Quick Verdict
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Couples, honeymooners, first-time Europe travellers |
| Budget (10 days) | ₹1.5L–2.2L per person (mid-range) |
| Flight cost | ₹42,000–65,000 return from Mumbai/Delhi |
| Visa | Schengen required — 10–15 business days processing |
| Best months | June, September (fewer crowds, 20–30% cheaper than July–August) |
| Avoid | July–August: 38–42°C heat + peak pricing + overtourism |
Greece is the Europe trip most Indian travellers put off because “Europe is expensive.” It doesn’t have to be. A 10-day greece trip from india — Athens plus Santorini — costs ₹1.5L per person at mid-range hotels, not the ₹3L+ people assume. You need a Schengen visa, but if you apply 4 weeks out with clean bank statements, approvals are straightforward.
The payoff: the Acropolis at dawn, the caldera view from Oia, and Greek food that’s genuinely vegetarian-friendly by Mediterranean standards. It’s worth the visa hassle.
Flights from India to Greece
No direct flights connect India to Athens. Every route has at least one stop — but Istanbul and Dubai connections are short (1.5–3 hrs layover) and efficient.
From Mumbai (BOM → ATH)
| Airline | Route | Total travel time | Return fare (economy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Airlines | Mumbai → Istanbul → Athens | 13–16 hrs | ₹42,000–55,000 |
| Emirates | Mumbai → Dubai → Athens | 12–14 hrs | ₹47,000–65,000 |
| Qatar Airways | Mumbai → Doha → Athens | 13–15 hrs | ₹48,000–62,000 |
From Delhi (DEL → ATH)
| Airline | Route | Total travel time | Return fare (economy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Airlines | Delhi → Istanbul → Athens | 14–17 hrs | ₹40,000–52,000 |
| Emirates | Delhi → Dubai → Athens | 13–15 hrs | ₹44,000–60,000 |
| IndiGo + partner | Delhi → Istanbul (codeshare) | 15–18 hrs | ₹38,000–50,000 |
Best time to book: 8–12 weeks before travel for June and September departures. July–August fares spike 20–35% over base. Early October and late May are the cheapest months to fly.
Search flights from India to Greece →
Schengen Visa for Indians Visiting Greece
Greece is Schengen, so you need a Schengen visa. No visa on arrival, no e-visa option.
Where to apply: Greek Consulate or VFS Greece visa application centre — Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.
Documents checklist:
- Passport valid for 6+ months beyond your return date
- Last 3 months’ salary slips
- 6 months’ bank statements (minimum ₹3L balance — ₹5L+ gives a smoother approval)
- Leave approval letter from employer (or business registration if self-employed)
- Confirmed hotel bookings for all nights
- Return flight booking
- Travel insurance covering minimum €30,000 medical (get this before the visa appointment)
- 2 passport-size photos (35×45mm, white background)
Fees: ₹9,000–11,000 total (€80 consular fee + ₹1,800–2,000 VFS service fee)
Processing time: 10–15 business days in most cities. Apply at least 4 weeks before travel; 6 weeks for June–August departures.
Pro tip: If you’re visiting multiple countries (Greece + Italy, for example), apply at the country where you’ll spend the most nights. Greece consulates have a reputation for approving first-time Schengen applicants who have clean financials.
For the full step-by-step application process: Schengen Visa from India 2026
Best Time to Visit Greece from India
| Month | Avg temp | Crowds | Hotel prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April–May | 20–25°C | Low | ₹5,000–9,000/night | Good — green landscapes, sea still cool |
| June | 27–30°C | Medium | ₹8,000–14,000/night | Best — warm, sea swimmable, manageable |
| July–August | 35–42°C | Extreme | ₹14,000–28,000/night | Avoid — brutal heat, overtourism in Santorini, priciest |
| September | 26–30°C | Medium | ₹7,000–12,000/night | Best — warm sea, 25% cheaper than June |
| October | 20–24°C | Low | ₹4,000–8,000/night | Good for Athens; ferry frequency drops for islands |
For Indian travellers: June and September are the clear winners. The heat is comfortable (not the scorching July–August), ferry schedules run at full frequency, and hotel prices are 20–30% lower than peak. September is particularly ideal — sea temperature is at its warmest (26–28°C) and the summer crowds have thinned.
