Before travelling to Greece, plan for late spring or early autumn, book summer ferries and rental cars early, carry some cash, expect a nightly accommodation fee, eat late and leave a buffer day before your flight in case of wind or strikes.
The most useful Greece travel tips come down to timing, transport and a few local habits: travel in late spring or early autumn if you can, book summer ferries and cars early, carry some cash, eat late, and leave room in the plan for wind, heat and strikes. Below are 30 things worth knowing before you go, grouped by topic, from entry rules and money to beaches, food and etiquette.
Quick facts
- Currency: euro; cards widely accepted, but cash still matters in villages and small islands.
- Emergency number: 112 (works across the EU, operators speak English).
- Power: 230 V, European two-pin plugs (types C and F).
- Time zone: Eastern European Time, two hours ahead of UTC in winter and three in summer.
- Best time: May, June, September and early October for most travellers.
Planning and entry
1. Choose your season carefully
July and August bring heat, crowds and the highest prices. June and September give you warm sea, full ferry timetables and more space. Winter is excellent for Athens, Thessaloniki and the mainland, but many island hotels and tavernas close. Our month by month guide goes into detail.
2. Check the border rules for your passport
Greece is in the Schengen area. Non-EU visitors are now registered at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System, with fingerprints and a photo taken on the first crossing. The separate ETIAS travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors has been announced but had not started at the time of writing; check the official EU information before you travel.
3. Expect a nightly accommodation tax
Hotels and rentals charge a per-night climate resilience fee, which in 2026 ranges from around €2 for budget hotels to around €15 for five-star properties and larger villas between April and October, and less in winter. It is usually paid at check-in and often not included in the online price.
4. Do not try to see everything
Greece is bigger than it looks and travel days add up. With a week, pick Athens plus one island, or two islands close together. With two weeks, three bases is plenty.
5. Get travel insurance that covers cancellations
Ferry cancellations for wind, wildfire disruption and strikes all happen. Make sure your policy covers missed connections and extra nights.
Getting around
6. Book summer ferries early
For July and August, buy tickets as soon as timetables appear, especially for cabins and cars. In spring and autumn you can usually buy a day or two before. Our guide to Greek ferries explains the ports and boat types.
7. Leave a buffer day before flying home
Strong winds, particularly the August meltemi in the Aegean, can cancel smaller and faster boats. Plan to be back in Athens, or on the island with your departure airport, the night before your flight.
8. Hire a car on most islands
Island buses tend to link the main town with the busiest beaches only. For villages and quiet coves you need wheels. Non-EU drivers, including those from the United States, should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their licence; rules for other licences vary, so check with the rental company. Read our advice on renting a car in Greece before you book.
9. Be careful with quads and scooters
Quad bikes and scooters are rented widely to tourists and accidents are common on steep, gravelly island roads. Wear a helmet (it is the law), check what your insurance covers and do not ride after drinking.
10. Use the metro from Athens airport
The metro and suburban railway run from the airport to the centre in around 40 minutes, with express buses as a 24 hour backup. See our Athens airport transfer guide for fares and late-night options.
11. Watch for strikes
Public transport and ferry strikes are usually announced a few days in advance and often last 24 hours. Check local news the day before you travel.
Money
12. Carry some cash
Cards are accepted almost everywhere in cities, but small village tavernas, kiosks, beach canteens and festival stalls may prefer cash. Use bank ATMs rather than independent machines, and always choose to be charged in euros.
13. Tip modestly
Service is not usually added to the bill. Rounding up or leaving around 5 to 10 percent in restaurants is normal, a euro or two for taxi drivers and hotel staff. Tips are appreciated, not obligatory.
14. Ask for a receipt
Every purchase should come with a receipt (apodeixi). It is the law, and it protects you if there is a dispute over the price.
15. Know the free museum days
State museums and archaeological sites have free entry on set dates, including 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and selected Sundays between November and March. Young EU citizens under 25 enter free all year. Major sites such as the Acropolis cost around €30 in 2026; see our Acropolis visitor guide for timing.
