Self-Launched Athens, Mykonos & Santorini Island Hopper
11 days · Greece (Athens, Mykonos & Santorini)
Dot Travel charges £1,270
No-markup version: ~£800 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Dot Travel's 11-day Athens–Mykonos–Santorini loop, swapping 4* hotels and private transfers for hostels, guesthouses and budget hotels plus public ferries and metro. You'll cover the same ground — Acropolis and Plaka, Mykonos town and Ano Mera, the Santorini volcano boat trip and Oia sunsets — booking each activity yourself through GetYourGuide, Klook or directly with local operators. Costs are approximate per person and assume shared dorm or budget double accommodation, self-catered or taverna meals, and public transport (flights to/from Athens not included).
Day-by-day
Arrive in Athens
Athens
Land at Athens Airport (ATH) and take Metro Line 3 from the airport directly into the city centre (Syntagma or Monastiraki) — about 45 minutes, €9 one-way. Check into a hostel or budget hotel in Monastiraki or Psiri. Spend the evening wandering the lantern-lit lanes of Psiri, grabbing souvlaki or a gyros for dinner (€4-6) and getting your bearings. Buy a 5-day Athens transport pass if you plan to use the metro a lot.
🚌Airport Metro Line 3 to centre, ~£8
🛏Hostel dorm or budget double in Monastiraki/Psiri (£20-30)
- →Metro transfer into Athens
- →Evening walk in Psiri
- →Cheap gyros dinner
Acropolis & ancient Athens on foot
Athens
Get to the Acropolis early (opens 8am) to beat the heat and crowds — buy a skip-the-line timed ticket online in advance (€20 summer / €10 winter, or the €30 combined ticket covering the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Kerameikos and more). Walk up through the Propylaea to the Parthenon and Erechtheion, then down past the Theatre of Dionysus. In the afternoon explore Plaka's neoclassical lanes, Monastiraki flea market and the Anafiotika quarter. Optional: Acropolis Museum entry €15 (free on some dates). Evening rooftop bar for a view of the lit-up Acropolis.
🚌Walking / metro day ticket ~£4
🛏Hostel dorm or budget double in Monastiraki/Psiri (£20-30)
- →Acropolis & Parthenon (timed ticket via GetYourGuide, ~£17)
- →Plaka & Anafiotika walk
- →Monastiraki flea market
- →Optional Acropolis Museum (~£13)
Athens highlights & free walking tour
Athens
Join a free (tip-based) Athens walking tour from Syntagma Square — typically 2.5-3 hours covering the Hellenic Parliament and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the National Garden, Zappeion, Panathinaiko Stadium (site of the first modern Olympics), Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Athens Trilogy (University, Academy, National Library). Tip €5-10. In the afternoon, pick one paid add-on: either a guided Acropolis & Museum combo (~£35-45 via GetYourGuide) or the Temple of Olympian Zeus site (€8). Fill up on street food in Monastiraki.
🚌Walking / metro ~£4
🛏Hostel dorm or budget double in Monastiraki/Psiri (£20-30)
- →Free walking tour (tip-based)
- →Panathinaiko Stadium & Temple of Olympian Zeus photo stops
- →Optional guided Acropolis Museum tour
Ferry to Mykonos
Mykonos
Take the metro to Piraeus and catch a high-speed ferry to Mykonos (2.5-3.5 hrs, book on Ferryscanner or Direct Ferries in advance — from ~€60-90 one-way in high season, cheaper on conventional ferries). Arrive at Mykonos New Port and take the local KTEL bus into Mykonos Town (€2). Check into a guesthouse in Mykonos Town or a budget spot near Paradise/Ornos if you want to save. Late afternoon: walk the maze of whitewashed lanes, see the windmills at Little Venice, and catch sunset from the Kastro area. Stock up at a mini-market — Mykonos food is pricey.
🚌Piraeus–Mykonos high-speed ferry ~£55-75; port bus £2
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Mykonos Town (£30-45)
- →Ferry crossing
- →Mykonos Town & Little Venice walk
- →Windmills sunset
Mykonos town, Ano Mera & farm experience
Mykonos
Self-book a small-group walking tour of Mykonos Town (from the Archaeological Museum area near the old port, ~£25-35 via GetYourGuide). Take a local bus to Ano Mera village to see the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani (free entry, dress modestly). Nearby, book a traditional Mykonian farm visit with a tasting of kopanisti cheese, tomatoes, olives and raki (~£25-30 direct or via Klook) — the commercial tour's exact experience, booked your own way. Bus back in the late afternoon; cheap souvlaki or a gyros dinner in town.
