💰 This page covers the street-level details of spending money on Mykonos: card acceptance by area, where to find ATMs, how to pay for buses and beach clubs, and what to budget for one of Europe's priciest islands. For Greece-wide ATM tips, DCC warnings, tipping norms, and exchange rate advice:
Read the Greece Money Guide →🎧 Order Euros Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order EUR → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash on Mykonos?
Some. Mykonos is one of Greece's most card-friendly islands thanks to its upscale tourism industry. Restaurants, beach clubs, hotels, and shops in Mykonos Town accept cards. But you will need cash for KTEL buses, water taxis, some smaller tavernas away from the main town, and kiosks (periptera). Carry €20–40 per day.
Where You Will Need Cash
KTEL bus tickets from the driver (€1.80–2, cash). Water taxis between beaches (€10–20, usually cash). Kiosks (periptera) selling water, snacks, and sundries. Small tavernas in Ano Mera village and away from the tourist core. Church donations. Tipping (always cash). Some street food (gyros from smaller shops). Public restrooms.
Where Cards Work Fine
All restaurants in Mykonos Town (Hora). Little Venice cocktail bars. Beach clubs (Nammos, Scorpios, SantAnna, Principote). Hotels and villas. Shops along Matogianni Street. Supermarkets (Flora, AB Vassilopoulos). Delos boat ticket offices. ATV/quad rental shops. Compared to Santorini, Mykonos has better card acceptance due to its higher-spending clientele, but both islands still have cash-dependent corners.
Paying by Card on Mykonos
Visa and Mastercard work at businesses with terminals. Contactless is increasingly common. Greek tax law requires businesses to accept cards, and Mykonos has better compliance than most Greek islands due to tax enforcement efforts. Amex is accepted at upscale hotels and some high-end restaurants.
Mykonos Town (Hora)
The main town and hub of island life. Matogianni Street (the pedestrian shopping street) has boutiques, restaurants, and cafes that all accept cards. The Paraportiani Church area has restaurants with card terminals. Taxi Square (Plateia Manto Mavrogenous) is the central meeting point. Restaurants, bars, and shops throughout Hora accept cards. The narrow whitewashed alleys are charming but deliberately confusing to navigate.
Little Venice & Windmills
Mykonos's most photographed area. Sunset cocktail bars (Caprice, Little Venice Cocktail Bar, Galleraki, Scarpa) all accept cards. Cocktails cost €12–18 (the sunset view is the premium). The windmills (Kato Mili) are free to photograph. Restaurants facing the sea accept cards. This is Mykonos's most expensive drinking area but fully card-equipped.
Premium Beach Clubs
Nammos (Psarou Beach) is Mykonos's most famous beach club: sunbeds €60–100, minimum spend €100–200 on food/drinks, card accepted. Scorpios (Paraga) costs €40–80 for sunbeds, card accepted. SantAnna (Paraga) and Principote (Panormos) are in the same price range. All premium beach clubs accept cards. You can spend €200–500 per person per day at these clubs without touching cash.
Public Beaches (Ornos, Platis Gialos, Agios Stefanos)
The more affordable beaches. Sunbed rentals at mid-range beaches cost €15–30 (some operators accept cards, some prefer cash). Beach tavernas at Ornos and Platis Gialos accept cards. Agios Stefanos (near the airport) has a relaxed vibe with restaurants that accept cards. Water taxis from Platis Gialos to other beaches (€10–20) are usually cash. Bring €15–20 for beach spending.
Ano Mera (Inland Village)
The only other village on the island, 7 km inland. Much quieter and more affordable than Hora. The Panagia Tourliani Monastery (free, donations in cash) is the main sight. The tavernas on the main square are more local and some prefer cash, though most now accept cards. Spilia taverna and others serve traditional Greek food at lower prices than the coast. Bring €15–20.
Old Port & Delos Boats
The Old Port is where boats to Delos depart. Delos Tours and other operators sell tickets (€20–22 return, card at the ticket booth or online). The waterfront restaurants near the port accept cards. The Mykonos Maritime Museum (€4, card accepted) and Archaeological Museum (€4, card accepted) are nearby. Ferry tickets to other islands are sold at agencies in town (card accepted).
