Note About These Tips...

The information provided here is given in good faith and we have done our best to keep it current. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@speedtraveltr.com

When should I visit?
Between Easter and mid-June is a good time to visit, the beaches and sites are relatively uncrowded,and the weather isn’t sizzling yet. Also, September is an excellent time in the region. Crowds thin out when kids go back to school.

Can I \ Should I drink the water?
The water where tourists frequent is safe and chlorinated, but drink bottled water anyway. You can find bottled water everywhere, (many kiosks are open 24/7), it’s cheap and you should drink a lot to ward off dehydration in the summer heat.

Will people speak English?
Most people in the areas where tourists frequent speak some English. If you want to try Greek  -  this will get you started!
Yes  -  ne
 No  -  ohi
hello and bye  -  yasu

What's the best way to carry my money?
Money is safest carried in the form of traveller's cheques; however, these are difficult to change in areas. With plenty of ATM's in major cities more and more people are bringing a combination of cash and credit cards. Look for ATMs displaying either the Maestro, Cirrus, Visa or MasterCard or whatever your card symbol is. ATMs will allow you to access cash (in local currency) from your credit card and possibly from your savings account if it is linked to Maestro or Cirrus or Visa Plus network. Withdrawn money or the purchase amount will be converted precisely at official rates.

If you are bringing cash, then the best currencies are US Dollars, Euro's or British Pounds. Be aware that most insurance policies will not cover for loss or theft of cash. Credit cards are useful for large purchases but they may not be accepted in small restaurants, mini markets, local transport, or taxis. **If you are traveling from Turkey make sure you either spend or convert your Turkish Lira to Euro in Turkey before you leave. The Greek banks won’t accept or exchange your Turkish lira!

Most credit cards charge a fee (about 3%) for currency exchange, which means that every time you use your credit card in Greece (to pay in Euro) you add this fee to the price of goods and services. Check with your credit card company to see what their policy is.

Should I tip?  How much?
Service charge is 15% in Greece and it’s usually incorporated in the bill. However, it is customary to leave a tip of up to 10 percent for waiters. Others, such as porters, should be tipped in proportion to the level of services rendered. Tip doormen and concierges between 2 -3 €.

Is my hairdryer/lap top/shaver going to work in Greece?
If you live in a country with 110V electricity, your electric accessories will not work in Greece where 220V (50Hz) electrical outlets are standard. . If you intend to bring any electrical equipment, an adapter that converts electricity from 220V to 110V is suggested. Two pin plugs are used throughout Greece.

What’s the best way to call home?
Getting prepaid phone cards is the cheapest way to make intercity or international calls. Local and international calls can made from public card phone using these prepaid calling cards or from kiosks equipped with meters. Prepaid calling cards can be purchased from kiosks and OTE offices. Tip: Use Vivodi Telecom Prepaid Calling Cards -  they’re the cheapest.

Is my mobile phone going to work in Greece?
In Greece you can use all GSM mobile phones (the system used in Europe and a few other countries) but, US cell phones do not work in Greece.
If your phone is one that does work then when you first switch it on in Greece, there will be prompt asking which mobile phone provider you want to use. Choose the one recommended by your home mobile phone service provider (sometimes this will give you better rates).
Incoming calls are expensive, because you pay for the international part of the call (from your country to Greece).
Tip: Check on rates and services with your phone service provider, before your travel.

What should I wear?
Many religious centers and monasteries do not allow men with shorts and women with trousers, mini skirts, or shorts, (or anything that reveals too much skin) to enter.

Pack a long sleeved shirt. It comes in handy for air conditioned environments, (such as ferry boats), and in the evenings on the Greek islands where the temperature dips a bit due to wind. In spring and fall it is a must for evenings.

You also need good walking shoes for exploring some of the archeological sites.

For Summer
Greece is a hot place in the summer, so light clothing is in order. From mid-July until mid-August, the temperature sometimes reaches 45° C for stretches on for days. For most of the time you can expect temperatures between 34° and 40° Celsius. Shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits are a must, as are hats and sunglasses.

Clothing for the Spring and  Fall
Greek weather is mildly cool at both these times and a sweater is a necessity, especially at night. It is possible to swim from late May until the first half of October in most places in Greece. The spring months are fairly dry, but during the Fall it rains more often, though not every day, and most days might be still warm. For both seasons pack long pants, a couple of sweaters or sweatshirts and a raincoat,and bring along a bathing suit just in case.

Is Greece safe?
Violent crime is rare, but petty theft, car theft, and burglaries have been on the rise in recent years. Overall however, the crime rate in Greece is among the lowest in the European Union. Locking valuables in safes at the hotel is always a good idea, but one feels generally safe in the streets even in the middle of the night.

Some pick-pockets have been known to work around the train stations, so some extra attention is advised. Keep an eye on your bags and keep your wallet in a safe, hard to reach place.

In smaller cities the crime rate is so low that it is not even worth mentioning. One can totally relax and mingle with the local population without safety worries. In small villages crime is almost unheard off.

What about women traveling alone?
Women traveling alone should have no problems, although they might be the object of desire for the Greek "kamakis" (men who spend their days courting foreign tourists with the goal of developing a fleeting relationship) who can be annoying, but are generally polite and will eventually go away.

Having said that, women should always lean on the side of caution. Make sure your hotel room door locks properly and you feel secure. If someone starts bothering you too much tell your hotel owner or nearest police officer.

Do I need any immunizations for Greece?
There are no immunization vaccines required for a trip to Greece if you are traveling from the USA or Canada. For all other countries, consult the Greek Embassy near you.