Should I carry cash in Greece?

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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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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If you make smart choices, it is possible to spend a week in Greece for under 400-500 euro per person. But if you are interested in luxury hotels or upmarket restaurants, the average cost can easily jump to over 1,500 or 2,000 euro.

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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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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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Fees for using ATMs in Greece Some ATMs may charge foreign cardholders an administrative fee for using their machine. This can be between €2-€3.50. It is better to withdraw a couple of hundred euros at once so that you don't have to keep incurring more charges.

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Is 500 euro enough in Greece? Rent excluded, the average living expenses for a single person in Greece is around €600 per month. If you're a university student, you'll need about €500 monthly. Whereas a family of four might need about €2,000 per month.

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Most shops and restaurants on Santorini accept credit cards, but it is a good idea to have some cash on hand for small purchases like bottled water and snacks. ATMs are easy to find in all of Santorini's main towns. Most restaurants in Santorini, like Marinera in Fira, accept credit cards.

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There is not a strong tradition of tipping in Greece, particularly among the locals, but it's become expected that tourists leave a small tip while travelling through the country. In restaurants it's common to leave a cash tip for whoever is looking after you – 10–15 per cent is standard.

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Lunch and beverages Main dish at a normally-priced restaurant: € 8 ( US$ 8.50) - € 13 ( US$ 13.80). Desserts: € 3.50 ( US$ 3.70) - € 5 ( US$ 5.30). Dinner for two in a restaurant: € 40 ( US$ 42.30) (without wine).

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Fees for using ATMs in Greece This can be between €2-€3.50. It is better to withdraw a couple of hundred euros at once so that you don't have to keep incurring more charges. Additionally, your bank may charge you foreign transaction fees for using your card overseas.

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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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“Unless your service is an absolute disaster, it's pretty hard to justify not tipping at all.” And income does not necessarily dictate tipping behavior. Those who've worked in the service industry are also typically generous tippers, according to Jodi Smith, founder of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting.

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Because of the economy in Greece many shops are selling clothing for very low prices. In some cases much lower than cost because if you have to pay the rent, the gas and electric bills or your taxes, having a lot of inventory and no cash is impractical.

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