Where to Go: The 4 Must-See Destinations
1. Athens (3 nights minimum)
The Acropolis alone justifies the trip. Walk up at 8am before the crowds arrive — by 11am in summer it’s packed shoulder-to-shoulder. The Acropolis Museum (below the hill, ₹1,200 entry) gives you all the context: why each column was built, what the friezes mean, the full story of the Parthenon.
Beyond the Acropolis: the Plaka neighbourhood for old-town wandering and mezze lunch, Monastiraki flea market for leather goods and street food, and the National Archaeological Museum (one of the best museums in the world, genuinely — 3 hours minimum).
Hotels: ₹5,000–9,000/night for a central 4-star near Syntagma or Monastiraki.
2. Santorini (3 nights)
The blue-domed churches of Oia are the most-photographed scene in Europe, and in person they live up to the image. The caldera — the collapsed volcanic crater filled with deep-blue Aegean — is what you came for.
Stay in Fira (the island’s capital) for the caldera view at 30–40% lower cost than Oia. Or go budget-further and stay in Akrotiri (southern tip) — it’s a 20-minute bus ride to the main sights but rates are significantly cheaper.
Don’t miss: Akrotiri archaeological site (a Minoan city buried by the volcanic eruption, better preserved than Pompeii in many ways), Red Beach (hike from Akrotiri), and wine tasting at Santo Wines or Venetsanos winery overlooking the caldera.
3. Mykonos (2 nights)
Mykonos has a party reputation that puts some travellers off — ignore it. The old town (Chora) with its windmills, narrow whitewashed lanes, and Little Venice waterfront is genuinely beautiful. The beaches (Paradise Beach, Super Paradise) are excellent for a half-day. You don’t need more than 2 nights unless you’re specifically there for the nightlife.
Hotels: ₹8,000–20,000/night for a 4-star in Mykonos Town.
4. Crete (2–3 nights, budget-friendly alternative)
If cost is a priority, swap Mykonos for Crete. Greece’s largest island is also its most affordable: food and accommodation cost 20–30% less than Santorini, and it has three full days of things to do — Heraklion Archaeological Museum (world-class Minoan collection), Samaria Gorge hike (16km, one of Europe’s best, ₹800 entry), and the Venetian harbour at Chania.
10-Day Itinerary from India
| Day | Location | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Departure | Mumbai/Delhi → Istanbul or Dubai → Athens (arrive night) |
| Day 2 | Athens | Acropolis at 8am, Acropolis Museum afternoon, Plaka evening |
| Day 3 | Athens | National Museum, Monastiraki, Syntagma Square, rooftop dinner |
| Day 4 | Athens → Santorini | Piraeus port → Santorini by high-speed ferry (4.5 hrs) |
| Day 5 | Santorini | Oia village + caldera walk, sunset from Oia castle |
| Day 6 | Santorini | Akrotiri ruins, Red Beach hike, Venetsanos winery |
| Day 7 | Santorini → Mykonos | Santorini → Mykonos by high-speed ferry (2.5 hrs) |
| Day 8 | Mykonos | Little Venice, windmills, Paradise Beach afternoon |
| Day 9 | Mykonos → Athens | Ferry to Athens Piraeus, overnight in Athens near airport |
| Day 10 | Departure | Flight to India via connecting hub |
Ferry booking: Book 2–3 weeks in advance for June and September travel. SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries are the fastest options on the Santorini–Mykonos leg. Book through 12Go Asia which aggregates all Greek ferry routes in one place.
Full Cost Breakdown: 10 Days Per Person
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return flights | ₹42,000 | ₹52,000 | ₹85,000 |
| Hotels (9 nights) | ₹45,000 | ₹90,000 | ₹2,00,000 |
| Ferries (2 inter-island legs) | ₹4,500 | ₹6,500 | ₹12,000 |
| Food (10 days) | ₹18,000 | ₹32,000 | ₹65,000 |
| Entry fees + tours | ₹5,000 | ₹9,000 | ₹18,000 |
| Schengen visa + insurance | ₹12,500 | ₹12,500 | ₹12,500 |
| Local transport | ₹3,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Total per person | ₹1,30,000 | ₹2,07,000 | ₹4,02,500 |
Prices at June 2026 exchange rates (~₹90–92/€). Use the forex calculator to check live EUR/INR rates before you book.
