We respond to the most common questions:
1. What are the tipping rules for hospitality services in Greece?
Tipping is expected but it is not a tourist's obligation to tip everywhere.
Restaurant: It is expected for exceptional or very good service. Some restaurants may round up the bill to include gratuity. Please check before tipping. Waiter/tress does not receive tip when it is included on credit card. Please leave your tip in cash whenever possible. You may leave 5-10% for the waiter and a few coins on the table for the busser.
Taxi: Taxi drivers do not expect tip but you may round up the fair about 2-5% if you want to. It is not client's obligation.
Cafe: You can round up to 1 Euro
Bar: Bartenders do not expect tip but you may round up to 1 Euro for great service.
Tour Guiding/Workshops: It is customary to tip the tour guides or workshop instructors. Tip 2-5 Euros per person, per day for a group tour and 25-35 Euros per person, per day and for private tours or private workshops. (Note: Regular fee for half day tour is 48-65 Euros, fee per day tour is 70-200 Euros and regular fee for workshops is 25-70 Euros)
Air Shuttle Service: It is not necessary to give a tip to the driver. You can tip only if the driver is very helpful with your luggage. 1 Euro per bag.
Doorman service: Thank him for helping with your luggage or hailing a taxi and you may give a tip of 1-2 Euros
Bellhop service: Thank him and tip 1-2 Euros per bag but no more than 5 Euros in total.
Concierge: For good service (making reservations, providing directions and recommendations), the tip is 7 Euros.
For exceptional service (buying tickets for theater or other performances), the tip is approximately 10 Euros or more.
Housekeeping: You can leave a tip of 1-2 Euros per day and put the cash on the table next to the bed or on the bed including a short note.
Spa Service: Tip up to 10% for exceptional service and less for good service.
Styling service: Tip up to 10% for exceptional service and less for good service.
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2. What is the Internet access like in Greece?
Free WiFi-hot spots in Greece: Cafe, Internet Cafe, Hotels, Hostels, Bars, Restaurants and more stores in all over the country.
GREAT NEWS!!! Some Greek cities and islands have become "smart" since 2019. That means free WiFi-hot spots have been established in public spaces such as squares, City Hall, parks, museums and libraries. It is a European Union project and the first 2800 municipalities in EU countries with free WiFi-hot spots were announced. The goal is to continue and more municipalities-EU cities added by the end of 2020. Now 117 Municipalities have established free WiFi-hot spots in Greece including Athens, Xylokastro, Corinth, big cities in the mainland and some cities of the Greek islands. Congratulations! We need to celebrate that in Athens! Cheers!!!
If you want, then you can buy a USB stick from Cosmote or Vodaphone or Wind Company.
Options: Cosmote "Internet on the Go" card/Wireless USB stick that you can charge as many times as you need/4 G Pocket WiFi or 50 GB for 3 months costs 30 Euros or 2GB for 1 month costs 10 Euros
Germanos store can provide detailed information/located at Athens Airport and in many areas in all over the country
More options: You may purchase a pre-paid phone package called "What's Up" from Cosmote/paid 10 Euros for new SIM card/get a new local phone number/purchase a pre-paid card of 10 Euros (Germanos store) that gives you 1000 Mb/Monthly free data
Install the free What's Up app on your phone and complete the process of activation in a few hours/your photo ID is necessary because the store will make a copy for their files
......................................................................................................................................................................................
3. What is ATM access like in Greece?
You can use your card in any ATM of the Greek Banks by checking first the common signs Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express, Plus, etc. It is recommended to inform your bank before your trip to Greece and leave them a Travel Note about the length/dates of your trip. They need this information in their files and update the system to allow you use your cards in Greece.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................
4. Can I drink the tap water?
You can drink the tap water in cities such as Athens, Thessaloniki and other big cities. In the Greek mainland and the islands, it is recommended to buy natural mineral water in bottles that it is sold in the super-markets and the local kiosks. Up to the mountainous areas, there are springs that offer high quality natural mineral water. You can drink it by asking first the local people whether they use this spring today or not.
........................................................................................................................................................................................
5. What are the toilets like?
It is highly recommended to throw out the toilet paper into the garbage bin that is in the washroom. Please never flush the toilet paper in any place in Greece. It will block the system.
........................................................................................................................................................................................
6. What is the Information about electricity that I need to know in advance?
Voltage: 220 V (50 Hz)
Plug type: B, B3, C, SE
The "B" adapter can also be used in a SE plug. If your equipment can receive 220 V, you can buy a simple adapter. If your equipment is rated only for 110 V, you need to purchase a transformer (to reduce voltage) and an adapter.
Electrical adapter allows your plug to physically fit into the Greek power outlets.
.........................................................................................................................................................................................
7. Do I need to purchase Travel Insurance in advance?
It is recommended to buy travel insurance before traveling to Greece. For EU citizens, the national health card is enough to use it in Greek hospitals and health centers. It is suggested to inform in advance your national health authorities about your travel to Greece in case they need to put a stamp or validate your card and allow you to use it in Greece.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................
8. What are the public holidays 2024 in Greece?
During these holidays, banks, stores and other services are closed except the hospitals.
Public Holidays 2023
1st of January, 6th of January (Epiphany), 30th of January (Three Holy Hierarchs-Holiday for Schools),
25th of March (National Holiday),5th of May (Orthodox Christian Easter Sunday), 1st of May (Labour Day),
15th of August (Dormition of Holy Mother-Holiday for public service but not for stores),
28th of October (National Holiday), 25th and 26th of December (Official Holiday)
Thank you
Have safe flights!
Enjoy your stay with us!
All copyrights of this web-page content and photo are reserved by Georgia K. 2018-2024.
