recent visiters to Greece (June 2015) Post Reply

[rooting4tooting]

We are booked to holiday on the Greek mainland towards the end of July. If anyone has been on the MAINLAND in the last week or two, can you let us know your experience of the locals please, ATMs, use of credit cards, restaurants, hotels, bars etc. Greece has always been great for us, but these are interesting times to say the least. thanks!

[tooposhtopush]

haven't been but am about to go.

I'm told that we need to take lots of cash but credit cards/bank cards will still work.

I think it's going to be pretty depressing though in terms of mood of the locals

[Seb]

Hi
I've got friends out there.

They've told me that its pretty much life as normal. A lot of people saw this coming so have been holding dollars etc to use. Main people suffering are businesses who've seen ability to operate curtailed and those who couldn't prepare.

Ironically he also said that the mood is very positive, a lot of people are looking forward to change and getting out of Euro.

It might be a bit like VE Day over there if you're lucky

[rooting4tooting]

thanks for the replies. I will update in August, after we get back. Unless the airports close due to strike action. (always look on the bright side..)

[NYE31]

I heard on the news yesterday that the 60 euros cash withdrawal limit only applies to Greek bank cards & bank accounts so you should be fine with a UK bank card.

[Annabel (admin)]

Hi
I scanned this from Sunday Times from today for you R4T.

hope it helps

[ny-mom]

Hi, I just returned from a weekend in Athens. Life goes on - lots of tourists, all bars, restaurants, tourist attractions are opened as normal. Credit cards are working fine, but I would advise to take cash with you. The 60 euro limit is for locals only, but if ATMs run out of money then even a foreign card will not help. Having said all that though, with the "no" vote majority from the referendum, and further negotiations with creditors, things may change, so it is essential to track the news. Greeks know that tourism is their only profitable industry, so they will do a lot to make sure it stays this way.
Enjoy your holidays!

[LP73]

My brother had his holiday changed for a number of reasons but one being that currently customers travelling by air to many parts of Greece can only leave with hand luggage as there are no baggage handlers as they have not been paid. The other being an issue with medical facilities due to what it going on.

A friend flew out of Crete yesterday and could only take hand luggage.
Cards are no longer accepted and you can only pay by cash but there is a worry about targeting hotels etc as all tourists are taking in cash.
I would say you are better off changing your destination.

[rooting4tooting]

I've seen about 5 tv adverts for Greek Macedonia this evening, which is pretty much where we're going. Someone has enough cash to make a transmit early evening ads...
We are still going, we are still nervous

[Shamummy]

We are on Rhodes at the moment.. The airports, baggage handlers and all tourist services working without a hitch.

We have used credit and debit cards without any worries. We took a lot of cash with us though to not be reliant on ATMs.

I wouldn't cancel any holidays as it does seem like the show will go on!

[Katherine]

Friends have just come back, had a great time no issues. Enjoy your holiday!

[Mellomumma]

We arrived back today after a week in a resort at Halkidiki on mainland. No issues with flights or baggage. There was an abundance of food at the resort and I would have to agree and think tourist have been kept well out of the current situation. General mood of staff was also fine as well. I wouldnt hesitate to go there, it was totally fine.

[Kristina Ker]

I just came back from islands and general advice is take euros in cash! A place in Wandsworth shopping centre had an ok rate - better than bank or PO. Didn't have problems with card payments, but locals said taking money from ATMs is limited to 60 euros and pain in the back side. Enjoy the lovely weather and people though! Have a fab hol.

[rooting4tooting]

We went, got very hot and came back. No problems, just one restaurant asking if we had cash but were OK with a credit card.
Saw a couple of short queues, but ATMs mainly OK.
Very very busy, many eastern Europeans but few Greeks in a normally predominantly Greek resort town, that would be the most obvious observation.
Great ice cream and cool beer though.
thanks for your advice.
Next year Cadiz I think....