Self-Launched Zakynthos, Mykonos & Santorini – 8 Days
8 days · Greece
Travel Zone charges £1,930
No-markup version: ~£730 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Three of Greece's most iconic islands — Zakynthos, Mykonos, and Santorini — without the tour operator price tag. This self-launched 8-day itinerary mirrors the Travel Zone commercial route, swapping private transfers and package markups for public ferries, budget hotels, and self-bookable cruises via GetYourGuide. You'll still hit Shipwreck Beach, the Nea Kameni volcano, and the Oia sunset — just at a fraction of the cost. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Athens to Zakynthos
Athens → Zakynthos
Make your way from Athens to Zakynthos. The most budget-friendly option is to take a KTEL bus from Athens (Kifissos terminal) to Kyllini port (~3.5 hrs, ~£12), then a ferry across to Zakynthos Town (~1 hr, ~£8). Alternatively, Ryanair and Sky Express operate short domestic flights from Athens International (ATH) to Zakynthos (ZTH) for around £40–80 depending on timing — worth checking if you book ahead. Check into your guesthouse or budget hotel in Zakynthos Town and explore the harbour in the evening.
🚌KTEL bus Athens → Kyllini (~£12) + Ionian Ferries crossing to Zakynthos (~£8); or domestic flight ATH→ZTH (~£50–80 booked in advance)
🛏Varres Hotel or similar 3* guesthouse in Zakynthos Town (~£35–50/night). Alternatives: Ionian Star Hotel or Book via Booking.com filtering for central Zakynthos Town.
- →Arrive and settle into Zakynthos Town
- →Walk the Zakynthos Town waterfront promenade
- →Sample local mezedes at a harbour taverna
Zakynthos: Shipwreck Beach, Blue Caves & Marine Park
Zakynthos
Today is the highlight of Zakynthos — the famous Shipwreck (Navagio) Beach and Blue Caves cruise. Book a full-day boat tour independently via GetYourGuide or directly with local operators at the port. These tours typically depart from Porto Vromi or Zakynthos Town and include Navagio Beach, the Blue Caves, and often a stop at the Marine Park. In the afternoon, visit the Byzantine Museum and the Church of St. Dionysios on foot — both are centrally located and inexpensive. Dine at a local taverna on the island's signature dishes such as sofrito and pastitsada.
🚌Local taxi or hotel transfer to port (~£5–8 each way); tour boat included in activity cost
🛏Varres Hotel or similar 3* guesthouse in Zakynthos Town (~£35–50/night)
- →Full-day boat cruise to Shipwreck Beach (Navagio) via GetYourGuide — search 'Zakynthos Shipwreck Beach cruise' (~£30–40pp)
- →Swimming in the turquoise waters of the Blue Caves
- →Visit the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (Laganas area, free to walk)
- →Visit Byzantine Museum, Zakynthos Town (~£3pp)
- →Visit Church of St. Dionysios (free)
Zakynthos to Athens
Zakynthos → Athens
After breakfast, retrace the route back to Athens: ferry from Zakynthos Town to Kyllini, then KTEL bus back to Athens. Alternatively take the domestic flight. Arrive in Athens by early afternoon, check into a central budget hotel near Monastiraki or Syntagma, and use the evening to stroll the Plaka neighbourhood or visit the Ancient Agora (free entry after 3pm on certain days). Athens is a transit stop tonight — keep it relaxed.
🚌Ionian Ferries Zakynthos → Kyllini (~£8) + KTEL bus Kyllini → Athens (~£12); or domestic flight ZTH→ATH (~£50–80)
🛏Jason Inn, Dorian Inn or similar 3* central Athens hotel (~£40–60/night). Search Booking.com for Monastiraki or Plaka area.
- →Morning departure from Zakynthos
- →Afternoon stroll around Monastiraki and the Plaka district
- →Optional: visit the Acropolis Museum (~£10pp) if time allows
Athens to Mykonos
Athens → Mykonos
Head to Mykonos by high-speed ferry from Piraeus Port. Hellenic Seaways and SeaJets operate fast ferries (roughly 2.5–3.5 hrs, ~£40–60pp). Book in advance via Ferryhopper.com or DirectFerries.co.uk, especially in peak summer. Arrive in Mykonos Town (Hora), check into your accommodation, and spend the afternoon wandering the iconic whitewashed lanes. Grab dinner on or near Matoyanni Street.
🚌Metro from central Athens to Piraeus Port (~£1.50) + high-speed ferry Piraeus → Mykonos (~£40–60 booked via Ferryhopper.com)
🛏Olia Hotel, Madalena Hotel or similar 3* in Mykonos Town (~£50–70/night in peak season). Book early — Mykonos fills fast in summer.
