Sick of Santorini? Swap your Greek island favourites to save up to £254pp

1. Swap the Dodecanese: Kos for Rhodes — save £254pp

The biggest saving this year comes from swapping Kos for Rhodes. Both are Dodecanese staples with the same guaranteed sunshine, beaches and package-holiday infrastructure, but Rhodes comes in significantly cheaper at an average of £689pp versus £943pp.

You’ll be swapping laid-back and flatter Kos for an island almost five times bigger. Its size means Rhodes has more options when it comes to accommodation which can help keep costs down. There’s also plenty of nightlife, especially in Faliraki, while Rhodes Town is the oldest inhabited medieval city in Europe.

But if you were considering Kos in the first place, it’s likely you’re looking for a more traditional spot. Try Lindos where the whitewashed houses that tumble down to the sea are looked over by the ancient Greek ruins of the Acropolis. Or take a day trip to smaller neighbouring islands such as Symi.

2. Swap the Ionians: Corfu for Lefkas — save £216pp

Corfu is one of the most recognisable names in Greek island holidays, but Lefkas – just along the Ionian coast – offers a quieter, less-commercialised alternative that most British holidaymakers haven't yet considered. At £606pp versus £822pp, the saving is £216 per person.

Though less well known, Lefkas is exceptionally pretty and home to some of the finest beaches in Greece, dramatic white cliffs, an olive grove-clad interior and mountain peaks. For an active break, Vasiliki is a windsurfing hotspot. Or for a slower pace the fishing village of Nikiana is close to some of the most scenic beaches.

The island does not have its own airport. Instead, as the only Ionian island directly connected to the mainland, you’ll need to head to Preveza International Airport, a 30-minute drive away.

3. Swap the hidden gems: Skiathos for Naxos — save £68pp

For those after a quieter, less-touristy experience, swapping Skiathos (£958pp) for Naxos (£890pp) saves £68 per person. They're at different corners of Greece but both deliver the more tranquil Greek island experience.

If you’re looking for cobbled streets, ancient ruins on cliff tops and beautiful beaches, you’ve found it. Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades islands, is known for its traditional hilltop villages, lush landscape and holidays that focus on relaxation. Spend days on the beach, then feast on island-grown produce including local cheeses, potatoes, olives, lemons and meat.

There are no direct flights from the UK to Naxos, something which may have helped it keep its slower pace. Instead head to neighbouring Mykonos or Santorini and catch a boat across, or fly from Athens.

4. Swap the glamour: Crete for Mykonos — save £98pp

This may seem like the most counterintuitive swap on the list. But hear us out. Mykonos has a reputation as one of Greece's most glamorous and expensive destinations, yet it actually comes in cheaper to book than family favourite Crete – £670pp versus £768pp, a saving of £98 per person.

Mykonos is a sought-after destination that attracts the rich and famous, especially during its summer peak. But its mix of accommodation – from all-inclusive resorts to luxury boutique hotels – means that there’s actually holidays to suit a range of budgets. So don’t count it out.

The best options for cheaper stays are found in and around Mykonos Town, where there’s everything from one- and two-star hotels for reasonable rates, while still placing you in the heart of the action. Dine at its picturesque 18th-century fisherman’s houses, now a row of restaurants on the waterfront. Or climb to the 16th-century windmills above town.

5. Swap the scenery: Santorini for Kefalonia — save £40pp

For dramatic landscapes, Kefalonia's rugged clifftops and turquoise bays rival Santorini's iconic views at a lower price – £596pp versus £637pp, saving £41 per person. It’s a more modest saving, but over a family group, it adds up.

Greener and lusher than Santorini, the scenery in Kefalonia is no less dramatic. Think white-sand beaches at the bottom of sheer cliffs, or turquoise bays fronted by colourful houses that cling to the hillsides.

This may be the largest Ionian island, but its distinctly peaceful ambience is one of the biggest draws here. Head to the more remote north if you truly want a little more seclusion, while the south is where you’ll find the main resort towns of Lassi, Skala and Lourdas.

That said, if you’re set on Santorini, our research on the cheapest Greek islands for 2026 revealed that this year is a particularly affordable one to visit. Following the earthquakes of early 2025, prices are lower than usual. It ranked as our third most affordable island with an average holiday price of £637 per person.

Please note: The research analysed all holiday searches on TravelSupermarket between 16 September 2025 and 15 March 2026, for seven-night holidays across all traveller types, board bases, star ratings and departure dates from 17 September 2025 onwards. Prices shown are averages per person and have been rounded to the nearest pound.