Athens, Zakynthos & Santorini — Self-Launched Island Hopper
10 days · Greece
Travel Zone charges £2,400
No-markup version: ~£790 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, 10-day Greek island route that mirrors Travel Zone's premium Athens–Zakynthos–Santorini tour but skips the 4-star hotels, private transfers and operator markup. You'll fly into Athens, take a cheap domestic flight or bus+ferry combination to Zakynthos for the legendary Navagio shipwreck cruise, fly/bus back through Athens and onward to Santorini for the caldera, Akrotiri and a volcano-view sunset. Accommodation is in well-rated hostels/guesthouses with private rooms where useful, and the two guided excursions are replaced with self-bookable boat trips and a wine-tasting visit you arrange yourself. Costs are rough backpacker/mid-budget estimates — expect them to flex with season (July–August roughly 30–50% higher).
Day-by-day
Arrive in Athens
Athens
Land at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH). Skip the €40+ private transfer and take Metro Line 3 straight from the airport to Syntagma/Monastiraki (about €9 one-way, 40–50 min; a 3-day tourist ticket covers airport return plus local transport). Check into a hostel or guesthouse in Plaka/Monastiraki/Koukaki. Spend the afternoon on a free walking tour of the historic centre (tip-based, €5–10 tip) taking in Syntagma, the Plaka lanes and Hadrian's Arch, then climb Filopappou Hill for the classic sunset view of the Acropolis. Grab a gyros or souvlaki dinner for €4–6.
🚌Airport Metro Line 3 to city centre, ~€9
🛏Hostel dorm or private room in Plaka/Koukaki (e.g. City Circus, Athens Backpackers or a small guesthouse)
- →Self-guided/free walking tour of Plaka & Monastiraki
- →Filopappou Hill sunset viewpoint
- →Street food dinner
Athens to Zakynthos
Zakynthos
Morning at the Acropolis (book the €20–30 timed entry online in advance on the official Hellenic Heritage site — worth the early slot to beat crowds) or the Acropolis Museum (€15). Then head to Zakynthos. Easiest option is a short domestic flight from ATH to Zakynthos (ZTH) with Sky Express/Aegean, roughly €40–80 booked ahead and about 1 hour. Budget alternative: KTEL bus from Athens to Kyllini (~€25, 3.5 hrs) plus ferry to Zakynthos Town (~€10, 1.5 hrs). Check into a guesthouse/studio in Zakynthos Town or Argassi/Laganas and pick up snacks for the next day's boat trip.
🚌Domestic flight ATH–ZTH ~€40–80, or bus to Kyllini + ferry ~€35 total
🛏Guesthouse/studio in Zakynthos Town or Laganas (e.g. family-run studios, ~£25–35/night)
- →Acropolis & Acropolis Museum
- →Settle into Zakynthos Town
Navagio Shipwreck & Blue Caves boat trip
Zakynthos
The headline experience, self-booked. Book a full-day shipwreck/Blue Caves cruise directly with a local operator (e.g. via GetYourGuide or at the harbour in Zakynthos Town/Agios Nikolaos) — about €35–50 for a group boat with swim stops at the Blue Caves and a viewing/short stop at Navagio Beach. Boats leave from Porto Vromi or Agios Nikolaos on the north-west coast; take the local KTEL bus or a shared taxi to the departure point (~€5–10). Note that landing on Navagio is often restricted — most trips now view it from the water and swim nearby. Pack lunch or buy a €6–10 souvlaki/gyros at the port.
🚌Local bus or shared taxi to Porto Vromi/Agios Nikolaos, ~€5–10 each way
🛏Guesthouse/studio in Zakynthos Town or Laganas
- →Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach boat cruise
- →Blue Caves swim stop
- →Coastal swim stops
Turtles, Volimes & Zakynthos Town
Zakynthos
A free day to explore the island on a rented scooter or small car (€25–35/day plus fuel and insurance — book via a local hire shop, bring an IDP if you have one) or the local bus network. Head to Gerakas/Kalamaki for the Zakynthos Marine Park loggerhead turtle nesting beaches (respect roped-off nesting zones; optional €15–25 glass-bottom turtle-spotting boat from Laganas), stop at the hill village of Volimes for honey and lace, then return via Bochali viewpoint. In the evening explore Zakynthos Town's Solomos Square and try a sit-down mezze dinner (~€12–15).
🚌Rented scooter/car ~€25–35/day, or local KTEL buses ~€3–5 per hop
🛏Guesthouse/studio in Zakynthos Town or Laganas
- →Marine Park turtle beaches
- →Volimes village
- →Bochali viewpoint
- →Zakynthos Town evening
Zakynthos back to Athens
Athens
Return to Athens by the same route — domestic flight (€40–80) or ferry to Kyllini plus bus (€35). Afternoon free: visit the Ancient Agora (€10) or the National Archaeological Museum (€12), or simply wander Anafiotika and Monastiraki's flea market. Evening in Gazi or Psirri for dinner and a drink (~€20 with wine), or a rooftop bar with an Acropolis view.
