How much euros in cash should I bring on a trip to Greece?

[mastichas09]

How much cash would you recommend to have on hand per person for a one week vacation. I have a credit card but this is something I always struggle with while traveling.... I never know how much cash to bring!! What have been your experiences?

 

[Worldwide Greeks Editor]

Good question!

I think this tends to be a personal decision. I prefer to bring and use cash for most things. The only places I use credit cards is car rental, gas and supermarkets. Other than that I feel more comfortable using cash while in Greece. To answer you question, how much, it really depends how long you are going, do you have a family or single and if you are staying with family, airbnb or hotel and are you going to be cooking each meal or eating out.

There are many places to exchange your local currency to euros and ATMs at major banks as well.

Hope this helps!
Nick

 

[ellinasgolfer0320]

Converting your physical currency to the foreign country's currency is the most expensive way to obtain currency in any country. You will be charged a conversion fee on top of an FX rate. You will have lower FX conversion fees if you use your card over there or withdrawal from ATM. Generally, the cheapest -> most expensive way to obtain money in any county is Credit Card > ATM > exchanging your local currency for the local currency in the country you're visiting.


Many places in Greece will not accept Amex cards, so if you have one then you may want to consider getting something else before going.

 

[Jerry s]

I use very little cash when I travel . I have a mastercard that don't charge any transection fees and the exchange spread is very little, like 0.3% . I use that everywhere I travel. Check in your country for a card that doesn't have transection fees and with the smallest spread. Can be mastercard or Visa, not Amex.
Cash is the most expensive method these days .

 

[paharo45]

Converting your physical currency to the foreign country's currency is the most expensive way to obtain currency in any country. You will be charged a conversion fee on top of an FX rate. You will have lower FX conversion fees if you use your card over there or withdrawal from ATM. Generally, the cheapest -> most expensive way to obtain money in any county is Credit Card > ATM > exchanging your local currency for the local currency in the country you're visiting.


Many places in Greece will not accept Amex cards, so if you have one then you may want to consider getting something else before going.

I agree, take as little cash as possible

 

[Xpisto]

How much cash would you recommend to have on hand per person for a one week vacation. I have a credit card but this is something I always struggle with while traveling.... I never know how much cash to bring!! What have been your experiences?

Well the first time we went I took about 3000E's what a mistake!! How do you protect that kind of money? The second trip we took about 500E's and used it for tips and cab fare. The rest we used credit cards that do not have any transaction fees. Or used ATM's for cash, which can be expensive. but in the long run I much preferred the 500E and credit cards. When we were in Ireland we did the same 500E approach and it was fine.

 

[acamp7]

Well the first time we went I took about 3000E's what a mistake!! How do you protect that kind of money? The second trip we took about 500E's and used it for tips and cab fare. The rest we used credit cards that do not have any transaction fees. Or used ATM's for cash, which can be expensive. but in the long run I much preferred the 500E and credit cards. When we were in Ireland we did the same 500E approach and it was fine.

Ahaha 3,000's is dangerous!! I'd be so scared of it getting stolen. 500 euros sounds very reasonable.

 

[Deborah]

In my opinion, it is good to travel with at least a small amount of euros to get you through the airport, a quick coffee, and the transfer to your destination. If you don’t already have some euros, AAA always has $200 packs available. Of course these come with their fee and not a great exchange rate, but it’ll get you started.

Once there, you can readily access euro cash from a bank-affiliated (NOT private, tourist) ATM, using your no-fee card. All banks in Greece now charge a small fee, but generally the National Bank of Greece has the best rate. I usually carry a debit card, because my credit card goes through ATMs as a cash advance, with heftier fees and a ceiling limit.

Over the years it is true that more places in Greece are accepting credit cards, but whenever possible I still personally prefer to use cash, except for major purchases like hotel, car rental etc. However if you do use your card, ask for it to be rung up in euros - not dollars, if given the choice.

This year is going to be a little different as Greece re-opens to tourism. Again this is strictly my personal decision, but I am going to be bringing more cash with me in order to be prepared for any unforeseen problem. This is a terribly long reply, but I hope it helps.

 

[redsoxdw_]

In my opinion, it is good to travel with at least a small amount of euros to get you through the airport, a quick coffee, and the transfer to your destination. If you don’t already have some euros, AAA always has $200 packs available. Of course these come with their fee and not a great exchange rate, but it’ll get you started.

Once there, you can readily access euro cash from a bank-affiliated (NOT private, tourist) ATM, using your no-fee card. All banks in Greece now charge a small fee, but generally the National Bank of Greece has the best rate. I usually carry a debit card, because my credit card goes through ATMs as a cash advance, with heftier fees and a ceiling limit.

Over the years it is true that more places in Greece are accepting credit cards, but whenever possible I still personally prefer to use cash, except for major purchases like hotel, car rental etc. However if you do use your card, ask for it to be rung up in euros - not dollars, if given the choice.

This year is going to be a little different as Greece re-opens to tourism. Again this is strictly my personal decision, but I am going to be bringing more cash with me in order to be prepared for any unforeseen problem. This is a terribly long reply, but I hope it helps.

I always use national bank of Greece (ethniki trapeza) https://www.nbg.gr/en

 

[Lotjeurope]

It really depends on where you are going. If it is the touristic places, you can often pay by card, but when you go of the beaten track, bring money. We usely bring around 500 euro ( small coupures! 50 max.) to start and then use an ATM to get more when needed. If you are low on money and you see an ATM, use it. It isn't like there is one on every corner (especially the smaller islands).

 

[tomipark]

It really depends on where you are going. If it is the touristic places, you can often pay by card, but when you go of the beaten track, bring money. We usely bring around 500 euro ( small coupures! 50 max.) to start and then use an ATM to get more when needed. If you are low on money and you see an ATM, use it. It isn't like there is one on every corner (especially the smaller islands).

So true...there are very few ATM's in smaller villages and islands. Always better to be safe than sorry

 

[k_tsoukalas]

I don't like to carry a lot of cash on me. I start the trip with 200 Euros. I don't bring too much at once because the conversion rates in the US stink - I get the Euros from my bank. I end up making out better using the ATMs in Greece. I have never had a problem getting money from ATMs in Greece, and I even went to Greece during one of the financial crisis situations.