Sail the Greek Islands Independently: Athens to Kos
22 days · Greek Islands
G Adventures charges £3,250
No-markup version: ~£1,670 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 22-day island-hop that covers the same ground as G Adventures' 22-day Athens-to-Kos sailing trip — the Cyclades (Syros, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Santorini) and the Dodecanese (Amorgos, Astypalea, Kalymnos, Nisyros, Tilos, Kos) — but using Greece's brilliant ferry network and hostel/guesthouse stays instead of a chartered yacht with a skipper. You'll get the same whitewashed villages, taverna-lined harbours, ouzo, snorkelling and sunsets, plus optional day-sailing trips so you still get time on the water, for roughly a third of the crewed-yacht price. All costs are approximate per person, based on current budget-traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Athens — Plaka and Piraeus
Athens
Fly or bus into Athens and base yourself near Monastiraki or Piraeus (the port you'll sail from tomorrow). Use the X96 airport bus (€5.50) or metro Line 3 (€9) instead of a taxi. Afternoon: wander Plaka and Anafiotika, climb Filopappou Hill for the Acropolis sunset, then eat souvlaki and a cheap taverna dinner in Psirri. Buy your first ferry ticket tonight from a travel agency on Akti Kondyli in Piraeus or via Ferryscanner/Direct Ferries.
🚌Airport bus X96 to Piraeus (~£5) or metro (~£8)
🛏Hostel dorm in Monastiraki or Plaka (~£22)
- →Filopappou Hill sunset walk
- →Plaka and Anafiotika wander
- →Taverna dinner in Psirri
- →Buy ferry tickets in Piraeus
Athens to Syros
Syros
Take a morning Blue Star or SeaJets ferry from Piraeus to Syros (2.5–4 hrs, €35–45). Syros is the Cycladic capital and a lovely, non-touristy first stop. Check into a guesthouse in Ano Syros or Ermoupoli. Afternoon: explore the marble-paved Miaouli Square, the Vaporia quarter, and climb to Ano Syros for a panorama. Evening: seafood in the harbour and a first taste of ouzo.
🚌Blue Star ferry Piraeus–Syros (~£38)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Ermoupoli (~£28)
- →Ermoupoli old town
- →Ano Syros hilltop village
- →Miaouli Square
- →Vaporia waterfront
Syros beaches and Ano Syros
Syros
Slow morning. Take a local bus to Galissas or Kini beach for swimming and snorkelling with your own mask (a cheap set costs ~£15 if you don't have one). Afternoon walk up to the Catholic cathedral in Ano Syros. Evening: catch the sunset from the Apollo Theatre terrace and eat gyros for under €5.
🚌Local buses (~£4)
🛏Guesthouse in Ermoupoli (~£28)
- →Kini and Galissas beaches
- →Snorkelling
- →Apollo Theatre sunset
- →Catholic cathedral in Ano Syros
Syros to Mykonos via Delos
Mykonos
Morning ferry to Mykonos (1–1.5 hrs, €25–35), checking into a hostel in Mykonos Town. On arrival, book an afternoon boat excursion to the archaeological island of Delos (GetYourGuide ~£35 including entry) — one of Greece's most important ancient sites. Evening: walk the windmills at sunset and sip a cocktail in Little Venice (drinks are pricey — budget £10–15 for one).
🚌Fast ferry Syros–Mykonos (~£30)
🛏Hostel in Mykonos Town (~£35)
- →Delos archaeological site boat trip
- →Windmills walk
- →Little Venice sunset drink
Mykonos free day
Mykonos
Escape the crowds: take a bus to Paradise or Elia beach, or walk from Platis Gialos to Agios Sostis via the coastal path. Optional half-day catamaran or sailing trip around the south coast (GetYourGuide ~£65–85) if you want a taste of the original yacht experience. Evening: cheap souvlaki in Gryparis instead of harbourfront restaurants.
🚌Local buses (~£4)
🛏Hostel in Mykonos Town (~£35)
- →Elia or Agios Sostis beach
- →Optional catamaran day sail
- →Gryparis souvlaki
- →Coastal path walk
Mykonos to Naxos
Naxos
Mid-morning ferry to Naxos (45 min–1.5 hrs, €20–30), the largest and greenest Cycladic island. Base in the old town. Afternoon: Portara gate at sunset, then the winding lanes of the Kastro. Buy a few supplies from the bakery for cheap breakfasts.
