Inexpensive tours to Greece from Almaty: prices

Inexpensive tours to Greece from Almaty can realistically fit into a modest budget if you count the full cost of the trip, not just the price of the package. A connecting flight, visa fees, insurance and pocket expenses on site add up to the total. The best months for price and weather are May, June, September and the first half of October. Swimming is most comfortable on Crete, Rhodes and Kos.

How an inexpensive holiday in Greece works for tourists from Kazakhstan

Budget trips to Greece from Almaty consist of several parts, and the package is only one of them. Let's break down what is paid separately and how to calculate the budget as a whole.

What is included in the trip budget besides the cost of the package

Besides the package, the budget of inexpensive tours includes expenses on site. The flight from Almaty is already included in the package, but the transfer to the hotel on Crete or Rhodes is often paid separately. Meals beyond the chosen rate eat up a noticeable part of the money, especially if you take bed and breakfast. Excursions around Athens, the Peloponnese or to Santorini cost extra. Personal spending on souvenirs and cafes should also be set aside in advance. A reserve for the unexpected does not hurt: a couple of dozen euros a day makes the trip calmer. Count inexpensive tours by the full amount, not by the price of the package.

Visa, insurance and fees: what is paid separately

Medical insurance for a trip to Greece is mandatory. The policy is issued separately from the tour and costs more the older the traveler is. Its presence is checked when submitting documents, so you should not save on coverage. Visa center fees and consular payments are made in tenge at the exchange rate on the day of payment. Biometrics are submitted in person, and appointments at the center in Almaty or Astana fill up quickly in high season. Inexpensive tours to Crete or Corfu do not exempt you from these payments: they come on top of the package. Plan them in advance so as not to look for money at the last moment.

When is the best time to go and where exactly?

The season in Greece is long, but each month has its own character. The choice of date affects the heat, the crowds and the price of inexpensive tours.

May and June: sightseeing without exhausting heat

May and the first half of June are the best time for sightseeing tours of Athens and the Peloponnese. The air warms up to comfortable levels, and the queues at the Acropolis are shorter than in July. The sea on Crete - Heraklion and Crete - Rethymno already welcomes the first swimmers, although the water is invigorating. In Halkidiki it is calm and green at this time. Prices for budget travel in these weeks are below peak. Take a light jacket for the evening: it is fresh by the sea. For exploring antiquities, this window is the best fit.

September and the first half of October: warm sea without crowds

September and the first half of October are the velvet season at most resorts in Greece. The water on Rhodes, Kos and Crete - Lassithi remains warm, and the heat subsides. The beaches empty out, and sun loungers are easier to find. Such trips in these weeks are cheaper than in August, although the weather still pleases. On Santorini the water is cooler due to the depth, but the views and sunsets are the same. October is good for a quiet holiday with children in Pieria. Do not postpone the trip to November: part of the infrastructure closes.

Islands and mainland: how the destinations differ

The islands offer sea and beaches, the mainland offers history and logistics. Let's compare the destinations to choose the right one.

Crete, Rhodes, Kos and Halkidiki: where the swimming season is longer

The swimming season on Crete, Rhodes, Kos and in Halkidiki lasts approximately from mid-May to October. Crete - Heraklion and Crete - Rethymno welcome tourists longer than other points of arrival. From there it is convenient to get to Crete - Lassithi and the southern coast. Rhodes and Kos warm up earlier than the northern resorts. In Halkidiki the water is softer, but the season is a little shorter. Santorini stands out from the general pattern: the depth keeps the water cool. For a long swimming season, choose Crete or Rhodes.

Athens, the Peloponnese and Pieria: sightseeing and holidays with children

Athens and the Peloponnese are history, not beaches. The capital is good for museums and walks, and the peninsula is good for ancient cities and mountain roads. Pieria and Halkidiki are convenient for families with children: a gentle entry into the sea and calm water. Such trips are more often taken to the north, where there is less wind. The Peloponnese will require a car, but the impressions will last a long time. Combine: a couple of days in Athens and a week on Crete - Lassithi give you both the city and the sea.

How to get there and what to keep in mind on site?

The journey from Almaty takes almost a day, and on site logistics matter. Let's break down connections and movement.

Connections through Istanbul, Dubai and Moscow: how much time to add

There are no direct scheduled flights from Almaty to Greece, so you will have to fly with a connection. Istanbul, Dubai and Moscow are the three main transfer hubs. Through Istanbul the journey takes the least time, but the transfer is sometimes at night. Dubai adds several hours, but the service is predictable. Moscow lengthens the route the most. Add from several hours to a day to the journey. The time difference with Almaty is 3 hours in winter and 2 hours in summer: Greece changes its clocks (UTC+2 in winter, UTC+3 in summer), while Kazakhstan stays on UTC+5 all year round. It is better to leave the first day on Crete or Rhodes for acclimatization.

Ferries, car rental and payment: practical details

Ferries and high-speed catamarans run between Athens and the islands. Tickets to Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Santorini and Corfu are snapped up in advance in high season. Car rental requires an international driving permit, and the deposit is often paid by card. On some islands it is difficult to get to distant beaches without a car. Cards from Kazakh banks do not work abroad everywhere, so keep part of the money in cash in euros. Small taverns and ferry ticket offices accept only cash.

What to put in a suitcase and how not to spend extra

Packing a suitcase and small expenses on site determine whether a trip stays budget-friendly. Here is what to keep in mind.

Passport, euros and card: financial little things

The main currency in Greece is the euro, and it is better to exchange money in parts. A card will come in handy in hotels and large stores, but not everywhere. Take cash for the first days: taxi, cafes and ferry tickets. Keep part of the amount in small notes. Inexpensive tours to Corfu or Kos do not cancel these rules. Put together a travel first-aid kit at home, medicines are more expensive on site. A compact umbrella will come in handy in the shoulder season.

Free beaches, local food and tips

In Greece there are many free beaches, but sun loungers and umbrellas on organized beaches are paid. Look for wild stretches next to hotels: that is where locals swim. Street food costs less than restaurant food: gyros, souvlaki, Greek salad and pizza are filling and inexpensive. Tips are not mandatory, but in cafes and restaurants it is customary to leave about 5–10%. Tap water on the islands is not drinkable everywhere, buy bottled. Lunch away from the promenade is always cheaper. These little things noticeably save the budget of inexpensive tours.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the MFA of the Hellenic Republic, https://www.mfa.gr/en/visas/. The information on this page was verified on 14.09.2026.

In short

• Calculate the trip by the full amount, not just the price of the package.
• Insurance and visa fees come on top of the cost of the tour.
• May, June and September give comfortable weather without peak prices.
• Crete and Rhodes welcome swimmers longer than northern resorts.
• Pieria and Halkidiki are convenient for holidays with children by calm water.