How Long Can You Last With 500 In Greece?

Are you travelling on a budget? Don’t worry, Greece, besides its welcoming and warm climate, superb beaches, age-old monuments and sights and delicious cuisine, is one of the few countries in the European Union to enjoy a low cost of living. How long can you live in Greece with $500? We’ve broken it down for you.

Accommodation: $200-250

If you are looking for a long-term option, you can easily find affordable accommodation across the country, while rents in Athens are higher than anywhere, besides maybe Santorini and Mykonos. However, if you do opt for Athens, you will be happy to hear that real estate prices have drastically declined since the beginning of the economic crisis. Many of the city’s neighbourhoods are considered affordable and you can even find a decent 45 square metre apartment (480 square ft) for as low as €180 ($215) for one month, with utilities on average at about €83 ($99) for two months, if you plan on staying longer. You can also check Airbnb. Though it might get a bit more expensive in the long run, you save yourself the hassle of signing a lease.

You can also find a plethora of low-budget hostels and hotels with rates as low as €10 ($12) per night.

A basic meal (including a drink) in a taverna or restaurant totals roughly €12 ($15), but you can definitely find cheaper in family-run tavernas or if you opt for street food every now and then. But if you want to save as much as possible, cooking is the best option. Groceries are reasonably priced in Greece, with basics such as bread costing €0.70 ($0.81), 1kg of tomatoes retails at €1.41 ($1.69), apples cost on average €1.46 ($1.74) a kilo, potatoes are about €0.82 ($0.98) a kilo and 500 grams of boneless chicken breast retails at €4.34 ($5.18). Cooking will save you money and allow you to afford eating out for a meal or two on weekends. For drinks in bars and pubs, the average for a pint of beer is about €4.37 ($5.23) and cocktails are roughly €9 ($11).

Transportation: $35

In Athens, the monthly ticket public transport costs €32 ($38) and a few dollars cheaper in Thessaloniki – and allows you to travel on the bus, metro, train, tram and trolleys. But if you are visiting for a short period, a single public transport ticket €1.40 ($1.67) is the best option. If you plan on hiring a car (about €30/$35.50 per day depending on the season), the price for a litre of gas is about €1.50 ($1.79).

Sights and attractions

In Greece, you will find plenty of free beaches readily available so you can have some beach fun without spending a cent. However, when it comes to museums and archaeological sites, there is usually an entrance fee, although a few museums have free entrance days. If you are visiting outside peak season, entrance to a few attractions are free on Sundays. Alternately, you can also find free things to do in Athens.

Entrance to Acropolis metro station in Athens, Greece

In Athens, depending on what attractions and extra activities you want to do, you will end up with some extra cash (about $50) for any other expenses you might have, making it possible to last up to a month. If you choose to settle anywhere else besides Santorini and Mykonos, you will be able to last longer as prices are definitely cheaper elsewhere.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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