(Last updated: 29 Mar 2011)

Visas

Australian passport-holders visiting Greece for tourism or business don't need a visa for stays of up to three months. For longer stays, a visa is required, and can be obtained by application to:

Embassy of Greece
9 Turrana St
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: +61 2 6273 3011
Fax: +61 2 6273 2620

In the past, visitors with evidence of having been to Turkish North Cyprus have been denied entry to Greece. This seems to no longer be a problem, but to be sure, visitors may wish to replace a passport with a North Cyprus stamp or, if travelling to North Cyprus on the same journey, ask officials there, on entry, to stamp a separate piece of paper rather than a passport page, which they are sometimes willing to do.

Climate

Greece has a typical Mediterranean climate. Summer is very hot, often 35°C or higher and dry inland and humid on the coast. Usually, the weather heats up in early May, peaks in August, and cools down again in early October. Winters can be quite mild, drab and wet, with January and February the coolest months. Spring and autumn are both long and very pleasant.

Due to a combination of weather and vacation patterns, the periods to avoid for business are the Christmas-New Year week, a week each side of Easter and, unless urgent, mid-summer.

For weather details in Greece, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

Between cities and towns, domestic flights are offered by Olympic and Aegean Airlines, and are extensive and regular. Advance bookings are advised in summer or around public holidays. Taxes are included in the ticket price.

Ground transport

Taxis are plentiful at the major airports. They are comparatively cheap – a one hour ride from the airport to the centre of Athens should cost around A$56-64, including extra charges for tolls and baggage. Fares are higher (the mileage rate is about double) between midnight and 5.00am. If you suspect you are being over-charged, ask for help at your hotel or other destination before you pay.

Hailing a taxi can be a challenge in Athens. One must stand at the side of the road and tell the driver through his window where they want to go. If the driver accepts the destination he will signal for you to get in. It is not unusual for taxis to take on additional passengers during your trip and charge everyone whatever is on the meter.

Public buses are available which take you to the downtown area at less cost than taxis. Tickets can be purchased at the kiosk near the bus stop and should be validated aboard the bus.

The metro in Athens is brand new, inexpensive and efficient although has limited routes. Stations are large, open, marble structures, and tickets can be bought at counters or machines.

Hotels

Travel bookings should be made in advance if visiting during times of peak tourism (ie. over the northern hemisphere summer, especially July-August), or around major Greek holidays.

Security and health

The Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Greece. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Petty crime is a small problem, but is probably no worse than in other European cities – the usual precautions apply, such as limiting the amount of cash or valuables carried, and locking houses and cars.

Businesses are quite secure, but local security and insurance services are available in Greece and, as is the case with any diligent investor, should be considered seriously.

Health

Greece is generally a safe place to visit, as long as basic precautions are followed:

• Tap water is safe to drink in major cities and regional areas. Take care in very small, isolated towns.
• Food is generally prepared hygienically, although caution is advisable in remote areas or at run-down or empty establishments.
• Heat and sunburn are common health problems for visitors. Drink plenty of fluids constantly during summer and always apply sunburn cream.
• In rural areas, beware of mosquitoes, aggressive dogs (which can carry rabies), and snakes.
• Codeine is banned in Greece – do not attempt to bring headache products or painkillers with codeine through customs, and only bring prescription medicines with codeine if you also have a doctor’s statement asserting that the medicine is essential to treating a current illness or condition.
• Pharmacies and major hotels provide or sell medicines of good quality.

Emergency phone numbers:

• City police – 100
• Tourist police – 171
• Medical emergency – 178
• Euroclinic (private hospital) – 210 641 6600
• Evangelismos (public hospital) – 210 722 0001
• Ambulance – 166
• Fire brigade – 199

Tipping

Tipping is common. Service charges are added at restaurants, but a small tip (rounding up the total) is usual. All taxis have meters.

A 10-15 per cent surcharge is usually added to the cost of airport trips. Flat rates are common on airport trips on most of the Greek islands. Some drivers may try to bargain, especially on tourist routes and historical sites.

Time zones and time differences

Greece is eight hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time. Greece observes daylight savings time from the end of March to the end of September.

To find out the current time in Athens, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

Greece's country code is 30.

For calls to Greece from Australia dial: 0011 + 30 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from Greece to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Depending on the industry from 8.00am-3.00pm for factories and 9.00am-4.00/5.00pm for companies. Business hours may vary.

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 6 – Epiphany
February 15 – Orthodox Shrove Monday
March 25 – Independence Day
April 2 – Orthodox Good Friday
April 5 – Orthodox Easter Monday
May 1 – Labour Day
May 24 – Orthodox Whit Monday
August 15 – Feast of the Assumption
October 28 – Okhi Day
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 26 – St Stephen’s Day

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The Euro (€) is the official currency for all transactions. One Euro is made up of 100 cents. Euro notes are common to all Euro zone countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain), while the coins are customised with the national symbol. Both Euro notes and coins can be spent in any Euro zone country.

Electricity and water

Greece’s power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 4 wires. The two round-pin plugs are the most common.

Tourist attractions

Greece has plenty of tourist attractions – the Acropolis and Plaka are located in Athens and are the main attractions.