🚌Domestic flight ZTH–ATH ~€40–80, or ferry + bus ~€35
🛏Hostel dorm or private room in Plaka/Koukaki
- →Ancient Agora or National Archaeological Museum
- →Anafiotika & Monastiraki wander
- →Psirri/Gazi nightlife
Athens to Santorini
Santorini
Fly ATH to Santorini (JTR) with Aegean/Sky Express — book early for fares of roughly €40–90, 45 minutes. Cheaper but slower: Blue Star ferry from Piraeus (about €40–50, 5–8 hrs) — only worth it if you enjoy the slow-travel angle. On arrival take the local KTEL bus from the airport to Fira (€1.80) and check into a guesthouse in Fira, Karterados or Perissa (the last is cheapest and near the black beach). Afternoon: walk the Fira-to-Fira-Stefani caldera rim path, watch sunset from Fira or Oia (bus to Oia ~€2, but expect crowds).
🚌Flight ATH–JTR ~€40–90, or ferry ~€45 (5–8 hrs); local bus airport–Fira €1.80
🛏Guesthouse in Karterados/Perissa or Fira (private room ~£35–50/night)
- →Fira–Firostefani caldera walk
- →Oia sunset (if you brave the crowds)
Santorini highlights: Akrotiri, wine & meze
Santorini
Self-launched version of the semi-private island tour. Rent a scooter or ATV (~€25–30/day) or use the local bus. Visit the Akrotiri archaeological site (€12 entry, allow 1.5 hrs — audio guide available on-site or via app), then drive up to the Monastery of Prophet Elias for the island panorama. Continue to a traditional canava in Pyrgos or Megalochori for a wine flight (€15–25 for 3–4 wines; Santo Wines and Venetsanos are the well-known cooperatives). Lunch on a meze plate of fava, tomato fritters and white aubergine (~€12–18). Afternoon swim at Red Beach or Vlychada black beach.
🚌Scooter/ATV rental ~€25–30/day, or local buses €1.80 per trip
🛏Guesthouse in Karterados/Perissa or Fira
- →Akrotiri archaeological site (€12)
- →Prophet Elias Monastery
- →Santorini wine tasting (€15–25)
- →Red Beach or Vlychada swim
- →Meze lunch (~€15)
Caldera cruise or black-sand beach day
Santorini
Choose your Santorini finale: a volcano and hot springs catamaran cruise (booked via GetYourGuide/Klook, €60–100 for a half-day with lunch, though basic group boats go cheaper) or a free day of black-sand beaches — Perissa, Perivolos and Kamari are all bus-accessible (€1.80–2.50 per hop). Optional: hike the Fira-to-Oia caldera trail (10 km, 3–4 hrs, free — take plenty of water). Finish with a cheap taverna dinner in Karterados or Pyrgos (~€15).
🚌Local KTEL buses €1.80–2.50 per trip
🛏Guesthouse in Karterados/Perissa or Fira
- →Optional volcano/hot springs catamaran cruise (€60–100)
- →Perissa/Perivolos black-sand beaches
- →Fira–Oia caldera hike (free)
Santorini to Athens
Athens
Morning swim or one last caldera coffee, then fly back to Athens (€40–90) or take the ferry if you'd rather keep costs down. Check back into your Athens hostel, then use the afternoon to see anything you missed — the Temple of Olympian Zeus (€8), the Panathenaic Stadium, or a day trip to Cape Sounion, if timed well. Final night dinner in Plaka (~€18) and pack for departure.
🚌Flight JTR–ATH ~€40–90, or ferry ~€45
🛏Hostel dorm or private room in Plaka/Koukaki
- →Temple of Olympian Zeus / Panathenaic Stadium
- →Plaka evening
Departure
Athens
Breakfast, then Metro Line 3 back to the airport (€9) or a shared airport shuttle (€10–15). Allow 2 hours before departure. If you have a late flight, leave bags in hostel storage and take one last walk through the National Garden or the Acropolis Museum.
🚌Metro Line 3 to ATH airport, ~€9
🛏—
- →Optional Acropolis Museum or National Garden
Self-launched vs. Travel Zone
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Travel Zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£790 | £2,400 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,610 per person (67%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Travel Zone-style trips? Check them out here.~£790
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 Athens, Zakynthos & Santorini — Self-Launched Island Hopper cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £790 per person for 10 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 £2,400 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £790 — a saving of roughly £1,610 (67%) per person.
How long is the Greece trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 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, adventure 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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