Dear Guide,
How much should I allow daily for incidental expenses while I'm travelling in Greece? - TM
Dear TM -
You don't mention if you're traveling independently or as part of a tour, or what budget you're working with. By "incidental expenses" I'm guessing that you're excluding your hotel room, major transportation costs, and major meals.
This example assumes that you are traveling on your own, so taxi fees would not be shared, and that you don't qualify for senior or student discounts at sightseeing locations.
As I write this, the Euro has been gaining strength against the dollar. Euro fluctuations can have a big impact on your daily expenses, so don't cut it too close.
To just get around in a town or on an island in Greece, allow about US 14.50/ Euro 10 a day for buses, Athens metro tickets and/or a short taxi hop or two. Boat travel to a secluded beach will run more - allow US 20.00-22.50/Euro 15-18 to persuade a captain to get you there and remember to come back for you. Scheduled boats will be less.
Admissions to the sites range from about 3 Euro to 6 Euro, and on a sightseeing day you'll usually see two or three - allow US 22.00/Euro 16 for tickets, and US 8.50-12/Euro 6-8 for the book you'll end up buying at at least one of the places you visit.
Snacks, ranging from a cheese pie to a gyros, will usually be about two to three Euro (US 3.00 to 4.25 at this writing) Drinks will cost as much as what you're eating at the cheap places. So another US 7.55/Euro 5 will lightly feed you at a stand or cheap taverna, excluding a full meal.
Hint: buy your bottled water at a Greek market. You'll pay only .30 to .50 Euro a bottle. Everywhere else, it will range from .70 - 3 Euro a bottle, particularly at sightseeing venues. But on a hot day, paying a premium for a fresh chilled bottle may be well worth it.
Toiletries are usually imports and can run about the same as the US, but you've been smart and brought travel sizes of what you normally use. Throw in about US 2.90/Euro 2.00 a day for that lip balm, those hair pins, and other things you may have forgotten or misplaced.
Little souvenirs will eat away a budget almost magically. Fight that by allowing for them ahead of time. This varies by person, but have at least US 14.50/Euro 10 a day to play with. Serious shoppers are laughing at this point - remember, the question is for "incidental expenses" - not purchasing that woven rug or gold bracelet you want to brag about later!
Your "pocket money" should, obviously, be in Euro, as these small purchases are more likely to be made at places which don't take credit cards. Don't believe all the ads about credit card acceptance. It's strong at hotels and upscale restaurants and shops, but can be inconsistent elsewhere.
In virtually all tourist stops, there will be an international ATM just down that twisted alley, behind the bakery, or round the corner from the little chapel.
Searching for the ATM is now one of the major causes of temporarily lost tourists - and one of the best sources of memorable stories of finding the "real" Greece.
I like to have at least 40 Euro cash on me for emergencies. Some of that should be one- and two-euro coins for convenience.
Other things that can eat up your budget: the price of beer has risen, so most of the time, expect to pay US 5-7 or 3-5 Euro. A can of Coca-cola will usually run 1.50 - 2.50 Euro. A four-pack of double-A batteries will consume 3-4 Euro, and a disposable camera will run between 8 to 14 Euro. (By the way, since Greece is so bright, lower ASAs will give better results - anything 400 and above will tend to wash out in the sunlight.) Have a great trip!
Compare airfares to Greece here: Find Greek Airfares
Compare Rates on Car Rentals in Greece: [Rent Cars in Greece Note: Use the Eleftherios Venizelos option if you need rates from the Athens International Airport at Spata.
