Currency: euro (EUR), formerly Drachma (dr)

Meals
- Budget: US$4-8
- Mid-range: US$8-20
- Top-end: US$20+

Lodging
- Budget: US$30-50
- Mid-range: US$50-90
- Top-end: US$90+

Greece is no longer dirt cheap. A rock-bottom daily budget would be US$20 a day. You'd be hitching, staying in youth hostels or camping, staying away from bars, and only occasionally eating in restaurants or taking ferries. Allow at least US$40 per day if you want your own room, plan to eat out regularly, and intend to see all the sights. If you want a real vacation - comfortable rooms and good restaurants all the way - you will need closer to US$70 per day. Hotel rates vary enormously according to season - you can save as much as 30% if you travel outside high season (mid-June till end of August).

Banks exchange all major currencies in cash, travellers' cheques or Eurocheques; the commission is lower for cash. Post offices exchange cash but not travellers cheques, and usually charge lower commissions than banks. Travel agencies and larger hotels change cash and travellers cheques but usually charge higher commissions than banks. Banknote exchange machines can be found in most tourist areas. All upmarket shops, restaurants and hotels accept credit cards. Visa, MasterCard (Access) and Eurocard are the most widely accepted. Most banks have ATMs where you can access your debit or credit account.

In restaurants the service charge is included in the bill but it is the custom to leave a small amount; rounding up the bill is usually sufficient. Likewise for taxis - a small gratuity is appreciated. Bargaining is not as widespread in Greece as it is further east. Prices in most shops are clearly marked and non-negotiable, but your haggling skills will come in handy at markets. It's always worth bargaining over the price of hotel rooms, especially if you are intending to stay a few days.

Emergency servises
At any given time, policemen abound in Greece. Whether they are taking care of illegal entrants, chasing wild goats, rounding up sheep, directing traffic or offering help to stranded tourists, the Greek policeman is a courteous fellow offering help to anyone who needs it. As a tourist, a policeman is your first stop towards getting information.

Most policemen speak English, unless you are up in the Mountains in which case, gesture-speak will certainly get your message home.

In the old days, there were 'astinomikos' which meant policeman and 'horofilakas' which translated as 'guardian of place' but they have been assimilated together.

Everywhere in Greece, the telephone number for the police is 100. Pick up a phone anywhere (if you find one that hasn't been vandalised - yes Greece suffers from that as well) and you dial 100.

In villages and small towns, the police station is normally found in the central square, just behind the typical white and blue squad car.

Dont be afraid of the Greek police. In contrast with many places the 'astinomikos' is the fellow who will join you at an eatery; who will give you some local color and who will guide you towards your next place.

Emergency = 100

Ambulance and fire are also found on this number.