Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Money
ATMs
ATMs are found in every town large enough to support a bank and in almost all the tourist
areas. If you've got MasterCard or Visa, there are plenty of places to withdraw money. Cir-
rus and Maestro users can make withdrawals in all major towns and tourist areas. Be
aware that many ATMs on the islands can lose their connection for a day or two at a time,
making it impossible for anyone (locals included) to withdraw money. It's useful to have a
backup source of money.
Automated foreign-exchange machines are common in major tourist areas. They take
all the major European currencies, Australian and US dollars and Japanese yen, and are
useful in an emergency, although they charge a hefty commission.
WITHDRAWALS
Be warned that many card companies can put an automatic block on your card
after your first withdrawal abroad, as an antifraud mechanism. To avoid this hap-
pening, inform your bank of your travel plans.
Cash
Nothing beats cash for convenience - or for risk. If you lose cash, it's gone for good and
very few travel insurers will come to your rescue. Those that will, normally limit the
amount to approximately US$300. It's best to carry no more cash than you need for the
next few days. It's also a good idea to set aside a small amount of cash, say US$100, as
an emergency stash.
Note that Greek shopkeepers and small-business owners have a perennial problem
with having any small change. If buying small items it is better to tender coins or small-de-
nomination notes.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are now an accepted part of the commercial scene in Greece, although
they're often not accepted on many of the smaller islands or in small villages. In larger
places, credit cards can be used at top-end hotels, restaurants and shops. Some C-class
hotels will accept credit cards, but D- and E-class hotels very seldom do.
The main credit cards are MasterCard and Visa, both of which are widely accepted in
Greece. They can also be used as cash cards to draw cash from the ATMs of affiliated
Greek banks in the same way as at home. Daily withdrawal limits are set by the issuing
bank and are given in local currency only.
