Travel to Greece from the UK: Must-know travel advice

Key takeaways:

• You can travel to Greece from the UK for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
• Greece is generally a safe and welcoming country for travellers, but there are some common sense precautions to keep in mind, especially in crowded areas and on public transport.
• Card and mobile payment use is on the rise in Greece, but cash is still king. It’s a good idea to always keep some on hand.
• Be prepared to pay a tourist tax, which varies in cost depending on your accommodation and the time of year you’re visiting.

Jump to:

Greece entry requirements and documents from the UK Is it safe to travel to Greece? Managing your money in Greece Best ways to convert GBP to Euros (and what to avoid) How to pay in Greece: Cards, cash and mobile payments How much does it cost to travel to Greece Hidden travel costs to watch out for in Greece Essential laws and travel rules in Greece Emergency contacts and safety tips Travelling to Greece? Use Wise for low-cost currency conversion and spending FAQs on travel to Greece Can I use my UK Phone in Greece? What type of plug adapter do I need for Greece? Is travel insurance required for travelling to Greece?

Whether you’re wandering among ancient ruins in Athens, relaxing on the beaches of Rhodes, or savouring seafood along the harbours of Thessaloniki, this guide is here to help you have a safe and memorable trip. We’ll lay out the key info on visa and entry requirements, health and safety essentials, laws and currency, money and customs and much more.

We’ll also show you a convenient and cost-effective way to spend in Greece – the Wise debit card. It’s designed for low-cost spending in 150+ countries. This clever international debit card automatically converts your pounds to Euros whenever and wherever you spend, for low, transparent fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

Learn more about the Wise debit card 💳

Greece entry requirements and documents from the UK

Before you travel to Greece from the UK, you’ll need to know about the country‘s entry requirements for UK nationals.¹

Luckily, as with all Schengen Zone countries, you won’t need to apply for a visa in advance, and can stay in Greece up to 90 days within a 180-day period. That means that you’ll need to keep evidence of when you arrived, be it a stamp in your passport or printed out plane tickets.

This 90-day window applies not only to visits for tourism purposes, but also visiting friends and family, attending business meetings, cultural or sports events or short term studies or training.

Under the Schengen Area Rules, your passport will also need to have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive. It should also have an ‘expiry date’ of at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen Area.

Border control agents might also ask you to show a return or onward ticket as well as proof of travel insurance or that you have enough money for your visit.

Is it safe to travel to Greece?

Greece is generally a safe country to travel to if you take some common sense precautions. We’ll lay out what you’ll need to keep in mind.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) warns of a risk of terrorism attacks in places also frequented by travellers such as shopping malls and banks.

It’s worth noting that they issue this advice for most European countries, so it’s not specific to Greece.

Central Athens can also see some very crowded political protests, especially on Labour Day on 1 May, or two dates commemorating previous protest movements: 17 November and 6 December.

Thieves target the metro and crowded tourist places, especially in central Athens, on the lookout for wallets, handbags and passports. Carry your valuables in different bags and pockets to minimise the risk.

There is also a high risk of wildfires during the summer season of April to October.²

Managing your money in Greece

You’ll be able to pay with Euros (€) throughout Greece. You can either exchange your British pounds directly, take money out of an ATM, pay with a debit or credit card or use mobile payment options such as Apple Pay.

Best ways to convert GBP to Euros (and what to avoid)

You can change your British pounds for Euros in the UK, or when you arrive in Greece. Just make sure to get the best exchange rate by watching out for added fees/commission, which can be steep at airports or hotels.

Spending on a debit or credit card is also an option. Greece has plenty of ATMs at airports and in cities. You’ll have to do a bit of advanced research to find them on the islands. But you won’t need to read Greek to do so: they simply go by the name ATM or the logo of the bank.³

Some UK credit cards charge a transaction fee of up to 2.75 to 2.99 percent for purchases made in foreign currencies.⁴

Avoid getting hit with high fees and poor exchange rates at airports and other exchange houses by using the Wise debit card. You’ll then be able to spend in 40+ currencies by automatically converting your pounds at the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny currency conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

How to pay in Greece: Cards, cash and mobile payments

While card use is on the rise in Greece, cash still makes up the majority of transactions. It’s good to keep some on hand, especially for travel to smaller towns and tipping.

Especially in larger cities and places with a lot of tourists, you’ll be able to pay with your UK contactless card.

Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also quite popular in Greece. The Wise virtual card is another great option to carry around in your phone’s digital wallet.

When you use your UK card at a Greek ATM, you can expect to pay a fee between €2 to €4 EUR (around £1.70 to £3.40) per withdrawal.⁵

How much does it cost to travel to Greece

Flight costs from the UK to Greece vary quite a bit depending on whether you fly direct, during the high season between May and September, or take a major route.

