Money and Prices on Crete |
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Money Cash: The currency of Greece is the Euro. The usual way to pay in Crete is with cash. It is always risky to carry lots of cash, since travel insurance companies do not generally insure cash money. ATM: ATMS have mushroomed in Greece. All bigger villages and towns now have several ATMs – but in the small, remote mountain villages the next ATM can be up to 30km away. Almost all places accept credit cards and bank cards with the Maestro sign.
Travellers Checks: Travellers Checks are a safe method to carry money about when travelling. You do have to pay commission twice, once when you buy them and again when you cash them in (this amounts to 3-4% altogether). Most travel agents, hotels, car rental places will cash Travellers Checks. The Checks should be from Thomas Cook, Visa or American Express.
Prices Crete Crete is cheaper than Britain, Ireland and the USA, though the prices have gone up since the introduction of the Euro to Greece. Crete is cheaper than Britain with: petrol, hotels, restaurants and bars. Crete is more expensive than Britain with: Many things in supermarkets, such as shampoo, clothes, telephone cards and sun cream (a total rip-off).
Tavernas are so cheap as to make eating out as cheap as eating in. Accordingly, eating out is very popular in Greece. It is possible to save money on food in Crete though, by shopping at one of the branches of ultra-cheap German supermarket Lidl, which are open all across the island. Here you’ll find the prices half that of the Greek supermarkets. The weekly local markets are another excellent source of cheap food, with the added bonus that it’s fresh and local.
Map of Crete
See also: Prices in Venice (Italy) |