- →Board ferry at Piraeus and enjoy the Aegean crossing
- →Explore Mykonos Town (Hora) on arrival
- →Visit the famous Mykonos windmills at sunset
Mykonos: Town, Little Venice & Beaches
Mykonos
A free-form day to soak up Mykonos at your own pace. Wander the backstreets of Hora, pop into local churches and the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos (~£4pp). Browse the boutiques and cafes on Matoyanni Street. Stroll down to the Alefkandra (Little Venice) district for waterfront coffee with a view. In the afternoon, catch a local bus (KTEL Mykonos) from the Old Port bus stop to one of the famous beaches — Paradise, Super Paradise, or the quieter Agios Sostis. Buses run regularly in summer for around £1.50–2 each way.
🚌Walking within Mykonos Town; local KTEL bus to beaches (~£1.50–2 each way)
🛏Olia Hotel, Madalena Hotel or similar 3* in Mykonos Town (~£50–70/night)
- →Wander the backstreets and alleyways of Mykonos Town
- →Visit the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos (~£4pp)
- →Browse Matoyanni Street's shops and cafes
- →Visit Alefkandra (Little Venice) district
- →Afternoon at Paradise Beach or Agios Sostis Beach (free entry)
Mykonos to Santorini
Mykonos → Santorini
Take the inter-island ferry from Mykonos to Santorini (Thira). SeaJets and Hellenic Seaways run this route in approximately 2–3 hours (~£35–55pp). Book via Ferryhopper.com in advance. Arrive at the port of Athinios, then catch a local KTEL bus up to Fira (Santorini's main town, ~£2) or a shared taxi. Check into your accommodation and spend the evening exploring Fira's cliff-top streets and caldera views.
🚌High-speed ferry Mykonos → Santorini (Athinios port) (~£35–55 via Ferryhopper.com) + KTEL bus Athinios → Fira (~£2)
🛏Zephyros Hotel, Kamari Beach Hotel or similar 3* (~£45–65/night). Kamari village is a good value base with easy bus connections to Fira and Oia.
- →Morning ferry crossing Mykonos to Santorini
- →Settle into accommodation in Kamari or Fira
- →Evening stroll along Fira's caldera-edge promenade
Santorini: Volcano Cruise, Hot Springs & Oia Sunset
Santorini
Book the Santorini caldera and volcano cruise independently via GetYourGuide (search 'Santorini volcano cruise') or directly at the Old Port in Fira. Standard tours (~£35–50pp, 5–6 hrs) include a guided walk to the Nea Kameni volcano ridge, a soak in the Palea Kameni hot springs, sailing past underwater craters to Thirasia Island, and a sunset viewing near Oia. Many include a light meal or snacks on board. In the evening, if not covered by the cruise, take the KTEL bus from Fira to Oia (~£2) to catch the world-famous sunset from the castle ruins — arrive at least 90 minutes early in peak season to secure a good spot.
🚌KTEL bus Kamari/Fira → Old Port (~£2) for cruise departure; KTEL bus Fira → Oia (~£2) for sunset
🛏Zephyros Hotel, Kamari Beach Hotel or similar 3* (~£45–65/night)
- →Santorini caldera volcano cruise via GetYourGuide (~£35–50pp) including Nea Kameni volcano hike, Palea Kameni hot springs, and Thirasia Island
- →Sunset viewing at Oia castle ruins (free — arrive early!)
- →Dinner at a taverna in Oia or back in Fira
Santorini to Athens
Santorini → Athens
Your final day. Depending on your onward plans, you can return to Athens by ferry (Blue Star Ferries operates an overnight or daytime Santorini → Piraeus route, ~5–8 hrs, ~£35–50pp) or by domestic flight (Sky Express/Aegean, ~45 mins, ~£50–100 booked ahead). If flying home directly from Santorini (JTR), check international connections — many UK airlines fly direct in summer. Enjoy a final Greek breakfast before departure and pick up local produce or thyme honey as souvenirs from Fira market.
🚌KTEL bus to Athinios port (~£2) + Blue Star ferry Santorini → Piraeus (~£35–50); or domestic flight JTR→ATH (~£60–100)
🛏N/A – end of tour (or Athens overnight if needed)
- →Final breakfast in Santorini
- →Browse Fira market for local produce, honey and ceramics
- →Depart by ferry or flight to Athens or onward destination
Self-launched vs. Travel Zone
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Travel Zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£730 | £1,930 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,200 per person (62%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Travel Zone-style trips? Check them out here.~£730
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 Zakynthos, Mykonos & Santorini – 8 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £730 per person for 8 days in Greece. 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 Travel Zone?+
Yes — Travel Zone charges around £1,930 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £730 — a saving of roughly £1,200 (62%) per person.
How long is the Greece trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Greece.
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, city-breaks trip through Greece, 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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