I assume that even for 3-4 days in Athens and the rest of the time on islands of the Cyclades, I will not be able to use my credit card everywhere. Are the ATM's on the street or inside banks like those in Paris, etc.? Is it better to change money at the airport pr wait until I get into the city proper (I think I have some leftover Euros)?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16051 posts
Yes there are banks with ATM machines in Greece.
Posted by
Chicago
8163 posts
get the cash at the airport out of the ATM
Posted by
Houston
3522 posts
It is always nice to arrive with a little of the local currency (Euros) in your pocket to cover some immediate expenses. But most everything you want to spend money on around the airport will take credit cards.
Don't "change money" because you will get a terrible exchange rate exchanging physical paper money for Euros, just use one of the ATMs to get the Euros you need. And never allow the ATM (or any merchant for that matter) to charge you in your home currency because they will charge you an inflated rate instead of the better rate the networks (Visa or MasterCard) will use.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3148 posts
ATMs are everywhere, just be sure they're from banks and not a private enterprise. Also, I always take a few hundred dollars in US currency with me as a backup, just in case, but if you do this be sure they're clean and crisp new-ish bills or there's a chance they won't be accepted. This has happened to me.
And before you leave home don't forget to notify your bank that you intend to use your cards and where you'll be travelling.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
498 posts
I remember in n, Thailand and in the mid evening finding a local, non-bank-associated ATM machine outside a 7-11, with bad rates. I left with local currency but wondering if somehow I had gotten scammed.
Posted by
NH (USA)
1222 posts
A new law has been passed requiring most businesses to accept credit cards. Larger businesses will accept them but just how many others will follow the law is unknown. However, I bring a credit card as a back up.
At the airport outside the arrivals area are several ATMs. There are easy to use and you'll get your best rate there rather than at a money exchange in the airport.
ATMs will be just about everywhere in Greece so you'll have no problem withdrawing cash. Make sure you let your bank know where you are going and dates.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3397 posts
Denny, I am a "belt AND suspenders" kind of traveler ... just being extra-prudent so I don't fret. What I mean is that, when I need cash, I go to an ATM that's either in a bank -lobby or attached to outside of the bank DURING banking hours. That's just in case, for any reason, there's a "glitch" in getting the money, or some problem re my card. In a dozen greece trips, hasn't happened, but it gives me peace of mind. And I echo people's advice NOT to go to a currency bureau... u will pay 15% premium at least.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
498 posts
Yes, Janet, that makes good sense. I am thinking of staying at a hotel on Athinas Street near the Omonia Metro station, so I think I will try to find an ATM towards the other end of that street. I wouldn't want to lose anything while I'm fumbling with my debit card (as in having something like my wallet snatched out of my hands).
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3397 posts
Denny you are new to Greece -- that kind of street crime is something from Naples not Athens.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
498 posts
Naples is not somewhere I guess I'd be that interested in visiting. Thanks for the comparison, Janet.
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, United States
21 posts
Just got back from two weeks in Santorini, Naxos, Mykonos and Athens. No problem whatsoever in using a credit card or getting cash from ATMs. There are lots of them everywhere. Just notify your bank of your travel dates and know what the limit withdrawal amount per day is. You can request your bank to increase the amount while you are traveling . Just remember whatever your limit is in dollars, you will get less euros.
Posted by
NH (USA)
1222 posts
Just got back from 10 days on the island of Chios. No problems with any of the ATMs whether attached to a bank or not . . . any time of day or night. As I stated before once I land in Athens at the airport I go to ATMs in the arrivals area, withdraw cash and off I go.
The only problem I ever had with an ATM was on the island of Amorgos just outside a local bank. My card wouldn't work, no matter how many times I tried. I was starting to panic. I went inside and asked the bank manager for help and he walked me through the withdrawal process and still no luck! He said there are ATMs in Chora (the main town) and try there. I went to Chora and was able to withdraw Euros! That was the only time I ever had a problem with any ATM in Greece.
You'll find ATMs outside banks, on the streets and just about anywhere on most islands/mainland. As stated the only problem I had was on Amorgos, everywhere else was as easy as could be.