November is the most affordable month to fly, but note that some airlines will pause or restrict all flights during the off-season, especially to the islands.

You’ll likely find the most daily flights offered from London Heathrow to Athens due to the number of airlines which fly between the two major hubs. Budget carrier WizzAir UK also operates out of London Gatwick.

Bookings website Skyscanner lists a slightly off-season Saturday-Saturday flight from London Gatwick (LGA) to Athens around £100 roundtrip when flying with Wizz Air UK or Sky Express. A direct flight from London Heathrow (LHR) will be about £250 roundtrip with British Airlines.

Aegean Airlines also flies direct between Manchester and Athens, and will set you back about £250 in the same time period.⁶

Once you’re in Greece, your costs will also vary a bit based on your location. We break down the average costs in GBP across the major cities of Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as Santorini, one of the most popular islands for a Greek getaway.⁷

Category	Athens	Thessaloniki	Santorini
Accomodation	£54	£46	£103
Dinner for 2	£52	£43	£67.7
Public Transport	£1.04	£1.07	£2.08 (bus)
Main sights	Acropolis, Plaka, Archaeological Museum	White Tower, Aristotelous Square, Rotunda	Caldera views, Fira, Oia, beaches, volcanic hikes

Hidden travel costs to watch out for in Greece

Greece is generally an affordable destination for UK tourists, but there are some small costs which can add up if you’re not aware of them.

• Many tavernas automatically add a fee (€1–€3 per person) for bread or table service, even if you didn’t order it.
• Some taxi drivers will significantly overcharge, especially in touristy areas. Ask how much the ride will cost before you hop in, and make sure the meter is active and switched on.
• Many Greek beaches charge extra for renting umbrellas and beach towels.
• You’ll need to factor in a tourism tax, which varies based on your type of accommodation and the time of year you’re visiting. Be prepared to pay an extra €2 to €15 in the height of the tourist season per night.⁸

🇬🇷 Read more: Greece tourist tax - What you need to know

Essential laws and travel rules in Greece

These are a few of the top laws and customs to be aware of as a traveller to Greece.

• It’s forbidden to touch or climb on ancient ruins, as is taking any antiquity, including small stones.
• Cover your shoulders and knees if you’re heading inside a church or monastery.
• Possessing or smuggling illegal drugs, which include cannabis, can result in steep fines or jail time.³
• If you plan to hire a car, you can use your UK license to drive. Be aware that Greece follows right-hand rules on the road, and that the minimum age to rent is 21.⁹

Emergency contacts and safety tips

If you experience an emergency situation during your trip, these are the numbers to call:

• 112 is the Europe-wide number for police, fire, or medical emergencies
• 100 is the number for Greece’s national police
• 199 is the number for the fire department

If in doubt, you can call 112, which operates 24/7 and can be used for all types of emergencies.¹⁰

Be sure to keep the contact of your travel insurance provider handy in case you need to make a claim or require assistance.

Travelling to Greece? Use Wise for low-cost currency conversion and spending

Open a Wise account online and you can order the Wise debit card for a one-time fee of £7. You can use this clever card in 150+ countries, including Greece.

It automatically converts your pounds to local currency whenever you spend using the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

🚀 Sign up with Wise for free

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FAQs on travelling to Greece from UK

Here are some common questions answered:

Can I use my UK Phone in Greece?

After Brexit, UK phone carriers were no longer required to offer roaming services for free in the EU. Many still do up to a certain amount of data or roaming plan, however. O2 for example offers free EU roaming for up to 25 GB per month¹¹ whereas Vodafone UK gives you the option to pay around £2 extra per day.¹² Alternatively you can get an eSim card to avoid roaming charges.

What type of plug adapter do I need for Greece?

In order to use your electronics in Greece, you’ll need a Type F or C plug adapter, which is geared towards Greece’s 230V supply voltage.

Is travel insurance required for travelling to Greece?

While UK residents are not legally required to have travel insurance for Greece, taking out a policy is still highly recommended. Your GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) grants access to state-provided healthcare in Greece but still doesn’t cover private medical treatment, emergency repatriation to the UK or trip cancellations, lost baggage or delays.¹⁴

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Sources used:

1. Greece Entry Requirements -- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
2. Greece Travel Advice -- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
3. ATMs in Greece -- Wise
4. Using Your Debit Card Abroad -- Barclays
5. Cash or Card in Greece -- Wise
6. Cheap UK to Greece Flights -- Skyscanner
7. Cost of Living -- Numeo
8. Greece Tourism Tax -- Wise
9. Renting a Car in Greece -- Road Crete
10. Emergency Numbers -- Greece government portal
11. EU Roaming -- O2
12. Global Roaming -- Vodafone UK
13. International Plug Adapter Guide -- Skyscanner
14. Applying for healthcare coverage abroad with UK GHIC -- NHS

Sources last checked on 22-Sept-2025.