Welcome to our comprehensive guide on “How Expensive is Kefalonia?” Based on our personal experience, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of costs and share tips on how to manage your budget during your stay optimally.
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Flights
Traveling to Kefalonia, one of the most scenic islands in Greece, might leave you wondering “how expensive is Kefalonia?” Looking at our recent journey, the primary expense was undoubtedly the flights.
We secured round-trip tickets from Frankfurt, Germany to Kefalonia for €254 for 2 people, which was a relatively good deal considering it was booked just a week prior to departure. Interestingly, we found that flights on Monday were less expensive compared to weekend flights.
The carrier for our journey was Condor, and we utilized Kayak for the booking process. However, you can also directly book from the airline’s website. This experience demonstrated that Kefalonia, despite its allure, can still be accessible for last-minute travel plans without breaking the bank.
However, it’s important to bear in mind that direct flights from Germany to Kefalonia are somewhat limited. Frankfurt and Dusseldorf offer daily flights, with occasional options from Munich. Kefalonia seems to be a favored destination for UK travelers, as there are more flights from the UK. Thus, if Kefalonia is on your travel list and you’re departing from Germany, early flight bookings would be advisable to ensure you get the best deals and availability.
Accommodation in Kefalonia
The question “how expensive is Kefalonia?” extends naturally to accommodation costs, which form a substantial part of any travel budget. During our trip, we opted for apartments, which amounted to around €100 per night, bringing our total accommodation expense to €632 for the week. It’s worth mentioning that we made our bookings on the spur of the moment, during the high season, which somewhat constrained our options.
Kefalonia offers a plethora of accommodation alternatives to suit a variety of budgets, but it’s advisable to make early bookings, particularly during peak tourist season, to secure the best deals and availability.
Our preferred platform for booking accommodations is booking.com due to its user-friendly interface and reliability. Additional perks like discounts for Amazon Prime members make it even more appealing. Notably, our last-minute booking at a hotel in Lassi fetched us a significant discount. So, when considering how expensive Kefalonia can be, it’s worth remembering to look out for such deals!
Our accommodations in Kefalonia
- Lassi: Maria’s Garden Apartments (3 nights)
- Sami: Apartments Katerina by the sea (2 nights)
- Poros: Mari-Christi Apartments (1 night)
- Lassi: Princess Hotel (1 night)
+++ Book your accommodation in Kefalonia with Booking.com +++
Food & Drinks in Kefalonia
When considering “how expensive is Kefalonia?” it’s essential to factor in the costs of food and drink. Over our week-long stay, we spent €299 on dining experiences, local coffees, and groceries for self-catering. Eating at local tavernas rather than high-end restaurants, and occasionally cooking at your accommodation, are practical ways to enjoy Kefalonia’s culinary delights while managing expenses. The local delicacy, gyros pita, is a tasty and affordable meal option, typically priced around €4-5.
Food and drink constituted 21% of our total expenditure, reflecting Kefalonia’s rich culinary culture. The island’s gastronomic scene leans heavily towards meat and seafood. However, vegetarian visitors can still enjoy a range of dishes like Greek salad, tzatziki, spanakopita, and gemista. The island is gradually accommodating vegetarian and vegan preferences, reflecting changing dietary trends.
Dining in Kefalonia isn’t solely about the food; it’s a complete experience. Whether it’s a seaside taverna or a mountain village restaurant, Kefalonia offers the perfect blend of scrumptious food, local wine, stunning views, and warm Greek hospitality, making each meal an unforgettable experience.
Attractions & Activities in Kefalonia
In terms of “how expensive is Kefalonia?” allocating budget for attractions and activities is integral. During our visit, we invested €173 in various activities, which included exploring caves and venturing on day trips. These experiences, while adding to the cost, significantly enriched our Kefalonia holiday, creating unique and lasting memories. Thus, when planning your budget for Kefalonia, ensure to account for such distinctive experiences.
In Kefalonia itself, we visited the enchanting Melissani Cave, which cost €8 per person. This stunning cave, filled with turquoise waters, was a highlight of our visit. We also explored the Drogarati Cave, another of Kefalonia’s natural wonders, which cost €5 per person. With stalactites and stalagmites illuminated to create a magical atmosphere, this cave visit was worth every penny.
Is Shopping expensive in Kefalonia
Souvenir shopping and supermarket expenses are other costs to consider when planning your trip. We spent €102 on shopping, including buying groceries from the supermarket and picking up some souvenirs to take back home. A tip to save on supermarket expenses is to shop at non-touristic places where prices tend to be lower. Personally, I believe that grocery shopping is relatively expensive in Kefalonia, compared to Germany. Especiall items like cheese, yogurt, and even pasta were comparatively expensive. At least in supermarkets in the more touristic areas like Lassi.
To be fair, we are not the craziest shoppers out there. So this expense is highly dependable on your private spending pattern ;)
Transportation expenses in Kefalonia
Another essential aspect when assessing “is Kefalonia expensive?” is transportation costs. We valued the freedom of navigating the island at our leisure and thus rented a car for the week, costing us €410. Additionally, fuel charges amounted to €57. While this might seem substantial, the convenience and flexibility of a private vehicle justify the expense, contributing significantly to the overall Kefalonia experience.
We booked our car through kayak.com and the rental company is called “Express” via Kayak.com. Other popular rental companies are for example Greekstones. Make sure you book it in advance to get the best choice and cheapest prices. Expect prices for a car per day in high season starting from 50€ per day.
Conclusion
The question, “How Expensive is Kefalonia?” can have varying answers, depending on your travel preferences and budget. However, based on our experience, a week-long stay in Kefalonia, including flights, accommodation, food & drinks, attractions & activities, shopping, and transportation, can cost around 2,000€. While Kefalonia might not be the cheapest destination, the charm, beauty, and unique experiences it offers make every penny spent worthwhile.
