How Much Does Thessaloniki Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Thessaloniki is a remarkably affordable coastal destination that offers a higher value-for-money ratio than Athens or the more famous Greek islands. With a solo traveler budget starting around $65 / €55 per day, visitors can enjoy a rich blend of Byzantine history and a world-class culinary scene without the high price tags of Western Europe. While luxury experiences at landmark hotels can reach $765 / €650 per day, the city remains accessible due to its large student population which keeps the price of nightlife and dining competitive. The cost landscape is defined by inexpensive public transport, including a modern metro system, and a wealth of historical sites that can be bundled for efficiency. Whether lounging at a waterfront café or exploring the steep alleys of the Upper Town, the city provides a high-quality Mediterranean experience for a fraction of the expected cost.
Is Thessaloniki expensive to visit?
Thessaloniki is a budget-friendly to mid-range destination where travelers should expect to spend between $65 / €55 and $765 / €650 per day depending on their choice of accommodation and dining.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Thessaloniki
$65
per person /day
$247
per person /day
$765
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $194 | $742 | $2,295 |
| 5-Day Trip | $324 | $1,236 | $3,825 |
| 7-Day Trip | $453 | $1,730 | $5,355 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% buffer to cover the mandatory Climate Resilience Fee, which can cost up to $8.24 / €7 per night for 4-star hotels, and small surcharges for taxi luggage over 10kg.
How Does It Compare?
See how Thessaloniki stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Thessaloniki
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Freddo Espresso (Takeaway) Sit-down prices at Aristotelous Square can be double (~$5.89–$7.06 / €5–€6). Freddo Espresso is the staple Greek iced coffee. | $4.12 €3.5 |
| Pork Gyros in Pita Thessaloniki gyros are famous for being larger than those in Athens. Includes fries, tomato, onion, and mustard/ketchup by default. | $5.65 €4.8 |
Transport (5)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Thessaloniki Metro Single Ticket The long-awaited metro system opened in late 2024. The $0.71 / €0.6 fare is valid for 70 minutes of travel. | $0.71 €0.6 |
| City Bus Ticket (Single Trip) Tickets bought inside the bus from vending machines cost ~$0.12 / €0.1 more and do not give change. Buy at kiosks for the standard price. | $1.06 €0.9 |
| Airport Bus X1 (Macedonia Airport to Center) A very cost-effective way to reach the city center. The journey takes 40–50 minutes depending on traffic. | $2.12 €1.8 |
| Taxi Thessaloniki - Airport Fixed Rate Day Valid for transfers between the city center and the airport between 05:00 and midnight. | $29 €25 |
| Water Bus to Peraia (One-Way) A scenic way to reach the nearby Blue Flag beaches during summer (May–October). | $12 €10 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hostel Dorm Bed (City Center) Hostels in Thessaloniki are high quality; Crossroads and Zeus are popular choices. Rates increase ~$9.42 / €8 during the International Film Festival. | $31 €26 |
| Mid-Range 4-Star Hotel Prices for hotels like Electra Palace or City Hotel vary by season. Expect to pay ~$18 / €15 more for sea view rooms. | $147 €125 |
| Luxury 5-Star Hotel (Sea View) Makedonia Palace is the city's landmark luxury hotel. Prices include breakfast and access to the hammam. | $447 €380 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Combined 3-Day Museum Pass Best value for culture seekers. Covers Archaeological Museum, Byzantine Museum, White Tower, and Roman Forum. | $18 €15 |
| Museum of Byzantine Culture Admission International/Non-EEA Adult price. Price drops to ~$4.71 / €4 from November to March. | $9.42 €8 |
| Archaeological Museum Admission This is the peak season (summer) rate. Consider the $18 / €15 pass if visiting more than two sites. | $12 €10 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Vodafone Travel eSIM (20GB) Best official tourist offer. Can be activated instantly on most modern smartphones. | $24 €20 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is dominated by affordable, high-quality street food like pork gyros in pita for $5.65 / €4.8 and takeaway Freddo Espressos for $4.12 / €3.5. While sit-down meals at Aristotelous Square can be expensive, moving a few blocks inland to spots like Ladadika offers better value, though visitors should watch for the standard 'kouver' or cover charge in traditional tavernas.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Bougatsa Bantis
$2.94–$5.3 / €2.5–€4.5Ano Poli · Bakery
Try the 'sketo' (plain) if you want to taste the masterfully crafted filo dough for ~$2.35 / €2.
Savvikos
$5.3–$14 / €4.5–€12Aristotelous Square · Local chain
High-quality, reliable grill house. Try the 'Politiko' kebab.
Bougatsa Giannis
$3.53–$5.89 / €3–€5White Tower · Bakery
Open late; legendary for its bougatsa topped with chocolate praline (~$1.77 / €1.5 extra).
To Elliniko
$14–$24 / €12–€20Waterfront · Local chain
Perfect for trying multiple Greek appetizers (mezes) without breaking the bank.
Derlicatessen all souvlaki
$4.71–$11 / €4–€9Kouskoura · Street food area
The most famous souvlaki spot for locals in the shopping district.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Getting around is exceptionally cheap with single metro tickets costing just $0.71 / €0.6 and city buses priced at $1.06 / €0.9. For those looking to reach the beach, the water bus to Peraia offers a scenic $12 / €10 journey, while the X1 airport bus provides a budget-friendly $2.12 / €1.8 transfer to the city center.
