Greece Trips & Tours

Greece’s main airport is the Athens International Airport (ATH) and many international airlines offer regular flights into Athens. Direct flights are available from all major airports in the UK and, if you’re travelling from elsewhere, it’s often most cost-effective to catch a connecting flight in cities such as London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt. During peak season, numerous direct flights to certain Greek islands with an international airport (Santorini, Mykonos, etc) are available. You can reach most destinations on a domestic flight from Athens but an alternative in some cases is to catch a ferry from the nearest port. Ferry routes between Italy and Greece are operating all year round, which is ideal for self-driving travellers. More specifically, there are ferries from Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi in Italy to Patra, Igoumenitsa and Corfu in Greece. Tickets can be booked with Greeka or FerriesinGreece.

Emergency Numbers FIRST AID NATIONAL CENTER (Ambulances): 166 SOS DOCTORS: 1016 EUROPEAN EMERGENCY NUMBER: 112 POISONING PHONE CENTER: 210 77 93 777 FIRE AUTHORITY: 199 POLICE: 100 TOURIST POLICE: 1571 Vaccines Please consult your physician and/or a travel clinic preferably 6 weeks before your departure. Vaccine requirements vary based on your country of origin, your travel itinerary and your previous vaccination history. It is best to consult with your physician or the CDC website for guidelines. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent over the summer months. Drink plenty of water, wear light clothing, stay in air-conditioned or shaded areas if you’re visiting then. Medications such as codeine are subject to special rules. Carry a prescription and a letter from your doctor. Petty crime including pickpocketing, bag snatching, and slashing luggage are common in tourist hubs. So it’s best to pay close attention to your belongings.

Please note that as of January 2025, the Greek Government has changed the overnight tax* to 15€ per room per night. *Tax imposed by the Greek Government "Climate Change Resilience Tax” According to law 4276/2014 p.2, this tax is not included in the accommodation price and is payable at the hotel by the guest upon check out. The main currency used in Greece is the Euro. You will get much better deals with merchants when using cash rather than your debit or credit card. There are numerous ATM machines throughout the towns and cities in Greece, where you can easily withdraw Euros. Gratuities There is not a strong tradition of tipping in Greece, particularly among the locals, but it's become expected that tourists leave a small tip while travelling through the country. In restaurants it's common to leave a cash tip and 10% to 15% of your bill is standard.

It is a condition of booking that you carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependents/travelling companions for the duration of your trip. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities: Compulsory Insurance: a. Emergency evacuation expenses b. Medical expenses c. Repatriation expenses Recommended Insurance: a. Cancellation or curtailment of trip b. Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods

Greece is a member of the EU and Europe’s border-free Schengen Zone, which allows citizens to travel between member countries without a visa. Additionally, citizens of EU countries outside of the Schengen Zone and EEA countries don’t require a visa to enter Greece. Furthermore, citizens of more than 60 countries are permitted to travel to Greece visa-free for a total of 90 days within a 180-day period. These nations include the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore, as well as certain South American countries. Firstly, ensure your passport is valid for a minimum of three months after your departure date. You may be asked to provide documentation outlining the reason for your visit and confirming your departure date. Check the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs website to see if your country qualifies for visa-free travel. Please note that as of January 2025, the Greek Government has changed the overnight tax* to 15€ per room per night. *Tax imposed by the Greek Government "Climate Change Resilience Tax” According to law 4276/2014 p.2, this tax is not included in the accommodation price and is payable at the hotel by the guest upon check out. Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) The EU has introduced a new Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU passport holders entering the Schengen area. It’s designed to make borders more secure and keep a record of who’s coming and going, but it does mean a few extra steps on your first arrival: • On your first entry into the Schengen zone, travellers aged 12 and over will need to: - Have their passport scanned - Provide fingerprints and have a photo taken by a border officer - Answer a few straightforward questions (such as your reason for travel, where you’ll be staying, and for how long) • Children under 12 will simply have a photo taken. • There’s no cost for this process and you don’t need to register in advance. Once completed, your details are valid for three years and will be automatically recognised on future trips. • Exemptions: The EES does not apply if you are transiting through or if you hold an EU passport. Please allow a little extra time at border control for this on your first entry.

Climate Greece experiences a typically Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. However, its varied landscapes do create some room for variety as well. Take a look at our rough guide on what to pack: - Season appropriate clothing, but if you’re visiting in summer clothes should be as light as possible. Outside of summer, layerable items and suitable clothing for colder weather. - It’s a good idea to pack one modest outfit if you’re planning on visiting churches or monasteries. - Walking shoes / trainers and sandals - Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen - Toiletries: while most hotels provide basic amenities, it’s advisable to bring specific personal items - Swimwear - Camera, memory cards, batteries, chargers and adapter. Greece uses plug types C and F, on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. - Basic first aid kit and any prescription medications - A copy of all travel documents Luggage Please check with your airlines for the specific luggage restrictions relevant to your flight schedule. Many international airlines have a baggage allowance of 20kgs or more per person and commercial airlines generally permit two (2) pieces of checked luggage. The carry-on bag must be of such dimensions and weight as set by the airlines. For regional flights, the carry on limit is usually around 10kgs.