Published 10 Oct 2026 · Updated 13 Oct 2026
For a first trip to Greece, spend two nights in Athens, take a ferry to Mykonos and another to Santorini, then fly back to Athens for your flight home. Budget roughly ₹1.4 to ₹2.1 lakh per person for eight days including flights, and start the Schengen visa at least six weeks before you fly.
Visa and entry rules for Indians
Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa (type C) for tourism in Greece, applied for in advance. The Greek Embassy in New Delhi’s visa pages say, in the text we could read on 10 October 2026:
- Where to apply: at a VFS Global visa application centre in India; the embassy in New Delhi assesses every application.
- How early: no more than six months before the planned trip.
- Processing: up to 15 working days from when the embassy receives an admissible application, extended to a maximum of 45 days in individual cases such as extra documents or an interview.
- Delivery: it takes some days for your file to reach the embassy from the centre: about 5 days for New Delhi and 6 to 8 days for the rest of India. The embassy says it is not liable if you apply less than 15 days (plus delivery days) before travel, and that applications peak from April to July.
- Fee: the standard Schengen fee is €90 for adults, €45 for ages 6 to under 12, and free under 6, in force since June 2024. VFS charges a service fee on top, which we could not confirm from an official page; read it off the VFS Greece India page before booking.
The Greek foreign ministry site refused our automated fetch, so we relied on the embassy text as returned by search and on the Swiss federal fee table, which restates the Schengen amounts. We also could not load the embassy’s document checklist, so follow the one on the embassy and VFS pages exactly. In practice it covers flight and hotel reservations, travel insurance with the minimum Schengen cover, bank statements and tax returns.
Apply only through VFS Global or the embassy. Look-alike “Greece visa” sites charge large fees for the same appointment. Keep flights on a refundable fare until the visa is in hand.
Once you hold the visa you can add other Schengen countries on the same trip; our Italy plan for Rome, Florence and Venice and Switzerland honeymoon guide use the same process. More facts are on the Greece hub.
What it costs in rupees
Per person, sharing a mid-range double room, for eight days (two nights in Athens, two in Mykonos, three in Santorini). These are our estimates for typical fares and rates, and they swing with season. One euro is roughly ₹95 to ₹105, so check the day’s rate.
| Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Return flight, Delhi or Mumbai to Athens (one stop) | ₹45,000 – ₹65,000 |
| Visa fee plus VFS service charge and photos | ₹11,000 – ₹13,000 |
| Hotels, 7 nights (half the room cost) | ₹31,000 – ₹49,000 |
| Food, about ₹2,500 – ₹3,500 a day | ₹20,000 – ₹28,000 |
| Ferries Athens–Mykonos–Santorini and flight back to Athens | ₹15,000 – ₹25,000 |
| Activities (Acropolis, Delos boat, caldera cruise, one more) | ₹10,000 – ₹16,000 |
| Insurance, eSIM, accommodation tax, local transport, extras | ₹8,000 – ₹12,000 |
| Total | ₹1,40,000 – ₹2,10,000 |
Greek hotels collect a per-night accommodation charge at check-out, higher in summer and on Santorini and Mykonos, and it is usually not in the online price. Check the amount on your booking.
Day-by-day 8-day Greece itinerary
Day 1: arrive in Athens
Stay near Plaka or Monastiraki so the Acropolis, the metro and the airport train are close. Walk up Filopappou Hill for a first look at the Acropolis at sunset.
Day 2: the Acropolis and old Athens
Go to the Acropolis at opening time to beat the heat and the tour buses, and book the ticket online. Spend the afternoon at the Acropolis Museum, then eat in Psyrri or Koukaki. Wear shoes with grip: the marble is slippery.
Day 3: ferry to Mykonos
Take a morning ferry from Piraeus or Rafina to Mykonos; the trip takes from about two and a half to five hours depending on the boat. Book a seat in advance in season. Spend the evening in Mykonos Town (Chora) and watch the sun set from Little Venice.
Day 4: Delos and beaches
Take the short boat to Delos, the ancient island sanctuary, in the morning, then spend the afternoon at a quieter beach such as Agios Sostis or Ornos. The famous party beaches are loud and expensive; you can skip them.
