General Information

Banks

Banks are open from Monday to Thursday 08:00-14:30 and on Friday 08:00-14:00. Central branches of some banks may be found open until 20:00 daily, and from 10:00 - 16:30 on Saturdays.

ATMs

They are widely available in Greece for Master or Visa cardholders.

Currency

EURO is the official currency. Information about exchange rates can be found at hotel lobbies and banks.

Exchange and Currency

Major international banking institutions, credit card companies and ATMs in and around Athens are plentiful and easy to access. Foreign currency may be exchanged for euros at most Greek and foreign banks and at exchange bureaus located in the city centre. Bring your passport when exchanging money. You will need it for the transaction. Traveller's checks and credit cards issued by major companies are also widely recognized and an accepted way of purchasing items in Athens.

For more information on the euro go to:

http://www.ecb.int/bc/html/index.en.html

For information on current exchange rates go to:

http://www.ecb.int/stats/exchange/eurofxref/html/index.en.html

Credit cards

All major credit cards are accepted in almost all hotels, shops and restaurants. Stickers in the front windows will advise you as to which cards are accepted.

Climate

In Athens, southern Greece and the islands, the climate is typical Mediterranean with warm and dry summers and mild winters. In June temperature ranges between 30°C and 35°C.

Emergency phone numbers

Ambulance 166
Emergency Fire Brigade 199
Emergency Hospitals 1434
English-Greek medical information 210 89 83 146
Forest Service 191
Athens International Airport 210 35 30 000
Pharmacies on duty 1434
Poisoning Treatment Centre 210 77 93 777
Police 112
SOS Doctors 1016
Telephone Directory Service 11888
Tourist Police 171

Healthcare

Emergency treatment is free to all in public hospitals. Public and private hospitals can be found in big cities. Small and large islands usually have hospitals and health centres.

Telecommunications

The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the USA or Canada, 0044 for the United Kingdom). Public payphones are available all over Greece and use phone cards, which can be purchased from kiosks. For information concerning mobile phone use in Greece (telephone transmissions are based on GSM technology), please ask your provider.

Water

Tap water is drinkable in Athens. For places outside Athens water quality varies

Time

Greece is GMT+2. Greece 12:00 - London 10:00 - New York 05:00 - Sydney 20:00.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory but is quite usual in Greece.

Transportation

Athens has a broad transportation network comprising of buses, trolley busses, tramway, metro, suburban railway and taxis (trips at affordable prices).