Mykonos, Santorini, Crete & Rhodes: 13-Day Self-Launched Island Hopping Adventure
13 days · Greek Islands
Private Tours Greece charges £3,640
No-markup version: ~£1,390 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Hop between four of Greece's most iconic islands — Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Rhodes — exactly as the private-tour version does, but entirely self-launched. Take public ferries or budget flights between islands, stay in clean 3-star hotels and boutique guesthouses with the same sea views, and book your own day cruises to Delos, the Santorini hot springs and the Acropolis at Lindos. With a fraction of the planning cost and zero group markup, you keep the freedom to linger over sunset in Oia or skip straight to the beach whenever you like.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Athens
Athens
Fly into Athens International Airport (ATH) and take the metro (Line 3, ~€10) or a €40 pre-booked taxi into the city centre. Check into a well-located 3-star hotel or guesthouse in Plaka or Monastiraki. In the evening, wander the illuminated streets beneath the Acropolis and enjoy a casual taverna dinner.
🚌Athens metro Line 3 from airport (~€10) or taxi (~€40)
🛏Budget 3-star hotel or guesthouse in Monastiraki/Plaka (~€55-70/night)
- →Arrive at ATH airport
- →Metro or taxi transfer to city centre
- →Evening walk around Plaka and Monastiraki
Acropolis & Monastiraki Food Tour
Athens
Buy your own skip-the-line tickets for the Acropolis and Parthenon (€20 or combined €30 archaeological pass) and climb early to beat the crowds. Book a self-guided food walking tour through Monastiraki in the afternoon, tasting souvlaki, loukoumades, olives and local wines as you go.
🚌Walking / local metro
🛏Budget 3-star hotel or guesthouse in Monastiraki/Plaka
- →Self-guided visit to the Acropolis and Parthenon
- →Walk through the Ancient Agora
- →Do-it-yourself food crawl through Monastiraki market
Ferry to Mykonos
Mykonos
Take the morning high-speed ferry (Seajets or Blue Star, ~€50-65, 2.5-5 hours) from Athens' Piraeus or Rafina port to Mykonos. Check into a budget hotel or guesthouse near the town. Spend the afternoon exploring Little Venice and the whitewashed lanes of Matogiania, and get a feel for Mykonos nightlife in the evening.
🚌Seajets/Blue Star high-speed ferry (~€55)
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse near Mykonos Town (~€60-80/night)
- →High-speed ferry from Athens to Mykonos
- →Explore Little Venice district
- →Wander through Matogiania's narrow streets
- →Mykonos nightlife
Delos Day Cruise
Mykonos
Book a half-day boat trip to the sacred island of Delos (€30-45 including guide), the mythical birthplace of Apollo. Tours typically stop for a swim in the gulf near Delos with a BBQ lunch onboard before returning. Spend the late afternoon relaxing at one of Mykonos' beaches or back at Rhenia Island if your boat extends there.
🚌Organised Delos boat trip (~€40)
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse near Mykonos Town
- →Day cruise to archaeological site of Delos
- →Swimming stop near Delos
- →BBQ lunch onboard
- →Relax at a Mykonos beach in the afternoon
Ferry to Santorini
Santorini
Take the high-speed ferry from Mykonos to Santorini (Seajets, ~€60-75, around 2-3 hours). Check into a budget hotel or guesthouse in Fira — base yourself centrally for views and connections. Watch the legendary sunset from Oia in the evening and enjoy dinner overlooking the caldera.
🚌Seajets high-speed ferry (~€65)
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Fira (~€70-90/night)
- →High-speed ferry Mykonos to Santorini
- →Watch the sunset from Oia
- →Evening stroll and dinner in Fira
Caldera Cruise, Red & White Beaches
Santorini
Book a full-day or half-day catamaran cruise around the caldera (€80-120) that stops at the Palea Kameni hot springs for a swim, then visits Red Beach and White Beach for snorkelling — many include a seafood buffet onboard. Watch the sunset over Oia from the deck as you return.
🚌Organised caldera cruise (~€100)
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Fira
- →Caldera catamaran cruise to Palea Kameni hot springs
- →Visit Red Beach
- →Snorkelling at White Beach
- →Seafood buffet lunch onboard
Ferry to Crete
Heraklion, Crete
Take a scheduled ferry from Santorini to Heraklion, Crete (Seajets ~2 hours or ANEK overnight options; ~€55-75). Check into a central budget hotel or guesthouse in Heraklion. Spend the evening exploring the Venetian harbour and walls of the old town.