Beach Club Costs on Mykonos
Mykonos beach clubs are a significant expense. Understanding the pricing structure helps avoid surprises.
Premium Clubs (Nammos, Scorpios, SantAnna)
Sunbed + umbrella: €40–100 per person (front row is the most expensive). Minimum spend: Many premium clubs require €80–200 minimum on food and drinks per sunbed. Cocktails: €18–28. Lunch: €30–60 per person. Bottle service: €200–1,000+. All accept cards. Reservations are essential in July and August. Some clubs waive the sunbed fee if you meet the minimum spend.
Mid-Range Beaches
Ornos, Platis Gialos, Agios Ioannis: Sunbeds €15–30. No minimum spend requirement. Beach tavernas serve Greek salads (€8–12), grilled fish (€15–25), and beer (€4–6). Most accept cards. These beaches offer a more relaxed, less expensive Mykonos experience. Free public sections exist at most beaches where you can lay your own towel.
ATMs on Mykonos
For Greece-wide ATM advice and DCC warnings, see the Greece guide.
Look for these logos. Greek bank ATMs offer fair-rate withdrawals for foreign cards.
Alpha Bank
NBG
Piraeus Bank
EurobankATM Locations
Mykonos Town (Hora): Multiple ATMs near Taxi Square and along the waterfront road. Fabrika bus station: ATM nearby. Old Port: ATM near the ferry dock. Ano Mera: One ATM in the village square. Important: There are no ATMs at the beaches. Withdraw what you need in Hora before heading to the beaches. ATMs can run out of cash on busy summer weekends.
⚠ ATMs Run Out in Peak Season
Mykonos ATMs are small-capacity machines serving thousands of tourists. In July and August, they can run out of cash by evening. Withdraw early in the day. Carry enough for 2–3 days (€100–150) to avoid scrambling. The Euronet ATMs near the port charge high fees and push DCC. Use Greek bank ATMs instead.
Paying for Buses, Water Taxis & Rentals
KTEL Buses
KTEL buses connect Mykonos Town to major beaches and Ano Mera. Fabrika bus station (south side of Hora) serves Ornos, Platis Gialos, Paraga, and Paradise Beach. Old Port bus station serves Agios Stefanos, Tourlos, and Ano Mera. A single ticket costs €1.80–2 (buy from the driver, cash). Buses run every 20–40 minutes in summer. Cash is the norm for bus tickets.
Water Taxis
Small boats operate between Platis Gialos and nearby beaches (Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, Elia). Fares cost €10–20 per person depending on distance. Cash is preferred (paid directly to the captain). Water taxis are an essential part of the Mykonos beach-hopping experience. They run from roughly May through October.
ATV / Quad Rentals
ATVs and quads are the most popular way to explore the island. Rental costs €30–50 per day. Shops in Hora and near the port accept cards. You will need a valid driver's license. Fuel costs €2–2.50 per liter (card at most petrol stations). Mykonos roads are narrow, winding, and busy in summer. Drive carefully.
Taxis
Mykonos taxis are scarce and in high demand. Hora to airport: €10–15. Hora to Ornos: €8–12. Hora to Psarou: €12–18. Taxis accept cards but some drivers prefer cash. Call the central taxi dispatch or queue at Taxi Square. Expect long waits in peak season. Pre-booking a transfer through your hotel is more reliable (card at booking).
Tipping on Mykonos
The Greece guide covers Greek tipping norms. Mykonos follows the same rules, with higher amounts typical due to the upscale setting. Leave 5–10% at sit-down restaurants or round up the bill. At beach clubs, €5–10 for sunbed attendants is appreciated. Cocktail bars: €1–2 per drink. Taxi drivers: round up by €1–2. Tour guides: €5–10. Always tip in cash.
