Its stunning beaches and unique islands makes a vacation to Greece a trip to paradise. Though Greece has a cash-preferred economy, credit and debit cards are accepted as well. A credit card that saves on foreign transaction fees is a good card to bring along.

But figuring out what credit cards to bring or how to get cash once you’re there can leave you feeling uncertain. Let us help you find the right travel money for your trip to Greece.

Our picks for traveling to Greece

Travel card, debit card or credit card?

Though most merchants prefer cash, credit and debit cards are accepted at most larger businesses — especially aimed at tourists. Though it’s not guaranteed that every island will have ATMs, so be sure to get cash before you sail away.

All travel money cards let you load and spend euros while avoiding foreign transaction fees.

If you are planning a trip to Greece, do some research and choose a travel money product that suits you. A combination of travel money products is the best way to finance your Greek trip, especially since there may be times when you can’t get cash from an ATM.

Try to get a card that has no fee for foreign transactions and never use your credit card at an ATM to get cash. A credit card cash advance charges fees and immediate interest charges that come with it.

These are your options for spending money in Greece

Start comparing the different ways you can spend in Greece and find the right combination for you:

Compare travel credit cards

Explore top debit cards with no foreign transaction fees and travel credit cards by using the tabs to narrow down your options. Select Compare for up to four products to see their benefits side by side.

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Potential credit card fees in Greece

There are two major fees to watch out for when you use a card to pay for products and services in Greece:

• Foreign transaction fees. Depending on your card, you could pay a fee of up to 3% of the amount of every transaction you make. This could quickly add up if you spend too freely.
• Currency conversion fees. If you pay a vendor in US dollars, you could be subject to a Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). This has additional fees as it’s a poorer conversion rate you’d otherwise get at a bank.

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Greece currency

The euro comes in the denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500.

The main banks in Greece are:

Buying currency in the US

Have euros in your pocket when you land for peace of mind at the start of your trip, as we’ve heard stories about empty ATMs. Your bank will be able to give you euros in cash, but have a look at Travelex for money transfers, as it offers competitive rates and has shops at major airports where you can grab your cash right before you hop on the plane.

Exchange rate history

As a result of an economic crisis, Greece experienced a period of unstable deflation and inflation over the last few years. The price of goods and services relative to the value of the currency is likely to change as the economy improves.

ATMs in Greece

Don’t be afraid to try the ATMs that have signs written in a language other than English. Often, especially during tourist season, ATMs with English signs will run out of money first.

But even if the machine is in Greek, when you insert a foreign card the ATM display will usually pop up in English. Look for a debit card from a provider that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees as well, like from Betterment Checking.

Find ATMs in Greece

Keep your travel money safe while in Greece

Greece is typically safe for tourists, and crime and violence are low. Petty crime is the greatest concern so beware of bag-snatching and pickpocketing, particularly in busy tourist areas.

Exercise basic precautions like avoid flashing any money around during transactions. Keep your wallet in your pocket or consider using a money belt to keep your funds out of arm’s reach.

How much should I budget to travel in Greece?

Despite problems in the Greek economy, it’s still on the expensive side to travel to Greece. Budget travelers should plan on $50 a day, while mid-range to luxury travelers can expect to pay between $150 to $350 a day, or higher if you plan to visit more than one of its 200 islands. All prices are in US dollars.

BudgetMid-rangeExpensiveAccommodationHostels$20 dollars per nightHotel room (depending on season and location)$30-$80 per night5-star hotel in Mykonos with a sea view and a private pool$2,500 a nightMealsGyros$1.50-$3Meal of traditional greek food and wine for two$20-$30Fine dining overlooking the sea$200-$300 per coupleActivitiesWalk around the fascinating ruins,wander through seaside towns and lounge on the beachFree!Get a ferry ticket for an island hopping adventure$15-$50Luxury cruises from Athens to Istanbul for around$3,500.

*Prices are approximate and based on summer seasonality and are subject to change.

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