Accommodation Overview
Accommodation ranges from high-quality hostel dorms at $31 / €26 to mid-range 4-star hotels like Electra Palace for $147 / €125, where a sea view typically adds an extra $18 / €15. For a splurge, luxury 5-star stays at the landmark Makedonia Palace average $447 / €380, often including breakfast and spa access.
Accommodation Budget in Thessaloniki
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase bus tickets at local kiosks for $1.06 / €0.9 instead of buying them on the bus, where a $0.12 / €0.1 surcharge applies and machines do not provide change.
- 2 Visit during the winter months (November–March) when admission to the Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Archaeological Museum is half-price, costing roughly $4.71–$5.89 / €4–€5.
- 3 Order your Freddo Espresso as a takeaway for $4.12 / €3.5 to avoid paying the $5.89–$7.06 / €5–€6 'sit-down' premium charged at waterfront cafes.
- 4 Buy the Combined 3-Day Museum Pass for $18 / €15 if planning to visit more than two major sites like the White Tower and Roman Forum.
- 5 Eat at Bougatsa Bantis in the Ano Poli district for an authentic and inexpensive traditional breakfast away from the tourist crowds.
- 6 Take the X1 bus from Macedonia Airport for $2.12 / €1.8 instead of a taxi, which carries a fixed daytime rate of $29 / €25.
- 7 Explore the 'mezedopolia' (small plate restaurants) in the Kapani or Modiano markets for lower prices compared to the waterfront.
- 8 Use the Thessaloniki Metro for short city hops at $0.71 / €0.6 per 70-minute journey to save on taxi fares.
- 9 Activate a Vodafone Travel eSIM for $24 / €20 to get 20GB of data, avoiding expensive hotel Wi-Fi or roaming charges.
- 10 Walk the 5km waterfront promenade (Nea Paralia) for a free afternoon of sightseeing rather than booking expensive boat tours.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jul, Aug, Sep
+30-50%
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
-40%
May, Jun, Oct
Winter is great for city breaks as museums are half-price (~$3.53–$5.89 / €3–€5) and the weather is mild around 10°C (50°F).
Events to Watch
- ● Thessaloniki International Fair (Sept): +100% hotel prices
- ● International Film Festival (Nov): +50% hotel prices
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walk the entire length of the Nea Paralia waterfront promenade for the city's best sunset views.
- 2 Visit the Arch of Galerius (Kamara), a 4th-century triumphal monument located in the heart of the city.
- 3 Explore the historic Ano Poli (Upper Town) to see the remaining Byzantine city walls and traditional Ottoman architecture.
- 4 Take a photo with the iconic Zongolopoulos Umbrellas sculpture on the waterfront.
- 5 Enter the Church of Agios Demetrios to explore the ancient crypt and impressive mosaics for free.
- 6 Wander through the Kapani and Modiano markets to experience the local sights and smells of a traditional Greek bazaar.
- 7 Climb up to the Trigonion Tower at sunset for a panoramic view of the entire Thermaikos Gulf.
- 8 Relax in the Pasha's Gardens (Kipoi tou Pasa), an unusual park featuring stone sculptures near the city walls.
- 9 Stroll through Pier A at the Port, which has been converted into a public cultural space with great harbor views.
- 10 Visit the Rotunda courtyard and view the massive structure's exterior, which is one of the oldest religious sites in the city.
- 11 Explore the Ladadika District's pedestrian streets to see the colorful restored warehouses.
- 12 Visit the Vlatadon Monastery in the Upper Town for quiet reflection and a high-vantage view of the city.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Sunset Sailing Cruise (Thermaikos Gulf)
Seeing the city skyline and the White Tower from the water during sunset is the most romantic experience in the city.
Fine Dining Tasting Menu at 7 Thalasses
The premier seafood experience in Northern Greece, showcasing high-end Mediterranean gastronomy.
Private Day Trip to Mount Olympus & Dion
Skip the crowded buses to visit the legendary home of the gods with a personalized guide and comfortable transport.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Thessaloniki
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Thessaloniki and what they cost
Meteora (Monasteries)
$53 / €45 by train
$3.53 / €3
$100 / €85
Halkidiki (Kassandra Beaches)
$26 / €22 by bus
$18 / €15
$71 / €60
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Excellent in restaurants and shops, but many small bougatsa bakeries and market stalls in Kapani remain cash-only.
Rounding up is common for small bills; ~5–10% is appreciated in restaurants for good service. No tipping in taxis is expected but rounding up to the nearest $1.18 / €1 is polite.
Use Alpha Bank or Piraeus Bank ATMs. Avoid 'Euronet' machines which charge high fees (~$4.71–$5.89 / €4–€5 per withdrawal).
Connectivity
eSIM: $24 for 20GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18–$29 / €15–€25 for 15GB–30GB at physical stores like Cosmote or Nova.
WiFi: Excellent in most cafés, restaurants, and central squares. Public 'Thessaloniki_WiFi' is available at the Waterfront.
The Vodafone Travel eSIM is the easiest option for immediate data upon arrival.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Thessaloniki.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Best neighborhoods and hotel recommendations
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