Navigating Greece: Your Practical Guide for First-Time Visitors
Welcome back to our series on exploring Greece for the first time! In this First Time to Greece Welcome Pack Vol.2 instalment, we’re diving deep into the must-know practicalities and logistics to ensure your trip to Greece is smooth sailing from start to finish.
Getting There & Around:
- Flight Tips: When booking your flights to Greece, consider flying into Athens International Airport (ATH) for convenient access to the capital and major transportation hubs. Alternatively, explore options for direct flights to popular island destinations like Santorini (JTR) or Mykonos (JMK) during the peak season.
Most Europeans from UK, Germany, Scandinavia, Spain, France, etc are extremely lucky cause pretty much all airlines offer direct flights from all the big cities of Europe to the Greek islands.
For summer 2024, guests from the US and especially from New York, Newark NJ, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta & Boston will enjoy non-stop flights to Athens International Airport (ATH).
Always remember to arrange your private transfer from the airport to your final destination (eg your hotel) well in advance.
- Public Transport: Greece offers an extensive network of public buses, trains, and ferries, making it easy to travel between cities and islands. Athens boasts a modern metro system, while intercity buses connect major destinations across the mainland. For island hopping, ferries are the preferred mode of transportation, with frequent departures from ports like Piraeus and Rafina. The best booking engine for ferry tickets is called Ferry Hopper.
The public bus system is pretty straightforward. Every region have their own line and scheduled routes. The name of the company is KTEL. Simply google the word KTEL along with the region. For example KTEL Attikis is all public buses that serve the metropolitan area of Athens.
- UBER in Greece: If you’re planning a trip to Greece and you are wondering if you can rely on Uber for transfers in Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Corfu and other touristic places, the precise answer is yes but it comes with several limitations. While Uber operates in Greece since 2014, the service is currently available for licensed Greek Taxis (called UberTaxi).
This translates that the UberX service, which basically relies on non-professional drivers providing cheap transfer services, is not available in Athens (and Greece in general), and the drivers who are authorized to use the app are professional & licensed Athens taxi drivers. As a result, when you use Uber in Athens, you can expect the typical prices you would get in a regular Greek cab.
Accommodation Essentials:
- Hotels or Villas: Choose accommodations that suit your travel style, budget and location. While hotels offer convenience and amenities, consider renting a villa or apartment for a more immersive experience, especially when traveling with family or friends. AirBnb, VRBO, Expedia & Homeaway thrive all over the country and the range of the private accommodations and services is overwhelming.
- Booking Tips: Use online platforms like Booking.com, hotels.com, or local Greek websites to browse and book accommodations in advance. Keep in mind that popular destinations can fill up quickly during high season, so book early to secure your preferred stay. Remember that everything is more expensive between July to September as these months are considered peak season.
Health and Safety:
- Travel Insurance: Protect yourself against unexpected emergencies by purchasing travel insurance that covers medical expenses, trip cancellations, and lost belongings. Verify that your insurance includes coverage for activities like hiking, water sports, and rental vehicle accidents in case you are planning to enjoy these types of activities.
- Health Precautions: Pack essential medications, sunscreen & maybe insect repellent for some peace of mind during your travels. Pharmacy stores in Greece are widely available (always check the working hours especially at the islands) and the prices are considered to be fair especially for guests from North America for basic drugs.
- Emergency Numbers: Familiarize yourself with emergency contact numbers in Greece, including the universal European emergency number 112. Additionally, know the location of the nearest hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in case of medical emergencies.
- Hospitals and clinics: In general terms, while in Greece, you always have the option to choose between a private clinic or a public hospital when shit happens. As a rule of thumb, private clinics are faster but way more expensive (not always the same efficient). On the other hand, public hospitals -especially in Athens- are too slow but way more efficient and for free! Having a private travel insurance comes always handy!
For more practical information and links about embassies, emergency numbers and more, please visit also this page.
With this First Time to Greece Welcome Pack Vol.2 in hand, you’re all set to embark on an unforgettable journey through Greece. Get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime as you immerse yourself in the beauty and charm of this ancient land. OPA!!!
If you still have any questions about how to get the most out of your Greek Odyssey, we are here for you 24/7. Just send a message or text us at +306943264350 (WhatsApp, Viber, Signal, Telegram, iMessage), and we’ll be happy to assist and make sure we answer all your questions.