1. What are the tipping rules for hospitality services in Greece?
Tipping is expected but it is not a tourist's obligation to tip everywhere.
Restaurant: It is expected for exceptional or very good service. Some restaurants may round up the bill to include gratuity. Please check before tipping. Waiter/tress does not receive tip when it is included on credit card. Please leave your tip in cash whenever possible. You may leave 5-10% for the waiter and a few coins on the table for the busser.
Taxi: Taxi drivers do not expect tip but you may round up the fair about 2-5% if you want to. It is not client's obligation.
Cafe: You can round up to 1 Euro
Bar: Bartenders do not expect tip but you may round up to 1 Euro for great service.
Tour Guiding/Workshops: It is customary to tip the tour guides or workshop instructors. Tip 2-5 Euros per person, per day for a group tour and 25-35 Euros per person, per day and for private tours or private workshops. (Note: Regular fee for half day tour is 48-65 Euros, fee per day tour is 70-200 Euros and regular fee for workshops is 25-70 Euros)
Air Shuttle Service: It is not necessary to give a tip to the driver. You can tip only if the driver is very helpful with your luggage. 1 Euro per bag.
Doorman service: Thank him for helping with your luggage or hailing a taxi and you may give a tip of 1-2 Euros
Bellhop service: Thank him and tip 1-2 Euros per bag but no more than 5 Euros in total.
Concierge: For good service (making reservations, providing directions and recommendations), the tip is 7 Euros.
For exceptional service (buying tickets for theater or other performances), the tip is approximately 10 Euros or more.
Housekeeping: You can leave a tip of 1-2 Euros per day and put the cash on the table next to the bed or on the bed including a short note.
Spa Service: Tip up to 10% for exceptional service and less for good service.
Styling service: Tip up to 10% for exceptional service and less for good service.
......................................................................................................................................................................................
2. What is the Internet access like in Greece?
Free WiFi-hot spots in Greece: Cafe, Internet Cafe, Hotels, Hostels, Bars, Restaurants and more stores in all over the country.
GREAT NEWS!!! Some Greek cities and islands have become "smart" since 2019. That means free WiFi-hot spots have been established in public spaces such as squares, City Hall, parks, museums and libraries. It is a European Union project and the first 2800 municipalities in EU countries with free WiFi-hot spots were announced. The goal is to continue and more municipalities-EU cities added by the end of 2020. Now 117 Municipalities have established free WiFi-hot spots in Greece including Athens, Xylokastro, Corinth, big cities in the mainland and some cities of the Greek islands. Congratulations! We need to celebrate that in Athens! Cheers!!!
If you want, then you can buy a USB stick from Cosmote or Vodaphone or Wind Company.
Options: Cosmote "Internet on the Go" card/Wireless USB stick that you can charge as many times as you need/4 G Pocket WiFi or 50 GB for 3 months costs 30 Euros or 2GB for 1 month costs 10 Euros
Germanos store can provide detailed information/located at Athens Airport and in many areas in all over the country
More options: You may purchase a pre-paid phone package called "What's Up" from Cosmote/paid 10 Euros for new SIM card/get a new local phone number/purchase a pre-paid card of 10 Euros (Germanos store) that gives you 1000 Mb/Monthly free data
Install the free What's Up app on your phone and complete the process of activation in a few hours/your photo ID is necessary because the store will make a copy for their files
......................................................................................................................................................................................
3. What is ATM access like in Greece?
You can use your card in any ATM of the Greek Banks by checking first the common signs Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express, Plus, etc. It is recommended to inform your bank before your trip to Greece and leave them a Travel Note about the length/dates of your trip. They need this information in their files and update the system to allow you use your cards in Greece.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................
4. Can I drink the tap water?
You can drink the tap water in cities such as Athens, Thessaloniki and other big cities. In the Greek mainland and the islands, it is recommended to buy natural mineral water in bottles that it is sold in the super-markets and the local kiosks. Up to the mountainous areas, there are springs that offer high quality natural mineral water. You can drink it by asking first the local people whether they use this spring today or not.
........................................................................................................................................................................................
5. What are the toilets like?
It is highly recommended to throw out the toilet paper into the garbage bin that is in the washroom. Please never flush the toilet paper in any place in Greece. It will block the system.
........................................................................................................................................................................................
6. What is the Information about electricity that I need to know in advance?
Voltage: 220 V (50 Hz)
Plug type: B, B3, C, SE
The "B" adapter can also be used in a SE plug. If your equipment can receive 220 V, you can buy a simple adapter. If your equipment is rated only for 110 V, you need to purchase a transformer (to reduce voltage) and an adapter.
Electrical adapter allows your plug to physically fit into the Greek power outlets.
.........................................................................................................................................................................................
7. Do I need to purchase Travel Insurance in advance?
It is recommended to buy travel insurance before traveling to Greece. For EU citizens, the national health card is enough to use it in Greek hospitals and health centers. It is suggested to inform in advance your national health authorities about your travel to Greece in case they need to put a stamp or validate your card and allow you to use it in Greece.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................
8. What are the public holidays 2024 in Greece?
During these holidays, banks, stores and other services are closed except the hospitals.
Public Holidays 2023
1st of January, 6th of January (Epiphany), 30th of January (Three Holy Hierarchs-Holiday for Schools),
25th of March (National Holiday),5th of May (Orthodox Christian Easter Sunday), 1st of May (Labour Day),
15th of August (Dormition of Holy Mother-Holiday for public service but not for stores),
28th of October (National Holiday), 25th and 26th of December (Official Holiday)
Thank you
Have safe flights!
Enjoy your stay with us!
All copyrights of this web-page content and photo are reserved by Georgia K. 2018-2024.
