Zakynthos, Milos, Santorini & Mykonos: Self-Launched Greek Island Hopper
10 days · Greece (Zakynthos, Milos, Santorini, Mykonos)
Travel Zone charges £1,750
No-markup version: ~£864 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 10-day self-launched version of Travel Zone's partially guided five-island Greece loop. You'll cover the same ground — Athens as a hub, Zakynthos's Shipwreck Bay and Blue Caves, a full-day Milos boat trip to Kleftiko, a Santorini village-and-winery circuit, and a Delos day trip from Mykonos — but you book your own ferries, guesthouses and day tours as you go. Ferries are the backbone here: book Blue Star and SeaJets tickets early on directferries.com or the operators' own sites, and pick up day cruises on GetYourGuide about a week out (they're consistently cheaper than on-the-dock touts). Costs below are realistic late-spring/early-autumn budget traveller rates in GBP and exclude international flights and Athens airport transfers.
Day-by-day
Athens → Zakynthos (bus + ferry)
Athens / Zakynthos
Do as the operator does: skip the flight and take the KTEL intercity bus from Athens's Kifissos terminal to Kyllini port (~3h, ~£18), then the ferry across to Zakynthos town (~1h15, ~£9). Book both at ktelbus.gr or at the terminal on the day. Arrive afternoon, check into a guesthouse in Zakynthos Town or Laganas and walk the harbour, Solomos Square and the Venetian Bochali viewpoint at dusk. Buy groceries for breakfasts and pick up a Greek SIM (Cosmote/Nova tourist plan ~£10).
🚌KTEL bus Athens–Kyllini ~£18 + ferry to Zakynthos ~£9
🛏Guesthouse or budget studio in Zakynthos Town / Laganas (~£18-25/night)
- →Kifissos bus station departure
- →Kyllini ferry crossing
- →Zakynthos Town harbour & Solomos Square
- →Bochali viewpoint sunset
Shipwreck Bay, Blue Caves & Xigia Sea Spa
Zakynthos
Replicate the operator's Day 2 with a self-booked boat trip. Small-group speedboat tours to Shipwreck Beach (Navagio) and the Blue Caves run from Agios Nikolaos or Porto Vromi; book on GetYourGuide or directly with operators like Potamitis Brothers (~£25-35, 3-4h, includes swimming stops). Note Navagio itself is often closed to landing — boats do a panoramic approach. Afterwards hire a scooter or take a local taxi to the Shipwreck viewpoint above the bay (free), swim at Xigia Sea Spa's sulphur springs (free, but bring an old swimsuit — the water stains), and eat at a seaside taverna in Agios Nikolaos (~£12). If you want a full-day version, the island bus tour from Zakynthos Town runs ~£30.
🚌Local bus/taxi to Agios Nikolaos ~£6; scooter hire ~£15/day
🛏Guesthouse or budget studio in Zakynthos Town / Laganas (~£18-25/night)
- →Speedboat to Shipwreck Bay & Blue Caves
- →Shipwreck panoramic viewpoint
- →Xigia Sea Spa sulphur springs swim
- →Agios Nikolaos harbour lunch
Zakynthos → Athens
Athens
Retrace the route back: ferry to Kyllini and KTEL bus to Athens (~£27 combined, ~6h door to door). Check into a hostel or budget hotel around Monastiraki or Psirri (£22-30 for a private double, £12-15 dorm). Spend the evening on a free self-guided wander — Monastiraki flea market, Plaka lanes, and the Areopagus rock for an Acropolis view at sunset (free). Cheap souvlaki dinner ~£7.
🚌Ferry Zakynthos–Kyllini ~£9 + KTEL bus to Athens ~£18
🛏Hostel private room or budget hotel, Monastiraki/Psirri (~£22-30)
- →Monastiraki flea market
- →Plaka self-guided walk
- →Areopagus sunset viewpoint
Athens → Milos
Milos
Morning fast ferry from Piraeus to Milos (SeaJets, ~2h50, book ahead ~£45-60; the slower Blue Star is ~£30 but takes 5-6h). Piraeus is a 20-min metro ride from Monastiraki. Arrive Adamas, check into a guesthouse and head to Sarakiniko's white volcanic moonscape for the afternoon (local bus ~£2, free entry). Sunset there is the highlight. Dinner in Adamas or Plaka (~£12).
🚌Metro to Piraeus ~£1.20 + fast ferry to Milos ~£50
🛏Guesthouse/studio in Adamas or Plaka, Milos (~£22-30)
- →Piraeus ferry crossing
- →Sarakiniko moonscape beach
- →Adamas harbour evening
Milos full-day boat trip: Kleftiko, Tsigrado & Sarakino
Milos
The operator's included 10-hour cruise with brunch and a 10-dish buffet lunch is easy to replicate: full-day catamaran or traditional boat cruises from Adamas to Kleftiko, Tsigrado, Sarakino and Gerakas run ~£65-95 on GetYourGuide or direct with Milos boat operators, usually including lunch, drinks and snorkel gear. Cheaper alternative: hop the local boat shuttle to Kleftiko from Agia Kiriaki (~£25) or hike in via Tsigrado's rope-ladder beach. Book 2-3 days ahead in high season — boats sell out.
