“I’m a Student With No Regular Income – My Budget Solo Weekend in Athens Cost €660”

By Maia Burton / Telegraph Media Group Holdings Restricted 2025

I’m a 21-year-old college pupil, and my price range displays that. My upkeep mortgage (common €3,000 per time period) doesn’t cowl my lease (€170 per week) however I’m lucky to have help from my household, which I’ll pay again sooner or later.

I wouldn’t have a daily job. Throughout college holidays I work on an informal contract as an examination invigilator, which pays round €13 per hour, and the hours I work differ. Throughout term-time I’m typically paid to make content material for the college, and I spend round eight hours per week working on-line “facet hustles” corresponding to knowledge entry and research-based websites corresponding to Prolific and DataAnnotation to cowl weekly bills and put in the direction of some financial savings.

Earlier than coming to college I took a spot yr, the place I labored extra persistently as an invigilator, and at exercise camps run for kids within the college holidays. I’m fortunate to go on household holidays coated by my household and I pay for something I spend on myself, together with any journeys I take with out my household.

I’ve been on a number of weekend breaks exterior of term-time with pals – and final summer time I went on a summer time research overseas programme with the college, which I used a few of my mortgage to pay for.

Once I journey I prefer to price range strategically. I’m blissful to remain in hostels and eat in low cost cafes through the day or eat avenue meals. I assume, for many individuals, meals is often the costliest a part of the journey. I get pleasure from spending more cash on actions and experiences.

I analysis my journeys properly and plan them round experiences. I search for what I wish to do first and resolve the place to remain after. This was a solo journey to Athens, the primary journey I had ever taken alone. I cherished the liberty of selecting what to do and when and spend my cash. It was not with out its challenges, however I had a incredible time and actually valued this expertise.

Day 1

After getting off the aircraft, I purchased the Athena three-day vacationer transport ticket. It included transport to and from the airport and across the metropolis (€20). One other price that needed to be spent however not too dangerous in comparison with different cities I’ve visited.

At 4pm I checked into my hostel. Not essentially the most glamorous of locations however it was in an incredible location and had a fantastic rooftop. I loved assembly different solo travellers, and the worth was first rate in comparison with different inns. If I had booked this earlier (I booked lower than a month earlier than departure) then it might have been €10) much less.

After checking in, I purchased an Aperol spritz from Spezia bistro (€9) whereas ready for my 4.30pm slot to enter the Acropolis. Greater than I’d ideally prefer to spend on a drink, however after ending up on the mistaken bus and nearly getting misplaced, plus a sweaty run to my hostel, I’d have paid €90!

Earlier than my journey I purchased a five-day mixed ticket from Hellenic Heritage which grants you timed entry for a number of websites within the metropolis over 5 days. It price €30 which I assumed was wonderful worth. Many of the websites across the metropolis price €12 to €20 and as somebody who wished to go to all of them this was an incredible spend.

After strolling across the Acropolis I paid €10 for stuffed tomatoes and faucet water at Roof Backyard and watched the sundown earlier than returning to my hostel to get an early night time.

Day 1 complete: €50

Day 2

A extremely nice breakfast was included with the worth of the hostel (€0).

I went for Greek espresso at Café Veneti (Veranzerou 7) and ordered a cappuccino freddo (like a relaxing cappuccino) which was €1.50. I like espresso and revel in seeing how completely different international locations put together it. I fell in love with the completely different kinds of Greek iced espresso.

Strolling tour at 10am. This was free however the host inspired us to tip if we felt prefer it. I gave €10 because it was an incredible tour. It was refreshing to place down the map for a number of hours and see some native spots. One actually beauty of Athens is that there are water fountains throughout town which meant that I by no means needed to pay for any water as I simply crammed up my bottle as I went.

I had lunch with a girl I met on the tour from a restaurant known as Ydria which the host advised. We sat exterior, I ordered a Greek salad and a gemista and we break up the invoice (€19.50).

That afternoon I went to the Acropolis museum. I paid for my ticket on my telephone (€20). It felt like an excellent addition to visiting the Acropolis. I didn’t purchase something however sat at a café with a stunning view.

I wished to attempt ouzo so I went to Brettos bar, which is legendary for serving the spirit. I went for the inexperienced triple-distilled ouzo €5.50 that the bartender really helpful – I hated it! I all the time wish to attempt the native specialties even when I don’t assume I’ll prefer it. Sadly this time I used to be proper.

On a whim I purchased tickets to an open-air Greek theatre efficiency on Viator, known as ‘Medea and Different Mates I Met in Athens’. The efficiency was within the night and value €26. I wasn’t positive what to anticipate however I actually loved it. I had an incredible view they usually served free native white wine through the efficiency.

I purchased some loukoumades (crispy dough balls) drizzled with honey €3.90 and ate them whereas watching the sundown.

On my approach residence I purchased gyros (a sort of kebab served in a pitta with chips and salad)from fashionable spot Tylixto – my first one of many journey! I selected the grilled vegetable gyros (€2.90) which I assumed was nice worth for such a preferred spot. Yum.

Day 2 complete: €90

Day 3

Free breakfast once more!

At 9.20am I took a cable automobile as much as Lycabettus Hill (€10), spherical journey. This was incredible: the view over town was unbelievable.

I purchased a keyring as a memento (€3) and a freddo cappuccino from Cafe Lycabettus (Ploutarchou 66) which price €4. This was pricier than I’d have preferred, however I used to be blissful to pay extra for the placement.

At lunch time I went to Dope Roasting Co. and took my laptop computer so I might do some college work. An iced Greek frappe and a pastry for lunch got here to €5.

That afternoon I spent round €5 on souvenirs together with a braided bracelet and a postcard – I’ve been amassing classic postcards for a number of years now.

I spent the remainder of the day visiting the archaeological websites that had been included with my mixture ticket and exploring town on foot. For dinner I finished at one other gyros place known as Fast Pitta, one other low cost (however perhaps much less genuine) place. The vegan one price €2.90.

That night I went to a bar known as City Attic Rooftop with the lady I met on the strolling tour and a lady from my hostel. I solely purchased one drink to maintain prices down. It had a extremely fascinating cocktail menu and this was positively essentially the most “luxurious” factor I purchased on the entire journey – €14 for a vodka-based cocktail with apricot and peach.

Afterwards we received gelato at L’Arte del Gelato – €2.60 for a small sorbet.

Day 3 complete: £38.95