Getting Around Greece
Athens city transport: Metro (Lines 1, 2, 3) covers all major tourist sites — ₹110/ride (€1.20). Clean, air-conditioned, runs until midnight. Airport express (Line 3): ~45 min to city centre, €9 one-way.
Between islands: High-speed ferries (SeaJets, Golden Star, Blue Star) from Piraeus port. Athens → Santorini: 4.5 hrs by high-speed (€60–95), 8 hrs by conventional (€40–55). Book in advance in summer — boats sell out.
Getting around islands: Santorini has a central bus hub in Fira serving all main villages — cheap (€1.60–2.50/ride) and reliable. For Akrotiri and Red Beach, the bus schedule is irregular; rent an ATV or car for the day. DiscoverCars has the best-priced car rentals in Santorini and Crete with no hidden insurance charges.
Airport transfers: Pre-book your Athens airport transfer — taxi touts outside Arrivals charge 2× the metered rate to tourists. Book Athens airport transfer →
eSIM and Connectivity
Greece runs on EU 4G/5G networks (Cosmote, Vodafone Greece). Your Indian SIM works on roaming (Airtel and Jio both have EU roaming packs), but at ₹1,500–2,000 for 10 days of data — expensive.
Better option: Airalo Europe eSIM covers all 30+ EU and Schengen countries on one plan. From ~₹1,100 for 3 GB / 30 days. Works instantly after purchase — no SIM swap, activates in 2 minutes.
Travel Insurance
Mandatory for your Schengen visa application and genuinely useful — Greek private hospitals bill non-EU patients upfront before treatment. Get minimum €30,000 medical coverage; €50,000 is better if you’re doing any activity (Samaria Gorge hike, watersports).
World Nomads covers adventure activities that standard travel insurance excludes — it’s accepted by Greek consulates and VFS.
Compare travel insurance plans for Greece →
Tours and Experiences
Worth booking in advance:
- Athens Acropolis guided tour (€20–30/person): context transforms the site — a guide explaining what you’re looking at is worth it for a first visit
- Santorini sunset sailing (€65–90/person): a shared catamaran cruise with wine, snorkelling stop, and caldera sunset. Overhyped but genuinely memorable for a honeymoon
- Santorini wine tour (€45–70/person): 3 wineries, 8–10 tastings, lunch
Book 2–3 weeks ahead for summer departures.
Browse Greece tours and experiences →
Practical Tips for Indian Travellers
Food: Greek food is more vegetarian-friendly than most European cuisines. Mezze spread: horiatiki (Greek salad), spanakopita (spinach and feta pie), dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), tzatziki, hummus, and grilled halloumi. Fish-heavy on the islands — kingfish, sea bream, and octopus are the local staples.
Currency: Euro (€). Cards accepted almost everywhere. Keep €20–30 cash for taxis, small ferry kiosks, and rural tavernas. ATMs are available in all main towns.
Tipping: 10% at restaurants if service is good. Cafes: round up the bill. Not compulsory but expected in tourist areas.
Language: English is widely spoken in Athens and all tourist islands. Greeks are generally warm and patient with confused tourists — the combination of English + a few Greek words (“efharisto” for thank you, “yia sas” for hello) goes a long way.
Dress code at churches: Cover shoulders and knees. A scarf or wrap sold at the entrance (€2–3) works fine.
Power sockets: Type C (same as most of Europe). Indian plugs don’t fit — pack a Type C adapter.
Is Greece Worth It for Indians in 2026?
At ₹2L for 10 days (mid-range), a Greece trip from India costs about the same as a Japan trip and significantly less than the UK or France. The Schengen visa adds friction, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime destination for most Indian travellers.
If budget is tight and this is your first Europe trip, Portugal or Italy offer similar visual drama and Mediterranean food at slightly lower overall costs. But for sheer “I can’t believe I’m here” moments — standing in front of the Acropolis or watching the caldera sunset from Oia — Greece delivers in a way that’s hard to compare.
Plan your Greece itinerary with the AI Trip Planner →
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