Getting Euros for Your Trip to Greece
Greece remains one of the most popular summer destinations for British travellers, offering ancient history, stunning islands, delicious food, and warm hospitality. From the Acropolis in Athens to the sunsets of Santorini and the beaches of Crete, Greece has something for everyone.
As a Eurozone country, Greece uses the Euro. While card acceptance has improved significantly in recent years, Greece has traditionally been more cash-oriented than northern Europe. The key is understanding where cards work well and where you'll need cash.
Key insight for 2026: Major tourist destinations like Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos are now very card-friendly. However, smaller islands, traditional tavernas, and village shops often prefer cash. When island hopping, always ensure you have enough cash before leaving larger islands, as some small islands have limited or no ATMs. Hotels and holiday rentals also charge a climate resilience fee for each room and night, from €0.50 to €15 depending on season and category (rates since January 2025); it is normally collected at check-out, so ask whether your booking includes it.
Best Ways to Get Euros for Greece
- Fee-free travel cards (Wise, Revolut) - Best overall. Pay by card where accepted and withdraw cash from ATMs when needed.
- Greek bank ATMs - Greek bank machines may still charge a UK card: the August 2025 cap on cash machine fees covers only Greek banks' own customers. Read the fee on screen and use a fee-free card.
- Online currency order - Order Euros for delivery before you go. Better rates than high street.
- Post Office / bureaux - Order online for better rates than walk-in.
- Airport exchanges - Poor rates in UK or Athens. Use ATMs instead.
Using Cards in Greece
Where Cards Work Well
- Hotels and resorts - All accept cards
- Tourist restaurants - Especially in Athens and major islands
- Supermarkets - AB Vassilopoulos, Sklavenitis, Lidl
- Major attractions - Acropolis, museums, archaeological sites
- Chain stores - Modern shops and boutiques
- Beach clubs - Mykonos, Santorini beach bars
Where You'll Need Cash
- Traditional tavernas - Many family-run restaurants prefer cash
- Small islands - Some have limited card infrastructure
- Ferries - Some smaller routes are cash-only
- Local buses - Often require cash payment
- Markets and street vendors - Usually cash
- Beach umbrellas and sun beds - Often cash-only
- Tips - If you want to tip, cash is best
ATMs in Greece
Recommended Bank ATMs
- Alpha Bank - Red logo, widespread across Greece
- Piraeus Bank - Blue logo, good coverage
- Eurobank - Red logo, reliable
- National Bank of Greece - Good in Athens and mainland
ATMs to Avoid
- Euronet - Stand-alone machines; Which? warns these can add extra charges, so check the fee on screen before you accept
- Tourist area standalone ATMs - Often have hidden fees
Island hopping tip: Withdraw cash in Athens or larger islands before heading to smaller islands. Some small islands have only one ATM (or none), which may run out of cash in peak season.
Money Tips by Greek Region
Athens
Most card-friendly part of Greece. Restaurants in Plaka, Monastiraki, and tourist areas accept cards. Traditional tavernas in residential areas may prefer cash. ATMs are plentiful.
Santorini
Very tourist-oriented, so cards work widely. Oia and Fira have good infrastructure. Beach clubs and high-end restaurants all accept cards. Always have some cash backup.
Mykonos
Party island with modern infrastructure. Cards work at beach clubs, restaurants, and bars. Little Venice and town areas are card-friendly.
Crete
Largest island with mixed card acceptance. Tourist areas (Chania, Heraklion) are good for cards. Mountain villages and traditional tavernas prefer cash.
Smaller Islands (Milos, Naxos, Paros, etc.)
Card acceptance improving but cash still important. Check ATM locations before arriving. Some islands have only one or two ATMs which may run out of cash in August.
Rhodes & Kos
Good tourist infrastructure means cards work well in resorts and towns. Old Town areas may prefer cash for small purchases.
Tipping in Greece
- Restaurants - 5-10% is generous. Many Greeks simply round up.
- Cafes - No tip expected, maybe loose change
- Taxis - No tip expected but rounding up is appreciated
- Hotels - €1-2 for porters
- Tour guides - €5-10 for a good tour
Tipping isn't as expected as in the US. Good service is the norm, and a smile and "efharisto" (thank you) goes a long way.
Best Exchange Options for EUR
Top providers by category:
Eurobank
Major Greek bank. ATMs on all islands.
Alpha Bank
Wide coverage including tourist islands.
National Bank of Greece
Oldest bank, ATMs everywhere.
Athens Airport
Banks and Euronet available. Use bank ATMs.
Plaka Tourist Area
Poor rates in tourist zones. Use bank.
Compare EUR Exchange Rates
See what you'd receive from providers local to you
Frequently Asked Questions
Greece has long leaned on cash more than northern Europe, so pair a fee-free travel card, which now works well in Athens, Santorini and Mykonos, with some Euros ordered online before you fly, as that beats high street rates. Skip airport exchanges in the UK or Athens, which give poor rates, and use a Greek bank's ATM instead, reading any fee on screen first.
Often, yes. Santorini and Mykonos are very card-friendly, and the tourist areas of Crete, Rhodes and Kos work well with cards, but traditional tavernas, mountain villages and smaller islands such as Milos, Naxos and Paros still lean on cash. Withdraw in Athens or on a larger island before moving on, as some small islands have one ATM or none and it can run dry in August.
Possibly. Greece's August 2025 cap on ATM fees protects only customers of Greek banks, so a UK card can still be charged at a Greek bank machine; check the fee on screen before you confirm and use a fee-free card. Prefer Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank, Eurobank or National Bank of Greece, and avoid Euronet and other stand-alone machines in tourist areas, which can add extra charges.
Family-run tavernas often prefer it, local buses frequently require it, some smaller ferry routes are cash-only, and markets, street vendors and beach umbrella or sun bed hire are mostly cash too, as are tips. Hotels, resorts, supermarkets, major attractions such as the Acropolis, chain stores and the beach clubs of Mykonos and Santorini are all card-friendly.
Tipping is not as expected as in the US. In restaurants 5-10% is generous and many Greeks simply round the bill up; cafes expect nothing beyond loose change and taxi drivers appreciate a rounded-up fare without expecting it. Porters get €1-2 and a good tour guide €5-10, and a smile with "efharisto" goes a long way.
Hotels and holiday rentals in Greece charge a climate resilience fee for every room per night, set between €0.50 and €15 according to the season and the property's category under rates in force since January 2025. Payment is usually taken when you check out, so find out beforehand whether your booking already includes it.
Nearby Destinations
Planning to visit multiple countries? Check out exchange guides for nearby destinations:
Turkey
Bulgaria
Italy
Cyprus