🚌Ferry (~£25)
🛏Hostel or studio in Naxos Town (~£26)
- →Portara gate
- →Kastro old town
- →Naxos Town waterfront
Mt Zas hike, Naxos
Naxos
Bus to Filoti then hike Mt Zas (1,004 m), the Cyclades' highest peak, in about 3–4 hours round trip — the group-yacht version of your 'hiking' highlight, but including a proper summit. Optional stop at the Panagia Drosiani chapel and the village of Halki for lunch. Evening back in Naxos Town.
🚌Local buses (~£5)
🛏Hostel or studio (~£26)
- →Mt Zas summit hike
- →Halki village
- →Panagia Drosiani chapel
Naxos beaches and villages
Naxos
Rent a scooter or ATV for the day (~£22/day; bring your licence) or use the bus. Hit Agios Prokopios, Plaka and Mikri Vigla beaches for kite-surf watching and swimming. Optional windsurf beginner lesson at Mikri Vigla (~£50). Evening: mountain village of Apeiranthos by bus.
🚌Scooter rental or buses (~£22)
🛏Hostel or studio (~£26)
- →Plaka and Agios Prokopios beaches
- →Apeiranthos village
- →Optional windsurfing lesson
Naxos to Paros (and Antiparos)
Paros
Short ferry hop to Paros (40 min–1 hr, €12–20). Base in Parikia or Naoussa; Naoussa is prettier, Parikia is cheaper and closer to the ferry. Afternoon: ferry across to Antiparos (€2) and explore the cave and quiet beaches — the smaller, calmer alternative to the tourist trail.
🚌Ferry Naxos–Paros (~£16), Antiparos ferry (~£4)
🛏Hostel in Naoussa or Parikia (~£28)
- →Naoussa harbour
- →Antiparos cave
- →Antiparos beaches
Paros: Kolymbithres and Lefkes
Paros
Morning at Kolymbithres beach, famous for sculpted granite rock formations and shallow swimming. Afternoon bus into the hills to Lefkes — a gorgeous white Cycladic village with marble lanes — and walk the Byzantine Road trail back towards Prodromos. Evening in Parikia's old town.
🚌Local buses (~£5)
🛏Hostel in Paros (~£28)
- →Kolymbithres beach
- →Lefkes village
- →Byzantine Road trail
- →Parikia old town
Paros to Ios
Ios
Ferry to Ios (1–1.5 hrs, €20–28). Ios has a reputation for nightlife, but the Chora is lovely and the beaches are excellent. Afternoon: Mylopotas beach, with a walk up to the Chora's windmills for sunset. Evening: bar-hop on the main street or choose a quiet taverna in the upper Chora.
🚌Ferry Paros–Ios (~£24)
🛏Hostel in Ios Chora (~£24)
- →Mylopotas beach
- →Ios Chora
- →Sunset at the windmills
Ios beaches and cliff hike
Ios
Morning boat or bus to Manganari beach (south coast) for calm water and snorkelling. Afternoon: hike from Chora to the tomb of Homer and the Skarkos archaeological site. Cheap gyros dinner.
🚌Local bus and boat (~£8)
🛏Hostel in Ios Chora (~£24)
- →Manganari beach
- →Homer's tomb hike
- →Skarkos site
Ios to Santorini
Santorini
Ferry to Santorini (1 hr, €20–30). Santorini is significantly pricier than the rest — book a hostel in Fira or Perissa well ahead. Afternoon: explore Fira and walk the caldera rim towards Imerovigli. Evening: skip the €60 dinner; buy wine and a gyros and watch the sunset from a caldera-edge wall like everyone else.
🚌Ferry Ios–Santorini (~£25)
🛏Hostel in Fira or Perissa (~£40)
- →Fira caldera walk
- →Imerovigli
- →Caldera sunset
Santorini volcano and hot springs
Santorini
Book a half-day caldera boat trip via GetYourGuide (~£30–45) that visits the active volcanic islet of Nea Kameni (hike the crater), swims at the hot springs, and stops at Thirassia. Carry water and sunscreen. Afternoon: red or black sand beach by local bus (€2).
🚌Local buses (~£4)
🛏Hostel in Fira or Perissa (~£40)
- →Nea Kameni volcano boat trip
- →Hot springs swim
- →Thirassia
- →Red Beach
Ancient Akrotiri and Oia
Santorini
Bus to the Minoan Bronze Age site of Akrotiri, the 'Greek Pompeii' (€12 entry). Continue to the south coast and lighthouse, then take the bus to Oia for the famous sunset — go early to get a spot, or walk the Fira–Oia cliff path (10 km, 3–4 hrs) if you're feeling energetic.
