Euros in Greece

Kunoichi73

Hi All,

I'm going to Greece for a 2 week holiday, starting on October 7th. Is it best to take sterling and change it over there or to get some euros before I travel - which way will I get the best exchange rate. I will be taking my Barclays travel credit card with me too - how easy is it to use credit cards in Athens and on a tour round some of the islands (Naxos, Paros, Santorini to name a few).

Thank you in advance.

eDicky

Forget about exchanging cash anywhere, take any needed cash euros from an ATM with your Barclays Travel card at the ideal Visa rate. Pay with the card when you can. There will be ATMs available in your arrival airport. If an ATM offers its own exchange rate from pounds, reject it, so that your card does the conversion.

Take a few cash pounds as backup.

Ganga

I would also take a few euro,s for back up/emergencies.

benjus

I wouldn't bother with the Euros for emergencies, but do take other cards, even if they are not great for use abroad, just in case something happens to the Barclays one.

The airports I've arrived at in Greece in recent years have had ATMs in the baggage reclaim hall so you can get some cash while waiting for your bags. If not there will be one once you get past customs.

Card acceptance in shops/restaurants/etc is getting quite good in Greece nowadays, although some places only take cash or will give a discount for cash payment, so it's worth keeping a reasonable amount in your wallet.

I've been travelling without getting cash before I go for 20 years (and not just in Europe) and have never had any problems.

londoninvestor

Most ATMs won't charge you a fee - you should be fine with the major retail banks (Alpha, Attiki, Piraeas etc). In Athens though, beware of the "Euronet" ones - there are quite a few of those and they do charge a fee. In fairness it's clearly signalled and you can cancel out.

There are several free ATMs in the main town of Naxos. I'd assume Paros is similar, and Santorini better if anything as it's even more popular with tourists.

benjus

londoninvestor wrote: »

Most ATMs won't charge you a fee - you should be fine with the major retail banks (Alpha, Attiki, Piraeas etc). In Athens though, beware of the "Euronet" ones - there are quite a few of those and they do charge a fee. In fairness it's clearly signalled and you can cancel out.

There are several free ATMs in the main town of Naxos. I'd assume Paros is similar, and Santorini better if anything as it's even more popular with tourists.

Good point about the Euronet ATMs - I saw a lot of these on Santorini. However there were also plenty of free ones so it's not a big deal. I was also on Paros earlier this year and again had no trouble finding ATMs.

YorkshireBoy

londoninvestor wrote: »

Most ATMs won't charge you a fee - you should be fine with the major retail banks (Alpha, Attiki, Piraeas etc).

Piraeas were charging a circa €3 fee in Crete earlier this month, so I expect it'll be on it's way elsewhere if it isn't already. Alpha was still free.

londoninvestor

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

Piraeas were charging a circa €3 fee in Crete earlier this month, so I expect it'll be on it's way elsewhere if it isn't already. Alpha was still free.

Ah, shame - thanks for the update.

Kunoichi73

Thank you everyone for you help!