare or make sure the meter is running before you set off, as there is no Uber or ride-hailing on the island to fall back on.

The blue urban bus (line 15 towards Kanoni) passes within a short walk of the airport and runs into the centre of Corfu Town for a couple of euros. It is by far the cheapest way in if you are travelling light, though luggage space is limited.

Green intercity buses run from the main KTEL station to villages and beaches like Paleokastritsa, Glyfada and Kassiopi for a few euros. Check return times in advance, as services thin out in the evening and off season.

A relaxed taverna meal of a Corfiot dish, salad and a carafe of wine is good value away from the busiest tourist strips. Fish and seafood are often priced by the kilo, so ask the weight and the total in euros before you order.

A wrapped gyros or souvlaki is the cheapest filling meal on the island, sold at grills across town. A sit-down portion (merida) with chips and salad costs more than the wrap but still counts as budget food.

A frappe or freddo espresso on the Liston is a classic Corfu ritual, but a seat under the historic arcades costs more than a cafe a street or two back. Both are normal pricing, not a scam.

A rental car or ATV is the best way to reach the quieter beaches and hill villages. Photograph any existing scratches before you drive off, check the insurance excess, and be sure you are comfortable on narrow, winding coastal roads.

The city bus from Nikos Kazantzakis airport into central Heraklion is the cheapest way in, taking around 20 to 25 minutes. Buying the ticket in advance from a kiosk or machine is cheaper than paying the driver on board, so grab one before you get on.

A licensed taxi from the airport to the centre is a short ride and reasonably priced, with a slightly higher night tariff. Use the official rank, and if the meter is not running, agree the fare first; the distance is small, so it should not be expensive.

Blue city buses and the intercity KTEL network are cheap and reliable for reaching Knossos, the aquarium and nearby beaches. Buy tickets from kiosks, machines or the KTEL station rather than on board, where they can cost a little more.

A sit-down meal at a good taverna is fair value, especially away from Lion Square and the harbour tourist strip. Look for places busy with locals, and note that a small cover charge for bread is normal, not a scam.

A plate of dakos or a few small mezes with bread makes a cheap, filling meal. Order a spread to share Cretan-style, and expect a complimentary shot of tsikoudia and a little dessert at the end at many family tavernas.

A portion of fresh bougatsa, dusted with sugar and cinnamon, is a classic cheap Heraklion breakfast. The traditional shops around Lion Square are the place to try it, cut and dusted to order in front of you.

A Greek coffee or an iced frappe bought at a normal neighbourhood cafe is inexpensive; a table on the main square or the harbour costs more for the view. Both are normal pricing, not overcharging.

The airport is very close to town, so the ride is short but taxis are few and can be pricey with luggage and airport surcharges. Agree the fare or use the official rank, and expect to queue in high season.

The KTEL buses between town and the main beaches are by far the cheapest way to get around. Carry cash in euros, as card acceptance is patchy, and check the seasonal timetable, which thins out sharply off-season.

The round-trip boat to the Delos archaeological site is separate from the site entry fee, so budget for both. Boats run only in the morning and stop when the meltemi wind is strong, so go early.

Mykonos is one of the most expensive places to eat in Greece. Head a few streets inland from Little Venice and the waterfront for better value, and always check prices before ordering fish or specials.

Sunbeds at the fashionable beach clubs can cost a fortune, sometimes with a minimum spend on top. Confirm the full price before you sit down, or use a free public stretch of beach with your own towel.

A gyros from a busy local grill is the reliable cheap meal on an expensive island. Even here it costs a little more than on the mainland, but it is a fraction of a sit-down dinner.

Coffee is dear at the postcard spots. A cafe a street back from the water charges noticeably less for the same frappe or freddo.

Buy water from a supermarket or mini-market rather than a beach bar, where it is marked up heavily. Tap water on Mykonos is often desalinated and not always pleasant to drink, so many prefer bottled.

The public RODA bus runs between Diagoras Airport and Rhodes Town for a couple of euros, far cheaper than a taxi. Buy the ticket from the driver or a kiosk, keep small change handy, and allow extra time as it stops along the way.

Airport taxis to Rhodes Town run on a set fare rather than a live meter, typically around 30 euros; confirm the price before setting off and use the official rank outside arrivals. Uber Taxi also operates on the island and can be clearer on price.

RODA covers the town and west coast while KTEL serves the east coast and Lindos; single rides are cheap and tickets are bought from the driver or station kiosk. Keep your ticket, and check the last return time as evening services thin out.

A sit-down taverna meal is good value away from the busiest Old Town lanes. Choose places with printed, priced menus over those with touts outside, and always check the bill, as inflated tourist-trap charges are the island's most reported problem.

A wrapped gyros or souvlaki is the classic cheap, filling street meal, costing just a few euros. Look for busy local grills a street back from the main squares for the best price and freshest turnover.

A frappe or freddo espresso is the Greek summer staple, sipped slowly for the price of the seat as much as the drink. A harbour-view or Old Town terrace costs more than a back-street cafe, but both are normal, not a scam.

Renting a small car or ATV for a day or two is the best way to reach Lindos, Kamiros and quieter beaches. Compare local agencies, photograph any existing damage before driving off, and check that insurance and a helmet for scooters are included.

The island has only a small number of taxis, so agree the fare before setting off and expect higher prices at busy times. Pre-booked hotel transfers or the bus are often better value.

The public buses run between the airport, port, Fira, Oia and the beaches for a low flat fare, all via the Fira hub. Cheap and reliable, though they get crowded in peak season.

The cable car links Fira with the old port far more comfortably than the steep donkey path or steps. Expect a queue when cruise ships are in, and buy your ticket at the top station.

Restaurants with a direct caldera or sunset view charge a heavy premium. Eat in inland villages like Megalochori or Pyrgos, or a street back from the cliff, for better food and prices.

A coffee on a cliffside terrace costs far more than the same drink inland. The view is worth it occasionally, but everyday cafes away from the caldera are much cheaper.

Renting a quad or small car gives freedom to reach quieter beaches and villages. Check the insurance, wear a helmet, and be aware ATVs are involved in many minor accidents on the island.

For a cheap, filling meal, a gyros from a souvlaki shop in Fira or a village costs a fraction of a sit-down dinner and is a good budget option between bigger meals.

Taxis to the centre run a roughly fixed fare, higher at night. Confirm the price before setting off and use the official rank outside arrivals rather than a driver who approaches you.

The express airport bus into the centre is by far the cheapest option and runs day and night. Buy a ticket at the machine or with a contactless card and keep small change handy.

One low-cost ticket covers a timed window on the new metro and the buses. Tap a contactless card or buy at a kiosk, and validate to avoid a fine from inspectors.

Thessaloniki is a food city and eats cheaper than Athens. Head to Ladadika, Valaoritou or the market lanes for shared meze and tsipouro at fair local prices.

A fresh bougatsa from a dedicated bakery is a cheap, classic breakfast. Ask for the cream or cheese version and eat it hot; it is a Thessaloniki morning ritual.

A wrap from a busy grill is one of the best cheap meals in the city. Prices are lower a street or two back from the main tourist squares.

Coffee culture is huge here and locals linger for hours over one cup. Prices are reasonable away from the busiest seafront terraces.