Greggs vs Costa Coffee Prices 2026: Which Is Cheaper?
Costa is the giant of British coffee shops, with more stores than almost anyone. But on price, Greggs has been quietly undercutting it for years. Here is how the two compare across the drinks menu in 2026.
Coffee prices head to head
| Drink | Greggs | Costa |
|---|---|---|
| Regular latte | £2.20 | £3.40 |
| Regular cappuccino | £2.20 | £3.40 |
| Regular flat white | £2.20 | £3.55 |
| Regular Americano | £1.95 | £2.95 |
The pattern is consistent: Costa charges roughly £1.20 more per drink. That is more than a 50 percent premium on every cup.
Hot chocolate and tea
| Drink | Greggs | Costa |
|---|---|---|
| Regular hot chocolate | £2.20 | £3.70 |
| Regular tea | £1.65 | £2.50 |
The hot chocolate gap is the biggest on the menu, a full £1.50. For families buying several drinks, the difference is enormous.
Iced drinks
| Drink | Greggs | Costa |
|---|---|---|
| Iced latte | £2.45 | £3.60 |
| Frappe style drinks | £2.25 | £3.95 |
The annual cost
A daily regular latte, 240 working days a year:
| Greggs | Costa | |
|---|---|---|
| 240 working days | £528 | £816 |
Switching saves £288 a year. That is a weekend away, funded entirely by changing where you buy coffee.
Where Costa wins
Costa has real advantages. The coffee itself is generally considered a step up in quality, with more bean choice and better trained baristas. The shops are more comfortable for sitting in, with better seating and wifi. The range is wider, including more seasonal specials and a bigger food menu.
Costa's loyalty scheme also rewards heavy users, though it takes significant spending to earn meaningful rewards compared to the Greggs app, where a free coffee arrives after just nine purchases.
Where Greggs wins
Price is the headline, but there is more. Greggs opens earlier in many locations, the queues move faster, and you can grab a sausage roll with your coffee for less than the price of the Costa coffee alone. The app rewards arrive quicker too.
Taste: the honest take
Blind taste tests between high street coffees tend to show smaller gaps than the marketing suggests. Most casual drinkers struggle to pick a £3.40 latte from a £2.20 one with confidence. If you are a genuine coffee enthusiast, Costa may justify the premium. If you just want a good hot latte, Greggs does the job.
When to choose each
The smart move is not loyalty to either, but using each where it shines. Greggs for the daily routine: the morning coffee, the quick lunch, the afternoon treat. The savings compound fast when the habit is daily.
Costa for the occasions: the long catch up with a friend, the laptop session that needs comfortable seating and reliable wifi, the seasonal drink you actually look forward to. Used this way, you get the best of both without the daily premium.
Many people already live this split without thinking about it. The numbers just confirm what their wallets knew.
The verdict
Costa sells an experience; Greggs sells a coffee. For the daily caffeine run, Greggs is the rational choice, saving hundreds of pounds a year. Save Costa for the sit down weekend treat.
Greggs Menu Prices is an independent fan site, not affiliated with Greggs plc. Prices checked October 2026 and may vary by location.
