Greece / Money rules

Greece money rules

Eight things worth remembering while you are there, each linking to the fuller explanation.

Open it, then press and hold to keep it in your photos. Works with no signal.

1. 1Cities take cards, islands take notesAthens, Thessaloniki and the larger resorts run on plastic, and a shop is legally obliged to have a terminal. Reach a small island, a village taverna or a beach bar and that stops being true, so notes are what you reach for.Where cards work
2. 2Draw your cash before the ferry, not afterA small island can have one or two machines serving everyone on it, and on a busy August weekend they do empty. Take out what the trip needs while you are on the mainland or somewhere larger.Cash on the islands
3. 3Say euros when a screen offers dollarsCard readers and cash machines both put the question, and agreeing costs 3 to 8 percent for nothing in return. Greece is gentle on your money right up until you accept it.Declining the dollar conversion
4. 4Prefer a bank machine to a standalone boxThe machines belonging to Greek banks cost less to use than the independent ones parked along tourist streets, and the difference is worth a short walk. Whatever your own bank charges sits on top either way.Which machine to use
5. 5Ask for the airport flat fare by nameThe run between Athens airport and the middle of town is fixed in law, one figure by day and a higher one overnight, with tolls and ordinary luggage inside it. Name the flat rate and the meter stops being relevant.The Athens airport fare
6. 6The apps here call a licensed yellow cabFreeNow, Uber and Bolt all summon a regulated taxi running the official meter, because the cheap unlicensed-driver model was never allowed here. What the app buys you is a tracked ride and a receipt, not a lower fare.Which apps to install
7. 7A terminal that is suddenly broken usually is notTaking cards is a legal requirement, which does not stop a taxi or a small taverna announcing the machine is down to move you onto notes. Rarely worth the argument, so keep euros within reach.Getting steered onto cash
8. 8Round up, or a little more for a meal worth itStaff are on a wage, so a tip is thanks rather than the arithmetic you do at home, and 5 to 10 percent marks something you enjoyed. Leave it in cash, which reaches the person instead of a pooled card total.What to tip in Greece

These are the rules that do not really change, which is why they are worth carrying. Exact fees, rates and prices do move, so check the Greece guide for anything current before you rely on a number.

truetripcosts.com/greece/rules