Day 5: ferry to Santorini
Ferries between the two islands take about two hours. Arrive in the afternoon, check in, and head to Oia for sunset. Be there an hour early in season, because the best spots fill up.
Day 6: Fira and the caldera
Walk the caldera rim from Fira to Imerovigli, a few hours with views the whole way. In the afternoon take a caldera cruise past the volcano and hot springs, the most common boat trip.
Day 7: Akrotiri and the south
Visit Akrotiri, the Bronze Age town buried by the volcano, then the Red Beach area and a winery on the way back. Hire a car or ATV only if you are confident on narrow roads; buses and taxis are simpler.
Day 8: fly back to Athens
Take an early flight from Santorini to Athens, about 45 minutes, and connect to your flight home. Book the international flight for the evening or later, never the same morning, because ferries and flights both get cancelled in strong winds.
Island-hopping tips
- Meltemi winds: the strong north winds of July and August can cancel ferries. Keep a buffer day at the end and favour a plane on the last leg.
- Ferries: compare operators on a ferry search site and book a few weeks ahead in season. Fast boats cost more but cut the journey time.
- Where to stay: on Santorini, Fira and Imerovigli cost less than Oia and sit on the same caldera path. On Mykonos, Chora is walkable; the beach areas need a bus or taxi.
Best time to go
May, June, September and early October are the sweet spots: warm sea, daily ferries and lower prices than July and August. Many island hotels and restaurants close between November and March, and ferries thin out, so winter trips work better in Athens only.
Tips for Indian travellers
- Vegetarian and Jain food: Greek salad, spanakopita, gemista, fava, grilled cheese and tzatziki are easy. Ask about meat stock in beans and stuffed vegetables. Onion and garlic are common.
- Money: carry a forex card or multi-currency card and use contactless payment. Don’t rely on UPI here; keep some euro cash for small tavernas and taxis.
- SIM and plugs: an eSIM bought before you fly avoids roaming bills. Greece uses Type C and Type F plugs, so a Type C adapter works.
- Heat: summer afternoons are hot and the sun is strong; carry water and a hat, and plan the Acropolis early.
- Another Adriatic option: Croatia’s Dalmatian coast offers a similar island-and-old-town trip on the same Schengen visa; see our Croatia 7-day plan. Cyprus, a short hop east, has its own visa outside Schengen; see our Cyprus 6-day plan.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Greece?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay (type C) visa for tourism in Greece. Applications are lodged through VFS Global and decided by the Embassy of Greece in New Delhi. The visa allows up to 90 days in any 180.
How much is the Greece visa fee for Indians?
The standard Schengen fee is €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6 to under 12 and nothing under 6. VFS Global charges a service fee on top and rupee amounts move with the euro, so read the total off the VFS page before you pay.
How long does the Greece visa take from India?
The embassy says the stipulated processing time is up to 15 working days from when it receives an admissible application, extendable to 45 days in individual cases. Courier time from the visa centre comes on top, and spring and early summer are the busiest months, so apply well ahead.
How many days are enough for Greece?
Eight days cover Athens plus two islands without rushing: two nights in Athens, two in Mykonos and three in Santorini. With five or six days, pick Athens and one island, and add the second island only if you have a spare day.
How much does an 8-day Greece trip cost from India?
Roughly ₹1.4 to ₹2.1 lakh per person, including return flights, the visa, mid-range hotels, ferries, a domestic flight, food and activities. Santorini hotels in June to September and the flight fare move the total most.
What is the best time to visit the Greek islands?
May, June, September and early October. The sea is warm enough to swim, ferries run daily and prices are below the July and August peak. Many island hotels and restaurants shut from November to March.
Is Greece good for vegetarians from India?
Yes, easier than most of Europe. Greek salad, spanakopita, gemista (stuffed vegetables), fava, grilled halloumi, tzatziki and fresh fruit are everywhere. Ask whether beans and stuffed vegetables were cooked with meat or meat stock, which happens in some kitchens.
