Our guide on the new Entrance fee for tourists visiting Santorini and Mykonos.
Starting soon, Santorini and Mykonos, two of Greece’s most popular islands, will introduce an entrance fee for tourists in an effort to manage overtourism and protect their natural environments and cultural heritage.
The new entrance fee for tourists visiting Santorini and Mykonos reflects the islands’ growing concerns over overtourism and environmental impact. While it introduces an additional cost for travelers, the fee will contribute to preserving these iconic destinations for future visitors. By planning ahead, understanding the new regulations, and embracing more sustainable travel practices, you can still enjoy the beauty of these stunning Greek islands while helping to protect them.
Here’s what you need to know about this new fee, how it might affect your trip, and how to prepare.
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Tips for Travelers to Santorini and Mykonos
Travel Off-Peak: If possible, visit in the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) when the islands are less crowded and the fee may be lower.
Stay Longer: Consider staying for a few nights rather than making a short visit. Not only will this help you avoid the day-trip crowd, but you’ll also enjoy a more relaxed experience of the islands.
Pre-Book Tours: If you’re arriving on a cruise or via a tour company, check with your operator to see if the entrance fee is included in your package. This could save you time at the entry point.
Support Local Businesses: By spending more time on the island, you can support local businesses beyond the tourist hotspots, which often benefit more from longer-term visitors.
Bring Cash: While most payment systems in Greece are electronic, having cash on hand for smaller vendors or unexpected charges, like entrance fees, can be useful.
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Why Is There a New Entrance Fee?
The introduction of an entrance fee is primarily aimed at:
Managing Overtourism: Both Santorini and Mykonos have been struggling with high numbers of visitors, especially during the summer months, which has placed a strain on infrastructure, local resources, and the environment.
Conserving the Islands: The fee will help fund conservation efforts, improve waste management, and maintain historical sites and public spaces.
Controlling Visitor Flow: The fee is part of a broader strategy to ensure more sustainable tourism and reduce the impact on the islands’ ecosystems and cultural landmarks.
How Much Is the Entrance Fee?
The exact fee structure may vary, but it is expected to be between €5 and €10 per person depending on the time of year and the mode of entry. The fee could be higher during peak travel seasons (summer months) and lower during off-peak times.
Where It Applies:
Santorini: The fee may be applied to visitors arriving by cruise ships, ferries, or planes.
Mykonos: The fee could be charged upon arrival at the island’s ports or airports.
Note: Exact details and final prices are still being finalized, but it is expected to apply mostly to day-trippers and short-term visitors rather than those staying on the island for extended periods.
How Will the Fee Be Collected?
Possible Methods of Payment:
Upon Arrival: The fee may be collected at ports, airports, or tourist entry points.
Cruise Ship Passengers: Cruise passengers may pay the fee as part of their package or upon disembarkation at the port.
Ferry Passengers: Travelers arriving via ferry may be required to pay the fee either at the time of ticket purchase or upon arrival at the island’s port.
Hotel Guests: Some hotels may include the entrance fee in the accommodation charge, especially for visitors staying multiple days.
Who Will Be Affected?
Day-Trippers and Short-Stay Visitors: The fee is likely to target tourists who visit the islands for just a day, such as cruise ship passengers or those taking short ferry trips.
Longer-Term Visitors: Visitors staying for multiple nights may also need to pay, but the exact rules are still under discussion. It’s possible that those staying in accommodation for several nights could be exempt or pay a lower fee.
Seasonal Visitors: The fee will most likely be higher during peak tourist season (summer) and lower or waived during off-peak months.
What to Expect
Faster Processing at Entry Points: Entry points like airports and ports may set up dedicated payment stations to ensure the fee collection process is smooth and does not delay entry.
Additional Costs for Day Trips: If you’re planning a short trip to Santorini or Mykonos, whether as part of a cruise or a ferry trip from a nearby island, factor in this entrance fee when budgeting for your travel.
Online Payment Options: To avoid congestion at entry points, it’s possible that an online pre-payment option will be made available. Travelers may be able to pay the entrance fee in advance, similar to the ETIAS system that will soon apply to entering the EU.
Sustainable Tourism Efforts
In addition to the entrance fee, Santorini and Mykonos are implementing other measures to manage tourism more sustainably,
including:
Limiting Cruise Ship Arrivals: Santorini, in particular, has begun capping the number of cruise ship passengers allowed to visit the island each day.
Enhanced Waste Management: The fee will help improve waste disposal and recycling efforts, which are crucial on these islands due to the high influx of visitors during peak seasons.
Preserving Cultural and Natural Sites: The funds will also be directed toward the maintenance of important historical and natural landmarks, ensuring they remain intact for future generations.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.