Guide to Greece & the Greek Islands

Maps of Greece  & the Greek Islands - Facts at a Glance - Environment History Economy - Culture - Events - Facts for the Traveler - Money & Costs - When to Go - The Greek Islands & Major Attractions - Off the Beaten Track - Activities  Getting There & Away - Getting Around - Recommended Reading - Detailed information about the mainland - Detailed information about the islands 

International Ferry Schedules to & from Greece   

Greek Island Hopping : Domestic Ferry Schedules

Facts for the Traveler

Visas: Nationals of Australia, Canada, EU countries, Israel, NZ, South Africa and the USA are allowed to stay in Greece for up to three months without a visa.
Health risks: Sunburn. Codeine, which is commonly found in headache preparations, is banned in Greece and you may face prosecution if you bring it into the country.
Time: two hours ahead of GMT/UTC; three hours ahead during daylight-saving time
Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz
Weights & measures: metric 
Tourism: over 10 million visitors annually

Money & Costs

Currency: Drachma (dr)
Exchange rate: as of  15 March 2001 : 1 U.S $ = 360 Drachmas . For up to date exchange rates and other travel essentials visit our " Foreign Currency Converter " 

Relative costs:

• Budget meal: US$4-8
• Restaurant meal: US$10-20
• Budget room: US$25-35 (double)
• Mid-range hotel: US$50-80 (double)

Greece is no longer dirt cheap. A rock-bottom daily budget would be US$20 a day which would mean hitching, staying in youth hostels or camping, staying away from bars, and only occasionally eating in restaurants or taking ferries. Allow at least US$35 per day if you want your own room and plan to eat out regularly as well as travelling about and seeing the sights. You will still need to do a fair bit of self-catering. If you really want a holiday - comfortable rooms and restaurants all the way - you will need closer to US$45 per day.

Banks will exchange all major currencies in either cash or travellers' cheques; the commission is lower for cash. All post offices have exchange facilities and they're often quicker and charge less commission than banks. Credit cards are only accepted in larger, more expensive establishments. Visa, MasterCard (Access) and Eurocard are the most widely accepted. Most banks have ATMs where you can access your debit account through Maestro and Cirrus networks, and there are also a number of 24-hour banknote exchange machines.

In restaurants the service charge is included in the bill but it is the custom to leave a small amount; rounding up the bill is usually sufficient. Likewise for taxis - a small gratuity is appreciated. Bargaining is not as widespread in Greece as it is further east. Prices in most shops are clearly marked and non-negotiable but your haggling skills can be useful at markets. It's always worth bargaining over the price of hotel rooms, especially if you are intending to stay a few days.

When to Go

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Greece. Winter is pretty much a dead loss outside the major cities as most of the tourist infrastructure goes into hibernation from the end of November to the beginning of April. However, there are initiatives to extend services, so this may slowly change. Conditions are perfect between Easter and mid-June, when the weather is pleasantly warm in most places, but not too hot; beaches and ancient sites are relatively uncrowded; public transport operates on close to full schedules; and accommodation is cheaper and easier to find than in the mid-June to end of August high season. Conditions are once more ideal from the end of August until the end of November as the season winds down.

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