TravelGuides

(TGA) - I am traveling to Greece in the middle of April and was wondering where is the best place to buy Euros, here at the States, the airports, Greece, where do I get the most value for my dollar?
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Good question and one that I was going to ask as well. I am also from California and will be in Athens from April 14 - 17 and then flying from Athens to Mykonos on the 18th to the 22nd.
I was on my bank's website and they said they do currency exchange but I am going to go into a branch and ask. I am a Chase customer. There are also ATM's but I would check on additional fees. I have read that traveller's cheques are not typically accepted (but I don't know)
Any help on this would be great!
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Hi there
Larger hotels may accept travellers cheques but you'd be hard pressed to find a smaller place, or a shop, bar or restaurant that would, especially in rural areas where cash is always best. In the UK, you usually pay a commission for buying TCs, then a commission when cashing them, so it works out expensive. I always find the best rates are from local ATMs, even taking the service charge into consideration but of course, it may well be different for you guys
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Hey and welcome to both of you:-) Bottom line, don't be bringing greenbacks over since you'll loose loads in the transaction..Best is a debit card..attached to either you checking or savings account..to access Euros! Of course, NOT charge cards! Use those for hotels, restaurants, etc., cash is always best via a debit using at ATM, they're everywhere! Enjoy!
Edited: 2:40 pm, March 25, 2010
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Thanks Litsa and GB for the recommendations. I suppose what I will do is exchange some before going for tips and such at the airport and then find an ATM and just make sure to have money in my checking account.
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Travellers check are accepted in banks but they are liquidated in a very high comission. It's not a widely used mean to circulate money, so they are quite expensive to use.
Atm and credit card is the easy way to go. This way, you don't really have to carry a lot of money.
You can just make a starter kit of around 50 - 60 euros per person, meaning around 70 - 80 USD, just to have some euros landed. Keep in mind though that large banknote usually given by banks are of no use. Meaning, that a 100 euros to buy the airport bus at 3.20 euros is a no - no for practical reasons :)
Ask your bank to give you some 20's or hit the atm when landing :)
Banks are a good place to exchange money but this applies only for most central branches. Exchange bureaus are also available around Syndagma Sq., with an "Exchange" or "Cambio" sign on.
Anywhere, check exchange rate AND comission before any exchange and keep in mind that you don't really need to carry a lot of money around, mainly for practical reasons.
Credit card to pay where it's available + some cash is the way to go + a debit card to get some cash is the best way.
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Thank you all for the advise, I guess I will get some loose change and use my debit cards, one more question: what about tips? is there like a percentage of the bill or how does it work?
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Nick, thank you again for being so helpful! Thankfully I have private transportation booked from the Airport to the hotel but will still want to Tip the driver. What is customary for something that has already been pre-paid? and as Masoale asked, what percentage is customary tip in Greece for services etc.
for instance:
Servers in Restaurants
Bartenders
Hotel Staff - Housekeeping
Hotel Staff - Bellmen
Taxi - (although I have heard that depending on the driver you can get kinda ripped off by cabs in Greece ... is this a fallacy?)
I am making my "lists" now ... only 20 days! I am excited!
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Tip policy here in Greece is much more loose than what you may be used in USA.
General rule is "tip as you wish" or "tip when you feel service was good".
Servers in Restaurants: Leave change at the table or round up when you pay. Usually not more than 10%.
For example, if a meal is 22,80, give 25. It's more than enough and it is appreciated.
If it's 23,40 you can give 25 or 26. Or leave 2 euros etc.
Same for cofee. 10% is more than enough.
Bartenders: 10% or less. More if you are happy with the service, less if you feel uhhm.
Hotel Staff - Housekeeping: I leave 1 or 2 euros per day on a note saying "thank you".
Hotel Staff - Bellmen: 1 - 2 euros when taking your luggage is enough.
Taxi - (although I have heard that depending on the driver you can get kinda ripped off by cabs in Greece ... is this a fallacy?) You don't need a taxi in Athens. Subway + walking can get you anywhere. So, for practical reasons and indeed the possible rip off, prefer subway + walking instead. If you need a taxi for the odd ocassion of going to a port or seaport, arranging a radio call cab through your hotel;s reception is an easy way. An adtl fee of 3 to 5 euros exits but youhave the cab in your hotel's door when you want it. Tipping is still the same, around 10% or less. You can tip by giving a rounded up sum, in a "keep the change please" way. You can also ask for a specific amount to be charged, like:
If it's 6 euros and you only have a 10 euros bill, give this saying, "please charge 7 euros" etc. :)
I am making my "lists" now ... only 20 days! I am excited!
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Nick thank you ... you Rock for quick responses!
Staying in the Plaka district I am assuming that most of what I want to get to will be accessible via the Metro and I have a pretty decent map of the lines. I don't think a cab will be necessary. The 2 times I will have to take a cab they are already paid for in my travel package.
Good to know on tipping. I was in food service for a long time and I tend to over tip in the states haha ... Thank you so much for your help !
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Karen, how ecxitng, I am going with my daughter for spring break, 10 days in a tour, never been there before. Hey, I wonder how the weather is going to be like in April, Nick are you in Athens?
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