● Practical Guide · 6 min read

Cash or card in Greece? Both. Here's where each wins.

Greece is more cash-dependent than Northern Europe but more card-friendly than 10 years ago. The honest answer is: bring both. Cards work nearly everywhere now. Cash is still essential for some specific situations. Here's the breakdown.

Where card works fine in Greece

All hotels, all chains, all sizes
Restaurants in tourist areas (Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Crete) — 95% accept card
All major attractions, museums, archaeological sites
Ferry tickets (booked online or at port offices)
Modern taxis (most accept Visa/Mastercard with mobile readers)
Supermarkets and major shops
Apple Pay / Google Pay accepted at most card-taking businesses

Where you NEED cash in Greece

Small village tavernas — handwritten menus, family-run, often cash only. The good ones.
Street food — souvlaki stands, bakeries, kiosks (periptera) — usually cash only.
Older taxi drivers — about 30% of older taxis still don't have card readers.
Tipping — always cash, even in card-paying places.
Small flea markets — Monastiraki, weekend markets. Cash only.
Bus and metro tickets at small stations — usually card now but kiosks may be cash only.
Tour guides accepting tips — €10-20 per person at end of tour.

ATMs and getting cash in Greece

Best ATMs to use: Greek bank ATMs (National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Eurobank, Piraeus Bank) — clear English menus, lower fees, reliable. Marked with the bank's name.

ATMs to AVOID: "Euronet" and "Travelex Cash" branded ATMs — these are independent ATM networks with terrible exchange rates and €5+ fees per transaction. They're EVERYWHERE in tourist zones (airports, Plaka, Mykonos main streets) — don't use them.

Pro tip on ATM withdrawals: When the machine asks "would you like the conversion in your home currency?" — ALWAYS decline. Always choose to be charged in EURO. Your home bank's exchange rate is always better than the ATM's "Dynamic Currency Conversion" rate.

Daily withdrawal limits: Greek bank ATMs typically max €600/day per card. Some have €400 daily limits.

Currency exchange — should you change cash before arrival?

No. Don't change money at home. Don't change money at the airport. Don't change money at "currency exchange" booths in Plaka.

The right approach:

Arrive in Athens with €100-200 from home (for emergency).
Withdraw your needs from a Greek bank ATM (Alpha, Eurobank, Piraeus, NBG).
Use card for everything possible.

This gives you near-mid-market exchange rates. Currency exchange booths typically lose you 5-10%, airport changes lose 8-15%.

How much cash should I carry per day?

Average traveler in Greece (mid-range): €50-80 per day for cash needs.

Coffee and casual meals: €15-20
Tips and gratuities: €5-15
Small shops, kiosks, taxi rides: €10-25
Buffer for one cash-only dinner: €30-50

Refill every 2-3 days from an ATM. Don't carry €500 at once — Greece is safe but cash loss is permanent.

FAQs

Are credit cards widely accepted in Greece?+

In tourist areas: yes, almost everywhere. In rural Greece, smaller islands, traditional tavernas: maybe 60-70%. Always carry €50-100 cash backup. Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere; American Express less common; Discover rarely accepted.

Should I tell my bank I'm traveling to Greece?+

Set a travel notice if your bank requires one (most don't anymore in 2026). Modern banks use AI to detect normal vs fraudulent transactions. Check your bank's policies. Many credit cards now have zero foreign transaction fees — use those for Greece.

What's the best card for Greece?+

A card with no foreign transaction fees (Chase Sapphire, Capital One Venture, AmEx Platinum in the US; Wise, Revolut, Monzo in the UK/EU). Avoid cards with 3% foreign transaction fees — that's a real surcharge.

Can I use US dollars or British pounds in Greece?+

No. Greece uses Euro. Some tourist shops in Plaka may unofficially accept dollars but at terrible rates. Always pay in Euro.

Is it rude to pay in cash for a small purchase?+

Not at all — it's appreciated. Small business owners often prefer cash because they avoid card fees (1-2.5%). For purchases under €10, cash is more polite. For larger purchases, card or cash both work.