16. Sunbeds are paid, beaches are free
Every Greek beach is public. Sunbeds and umbrellas are rented, and prices can be high on the famous islands, but you are always free to lay a towel on the open sand.
Food and drink
17. Eat late
Greeks lunch around 14:00 to 16:00 and eat dinner from 21:00 onwards. Tavernas serving tourists open earlier, but the atmosphere arrives later.
18. Order to share
Meals are made of several dishes in the middle of the table. Order salads, dips and a couple of mains, then add more if you are still hungry. Our Greek food guide lists the dishes worth trying.
19. Expect bread and a small cover charge
Bread usually arrives automatically and is charged per person, along with any listed cover charge. It should be on the menu; if you do not want it, say so when it arrives.
20. Check the tap water locally
Tap water is safe and good in Athens and most of the mainland. On many islands it is desalinated or hard, and locals drink bottled water. Ask your host, and refill bottles where filling stations exist.
21. House wine is often the best value
Wine by the carafe (half or one litre) is cheap and usually decent. On islands with their own vineyards, such as Santorini, Crete or Kefalonia, try local bottles too.
Health and safety
22. Respect the heat
Summer heatwaves can pass 40°C. Sightsee early and late, carry water, and expect some archaeological sites, including the Acropolis, to close in the hottest hours during heat alerts.
23. Take fire rules seriously
Wildfires are a real risk from June to September. Never light fires or barbecues outdoors, never throw cigarettes from cars, and follow evacuation messages sent through the 112 alert system.
24. Pharmacies are your first stop
Greek pharmacists are well trained and can advise on minor problems; a rota of duty pharmacies stays open at night and on Sundays, posted on every pharmacy door.
25. Put toilet paper in the bin
Many older plumbing systems, especially on islands, cannot cope with paper. Use the bin provided unless a sign says otherwise.
Etiquette and everyday life
26. Dress for monasteries and churches
Cover shoulders and knees. Many monasteries, including those at Meteora, lend wraps or skirts at the entrance, but bring your own to be safe.
27. Expect shops to close on Sundays
Outside tourist areas, most shops close on Sunday and some close in the afternoon on weekdays, reopening in the early evening. Supermarkets in resorts often stay open.
28. Keep quiet in the afternoon
In residential areas, the early afternoon is still treated as rest time, and noise rules apply in the evening too. Neighbours will notice.
29. Learn a few words
Kalimera (good morning), kalispera (good evening), efcharisto (thank you) and parakalo (please, or you are welcome) go a long way. Note that “ne” means yes, and a small upward nod with raised eyebrows can mean no.
30. Slow down
Service can be unhurried and timetables flexible. Build in empty time, accept that the bill comes when you ask for it, and you will enjoy Greece more. For saving money on all of the above, see our guide to travelling Greece on a budget.
Practical tips summary
- Save 112 in your phone and keep travel insurance details handy.
- Download your ferry e-tickets and boarding passes before you reach the port.
- Pack a light scarf, a refillable bottle, reef-safe sun cream and water shoes for pebble beaches.
- Prices, opening hours and fees change every season; check them close to your travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Greece?
You can pay by card almost everywhere in cities and resorts, but carry some cash for small tavernas, kiosks, village shops and island festivals. Use bank ATMs and choose to be charged in euros.
How much should I tip in Greece?
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Rounding up or leaving around 5 to 10 percent in restaurants is normal, and a euro or two is fine for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Is tap water safe to drink in Greece?
In Athens and most of the mainland, yes. On many islands the water is desalinated or very hard, so locals drink bottled water. Ask your host on arrival.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Greece?
EU licence holders do not. Non-EU drivers, including those from the United States, should carry an International Driving Permit with their national licence. Rules vary by country, so confirm with your rental company before you travel.
What is the climate resilience fee in Greece?
It is a per-night charge on hotels and short-term rentals, higher from April to October than in winter, and graded by hotel category. In 2026 it ranges from around €2 to around €15 a night in high season, usually paid at check-in.
