Are you going to the most festive and lively Greek island, and are you looking for the best tips for traveling to Mykonos and not screwing it up? You're right! Mykonos is beautiful, but it is also very touristy, which entails certain risks, so some specific recommendations will not hurt you at all to plan your visit to Mykonos in the best way.
You know: if Hercules had to pass 12 tests, tourists have to overcome traps and places where a meal costs as much as a month's shopping. If you read the post carefully, we assure you that you will not go down in history as a legendary hero, but you will return home with both kidneys and a happy wallet. Ready to do a mini master's degree on this island and discover our recommendations? Inside, our tips for visiting Mykonos !
Tips for traveling to Mykonos
How to get there? What to see? Is it worth renting a car? What are the most beautiful beaches? Throughout the post you will find all the information, recommendations and tips for visiting Mykonos. We have just returned from there and we bring you some fresh information!
1. How to get to Mykonos
First things first, to be able to enjoy the island, you have to reach it, and to do so you basically have two options: by sea or by air . We tried both and we explain how we did it:
✓ Getting to Mykonos by ferry
Mykonos is well connected to several nearby islands , such as Santorini , Milos, Naxos and Paros . In fact, we arrived by ferry from Naxos, with the company Seajet. The trip took less than 1 hour and the ticket cost us about 50€. Unfortunately, everything related to Mykonos has a special price, including the ferries, but that's how it is.
From Athens, Mykonos can also be reached by ferry. They depart from the lively port of Piraeus southwest of Athens and are connected to the city centre by metro/light rail (ticket costs €2.20). Departures are fairly frequent and the crossing is relatively quick, usually 3 to 5 hours, depending on the type of ferry and the stops in between.
⭐ To see all the options , compare prices and book at the time that interests you most, we recommend the Ferryhopper website , which is the one we usually use for these trips.
✓ Fly to Mykonos
Although we arrived by ferry, we left the island by plane. Specifically, we did it with Easyjet, to Milan (and from there we returned to Barcelona). Currently there are no direct flights to Mykonos from Spain, but there are from several European cities , where you can make a stopover. We recommend using Skyscanner to see all the possibilities.
Mykonos airport is very small (it looks more like a bus station in a medium-sized town) and is located just 2 km from Chora. To get to Chora, buses leave from a stop on the right as you exit the airport (it's quick to see). In the opposite direction, there are buses from two points in the island's capital: " Fabrika " and " New Port ", although they only leave from 09:00 and 10:00 respectively. They cost €2 and take only about 10 minutes.
If, like us, your flight leaves early, you will have to opt for a taxi (make sure you book in advance because there are NOT many and they are VERY expensive, with rates that vary depending on the season). To give you an idea, we read that they can charge up to €35 for a trip that takes about 10 minutes. You can even book the transfer service online , which, given the prices, doesn't seem expensive to us.
Alternatively, you can rent a car with the option of drop-off at the airport. We rented only on the last day and went to the airport by bus the day before. There is the possibility of renting in the centre of Chora with Avis, for example, but we went to the office in the Old Port and it gave us a bad feeling.
2. How to get to Chora from the ferry terminal (New Port)
Please note that taxi prices in Mykonos are disproportionate, so we recommend the two cheapest options to get to Chora from the ferry terminal, known as “New Port”*
* NOTE : do not confuse it with Old Port , which is the old port, now used mainly by tourist boats such as those that make the excursion to the island of Delos , the most popular in Mykonos.
✓ By bus
As you saw in the previous point, Mykonos has a bus system and one of its routes connects the New Port with Chora, the main town. The bus stop is on the left as you disembark and the ticket can be purchased at a ticket office there (cash or card).
We went to the “Fabrika” stop, which is located near the windmills and Little Italy. The journey took about 15 minutes and the bus cost €3 .
✓ By boat (Seabus)
It is a fairly old boat that connects the New Port with the Old Port, near the historic center of Chora. When you get off the ferry or cruise ship you will see that there are signs for both the bus and the Seabus, so you can't miss it.
The price of this boat is 2€ and, although it has scheduled times, it seems that they leave as they fill up with people. More info .
3. How to get around Mykonos
Mykonos is not a very big island, but it is clear that if you want to explore its most beautiful corners, you will have to leave Chora . There are several alternatives to do so, each with its pros and cons, which we will explain to you:
✓ Local buses
We found this to be an interesting solution for those who don't want to rent any type of vehicle, as the local bus network offers more routes than you might expect. They reach some nice beaches and are quite frequent and cheap: the ticket usually costs 2-3€ (the most expensive is the one from Puerto Nuevo to Fabrika, which costs 3€). More info .
