Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea, an island of extraordinary diversity where ancient civilizations, rugged mountains, fertile plains, and some of Europe's finest beaches converge. Home to the Minoan civilization, Europe's oldest advanced culture, Crete offers millennia of history alongside world-class natural beauty.
Local currency: EUR.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Crete.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel Dorm
- €18–25
- Simple Guesthouse
- €40–70
- Three Star Hotel
- €70–120
- Four Star Hotel
- €120–200
- Five Star Resort
- €300–700+
Food
- Bakery Breakfast
- €4–6
- Taverna Daily Special Lunch
- €10–14
- Local Taverna Dinner With Wine
- €15–25
- Mid Range Restaurant Dinner
- €25–45
- Fine Dining
- €50–80
Transport
- Heraklion To Chania Ktel Bus
- €14
- Heraklion To Rethymno Ktel Bus
- €8
- Heraklion To Agios Nikolaos Ktel
- €8
- Car Rental Per Day Economy
- €30–60
- Taxi Heraklion Airport To City
- €12–15
- Samaria Gorge Full Day Transport
- €26
Attractions
- Palace Of Knossos
- €15
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- €12
- Knossos Museum Combined Ticket
- €20
- Samaria Gorge Entry
- €5
- Spinalonga Boat And Entry
- €18–25
- Rethymno Fortezza
- €4
- Arkadi Monastery
- €3
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Crete costs end-to-end.
Weekend escape
A short city break covering essentials and a few highlights.
One-week tour
Comfortable pace including major attractions and day trips.
Two-week explorer
In-depth exploration covering multiple regions.
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Travel in shoulder season — fewer crowds and significantly lower accommodation rates.
Use public transport instead of taxis where possible. Day passes often pay for themselves after 3 trips.
Eat where locals eat — markets and neighbourhood eateries offer better food at a fraction of tourist-strip prices.
Book accommodation with kitchen access for longer stays so you can self-cater some meals.