Greece flights and travel guide

Language

Greek is the national language, but English is widely spoken.

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Communications

The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The city code for Athens is 21. There are often surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation) offices for local and international calls. Calls can also be made from public card phone booths and cards can be bought from kiosks or OTE offices. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts and are cheaper than accessing the Internet from hotels.

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Tipping

The tip is often included in the bill in a restaurant. If not, leave between 10 to 15 per cent. For drinks at cafes, round the bill up to the nearest euro. Taxis expectchange as do cloak room attendants and porters.

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Safety

There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and visitors are urged to be vigilant in public places, including tourist sites.

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Health

There are no specific health risks in Greece, but visitors who plan to walk through forested areas are advised to consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. Medical facilities in Greece vary; those in major cities are excellent but many of the islands are some distance from a decent hospital. Food and water are safe.

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Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin and the round three-pin.

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