🚌Seajets ferry Santorini to Heraklion (~€65)
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse near Heraklion centre (~€50-65/night)
- →Ferry from Santorini to Heraklion
- →Evening walk along Heraklion's Venetian harbour
Heraklion Food Tour & Rethymno Day Trip
Heraklion, Crete
Join a small-group food tour of Heraklion in the morning, tasting local cheeses, olives, honey, raki and Cretan sweets. Alternatively or additionally, take the local KTEL bus to the stunning Venetian old town of Rethymno (~€13 return, 1.5 hours each way) for a self-guided wander through its narrow alleys and historic squares.
🚌Local bus to Rethymno (~€13 return)
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse near Heraklion centre
- →Heraklion food tour with local tastings
- →KTEL bus day trip to Rethymno old town
- →Explore Venetian architecture and artisan shops
Palace of Knossos & Olive Farm
Heraklion, Crete
Take the short local bus (bus 2, ~€2) from Heraklion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos and book a guided tour or audio guide (entry €15) to bring the legend of the Labyrinth and Minotaur to life. In the afternoon treat yourself to an olive oil tasting at a local family farm or specialist shop in Heraklion.
🚌Local bus to Knossos (~€2)
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse near Heraklion centre
- →Guided or self-guided tour of Palace of Knossos
- →Olive oil tasting at a local farm
- →Explore Heraklion Archaeological Museum (optional)
Fly to Rhodes & Lindos Acropolis
Rhodes
Take a budget domestic flight from Heraklion to Rhodes (Aegean/Sky Express, ~€60-90, 1 hour) — ferry alternatives exist but take most of the day. Check into your hotel in Rhodes town, then take the local bus or taxi to Lindos to climb the Ancient Acropolis and see the Temple of Athena Lindia, the Ancient Stadium and Theatre in the spectacular hilltop setting.
🚌Flight Heraklion-Rhodes (~€75) + local bus to Lindos (~€5)
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Rhodes Old Town (~€50-70/night)
- →Budget flight Heraklion to Rhodes
- →Self-guided tour of Lindos Village
- →Climb to the Ancient Acropolis of Lindos
- →Visit Temple of Athena Lindia
Rhodes Coast Cruise & Anthony Quinn Bay
Rhodes
Join a day cruise departing from Mandraki Old Port (~€50-70) that sails to Anthony Quinn Bay for swimming and snorkelling, explores the hidden Afandou Caves, and stops at Ladiko Bay and Kalithea Bay for relaxation. Weather permitting this is one of the best-value boat days in the Greek islands.
🚌Organised Rhodes coast cruise (~€60)
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Rhodes Old Town
- →Boat cruise from Mandraki Old Port
- →Swim and snorkel at Anthony Quinn Bay
- →Explore Afandou Caves
- →Relax at Kalithea Bay
Rhodes Old Town & Valley of the Butterflies
Rhodes
Spend the morning wandering the UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town of Rhodes — walk the Street of the Knights, visit the Grand Master's Palace (entry ~€8) and climb the Acropolis on Monte Smith for panoramic views. If any energy remains, take the local bus to the Valley of the Butterflies (seasonal, usually May-September) before flying back to Athens in the evening.
🚌Local bus + budget evening flight Rhodes to Athens (~€60)
🛏Budget 3-star hotel or guesthouse in Athens
- →Explore medieval Rhodes Old Town
- →Visit the Grand Master's Palace
- →Climb Acropolis on Monte Smith
- →Optional excursion to Valley of the Butterflies
Departure from Athens
Athens
Enjoy a final Greek breakfast before transferring to Athens International Airport via metro or taxi according to your flight time. If time allows, grab last-minute souvenirs in the Monastiraki flea market before heading home.
🚌Athens metro to airport (~€10) or taxi (~€40)
🛏— (departure day)
- →Final breakfast in Athens
- →Metro or taxi transfer to ATH airport
- →Monastiraki souvenir shopping if time permits
Self-launched vs. Private Tours Greece
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Private Tours Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,390 | £3,640 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,250 per person (62%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Private Tours Greece-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,390
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 Mykonos, Santorini, Crete & Rhodes: 13-Day Self-Launched Island Hopping Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,390 per person for 13 days in Greek Islands. 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 Private Tours Greece?+
Yes — Private Tours Greece charges around £3,640 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,390 — a saving of roughly £2,250 (62%) per person.
How long is the Greek Islands trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Greek Islands.
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 island-hopping, beaches, history trip through Greek Islands, 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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