Need to Know
For more information, see Survival Guide
Currency
Language
Visas
Money
Mobile Phones
Time
When to Go
High Season (Easter & May–Aug)
ASights, tours and transport are running full tilt.
AAccommodation prices can double.
ABoth crowds and temperatures soar.
Shoulder (Apr, Sep & Oct)
AAccommodation prices can drop by up to 20%.
ATemperatures are not as blazing.
AInternal flights and island ferries have reduced schedules.
ACrowds begin to thin.
Low Season (Nov–Mar)
AMany hotels, sights and restaurants shut down, especially on the islands.
AAccommodation rates can drop by as much as 50%.
AFerry schedules are skeletal.
ATemperatures drop; Athens and Crete may even see snow.
Useful Websites
EOT (Greek National Tourist Organisation; www.gnto.gr) Concise tourist information.
Greek Travel Pages (www.gtp.gr) Access to ferry schedules and accommodation.
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/greece) Destination information, hotel bookings and traveller forum.
Ministry of Culture (www.culture.gr) For cultural events and sights.
Important Numbers
In Greece, the area code must be dialled, meaning you always dial the full 10-digit telephone number.
| Country code | 30 |
| International access code | 00 |
| Ambulance | 166 |
| Highway rescue (ELPA) | 10400 |
| Police | 100 |
| Tourist police | 171 |
Exchange Rates
| Australia | A$1 | €0.69 |
| Canada | C$1 | €0.69 |
| Japan | ¥100 | €0.77 |
| New Zealand | NZ$1 | €0.64 |
| UK | £1 | €1.12 |
| US | US$1 | €0.86 |
For current exchange rates see www.xe.com.
Daily Costs
Budget: Less than €100
ADorm bed and domatio (Greek B&B): less than €60
AMeal at markets and street stalls: less than €15
Midrange: €100–180
ADouble room in midrange hotel: €60–150
AHearty meal at a local taverna: around €20
AEntrance fee for most sights: less than €15
Top End: More than €180
ADouble room in top hotel: from €150
AExcellent dining, some accompanied by Michelin stars: around €60
AActivity such as diving: certification around €400
ACocktail: around €12
Opening Hours
Opening hours vary throughout the year. We've provided high-season opening hours; hours decrease significantly in the shoulder and low seasons, when many places shut completely.
Banks 8.30am–2.30pm Monday to Thursday, 8am–2pm Friday
Restaurants 11am–2pm or 3pm and 7pm–1am
Cafes 10am–midnight
Bars 8pm–late
Clubs 10pm–4am
Post offices 7.30am–2pm Monday to Friday (rural); 7.30am–8pm Monday to Friday, 7.30am–2pm Saturday (urban)
Shops 8am–3pm Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; 8am–2.30pm and 5–8pm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Arriving in Greece
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (Athens) Express buses operate 24 hours between the airport, city centre and Piraeus. Half-hourly metro trains run between the city centre and the airport from 5.30am to 11.30pm. Taxis to the city centre cost €38 (closer to €50 at night) and take about 45 minutes.
Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport (Iraklio, Crete) Bus 1 runs every 10 minutes between the airport and the city centre from 6.15am to 10.45pm. Taxis to the city centre cost €20.
Diagoras Airport (Rhodes) Buses run between the airport and Rhodes Town from 6.30am to 11.15pm (from 11.45am Sunday). Taxis from the airport to Rhodes Town cost around €30.
Getting Around
Greece is an easy place to travel around thanks to a comprehensive public transport system.
Air Domestic flights are abundant and significantly cut down travel time. In high season, flights fill up fast so book ahead.
Boat Ferries link the islands to each other and the mainland, including catamarans, well-equipped modern ferries and overnight boats with cabins. Schedules can be unreliable. In high season it's smart to book ahead.
Bus Generally air-conditioned and frequent, buses are a good way to travel between major cities.
Car Rentals are reasonably priced and found on all but the tiniest islands. They give you the freedom to explore the islands, but you'll need a good dose of bravery and road smarts.