Prices on Mykonos
Mykonos is one of Europe's most expensive island destinations. Significantly pricier than Santorini or Athens. Budget travelers can survive on souvlaki and public beaches, but the island is designed for high-end spending.
| Item | Price (EUR) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Freddo cappuccino | €4–6 | $4.40–6.60 |
| Gyros (souvlaki wrap) | €4–6 | $4.40–6.60 |
| Casual taverna lunch | €15–25 | $16.50–27.50 |
| Waterfront dinner (with wine) | €40–80 | $44–88 |
| Cocktail (Little Venice) | €12–18 | $13.20–19.80 |
| Beer at a bar (0.5L) | €5–8 | $5.50–8.80 |
| Sunbed (premium beach club) | €40–100 | $44–110 |
| Sunbed (mid-range beach) | €15–30 | $16.50–33 |
| Delos boat + entry | €32–34 | $35–37 |
| KTEL bus ticket | €1.80–2 | $2–2.20 |
| ATV rental (day) | €30–50 | $33–55 |
| Water taxi between beaches | €10–20 | $11–22 |
| Hotel (mid-range, summer) | €200–500/night | $220–550 |
USD estimates based on approximately €1 = $1.10. Rates fluctuate. Prices peak July through August. Shoulder season (May/June, September/October) is 30–50% cheaper.
Day Trips from Mykonos
Delos (30 minutes by boat)
The sacred archaeological island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boat from the Old Port costs €20–22 return (card at ticket booth). Site entry costs €12 (card accepted). The ruins include the Terrace of the Lions, the House of Dionysus mosaics, and ancient temples. There is no food, water, or shade on Delos. Bring everything you need. The site takes 2–3 hours. Boats run April through October. One of Greece's most important archaeological sites.
Rhenia Island (boat tour from Mykonos)
The uninhabited island next to Delos. Boat tours from Mykonos cost €40–70 per person (card at booking), combining Delos sightseeing with swimming stops at Rhenia's turquoise coves. Lunch is often included. A more relaxed alternative to the pure archaeological Delos tour.
Santorini (by high-speed ferry)
High-speed ferry from Mykonos to Santorini costs €55–75 (2–2.5 hours, card at port agencies or online on Ferryhopper/SeaJets). A long day trip but doable if you leave early and return late. See the Santorini guide for spending details. Santorini has similar card acceptance and slightly lower prices than Mykonos.
Mykonos Quick Reference
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mykonos Town restaurants | ✅ Everywhere | €10 backup | Excellent card acceptance |
| Little Venice bars | ✅ Everywhere | Not needed | Cocktails €12–18 by card |
| Premium beach clubs | ✅ All clubs | Not needed | Card for sunbeds, food, drinks |
| Mid-range beaches | ✅ Tavernas / ❌ Some sunbeds | €15–20 | Some sunbed operators want cash |
| KTEL buses | ❌ Cash to driver | €2 per ride | Exact change preferred |
| Water taxis | ❌ Cash usually | €10–20 | Pay the captain directly |
| Delos day trip | ✅ Ticket offices | Not needed | Boat + site entry by card |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash on Mykonos?
Some. Town restaurants, beach clubs, and shops accept cards. But buses (€2 cash), water taxis (€10–20 cash), and some smaller businesses prefer cash. Carry €20–40 per day.
How much do beach clubs cost?
Premium clubs (Nammos, Scorpios): sunbeds €40–100 with €80–200 minimum spend. Mid-range (Ornos, Platis Gialos): €15–30 for sunbeds, no minimum. Free public sections exist at most beaches.
How do I get to the beaches?
KTEL buses from Fabrika station (€1.80–2, cash). Water taxis from Platis Gialos (€10–20, cash). ATV rentals (€30–50/day, card). Taxis are scarce. Buses are cheapest, ATVs most flexible.
How much is the Delos trip?
Boat €20–22 return (card at port), site entry €12 (card). Total €32–34. Guided tours cost €40–60. Bring water and snacks as nothing is sold on the island.
Is Mykonos more expensive than Santorini?
Yes, especially for nightlife and beach clubs. Santorini is expensive for caldera views and hotels but Mykonos beach clubs and nightlife push costs higher. Both are pricier than Athens and mainland Greece.
Do ATMs run out of cash?
Yes, in July and August. ATMs in Hora are small-capacity and serve huge crowds. Withdraw early in the day. Carry enough for 2–3 days. Avoid Euronet ATMs; use Greek bank ATMs.
Pay Smart on Mykonos
The Wise card converts at the real mid-market rate with no FX markup. Tap to pay at restaurants, beach clubs, and shops. Hold EUR, USD, and 40+ currencies. Free ATM withdrawals up to $100/month.
Get the Wise Card →