The best thing to do is to go to the Fabrika bus terminal and take photos of the current schedules, posted at the two ticket offices, as they change frequently. Right now these are the most interesting routes (in addition to those already mentioned):
| From Fabrika | From Old Port |
| Factory – Platis Gialos | Old Port – Agios Stefanos |
| Fabrika – Ornos – Agios Ioannis | Old Port – Ano Mera |
| Fabrika – Paradise Beach | Old Port – Kalafatis |
| Factory – Paraga | Old Port – Elia |
| Fabrika – Super Paradise Beach |
We used the bus for the stretches from Puerto Nuevo to Fabrika, from Fabrika to the airport and from Fabrika to Ornos Beach and the truth is that the service was good, comfortable and surprisingly punctual . The bad thing is that there are places (especially in the north of the island) where the buses do not go, so you have to look for alternatives.
Another negative aspect is the limited number of seats , and in high season there will be many more people waiting than there are seats available, which creates a moment of tension that, honestly, puts you off. Keep this in mind in case you have to go to the airport and run the risk of missing it.
✓ Rental car
We decided to rent a car on the last day for two reasons. On the one hand, we wanted to see the north of the island , a little further away from the typical tourist route (although you won't be alone, we can tell you that in advance), especially the beach of Agio Sostis. And on the other hand, because the next day we were going to have to go to the airport and as you now know, there are no buses before 09:00.
We saw that Avis and Sixt (the latter permanently closed at present) also had offices in Old Port (for the sake of picking up the car there and returning it to the airport), but we went to the Avis office one day and it didn't give us a good impression, so we decided to rent directly from the airport office and avoid the hassle.
After doing some research and finding a good deal on AutoEurope , we rented with Sixt and everything was perfect. It is advisable to take out comprehensive insurance if you are not very confident, in Mykonos the roads and paths are quite narrow (you will have to pass very close to walls), there is a lot of traffic and in public parking lots people tend to be careless, so scratches are the order of the day.
✓ Rent a motorbike or quad
We ruled this idea out from the start for two reasons: the daily price is high compared to the car, and in summer it is too hot to roast under the sun. Throughout the island we saw quite a few travellers with quads, but we didn't like the option either for the same reason: high prices + discomfort.
However, it is an alternative that gives you some peace of mind when it comes to finding parking and hey, that feeling of the sea breeze hitting your face…
4. What to see in Mykonos
In the article 8 things to see and do in Mykonos we talk in detail about the activities on this island, but here is a spoiler with the 3 must-sees :
- Visit Chora, or Mykonos Town – the largest and prettiest village, where every corner seems tailor-made for Instagram, with bougainvillea spilling over the walls and lazy cats basking in the Aegean sunshine. Don’t miss Little Italy and the windmills of Kato Mili .
- Take a beach route : like all the Greek islands, Mykonos is no exception with its dream beaches where you can take a dip in crystal-clear waters and forget about stress: here the only worries will be to spread out your towel and put on sunscreen.
- Partying : Mykonos is the “Greek Ibiza” so if you’re in the mood for some fun, this is the place to be. Partying at Paradise Beach , having cocktails at JackieO' or dancing at Cavo Paradiso are just a few ideas.
5. How much does it cost to travel in Mykonos?
The budget you have for a few days of luxury in Mykonos will depend a lot on the time of year you visit the island , as going in March is not the same as going in August. However, in general, we found that everything was 30% more expensive than on other Greek islands .
We visited Mykonos for 3 days in June and this information about budget and reference prices is based on our experience:
- Accommodation : We stayed at the Orpheas Rooms and paid €120 per night . We recommend booking months in advance and preferably with free cancellation.
- Food : It varies greatly, you can find gyros for €5 or end up in fine dining places with dishes for €60 or more. So it is essential to study the island's foodie map a bit. In our post on where to eat well and cheaply in Mykonos (coming soon) we give you recommendations. We generally ate for around €15-20 per person (in taverns and restaurants like Cocotte or D'Angelo) and for around €5-10 per person (in bakeries and fast food places, like Leonidas or Jimmy's Gyro).
- Transport : Bus tickets cost around €2-3 depending on the route and renting a car for one day cost us €60 .