🚌Local KTEL buses ~£4
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Mykonos Town (£30-45)
- →Mykonos Town walking tour
- →Ano Mera & Panagia Tourliani monastery
- →Mykonian farm visit with local tasting
Beach day or Delos island
Mykonos
Free day. Either bus to Elia or Paradise Beach for swimming (loungers optional, bring your own towel), or take the morning boat from Mykonos old port to Delos, the sacred archaeological island (return boat ~€20-23, site entry €12 — book direct at the port or via GetYourGuide). Delos is one of Greece's most important ruins and worth the extra spend. Back in town for a slow evening — the alleys are lovely once the cruise crowds leave.
🚌Local bus or Delos boat ~£8-20
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Mykonos Town (£30-45)
- →Beach day (Elia/Paradise)
- →or Delos island archaeological site
- →Mykonos alleys evening stroll
Ferry to Santorini
Santorini
High-speed ferry from Mykonos to Santorini (about 2-3 hrs, ~€60-90 one-way high season; book early — this route sells out). Arrive at Athinios Port and take the local KTEL bus up to Fira (€2.50), then a local bus to Oia or Firostefani/ Imerovigli depending on where you're sleeping. Budget rooms in Fira or Karterados are far cheaper than Oia caldera views. Evening walk along the caldera rim path between Fira and Firostefani for a first sunset.
🚌Mykonos–Santorini ferry ~£55-75; port bus £2.50
🛏Budget guesthouse in Fira/Karterados (£30-45)
- →Ferry crossing
- →Caldera rim walk Fira–Firostefani
- →Sunset viewpoint
Volcano & hot springs boat tour
Santorini
Book the classic caldera boat trip yourself via GetYourGuide or Klook (typically £30-45 for the basic volcano + hot springs + Thirassia option; more for catamaran versions). Board at the old port below Fira (take the cable car €6 or walk the 587 steps — beware the donkeys). Sail to Nea Kameni, walk ~20 minutes up to the active craters, then swim at the Palaia Kameni hot springs, stop for free time on Thirassia (taverna lunch, optional walk or donkey ride up to Manolas village), and cruise past the Oia cliffs. Finish with sunset in Oia — take the local bus back to Fira afterwards.
🚌Cable car/bus ~£8
🛏Budget guesthouse in Fira/Karterados (£30-45)
- →Caldera volcano boat tour (Nea Kameni, hot springs, Thirassia)
- →Oia sunset
- →Optional donkey or hike up to Manolas
Oia, villages & slow Santorini
Santorini
Free day to explore at your own pace. Bus to Oia early morning before the crowds, see the Byzantine castle ruins and Ammoudi Bay below (steps down, swim spot, fresh fish tavernas). Alternatively hire a scooter or ATV (~£25-35/day) to reach Red Beach, Perissa Black Beach and the Prophet Elias monastery. Catch the famous Oia sunset in the evening — arrive 45+ minutes early to claim a spot — then bus back to Fira. Budget roughly £15-20 for food, gelato and a taverna dinner.
🚌Local buses ~£5 (or scooter hire)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Fira/Karterados (£30-45)
- →Oia village & Ammoudi Bay
- →Optional scooter/ATV rental
- →Red Beach & Perissa
- →Oia sunset
Santorini to Athens
Athens
Slow morning, then bus to Athinios Port for the ferry back to Piraeus (fast ferry ~5 hrs, or a flight from Santorini (JTR) to Athens with Ryanair/Aegean, often £40-70 and much quicker — compare). Metro from Piraeus to your central Athens hostel. Spend the last evening revisiting your favourite Monastiraki haunt, picking up olive oil and honey souvenirs at the market, and enjoying a rooftop drink with the Acropolis lit up.
🚌Santorini–Piraeus ferry ~£50-70 (or flight ~£40-70); port bus £2.50
🛏Hostel dorm or budget double in Monastiraki/Psiri (£20-30)
- →Ferry/flight back to Athens
- →Monastiraki souvenir shopping
- →Final rooftop evening
Depart Athens
Athens
Depending on your flight time, squeeze in a last coffee in Plaka or the National Archaeological Museum (€12) before taking Metro Line 3 back to Athens Airport. Allow at least 2 hours before departure for check-in and security.
🚌Metro to airport ~£8
🛏None (departure day)
- →Optional National Archaeological Museum
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. Dot Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Dot Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£800 | £1,270 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £470 per person (37%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Dot Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£800
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Athens, Mykonos & Santorini Island Hopper cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £800 per person for 11 days in Greece (Athens, Mykonos & Santorini). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Dot Travel?+
Yes — Dot Travel charges around £1,270 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £800 — a saving of roughly £470 (37%) per person.
How long is the Greece (Athens, Mykonos & Santorini) trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through Greece (Athens, Mykonos & Santorini).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, beaches, slow-travel trip through Greece (Athens, Mykonos & Santorini), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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