Concern is mounting across the tourism sector ahead of the summer season, as industry stakeholders warn of rising transportation costs, potential booking cancellations, and increasingly expensive airfares.
In the ferry market, ticket prices have so far remained unchanged despite a sharp increase in operating expenses, driven primarily by soaring fuel costs. Shipping fuel prices have nearly doubled, with industry estimates pointing to dramatic increases in route expenses. On the Piraeus–Mykonos line, for example, operating costs are said to have climbed from 15,000 to 30,000 euros, while the Piraeus–Rhodes route has reportedly surged from 75,000 to 157,000 euros.
Although ferry operators have not yet passed these increases on to passengers, companies are pressing refineries for lower fuel prices in an effort to avoid fare hikes. At the same time, there has been no reduction in routes, but neither has there been an expansion of services to meet expected summer demand. Market insiders warn that, without intervention, ticket prices could rise by as much as 20%.
Travel costs on popular routes already remain steep. A couple travelling with a car from Piraeus to Paros currently faces costs of around 445 euros, while a family of four travelling with a vehicle on the Piraeus–Kos route can expect to pay more than 1,000 euros.
Pressure is also building in the aviation sector, where several major European carriers have already introduced — or announced — fare increases. Air France–KLM and SAS have cited additional charges ranging from 45 to 260 euros depending on the route, while Lufthansa, easyJet, and other major airlines have warned of a further wave of price hikes. Greece’s Aegean Airlines is also recording gradual increases estimated at 7% to 8%.
The upward trend is already visible across key routes. Fares from Athens to Mykonos have risen from 198 euros in 2025 to 218 euros in 2026, while flights from Athens to London have increased from 317 to 351 euros. On long-haul routes, the rise is even sharper, with Athens–New York fares climbing from 1,025 to 1,360 euros.
