Travel Money in Greece

What is the local currency in Greece?

The currency of Greece is the Euro (EUR.) One Pound is 1.14 EUR (as of April 3 2023).

Do I tip whilst in Greece?

In Greece, tipping is accepted and appreciated for exceptional service. However, on most occasions, a ‘round-up’ to the nearest Euro will suffice.

Caxton conducted a study on Tipping etiquette, results for Greece show that usually a tip is included in the bill when at a restaurant or cafe, but if the service exceeds expectations - an additional 5-10% is welcomed. Tipping is not expected when in bars or taxis, however an additional 2-3 euros for hotel staff or tour guides would again be greatly appreciated.

View our tipping guide for more advice on tipping abroad.

Using cash in Greece

When travelling, our experts would recommend always bringing a small amount of cash with you on every trip, for initial taxi transfers or hotel deposits etc. The rest of your travel money should be put onto a Caxton multi-currency card, for safe and secure spending.

Cash is no longer king in Greece (even more so after COVID-19,) and almost all establishments accept credit/debit cards. Most international banks and money outlets now charge a fee for using ATM machines, as do most card providers. Taking a travel prepaid card and a credit card is recommended as Caxton does not charge for international ATM use regardless of sum or number of times, (but check with your card provider about charges.)

We would recommend still bringing your bank card on your trip as a backup option. However, if you decide to take your bank card, we recommend telling your bank before you go so the transaction isn’t identified as fraudulent, but be prepared for fees and high exchange rates.

All major cards are accepted widely in Greece at key tourist hubs.

The price of food and drink in Greece

As a rough guideline, we’ve put together a list of the costs of spending an average day in Greece:

Domestic beer = €3.00
One-way ticket on local transport = a 90 minute ride ticket in Athens is €1.40
Meal, inexpensive restaurant = €10.00
Bottle of wine (mid-range) = €6.00
Bottle of water = €0.50

What happens if I have my wallet stolen whilst in Greece?

Greece is known to be a safe country with friendly and helpful people, but this shouldn’t stop you from being smart whilst you travel. If the majority of your cash is on a prepaid card, this will be automatically protected. However, in case the worse happens, here are the list of major debit/credit card ‘lost and stolen’ numbers:

HSBC/First Direct - +44 1442 422929
Natwest - +44 1268 500 813
Lloyds - +44 1702 278270
Barclays - +442476842099
Santander - +44 1908 237 963

The cost of tourist attractions in Greece

Some examples of Greece's most popular tourist attractions are:

Acropolis of Athens: The cost of entrance to the Acropolis is about 20 euros and is good for the other sites in the area including the ancient agora, theatre of Dionysos, Parthenon.
Mount Olympus: Mount Olympus is Greece's highest mountain and the home to the Gods of Greek mythology. It doesn’t cost to trek this mountain, though it does take some preparation as there are many different routes you can take.

What can I do with spare currency in Greece?

Whilst in Greece, you may as well spend any remaining Euro, if only small amount, on some traditional Greek souvenirs, such as:

Olive oil
Evil Eye (Mati) jewellery
Greek coffee
Ceramics

History of the Euro

The Euro came into existence on 1 January 1999 - though it had been a goal of the European Union since the 1960s. Notes and coins didn’t begin circulation until 2002.

Today the euro is the sole currency of 20 EU member states, with the original dozen being joined by: Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia and more recently Croatia. These countries constitute the "eurozone".

The rise of the Euro in its short lifespan is remarkable with it now being the second-largest reserve currency as well as the second-most traded currency in the world after the United States dollar.

Alternatively, if Greek ceramics aren't your thing, you can use Caxton’s buy back guarantee to get rid of any unused Euro. By doing this you ensure that if the exchange rate moves against you, you won't lose out.

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