Does Athens prefer cash or card?

Its stunning beaches and unique islands makes a vacation to Greece a trip to paradise. Though Greece has a cash-preferred economy, credit and debit cards are accepted as well. A credit card that saves on foreign transaction fees is a good card to bring along.



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Plastic money is widely accepted in Greece, and the exchange rates are rather favorable. Still, it would be best if you carried some cash, as many street vendors, artists, and small cafes only accept cash, while also cash is the preferred method of tipping in Greece.

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While cash used to dominate the Greek market, new laws require most Greek businesses to accept credit cards. However, cash payments are still extremely common, particularly among smaller businesses such as convenience stores.

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Many visitors opt to use a credit or debit card for travel money in Greece. In the past, finding businesses that accept credit cards was challenging, but the Greek government actively encouraged businesses to accept cards, so you no longer need to withdraw money.

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Tip in the local currency Whenever you tip during your trip to Greece it is important to use the local currency, that is - Euros. Otherwise you'll leave your service providers with cash they can't use without paying high fees on currency exchange.

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Tipping is a common practice in Greece, especially in the hospitality industry. It is a way to show appreciation for good service. It's recommended to have cash on hand for tipping purposes. While some establishments accept credit cards, it's easier and more convenient to tip with cash, especially for smaller amounts.

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The best way to get Euros in Greece is via an ATM or to exchange American dollars for Euros before you arrive. The exchange rate is more favorable, and the process is more convenient.

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Banks and credit unions are generally the best places to exchange currency, with reasonable exchange rates and the lowest fees.

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Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in most European cities. American Express is too, but perhaps less widely. Paying by card can be easier and more convenient. You don't need to worry about changing money at a foreign exchange counter, or worry about security when carrying cash around with you.

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How much money will you need for your trip to Greece? You should plan to spend around €155 ($166) per day on your vacation in Greece, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €40 ($43) on meals for one day and €30 ($32) on local transportation.

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Despite problems in the Greek economy, it's still on the expensive side to travel to Greece. Budget travelers should plan on $50 a day, while mid-range to luxury travelers can expect to pay between $150 to $350 a day, or higher if you plan to visit more than one of its 200 islands. All prices are in US dollars.

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In Athens and many other parts of Greece, the water is safe to drink. However, because of various concerns regarding supply and infrastructure, it's popular on both the islands and the mainland to buy bottled water rather than drinking straight from the tap.

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Try and get the waiter's name so you can hail him as he passes your table (psssst Yanni, ena beefteki acoma parakalo - pssst John, another beefteki please). If you are drinking wine and just show them the empty carafe they will be right back with more. Greek waiters are very informal.

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Greek: “To logariasmo parakalo” After eating a delicious meal in Greece, you'll get your server's attention and ask for “To logariasmo parakalo” from your server. Both “logariasmo” and “parakalo” have the strongest accent on the last vowel, which sounds like the English word “oh.”

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Tipping the housekeeping staff in Greece is not expected but again, it is always appreciated. One nice thing that you can do for your hotel staff is to leave behind the spare change that you have at the end of your trip, along with a small thank you note.

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