Beauty on a Budget

Study-abroad student Luke Stuart gives his review and tips for a Mykonos getaway from the bustle of Paris. 

As a first-time traveller to Greece, the Aegean island of Mykonos offered a tantalising taste of the country. The town was a labyrinth of idyllic alleys with white buildings contrasting against a brilliant blue sky. The island is famous for its luxury hotels and high-end holidays but, as a student traveller, I endeavoured to see if I could experience the best of Mykonos without breaking the bank.  

Travel    

Flights to Mykonos can fetch into the hundreds for the short hop across Europe, so when an early-morning return flight from Paris Orly to Mykonos appeared for €88 (£78) on Transavia, I pounced on it. Having travelled many times on Ryanair, I was interested to see how its European counterpart compared, and I admit I was pleasantly surprised. It ticks all the boxes for budget travellers, and I’d definitely use it again. 

A taxi or uber for the 40 minute ride from my apartment in the centre of Paris would have cost at least €40, but as I was trying to keep the cost of this trip to a minimum, I found the same journey on Viator for a much more respectable €18: this website is always a friend if you’re short on options and strapped for cash. 

Weary eyed, I staggered through Orly airport and treated myself to a coffee and croissant from a bakery beside the gate. As the sun rose our plane accelerated down the runway, leaving behind the City of Lights. I was fortunate to witness a jaw-dropping sunrise over the snow-capped Alps, which felt like a reward for the early morning start, and the three hours flew by (literally) until I landed under the Mykonos sun. 

Accommodation

Researching accommodation in Mykonos, it became apparent that hostels were out and boutique hotels were in. While these looked beautiful, many were €100+ per night and fell well outside my budget.  Turning to my faithful friend Airbnb, I found a beautiful apartment in the centre of Mykonos town for half the price. I also had credit on my account from referring a friend, which reduced the price further: the Airbnb referral programme is definitely something worth looking into. The hidden-away apartment also had a great kitchen, another reason Airbnb is a great option for budget travellers. 

Mykonos Sunset

A quick search for Mykonos pulls up hundreds of pictures of its iconic sunsets, and they are a must-see when on the island. The whole sky is ablaze with warm yellows, oranges and reds as the setting sun reflects off the Aegean Sea. However, Google also recommends witnessing this spectacle from rooftop bars around the island where drinks are pushing €20.

I opted to watch the sun disappear over the horizon from one of the island’s famed windmills: 100% mesmerizing, 100% Instagram-worthy and 100% free. For an enhanced experience, I bought my own €2 drinks from the local shop a one-minute walk away. With only a couple of other iPhone-ographers joining me - admittedly, it may be busier during peak season - this is the spot to keep your Instagram followers happy and your wallet even happier.  

Food

Gyros, a traditional Greek fast-food, were the perfect cheap and tasty lunchtime treat: my personal favourite were the grilled chicken gyros from Saki’s in the centre of town. My Airbnb host also kindly bought me the traditional Greek delicacy called souvlaki (skewers): pork meat on a kebab stick, usually served with bread. Definitely a must for food-lovers! 

Cinema Under the Stars 

My dream of watching a movie at an outdoor cinema finally came true during this trip. At the end of a twisting alley in the heart of town, the “cinema under the stars” is a real gem. Every night of summer, locals and tourists alike fill the seats in the garden to watch movies in the open air, and in the final few weeks of the season it’s completely free. The whole experience was both magical and authentic, with the silhouette of a cat crossing the screen at one point as a local pet walked in front of the projector… I went twice during my stay and both times were equally as special.  

A beautiful island for all travellers  

Mykonos is truly a dream destination, oozing Grecian beauty everywhere you look. Even as a budget traveller, I found Mykonos to be affordable and enjoyable. Of course there is the option to splurge on an influencer-worthy holiday if splurging isn’t an option there are still many reasonable flight, accommodation, food and activity choices. I’d love to return to explore more of the island, and would recommend this destination without hesitation.