How much money to take to Greece?

[voula_slat]

I’m starting to plan the money side of my trip to Greece and was wondering—how much should I realistically bring with me? I know it depends on travel style, but I’d love to hear what others spent daily on average for things like meals, local transport, entrance fees, and small extras like coffee or souvenirs.

I’m staying in mid-range accommodations that are already paid for, and I’ll be visiting both Athens and a couple of islands. I’d like to enjoy the trip without worrying too much, but I also don’t want to bring way more than I need or rely too heavily on cards.

Do most places take credit cards now, or is cash still king? And how much should I carry on me at any given time? Any tips for ATMs, budgeting, or knowing what’s “enough” per day?

Appreciate any insight from recent travelers. Thanks in advance!

 

[k_tsoukalas]

Great question—and smart to plan ahead! I just got back from Greece and found that €50–€70 per day (not including lodging) was plenty for a comfortable trip with some wiggle room. That covered meals (around €10–€15 for a sit-down lunch, €20–€25 for dinner with wine), daily coffees, snacks, museum or site entrance fees (usually €5–€15), and public transport or ferries.

Cash is still preferred in smaller towns, local tavernas, and taxis, but most places in Athens and the islands do take cards. I’d recommend carrying €50–€100 in cash on you daily, just in case. ATMs are widely available, but use ones attached to banks to avoid high fees.

Also, don’t forget to budget for souvenirs, tips (small change is appreciated), and the occasional splurge like a boat tour or beach club. Overall, Greece offers great value for money—enjoy every minute!

 

[Jerry s]

We go to Europe including Greece every year ( besides 2020 and 2021 due to covid). We use cards everywhere we go, all businesses have to have the facilities to accept card payments debit and credit, it is law in Greece now. We even pay the motorway tolls by card, a cup of coffee by card. Two reasons, security and exchange rates. We use cards that don't charge fees and get true exchange rates. When you buy cash you will find the spread is at least 5% or even more.
As far as spending money? How long is a bit of string? You can do it on the cheap or you can spend big. Just like accommodation, it all depends on your budget. Some islands can be very expensive, like Santorini and Mykonos, others less touristy much cheaper. Everything is more expensive in high season say July and August.
Enjoy your trip.

 

[DemarcusGentry]

I found that using https://travelbusinessclass.com helped me save on flights, so I brought a bit more spending cash to enjoy once I was there. I ended up using mostly my card for restaurants and shops in bigger cities, but having some euros on hand was helpful for tips, taxis, and random small places that didn’t take cards. Just make sure to notify your bank before you go.

 

[bvelonis]

I have never used a credit or debit card in Greece except at an ATM to withdraw cash. I pay everything in cash. The people in Greece struggle financially and having to pay credit card fees does not help them. Sometimes they will lower the price if you pay with cash or give you a free gift like an evil eye, etc.

 

[cretarentcarrental]

Budget advice: Save on transport—rental from Cretarent starts just ~17€/day, includes full insurance, unlimited km, child seat, second driver, no hidden extras. Transparent pricing helped us stay on budget while enjoying island flexibility.