Greeks Opt for shorter, cheaper island trips amid rising costs, Ferryscanner survey finds

According to a recent Ferryscanner survey conducted between June and August 2025, Greek travelers are now favoring closer, more affordable islands, shorter stays, and last-minute bookings.

Top destinations included Tinos, Paros, Mykonos, Aegina, and Naxos. Aegina notably climbed into the top five, replacing Syros with a 12.65% increase. Other nearby and budget-friendly destinations also saw strong gains, including Agistri (+13.46%), Kythnos (+5.5%), and Kea (+2.05%). Even Mykonos continued its upward trend with a 5.82% increase.

In contrast, traditionally expensive or premium destinations saw declines. Santorini dropped by 5.33%, possibly due to recent seismic activity, while Chania in Crete recorded a sharp 26.54% decrease. Interest in Heraklion, however, rose slightly, signaling a shift within Crete itself.

The report also shows that travel durations are shortening. Nearly half of travelers (49.2%) chose trips lasting just 1–3 days, while 35.6% opted for 4–6 days. Only 15.2% took trips longer than a week.

Last-minute planning is now the norm: 59.3% booked their trips within a week of departure, with nearly 87% booking within one month. Ferryscanner attributes this trend to the need for flexibility, price sensitivity, and ongoing economic uncertainty.