Yes, it is highly advisable to carry cash when traveling in Greece. While card payments are increasingly common, particularly in major tourist hubs and larger establishments, cash remains a preferred and often essential payment method across the country.
Why Cash is Preferred in Greece
Carrying cash in Greece offers significant advantages and ensures you're prepared for all situations. If you have to choose between carrying cash or relying solely on cards, cash is generally the better option.
- Universal Acceptance: There are no completely cashless places in Greece, meaning you can always pay with cash. This ensures you're never caught without a payment option, especially in areas where card machines might be unreliable or unavailable.
- Support for Small Businesses: Many smaller businesses, local tavernas, traditional shops, and street vendors, especially outside of the major cities and on the islands, operate predominantly on a cash basis. They may not have card facilities or prefer cash to avoid transaction fees.
- Tipping: Tipping in Greece is typically done in cash. If you're already carrying cash for this purpose, it's convenient to use it as your primary payment method for smaller purchases as well.
- Market Purchases: For items bought at local markets (Laiki Agora), bakeries, or for small convenience store purchases, cash is almost always expected.
- Budget Management: Using cash can help you stick to a budget more easily, as you're physically handing over money and can visually track your spending.
When Cash is Essential
While credit and debit cards are accepted in many hotels, larger restaurants, and shops, cash becomes indispensable in several specific scenarios:
- Remote Islands and Villages: Connectivity can be an issue, and many establishments are not equipped for card payments.
- Small Cafes and Tavernas: Many charming local eateries prefer or only accept cash for smaller bills.
- Street Vendors and Farmers' Markets: These operations are almost exclusively cash-only.
- Taxis: While some taxis may accept cards, it's common for them to prefer cash, especially for shorter rides.
- Public Transport: For single bus tickets or certain ferry routes, cash might be the only accepted payment method at the point of sale.
- Local Services: Services like sunbed rentals on beaches or small souvenir shops often require cash.
Balancing Cash and Card
The ideal approach is to carry a mix of cash and have a credit/debit card as a backup for larger expenses or emergencies. Avoid carrying excessively large sums of cash, but always have enough for daily expenses, especially when exploring less-touristy areas.
Here's a breakdown of common payment scenarios in Greece:
| Scenario | Cash Preferred | Card Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Small Local Shops & Markets | ✅ | ❌ (Often no POS) |
| Remote Islands & Villages | ✅ | ❌ (Limited ATM/POS) |
| Tipping | ✅ | ❌ (Difficult via card) |
| Taxis & Local Buses | ✅ (Often) | ❌ (Not always accepted) |
| Small Cafe/Kiosk Purchases | ✅ | ❌ (Can be inconvenient) |
| Larger Hotels & Resorts | ❌ | ✅ |
| Major Restaurants & Retailers | ❌ | ✅ |
| Car Rentals | ❌ | ✅ |
Practical Tips for Managing Money in Greece
- Carry Small Denominations: It's helpful to have a mix of €5, €10, and €20 notes for small purchases, as larger notes may be difficult to break in small establishments.
- Use Reputable ATMs: Withdraw cash from ATMs associated with major Greek banks (e.g., Alpha Bank, National Bank of Greece, Piraeus Bank, Eurobank) to ensure security and potentially lower fees. Avoid Euronet ATMs, which often charge higher fees.
- Inform Your Bank: Let your bank know about your travel plans to Greece to prevent your card from being flagged for suspicious activity and blocked.
- Have a Backup Payment Method: Always carry at least two different payment methods (e.g., one debit card and one credit card) in case one is lost, stolen, or doesn't work.
- Keep Cash Secure: Divide your cash and keep it in different places (e.g., wallet, money belt, hotel safe) to minimize loss in case of theft.
By carrying a reasonable amount of cash, you'll ensure a smoother and more convenient experience during your trip to Greece, allowing you to easily manage day-to-day expenses and enjoy all the country has to offer. For more general travel insights, you can consult guides such as Rick Steves' Greece Travel Guide or Lonely Planet's Money and Costs in Greece.
