Located in the Aegean Sea, Mykonos is the quintessential image of white washed Greek buildings and churches lined along cobbled streets. Mykonos well known for its vibrant nightlife, flashy designer labels and opulent affairs can also be visited for the budget friendly.
Want to head to a different Greek Island? Check out Our Guide to Syros
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When to visit Mykonos?
To get the most our of your money when travelling to Mykonos, choosing the best time of year to travel can be one of the most important things to consider.
Travelling to Mykonos in shoulder season is a great way to be able to make your money stretch further. Heading to the island between March to May or again from September to November will allow you to be able to stay in accomodation and enjoy activities on the island that become very expensive during the summer.
The problem with travelling to Mykonos during the off season is that the island is very reliant on summer tourists which means that there is a lot on the island that will not be open during your stay. My first visit to Mykonos was for Easter in April. There wasn’t a lot of options for food however being able to wander the cobbled streets undisturbed and not fight the crowds for a space on the beach was one of the best things about being there in April. It unfortunately also meant the weather wasnt as guaranteed during this time so they hadn’t filled the pool at the hostel yet either.
How to get to Mykonos?
From London several airlines offer direct flights straight to Mykonos Island. During peak times these flight can become expensive however if booked in advance you can score yourself a bargain.
If you are trying to get to Mykonos on a budget during peak season then you might want to look into flying from London to Athens. There are more flights a day to here as well as a lot more airlines competing so you will have more options for timings. From here you can head to Piraeus port where you can then take a ferry to Mykonos. To find which ferry works best for you you use Ferryhopper to show you all the different options.
How to get around Mykonos?
Mykonos can be very expensive and transport isn’t any different. From the airport to take a taxi to your accomodation you are looking at around 60 Euros. If you want to do Mykonos on a budget then head to the bus stop located right by the taxi rank. A bus from the airport will cost around €1.50 and they come every hour. Make sure to ask when getting on the bus that it is heading to the right location for you as some of these can be very confusing.
Mykonos does have a large bus system that will allow you to get around the island to most destinations. All bus time tables can be found here. Buses during peak season however can become very crowded and may not have space for all passengers meaning you would then need to wait an hour for the next bus.
If you are travelling in a group and splitting a car makes sense then this is a great options to allow you to be able to see some of the outer areas of Mykonos. Be aware that small side of the road places can be known for scamming people as well as local ATV companies. If you are travelling during peak times it would be advisable to prebook your car hire through a reputable company.
Things to do on a Budget:
Relax at the beach
One of the best things to do on Mykonos without breaking the bank is relaxing in the sunshine on the beach. Make sure to take your own towel as sun loungers and umbrellas can be very expensive. You can reach beaches such as Paraga, Paradise Beach and Agios Ioannis by using the bus. These can be full with loungers in the high season however during shoulder season you will have plenty of space to be able to spread out without the crowds.
Enjoy Happy Hour Cocktails
Many of the beach bars and tavernas on the island offer discounted cocktails in the late afternoon. Some of the clubs with longer hours also offer late night happy hours be sure to check out their website or boards outside of bars/resturants.
Ferry to Different Islands
To break up your time in Mykonos and help your budget you could consider some of the nearby Cyclades Islands. You can spend the days taking trips to Tinos or Syros to offer a budget friendly alternative to Mykonos or perhaps consider staying on these cheaper islands instead. If you are travelling in peak times it is advisable to book tickets in advance for the best deals.
All your ferry tickets can be purchased through Ferryhopper.
Explore Delos island
Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage site full of ruins of temples and statues allowing you to immerse yourself in Greek Mythology. To get to Delos you can take a Half-Day Delos Tour from Mykonos which will take you out onto the island and give you a guided tour of the archaeological site. If you prefer to spend the day out on the sea instead you can join a Rhenia-Delos Cruise that also gives you the option to explore Delos Island.
Hike around the Island
Explore Mykonos Island on foot with scenic hikes that will cost you nothing. There are lots of different hiking routes around Mykonos and are great to explore during shoulder season before the island gets too warm. There are smaller walks such as Mykonos Town to the Windmills or longer hikes from Mykonos Town to the southern beaches.
Where to eat in Mykonos?
The cost of food in Mykonos can sometimes be absolutely crazy. Some resturants will charge you to enjoy the views while other resturants are full of high end chefs and instagrammable experiences. Here are some of our favourite budget friendly restaurants to enjoy while in Mykonos:
Zymoto Cafe
Cafe
This very small hole in the wall cafe is a great place to stop to pick up baked good and a coffee. They have a very small range made fresh each day as well as some hot food options as well.
il Forno di Gerasimo
Cafe
Il Forno di Gerasimo is a large bakery full of a huge selection of baked good ranging from simple pastries to pizzas, pies and sandwiches. They also have a seperate drinks counter which makes fresh juices and one of the best iced frappes all at a great price.
Sakis
Restaurant
Sakis is a traditional greek grill house offering pita gyros, souvlaki and mixed grill plates. These options are a great way to keep on budget while in Mykonos as all the servings are very large and a pita gyros might just be the cheapest dinner option on the island.
Pepper Souvlaki & More
Restaurant
If you want to enjoy more of a sit down restaurant with a bit more variety then try Pepper Souvlaki. They offer souvlaki, burgers and a few other mains all still at a reasonable price for Mykonos.
I Scream
Ice-creamery
When heading to Mykonos over the summer you will definitely want to make an ice cream stop. Tucked in the backstreets only a few minutes to the Mykonos windmills its definitely worth cooling down with an ice cream.
Where to stay in Mykonos on a budget?
Trying to find somewhere to stay in Mykonos on a budget can be tricky. If you are able to travel in off season you will find not all hotels will be open however the ones that are will have great deals on stays during this time.
If you are thinking of travelling during peak season there are some alternative options to spending time on Mykonos without the large price tag. If you arrive Book and overnight ferry into Mykonos enjoy the day there then catch the next over night ferry out to islands such as neighbouring Tinos.
An alternative options to be able to enjoy Mykonos without the price tags of staying over night could be a cruise through the Greek Islands. Many cruises will include a day stop over in the day in Mykonos so you get to enjoy the sights without the price tag. Check out Top Deals on Cruise Critic for options of cruises through Mykonos.
Mycocoon Hostel
Want an alternative option to Mykonos? Why not head to Tinos Island, Mykonos’ quiet neighbour