🚌Local buses (~£5)
🛏Hostel in Fira or Perissa (~£40)
- →Akrotiri archaeological site
- →Oia sunset
- →Optional Fira–Oia cliff path hike
Santorini to Amorgos
Amorgos
Morning ferry towards the Dodecanese — Santorini to Amorgos (2–3 hrs, €30–40; some days route via Naxos, check Ferryscanner). Amorgos is where 'The Big Blue' was filmed and is wonderfully quiet. Afternoon: Chora and the 11th-century Panagia Hozoviotissa monastery cliffside walk.
🚌Ferry Santorini–Amorgos (~£35)
🛏Guesthouse in Aegiali or Katapola (~£26)
- →Chora of Amorgos
- →Panagia Hozoviotissa monastery
Amorgos hiking
Amorgos
Hike the old path from Chora down to Agia Anna beach and back, or the Aegiali-to-Tholaria-Asfontylitis route (marked, 3–4 hrs). Free snorkelling. Keep an eye on ferry schedules for tomorrow — this is the section where you'll most need to plan.
🚌Local bus (~£4)
🛏Guesthouse in Amorgos (~£26)
- →Agia Anna beach hike
- →Snorkelling
- →Aegiali village
Amorgos to Astypalea (or Kalymnos)
Astypalea
Take the early ferry to Astypalea (3–4 hrs, €25–35 — some days only via overnight connections, so build in flexibility). Astypalea is a butterfly-shaped island with a Venetian castle above Chora and gorgeous empty beaches. Afternoon: Chora and the castle, then Livadi beach for sunset.
🚌Ferry (~£30)
🛏Guesthouse in Chora or Livadi (~£28)
- →Astypalea Chora
- →Castle of Chora
- →Livadi beach
Astypalea beaches, then sail to Kalymnos
Kalymnos
Morning at Kaminakia or Vatses beach by local bus (unsealed roads — go early). Afternoon/evening ferry to Kalymnos if the schedule allows, or stay overnight and go tomorrow. Kalymnos is a world-famous rock-climbing island and sponge-diving hub, much less visited than the Cyclades.
🚌Local bus (~£4), ferry (~£25)
🛏Guesthouse in Pothia or Myrties (~£26)
- →Kaminakia beach
- →Ferry to Kalymnos
- →Pothia harbour
Kalymnos climbing and sea caves
Kalymnos
Beginners can do a half-day introductory rock-climbing session with a local guide (Kalymnos Climbing Festival guides, ~£50–60), or take a boat trip to the sea caves at Vathy and Palionisos for swimming and snorkelling (~£25–30). Afternoon: sponge factory museum in Pothia. Evening: eat at a Myrties waterfront taverna.
🚌Buses and boat (~£8)
🛏Guesthouse in Kalymnos (~£26)
- →Intro rock climbing
- →Sea cave boat trip
- →Sponge museum
- →Myrties taverna
Kalymnos to Kos — Nisyros day trip option
Kos
Ferry to Kos (short hop, €8–15). Drop your bag at your hostel in Kos Town, then — if you have the energy — take the daily excursion boat from Kardamena or Kos to Nisyros, the volcanic island with a steaming crater (~£22 including the volcano bus). Otherwise explore Kos Town's Hippocrates plane tree, castle and Roman ruins. Final night out on the harbour.
🚌Ferry (~£12), optional Nisyros boat (~£22)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Kos Town (~£30)
- →Nisyros volcano excursion
- →Kos Town castle
- →Roman Odeon
- →Harbour evening
Depart from Kos
Kos
Breakfast, then make your way to Kos airport (local bus ~£3) or take the fast catamaran back towards Athens or onward to Bodrum, Turkey. If you're flying out early, book a lunchtime-or-later flight to keep the trip relaxed.
🚌Local bus to Kos airport (~£3)
🛏N/A
- →Kos waterfront morning
- →Departure
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,670 | £3,250 |
| Duration | 22 days | 22 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,580 per person (49%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,670
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 Sail the Greek Islands Independently: Athens to Kos cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,670 per person for 22 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £3,250 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,670 — a saving of roughly £1,580 (49%) per person.
How long is the Greek Islands trip?+
This itinerary runs 22 days, covering 22 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 adventure, culture, beaches 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?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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