So how much cash will I need in Greece?

[ronsurf]

Our first yacht charter in Greece, and there seems to be a little financial difficulty over there. It's been suggested that we take all our money in Euros just like we used to back in the 70s, but can anybody give me a ball park figure for how much we'll need for a week's bareboat yacht charter based out of Athens? There are two of us, wasn't planning on using marinas much, and will probably eat out most evenings. Don't drink much, and probably won't be buying many souvenirs.

I suggested 500 euros each (ie 1000 Euros) for the two of us. Is this about right?

 

[Melody]

I think you'll be fine with that amount, but things like fuel costs will depend on how big a yacht, how far you go, how much you motor etc.

Split the money between you and be very careful on public transport. Pickpockets know that tourists are carrying lots of cash just now.

There is no restriction on how much you can draw out of an ATM. It only applies to Greeks. So you should be able to top up during the week if you need it.

 

[ronsurf]

Thanks for your post

There is no restriction on how much you can draw out of an ATM. It only applies to Greeks. So you should be able to top up during the week if you need it.

Do this mean we don't have to carry the cash with us, we can get as much as we like fro an ATM? Also is the cash likely to be safe on the boat? Are there any stories of boats being burgled while we're ashore? I can't imagine it happening, to be honest.

 

[Davy_S]

Take a grand of euros with you, split it up between you, hide a bit here and there, pickpockets will not be Greeks and even so will not want to put their paw into your undies, get my drift? there have been no tales of boats being burgled, relax enjoy your holiday, as long as the ATMs have cash, you can draw whatever you need, please simply enjoy your holiday, the sunshine the Greek food etc, do not worry!

 

[dunedin]

Hopefully the ATMs will continue to work - but I would not rely entirely on that. If a bank runs out of cash it can't keep issuing notes, even if it wants to.

But hedging bets with a moderate amount of cash and hoping to top up by ATM might be a good strategy.

Any money left on a boat should be very well hidden (but don't forget where, or to take when go home)

 

[Davy_S]

As a bit of a side thread to this, regarding pickpockets, a lot of this type of people arrive for the summer pickings, as they do in the uk, I wont mention particular nationalities, someone will say I am a racist! last year a tourist left a wallet on a bench in Kefalonia, it contained over 400 europs plus credit cards, a local bar owner picked it up and went to great lengths to contact tour operators to try to find out who had lost it, in the end the owner got his cash back! how many can say that would have happened anywhere else?

 

[sailaboutvic]

As a bit of a side thread to this, regarding pickpockets, a lot of this type of people arrive for the summer pickings, as they do in the uk, I wont mention particular nationalities, someone will say I am a racist! last year a tourist left a wallet on a bench in Kefalonia, it contained over 400 europs plus credit cards, a local bar owner picked it up and went to great lengths to contact tour operators to try to find out who had lost it, in the end the owner got his cash back! how many can say that would have happened anywhere else?

Oh dear Davy , covering you back I see .
My partner the other day picked up her shopping not long after we left the shop two women and a guy was shout at us , have we not paid for something was my first tho , it turn out she left her wallet behind with quite a bit in it . This is in Turkey , every where on the world there are good honesty people there are also people who will rob you given them half the chances .
Back to the OP question , 1000 euros for one week , I think you will live very well on that .
At a guess thinks as far as bank and concern will be back to normal by them but I would bring some cash with you at less half .
Enjoy Greece it a lovely place for an holiday .

 

[southseaian]

I've been chartering in the Greek Ionian for over twenty years. I've never even heard of anything been stolen from a boat. I would say that as a race the Greeks are by nature honest people.
As regard spending it's difficult find expensive places to eat. Allow around 50/60 Euro max for a meal with local wine. Other food is much the same price as small shops in UK. Mooring is free in the ionian, maybe you may have to pay. Diesel and water are considerations. I've spent more on water than fuel and never managed to even half empty a tank on a two week charter. Showers ashore can cost 1 or 2 euros each but a swim does the job just as well with a quick rinse with boat water.
Have a great time.

 

[stranded]

I think my only concern would be potential queues at atms if every Greek has to visit every day. I hate queuing...

 

[Davy_S]

Oh dear Davy , covering you back I see

Vic, get back in your cage! one minute you are having a beer with Alex, the next you are back spouting.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Vic, get back in your cage! one minute you are having a beer with Alex, the next you are back spouting.

Yea I know mate , Alex say Hi and he reading all your comments , some he like some he don't , but has he said you can't please every one all the time , I think he just finding that out .
PS you got to laugh Davy , how high rated people are getting with each other , after all it just words on a forum , which are not going to make any different to the out come ,
There more expert on here then the whole of the EU council . Come next week , next month it all be back to where it was a few weeks back , oh forgot to say I am also an expert , not sure on what tho ,

 

[Davy_S]

Well I have to be honest Vic, been out for a few beers today, local bar, watching Sailing holiday flotilla arrive, got the normal receipt for our first drink (in case the taxman cometh) paid cash for the rest! don't tell Melody!

 

[sailaboutvic]

Well I have to be honest Vic, been out for a few beers today, local bar, watching Sailing holiday flotilla arrive, got the normal receipt for our first drink (in case the taxman cometh) paid cash for the rest! don't tell Melody!

Melody , fingers in your ears please . Only joking .
Here in Turkey even when you go In to the big stores they don't seen to give receipt , My partner went onto a big department store and treated her self to two tops , they ring it up in the till but no receipt given , it seen to be the norm here I can understand the small shops but a department store .
18 years in and out of greece cruising , skipper chartering and teaching and I not seen any really change so I not holding my beath no matter what the EU u or any one else says .

 

[pvb]

I wouldn't rely on being able to get money from an ATM, I think the situation will worsen rapidly. I'd also consider it's worrying that posters here seem to tacitly support tax evasion - which is one of the main reasons Greece is in its current predicament.

 

[Blue Fox]

I just returned from a lovely week chartering in the Ionian. 500 euro will be more than enough.
The Greek seem quite indifferent to the situation. Most of them just shrug their shoulders. Haven't seen much ATM's on the islands, so cash is convenient.

 

[pvb]

The Greek seem quite indifferent to the situation. Most of them just shrug their shoulders.

Maybe they'll wake up when reality hits.

 

[muyuu]

I just returned from a lovely week chartering in the Ionian. 500 euro will be more than enough.
The Greek seem quite indifferent to the situation. Most of them just shrug their shoulders. Haven't seen much ATM's on the islands, so cash is convenient.

Yep it's not like cash wasn't king already in islands and typical charter places. If you're not going to Athens or Thessaloniki you'd need cash anyway.

 

[ronsurf]

Thanks for all your helpful advice. There's so much mis-information from people it's nice to hear from someone that's actually there. It seems like everyone is panicking over this except the Greek.

Anyway, counting the days until we go, I'm really looking forward to it! Consider the thread closed...
Cheers!

 

[sailaboutvic]

Thanks for all your helpful advice. There's so much mis-information from people it's nice to hear from someone that's actually there. It seems like everyone is panicking over this except the Greek.

Anyway, counting the days until we go, I'm really looking forward to it! Consider the thread closed...
Cheers!

I wouldn't consider it close yea , a lot can still happen , but last three email I got from friends all yesterday , in Symi , Kos and Lefkas is all is as normal and no problem with ATM .