🚌Walk to Adamas port for boat departure
🛏Guesthouse/studio in Adamas or Plaka, Milos (~£22-30)
- →Kleftiko Bay swimming & snorkelling
- →Tsigrado beach
- →Sarakino & Gerakas stops
- →Onboard lunch and drinks
Milos → Santorini
Santorini
Mid-morning fast ferry Milos to Santorini (~2h, ~£35-50, SeaJets or Zante Ferries — book early, this route fills fast). Arrive Thira port and take the local KTEL bus up to Fira (~£2), then onward to your guesthouse in Karterados, Perissa or Kamari (£25-35/night — avoid Oia and Fira caldera rooms if you're on a budget). Afternoon: walk the Fira-to-Imerovigli caldera path for free, and catch sunset from Skaros Rock.
🚌Fast ferry Milos–Santorini ~£42 + local bus ~£2
🛏Guesthouse in Karterados, Perissa or Kamari (~£25-35)
- →Milos–Santorini ferry
- →Fira to Imerovigli caldera walk
- →Skaros Rock sunset
Santorini villages, winery & Oia sunset
Santorini
Recreate the operator's guided day on your own. Take the local bus to Megalochori (free to wander its cave-house lanes and bell towers), then Pyrgos — climb to its hilltop castle for a 360° view. Walk or bus to a cliffside winery such as Santo Wines or Venetsanos for a tasting flight (~£20-30) with caldera views. Finish in Oia for sunset — arrive 90 minutes early and claim a spot near the Byzantine castle ruins. Buses back to Fira run until late (~£2 each leg). Alternatively, a half-day GetYourGuide wine-and-villages tour is ~£45 if you'd rather be driven.
🚌Local KTEL buses ~£6 total
🛏Guesthouse in Karterados, Perissa or Kamari (~£25-35)
- →Megalochori village
- →Pyrgos hilltop castle
- →Cliffside winery tasting (Santo Wines/Venetsanos)
- →Oia sunset
Santorini → Mykonos
Mykonos
Late-morning fast ferry from Athinios port to Mykonos (~2h20, ~£45-60). Buses connect Fira to Athinios. Arrive Mykonos, take the local bus to your guesthouse in Mykonos Town, Platis Gialos or Paraga (~£35-50 — Mykonos is the priciest stop, so book well ahead). Afternoon: get lost in Hora's whitewashed lanes, walk Matoyianni Street, see the windmills at sunset and Little Venice. Gyros dinner ~£8.
🚌Local bus to port ~£2 + fast ferry to Mykonos ~£52 + bus into town ~£2
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Mykonos Town / Platis Gialos (~£35-50)
- →Matoyianni Street
- →Mykonos windmills & Little Venice
- →Hora self-guided wander
Delos archaeological site day trip
Mykonos / Delos
Book the Delos boat-and-entry combo: the Delos Express/sea-bus from Mykonos Town's old port runs ~£25-30 including the archaeological site entrance fee (free for EU under-26s). Sailings cluster around 09:00-10:00 and return early afternoon. Join the on-site guided tour (~£15 extra, 1.5h) or download a free audio guide and do it yourself — the terrace of the lions, the theatre quarter and the mosaics are the highlights. Allow 1.5h at the museum. Back on Mykonos, swim at Agios Stefanos or Paraga for the afternoon.
🚌Sea bus/boat to Delos ~£28 incl. entry; local bus ~£3
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Mykonos Town / Platis Gialos (~£35-50)
- →Delos archaeological site & museum
- →Optional 1.5h licensed guide
- →Agios Stefanos or Paraga beach swim
Mykonos → Athens (Piraeus)
Athens
Afternoon ferry Mykonos to Piraeus (~4-5h, ~£45-55 — the slower conventional ferry is cheaper than the fast one). Bus from town to the new port, then metro into Athens. If you have a late flight, leave bags at a Monastiraki luggage locker (~£5) and squeeze in a final Acropolis-area walk or a farewell gyros. Book the airport metro (line 3, ~£8, 40 min) rather than a taxi.
🚌Ferry Mykonos–Piraeus ~£50 + bus/metro ~£3 (+ airport metro ~£8 if flying)
🛏Not included — onward travel or optional Athens hostel (~£22-30)
- →Mykonos–Piraeus ferry
- →Optional final Athens wander
Self-launched vs. Travel Zone
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Travel Zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£864 | £1,750 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £886 per person (51%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Travel Zone-style trips? Check them out here.~£864
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 Zakynthos, Milos, Santorini & Mykonos: Self-Launched Greek Island Hopper cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £864 per person for 10 days in Greece (Zakynthos, Milos, Santorini, Mykonos). 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 £1,750 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £864 — a saving of roughly £886 (51%) per person.
How long is the Greece (Zakynthos, Milos, Santorini, Mykonos) trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Greece (Zakynthos, Milos, Santorini, Mykonos).
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 adventure, culture, beaches trip through Greece (Zakynthos, Milos, Santorini, Mykonos), 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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