Greece
Last checked:
- Capital
- Athens
- Currency
- EUR · Euro
- Languages
- Greek
- Plugs
- Type C, F · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Acropolis and Parthenon · Athens
Ancient citadel above the city; book timed tickets on the official site and go early to beat the heat.
- Acropolis Museum and Plaka · Athens
Modern museum of Acropolis finds next to the old Plaka neighbourhood.
- Santorini caldera · Oia / Fira
Cliffside villages over a volcanic caldera; very crowded at sunset and when cruise ships call.
- Meteora monasteries · Kalambaka
Monasteries on top of rock pillars in central Greece; dress code applies.
- Knossos and Crete · Heraklion / Chania
Minoan palace, Venetian harbours and gorges on Greece's largest island.
Getting around
Ride-hailing app
FREENOW / Uber / Bolt
Apps book licensed taxis in Athens, Thessaloniki and major cities with the price or route shown in advance. The UK government recommends Uber or FREENOW over hailing cabs at night.
Taxi
Athens taxis
Yellow taxis with meters. Airport to central Athens has a legal flat fare (about 40 EUR by day and 55 EUR at night, posted at the rank; varies). By law taxis must accept cards.
Public transport
Athens Metro (OASA)
Three metro lines plus trams and buses. Line 3 and the X95 bus run to the airport. Use the reusable ATH.ENA card or a 90-minute ticket; tourist tickets cover 3 days with airport trips.
Ferries
Ferries (Ferryhopper / operators)
Ferries from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio serve the islands. Book in summer on Ferryhopper or operator sites; fast boats cost more.
Buses
KTEL buses
Regional intercity buses connect mainland towns and run on the larger islands.
Car rental
Car and scooter rental
Common on islands; you need a licence for the category (and often an International Driving Permit for non-EU licences). Wear a helmet; island roads are steep and accidents are common.
Money and cash
Currency: EUR · Euro
Shops, restaurants and taxis must by law accept cards, but small tavernas, kiosks and island beach bars still prefer cash. Carry small notes for tips and ferries' snack bars. Use bank ATMs; standalone Euronet machines charge high fees. Always pay in EUR.
Tipping
Tipping in Greece is appreciated but not obligatory. Menu prices legally include service. Locals usually round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; tourists are not expected to tip 15-20%.
| Restaurants | Leave 5-10% in cash or round up for good service. Card receipts rarely have a tip line, so leave cash on the table or tell the server the total. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Round up or leave coins. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Round up to the nearest euro; a little more for help with bags. |
| Hotels | About 1-2 EUR per bag for porters and a few euros for housekeeping if you wish. |
| Tours and guides | Tip guides 5-10% or a few euros per person for good service; tip boat crews optionally. |
| Food delivery | Small tip of 1-2 EUR is common. |
Service charge: what’s true
Greek menu prices include taxes and service, and menus often state that prices include service. A separate service charge line is not normal. Since November 2024 tips paid by card are tax-free for staff up to a monthly limit, so card tips now reach staff more easily.
Pressure tactics to watch for
No widely reported pressure to tip, but tourist tavernas in Plaka and Monastiraki may bring bread, dips or water you did not order and charge for them. Ask if it is free ('Είναι κερασμένο;') or send it back. Check the bill before paying.
Useful phrases
- Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ. (Ton logariasmó, parakaló.) The bill, please.
- Είναι κερασμένο; (Íne kerasméno?) Is this on the house?
- Κρατήστε τα ρέστα. (Kratíste ta résta.) Keep the change.
Etiquette
- Greet with 'Kalimera' (good morning) or 'Yia sas' (hello, polite).
- A nod up with raised eyebrows can mean 'no'; a slight downward nod means 'yes'.
- Avoid the open-palm 'moutza' gesture toward someone; it is a serious insult.
- Monasteries and churches require covered shoulders and knees; women may need a skirt (wraps are often provided at Meteora).
- Do not flush toilet paper in many places; use the bin provided, as old pipes block easily.
- Dinner is late, often from 21:00; meals are shared and long.
Scams and how to handle them
Airport and port taxi overcharge
Where: Athens airport, Piraeus port, Syntagma taxi ranks
How it works: Drivers skip the meter or ignore the legal airport flat fare and demand much more, or claim the card machine is broken.
How to avoid it: Use an app, check the posted flat fare, confirm the meter runs and pay by card.
Friendly local bar invitation
Where: Athens: Plaka, Monastiraki, Psyri, Syntagma
How it works: A stranger befriends lone male tourists and takes them to a bar where hostesses order drinks; the bill is hundreds of euros and staff block the exit.
How to avoid it: Decline invitations to specific bars from strangers and see prices before ordering. Call 112 or the tourist police (1571) if threatened.
Bracelet and rose sellers
Where: Athens: Syntagma, Monastiraki, Ermou street
How it works: People tie a bracelet or hand a flower, then demand money while accomplices may pickpocket.
How to avoid it: Keep hands back and walk on.
Fake Acropolis tickets
Where: Online and touts near the Acropolis entrance
How it works: Copycat websites and touts sell invalid or overpriced 'skip-the-line' tickets.
How to avoid it: Buy only from the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr) or the ticket office.
Unordered extras at tavernas
Where: Plaka and Monastiraki restaurants, island harbour fronts
How it works: Bread, dips and bottled water appear without asking and are added to the bill; table menus may show higher prices than outside boards.
How to avoid it: Ask the price first and send back what you did not order.
Metro pickpocket teams
Where: Athens metro lines 1 and 3 (airport and Piraeus), Omonia, Monastiraki
How it works: Teams crowd you at the doors while one lifts wallets or phones.
How to avoid it: Keep bags in front and zipped, and move away from the doors.
Fake booking messages
Where: Online, Athens and island rentals
How it works: Fake messages ask for a deposit off the booking platform; the room is not real or is cancelled.
How to avoid it: Pay only inside the official booking app and ignore links asking for payment by bank transfer.
Safety
- Theft of passports, wallets and bags is common on the Athens metro and in crowded tourist places.
- Drink spiking is reported in party resorts; keep an eye on each other's drinks and avoid walking alone late at night.
- Use app-booked licensed taxis at night rather than street cabs.
- Wildfire risk is high from April to October; starting a fire, even by accident, is a crime. Follow 112 alerts.
- Quad bikes and scooters cause many tourist injuries on the islands; wear a helmet and avoid riding after drinking.
- Heat waves are common in summer; visit sites early and carry water.
How widely English is spoken
Very good in Athens and on tourist islands, especially in hotels, restaurants and among younger people; more limited in rural mainland villages.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Greece, safety and security
- Real Greek Experiences: Taxis in Athens
- Tabiji: Athens scams to avoid
- Athens Tourism: Tipping in Greece
- Rick Steves forum: How to tip in Greece
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.