First time visitors to Greece
Sep 3, 2021 | 9:41 am
#1
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
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Posts: 4,973
First time visitors to Greece
There is a thread like this for Japan and having discovered some things I thought I'd start one.
1) Emergency medical services at a GOVERNMENT (not private hospital) are free! (shock for those from the US - not "I've got a cough" real emergency stuff)
2) Having read lots of misleading stuff about getting a data sim here I bought one in a vodaphone store (was with someone who spoke Greek but the staff spoke English) - charge was 12 e for unlimited data (and 100 min talk) for 30 days 4g speed. They have to register your passport so bring it.
Next day went into a "Wind" store and asked the cost12e PLUS a 10 e "registration" fee (so 22e when I paid 12)!
I had read advice saying it was cheaper to buy from (dodgy) people on the street and it would cost less. The only people I saw selling them (not that I looked that hard) was at a metro exit and the prices were the same or more)
3) If you're over 65 you can get a personalized ath.ena card (but only at certain locations - the info that I could get one at the ap bus ticket office wasn't true - they told me I had to get it in the center - actually there are a few big stations where you get them - they take your picture and issue the card for free - you can load with a certain amount or get 30 days for 13.50 e - the fare if you don't want a specific time and charge per trip is less than half the normal price). Again you have to have passport/proof of age. Good for all people not just Greek citizens!
1) Emergency medical services at a GOVERNMENT (not private hospital) are free! (shock for those from the US - not "I've got a cough" real emergency stuff)
2) Having read lots of misleading stuff about getting a data sim here I bought one in a vodaphone store (was with someone who spoke Greek but the staff spoke English) - charge was 12 e for unlimited data (and 100 min talk) for 30 days 4g speed. They have to register your passport so bring it.
Next day went into a "Wind" store and asked the cost12e PLUS a 10 e "registration" fee (so 22e when I paid 12)!
I had read advice saying it was cheaper to buy from (dodgy) people on the street and it would cost less. The only people I saw selling them (not that I looked that hard) was at a metro exit and the prices were the same or more)
3) If you're over 65 you can get a personalized ath.ena card (but only at certain locations - the info that I could get one at the ap bus ticket office wasn't true - they told me I had to get it in the center - actually there are a few big stations where you get them - they take your picture and issue the card for free - you can load with a certain amount or get 30 days for 13.50 e - the fare if you don't want a specific time and charge per trip is less than half the normal price). Again you have to have passport/proof of age. Good for all people not just Greek citizens!
