Greece travel guide: transport, visas and planning tips
This Greece travel guide covers essential information for visitors planning trips across the country's mainland and islands. Learn about transportation options, visa requirements, currency, and the best times to visit Greece's popular destinations.
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- How to get to Greece + Visas
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- How to get to Greece + Visas
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Stops on this route
- How to get to Greece + Visas — EU citizens need valid ID; non-EU visitors require passports and may need Schengen visas depending on nationality and stay duration.
Useful for your trip
- Save money
- If flights to Greece are expensive, consider flying to Turkey first and taking a cheap 1-2 hour flight to Greece ($150/person). Turkey and Greece pair well together.
- Transport
- Athens is the largest airport with cheapest flights and has a great port with ferries to popular islands. Consider flying into Athens for first-time visitors.
- Tip
- Schengen visa costs around $90 USD and requires 3-4 weeks (or more) processing time before travel. Non-Schengen citizens like UK, US, Canada, Australia get 90 days visa-free.
- Timing
- Best time to visit is May-October. Avoid July-August (peak season, expensive, crowded). May-June and September-October offer warm weather with fewer crowds.
- Tip
- Currency is Euro. Rates: $1 USD = €0.90, £1 = €1.20, A$1 = €0.60. Average meal costs €3-6 depending on island. You'll need cash for tips, small shops, and some bus rides.
- Where to stay
- Budget accommodation starts at $80/night. Stay in self-catering units, hotels, homestays or Airbnbs. Book on Airbnb, Booking.com, or Agoda. Book months in advance to save money.
- Save money
- Daily budget for budget travel: $100-200/day for 2 people. Comfort level: $200-500/day. Luxury/honeymoon: $500+/day. Biggest expenses are accommodation and transportation.
- Transport
- Group islands that are close together to reduce ferry travel. International Driving Permit needed to rent cars, motorbikes, or ATVs. Pack motion sickness tablets for ferries and buses.
- Tip
- Spend minimum 1-2 weeks in Greece. Recommended: 3 days in Athens + 3-4 days per island. For 1 week, skip Athens and visit only 2 islands.
- Food
- Paros is laid-back, authentic, affordable with great beaches. Visit Kolymbithres (Coles) Beach and eat at the restaurant there. Also accessible to nearby Naxos and Antiparos.
- Avoid
- Santorini is expensive, touristy, and inauthentic (has McDonald's, Irish pubs). Visit for Blue Dome churches, Oia villas, sunset views, and volcano crater ferry ride, but not for beaches.
- Tip
- Pack light luggage (ferries and buses have no luggage help). Bring air tags for checked bags, sunscreen, hat, walking shoes, eye drops, motion sickness tablets, plug converter, and warm layer for ferries.
Video on this route
GREECE travel guide | EVERYTHING to know before you go🇬🇷😁