Reference prices in Mykonos:
- Bottle of water in mini-market: €1.5
- Coca Cola in mini-market: 1.5-2€
- Magnets in souvenir shops: 2-3€
- Beer: 5-8€
- Ice cream: 3€
- Cocktails: €13 and up
- Pastries and savory cakes in bakeries: €2-€4
- Main course in a cheap restaurant: 10-15€
- Main course in a more expensive restaurant: from €20
- Coffee: 2-4€
- Tours and excursions: 50-150€
- Bus ticket: 2-3€
6. How to travel to Mykonos on a budget
Although it is objectively a more expensive island than the others, with the only exception of Santorini, which still occupies the place of honour when it comes to being a posh and exclusive island, it is possible to travel to Mykonos without spending a fortune . The most important thing to save money is to do these 4 things:
- Travel in the low season : avoid the months of June to September, especially July and August.
- Booking accommodation in advance is the best way to get good accommodation at the right prices.
- Find out about restaurant prices beforehand : it's essential to avoid ending up with a huge bill... we saw a place in Little Venice where they had hookahs for €70, I'm still in shock! Don't be embarrassed and ask for the menu in all places before you sit down.
- Don't overdo the partying and cocktails : Alcoholic drinks are extremely expensive in Mykonos, around €15 per cocktail (and up), so it's obvious that you have to limit them if you don't want to spend a fortune.
7. Where to stay in Mykonos
We chose to stay in Chora (Mykonos City) to avoid having to rent a car for the 3 days and to enjoy walks through its charming streets, and it seems to us to be the best place to base ourselves in Mykonos.
The hotel offer is also wide, generally with boutique hotels, hostels and tourist apartments. We stayed at the Orpheas Rooms and the truth is that we made the right choice: the room, small but comfortable, had a balcony with sea views and a capsule cafeteria that was replenished every day. Also, Eva, the girl who attended us at the reception, was nice and gave us lots of tips for visiting Mykonos.
Extra points for the location, halfway between the Fabrika bus stop and Los Molinos, in an area full of restaurants without being overwhelming and noisy.
If you are only going to stay a few days, we think that staying in Chora is the best option. But if you are planning a 1-week holiday , you can split your stay between Chora and accommodation near a nice beach . In this case, keep in mind that the south is more party-oriented, while the north is ideal for those looking for peace and quiet.
8. Where to eat in Mykonos
Have we already told you that Mykonos is an expensive island? The best place to find out is on the menus of its restaurants. So, at the risk of repeating ourselves more than garlic, we say it again: never sit down somewhere without taking a look at the menu , as the surprises can be unpleasant.
Luckily, even in Mykonos it is possible to find places where you can eat well and at good prices and so that you don't have to do a master's degree on the island's restaurants, here is our post on where to eat in Mykonos .
More tips for traveling to Mykonos
To complete our super travel guide to Mykonos, we leave you with some last extra recommendations for visiting Mykonos (and not screwing it up):
- To park in Chora, it is best to use the free car park next to the Old Port: it is spacious and convenient. Although it is a bit far away, we were advised to avoid the car parks around Fabrika as they are in poor condition and people park there terribly.
- It is not necessary to rent a car for your entire stay, as you can take several nearby excursions from Chora by bus (to the southern beaches and/or Ano Mera) and rental prices are expensive (around €60 per day).
- However, we do think it would be interesting to rent it for a day to get to the northern area (Agio Sostis beach and Armenistis lighthouse) and, also, if you have to go to the airport the next day, as in our case, you save the taxi ride.
- Although Mykonos is synonymous with partying and holidays, remember that there are locals living on the island : be respectful of their rest and do not make noise.
- If you visit religious sites, remember that the faith is Orthodox Christian and you will have to cover your shoulders and knees if you are a woman. In many places they will provide you with scarves to cover yourself, but it is worth being prepared.
- We were advised not to drink tap water , apparently it is not drinkable.
- If you're travelling in the summer, wear sunscreen : the sun is very hot and you have to be careful not to get sunburned. And if you're spending several days in Mykonos and plan to spend hours on the beach, buy an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun (beach clubs are very expensive).
We have reached the end of the article, we hope that it has helped you to dispel any doubts and to clarify the fundamental aspects for planning an ideal visit to Mykonos . We can only wish you an epic trip to the island of windmills and that our tips for traveling to Mykonos help you with this.
