"How much money do I actually need?" It's the first question nearly everyone asks before a season abroad, and it's a fair one. Nobody wants to land in Laganas and realise they're broke by week two.
This guide breaks down what a summer working in Laganas, Zante, costs. We'll give you exact figures where we have them (our accommodation prices), and an honest steer on everything else, without making up numbers we can't stand behind.
The big one: accommodation
Your accommodation is the biggest fixed cost of your season, and it's the one you can pin down before you go. Our Zante workers' accommodation is priced per person, and you can choose one, two or three months.
One month
A one-month stay is priced by month:
- June: £599 per person
- July: £699 per person
- August: £549 per person
So a one-month stay runs from £549 per person. July is the priciest month, and August is the cheapest.
Two months
A two-month stay is £1,249 per person, whether you choose June–July or July–August.
Three months
The full season, June to August, is £1,650 per person.
Quick comparison
| Stay | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 month (June) | £599 |
| 1 month (July) | £699 |
| 1 month (August) | £549 |
| 2 months (June–July or July–August) | £1,249 |
| 3 months (June–August) | £1,650 |
Deposits and payment plans
You don't have to pay everything up front.
- One-month stays have a £50 deposit option.
- Two- and three-month stays have a £100 deposit option.
The remaining balance is payable according to the payment schedule shown on the product and at checkout. As an example, the June one-month payment plan currently shown on the product page is £50 today, followed by five monthly payments of £109.80, which adds up to the full £599.
Spreading the cost like this means you can lock in your place early and pay it off over the months before the summer.
What do you get for the money?
It's budget workers' accommodation, so set your expectations accordingly. You're booking one space for one person in shared accommodation, not a private room. Rooms are shared with two other people of the same gender. Room allocations are arranged separately, and you can add friends' names when booking so we can try to keep you together.
The location is a big part of the value. The accommodation is on the Laganas side of the island, around Kalamaki Road, approximately:
- 5 minutes from the beach
- 7 minutes from the Laganas strip
- 3 minutes from a 24-hour shop
There's access to a pool nearby, and kitchen facilities.
On top of that, our reps work to arrange participants' seasonal jobs before they arrive, and they're available in resort to help fix problems if something goes wrong.
Caoimhe, who worked a season in Zante with us, summed up the accommodation nicely: "nice and clean but basic. You're a worker paying a cheap rate, so you get what you pay for... you barely spend time in your room anyway."
The other costs to budget for
Here's where we'll be upfront: we don't publish figures for flights, food or nights out, and prices change all the time, so we're not going to invent numbers. Instead, here's what to think about.
Flights
You'll need to get to Zante and home again. Flight prices depend heavily on where you're flying from, when you book and which dates you choose, so check prices early and keep an eye on them.
Food and groceries
The accommodation has kitchen facilities, and there's a 24-hour shop around three minutes away, so cooking for yourself (or with your housemates) is a realistic way to keep food costs down. Eating out every meal will cost you a lot more over a full month.
Nights out
Let's be honest, you're going to Laganas. Nights out are part of the deal, and they can add up fast if you're not careful. Setting yourself a weekly budget is a smart move.
Days out and activities
Your days are often free when you work nights, so you'll want to do things. Caoimhe and her friends went to the water park, played mini golf and explored the old town. These are optional extras, but worth leaving room for in your budget.
Clothes and essentials
Caoimhe's number one tip? Bring more clothes. "You think you have enough clothes and outfits, but you can never have enough." Packing well before you go saves you buying stuff in resort.
How much should you bring?
There isn't a magic number, because it depends on your flights, your spending habits and how quickly you start earning. The best rule of thumb comes from Caoimhe, who said you need enough to cover your flight and your worker accommodation until your first wages come in.
On earnings, pay in Zante depends on the job. In Zante, pay, hours and conditions are agreed directly with the employing venue, and some roles are commission-led. Your job is lined up and offered to you before you arrive in resort, and you're guaranteed a trial – after that, it's down to you to keep it. Have a look at our jobs page to see the kinds of roles available, or read more about jobs in Zante.
Ways to keep costs down
- Pick your month. If you only want one month, August is the cheapest at £549.
- Use the deposit and payment plan to spread the cost before you fly.
- Cook at home using the kitchen facilities.
- Travel with mates and share the essentials.
FAQ
How much does a season in Laganas cost with Top Dog Abroad? Accommodation is priced per person. One month is £599 in June, £699 in July or £549 in August. Two months (June–July or July–August) are £1,249, and the full three-month season (June–August) is £1,650.
Is the price per room or per person? Per person. Each booking is one space for one person in shared accommodation.
Do I have to pay in full straight away? No. There's a £50 deposit option on one-month stays and £100 on two- and three-month stays, with the balance paid on the schedule shown at checkout.
Does the price include a job? The price is for your accommodation, which in Zante is separate from your job. Your job is offered to you before you arrive in resort, and you're guaranteed a trial – after that, it's down to you to keep it.