A guided tour can make Greece’s islands, ruins, and sun-splashed villages easy and affordable—especially when you choose operators known for budget-friendly, land-only “from” prices. Below are 10 reputable tour companies that regularly offer Greece itineraries starting under $2,500, along with what they do best and how to keep costs down. Prices vary by season and availability; always check the operator’s site for current rates.
1) Intrepid Travel — Small-group classics and island combos
- Best for: Responsible, small-group adventures with free time
- Representative itineraries under $2,500: Athens to Santorini routes and “Best of Greece” style trips often have low-season departures starting below $2,500 (land-only)
- Why it’s affordable: Multiple trip styles and departures, public transport on many routes, and seasonal pricing
- Good to know: Intrepid focuses on immersive experiences and local leaders; search by price and month on their Greece page
- Sources: Intrepid Greece trips and pricing filters (https://www.intrepidtravel.com/greece)
2) G Adventures — Value-focused small groups with flexible dates
- Best for: Travelers who want a balance of included activities and free time
- Representative itineraries under $2,500: Classic Greece and island-hopping routes frequently advertise “from” prices below $2,500 in shoulder seasons
- Why it’s affordable: Lots of departures, wide range of trip lengths, and land-only pricing
- Good to know: Look for “Classic” or “18-to-Thirtysomethings” styles to maximize value
- Sources: G Adventures Greece destination page (https://www.gadventures.com/destinations/europe/greece/)
3) Exodus Travels — Great value for hiking and culture
- Best for: Active travelers who want guided walks and cultural highlights
- Representative itineraries under $2,500: 7–10 day walking and highlights trips often start under $2,500 outside peak months
- Why it’s affordable: Small-group, land-only trips with well-chosen inclusions
- Good to know: Many trips are graded Easy to Moderate, making them accessible to most travelers
- Sources: Exodus Greece trips (https://www.exodustravels.com/destinations/europe-tours/greece)
4) Explore Worldwide — Classic highlights with thoughtful pacing
- Best for: Smaller groups and itineraries that balance sights with downtime
- Representative itineraries under $2,500: Highlights of Greece and island-focused itineraries frequently show “from” prices below $2,500 in low season
- Why it’s affordable: Competitive land-only pricing and diverse trip lengths
- Good to know: Filter by activity level and budget on the destination page
- Sources: Explore Worldwide Greece (https://www.exploreworldwide.com/destinations/europe/greece)
5) Gate 1 Travel — Escorted value with frequent deals
- Best for: Value-minded travelers who like an escorted pace and hotel stays
- Representative itineraries under $2,500: 7–10 day “Classical Greece” and “Greek Island” escorted trips commonly have promotional “from” rates below $2,500
- Why it’s affordable: Frequent sales, broad date selection, and bundled inclusions
- Good to know: Gate 1 emphasizes “More of the World for Less,” offering budget-friendly escorted options (https://www.gate1travel.com/about.aspx)
- Sources: Gate 1 Greece listings (https://www.gate1travel.com/europe/greece)
6) Cosmos — Budget-friendly sister brand of Globus
- Best for: Escorted tours with essential inclusions at lower “from” prices
- Representative itineraries under $2,500: “Classical Greece” and “Greek Island Hopper” style tours often start under $2,500 in shoulder/low season
- Why it’s affordable: Streamlined inclusions and value hotels
- Good to know: Cosmos is part of the Globus family of brands, focused on great value (https://www.globusfamily.com/)
- Sources: Cosmos Greece tours (https://www.cosmos.com/tours/europe/greece/)
7) Escapes by Globus — Off-season savings on premium escorted tours
- Best for: Travelers who prefer cooler temps, fewer crowds, and better pricing
- Representative itineraries under $2,500: “Greek Escape” (typically Nov–Mar) often advertises land-only rates comfortably below $2,500
- Why it’s affordable: Off-season departures reduce hotel and touring costs
- Good to know: Escapes by Globus is the brand’s dedicated off-season program (https://www.globusjourneys.com/escapes/)
- Sources: Escapes by Globus overview (https://www.globusjourneys.com/escapes/)
8) Contiki — Social Greece trips for ages 18–35
- Best for: Younger travelers looking for island time and nightlife on a budget
- Representative itineraries under $2,500: “Greek Week” and select “Greek Island Hopping” departures frequently start under $2,500
- Why it’s affordable: Youth-focused departures and land-only pricing
- Good to know: Contiki trips are exclusively for travelers 18–35 (https://www.contiki.com/en-us/about-us)
- Sources: Contiki Greece destination page (https://www.contiki.com/en-us/destinations/europe/greece)
9) On The Go Tours — Island-hopping and highlights at good value
- Best for: Travelers who want structured island logistics with free time
- Representative itineraries under $2,500: Greek Island Hopper–style trips and mainland highlights tours often show “from” prices below $2,500 in shoulder season
- Why it’s affordable: Competitive priced packages and seasonal promos
- Good to know: Choose hotel grade and start dates to match your budget
- Sources: On The Go Tours Greece (https://www.onthegotours.com/Greece)
10) EF Go Ahead Tours — Crowd-pleasing island combos with flexible add‑ons
- Best for: First-time visitors who want Athens plus marquee isles
- Representative itineraries under $2,500: Land-only “A Week in Greece: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini” often has departures starting under $2,500 outside peak months
- Why it’s affordable: Frequent sales and multiple departure dates
- Good to know: EF Go Ahead offers optional flights and extensions you can toggle on/off to control total price
- Sources: EF Go Ahead Greece (https://www.goaheadtours.com/destinations/europe/greece)
What to expect at the under-$2,500 price point
- Land-only rates: Prices typically exclude international airfare; you’ll add flights separately on most operators’ checkout pages.
- Twin-share rooms: Budget tours price per person, based on two people sharing a room. Solo travelers can often pay a single supplement or request a room share (varies by operator).
- Smart seasonality: Low or shoulder-season departures (roughly late fall, winter, early spring) are your best bet for sub‑$2,500 “from” prices. Greece’s official tourism site highlights year-round appeal, with milder winter temps on the mainland and fewer crowds (https://www.visitgreece.gr/).
- Island logistics: Many budget tours use public ferries between islands; services are widespread, with schedules that vary by season (see ferry planning tool Ferryhopper: https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/destinations/greece).
Quick tips to keep your Greece tour under $2,500
- Travel in shoulder season (April–May, Sept–Nov) for lower “from” prices and better availability.
- Be flexible on start dates; shifting by a week can change the base rate.
- Choose land-only and book flights with miles or a deal fare.
- Pick shorter itineraries (7–9 days) and fewer islands to reduce transport and hotel costs.
- Watch for off-season programs like Escapes by Globus (https://www.globusjourneys.com/escapes/).
- Budget for local taxes/fees: Greece applies a climate resilience fee on accommodations that varies by property class and season (overview via Greek Reporter: https://greekreporter.com/2024/01/01/new-overnight-stay-tax-greece/).
How we chose
- Reputable operators with strong track records and transparent pricing
- Regular Greece departures that commonly list “from” prices under $2,500 (land-only) outside peak season
- Mix of small-group and escorted styles to fit different travel preferences
Note: Pricing and inclusions change frequently. Always verify current rates, what’s included, and any mandatory local fees on the operator’s website before booking.