Below are a few things to keep in mind when gearing up to travel to Crete this summer. Everyone should read through this at least once so there are no major surprises as we get closer to departure day!

Passports – You must have a passport to travel to and from Greece. Reach out to Brittany if you haven’t yet submitted your application for a passport, there’s still a way to get one in time. Also, be sure to make copies of your passport and driver’s license/ID. You’ll want to leave a copy of both with someone at home and also bring a copy of both to keep in your luggage in case you lose either of them while abroad.

Money - Greece uses the Euro (€).

• Cash - You can call your bank to let them know you need Euros and they’ll usually have it ready for you in a few days. We didn’t really use cash all that much when we were in Crete, except to tip people and do some shopping with street vendors. We’ll probably bring a few hundred euros, but we’ll mostly be using our credit cards. If you’re going to be using cash, keep in mind that Euros are a different size than US Dollars and coins are used very often (€1 is a coin rather than a bill). A standard US wallet may not be the best option for carrying Euros around.

• Credit Card - Be sure you have a credit card that charges no foreign transaction/international fees. This is a fee that is charged every time you use your credit card abroad. The fee can add up pretty quickly. Cody and I use the Chase Sapphire Preferred VISA credit card which has zero transaction fees. We have never had any trouble using it anywhere in Europe/Greece. Another very important thing to remember is that you need to tell your bank when and where you’re travelling. Many banks will automatically cancel your credit card when it’s unexpectantly used abroad as a safety measure to prevent fraudulent activity. Once that happens, you’ll be stuck in Greece with no way to pay for things. It’s really easy to call your credit card company and let them know you’ll be travelling. For Chase, it usually takes less than 10 minutes on the phone.

Cell Phone Service – If you want your phone to be fully functioning and connected to service, you’ll need to reach out to your service provider and request an international plan for the dates you’re abroad. Otherwise, you’ll be limited to using your phone only when we’re connected to wifi at the hotel. Not many restaurants, bars, etc. have public wifi. Last time we checked, AT&T’s international service plan was $10/day. I think Verizon’s was similar. There are services that allow you to purchase a European sim card to keep your phone connected via local service providers, but we’ve never done this before. I don’t think it’s too complicated, actually, and it’s supposed to be much cheaper than going through your regular service provider. If anyone wants to look into that and let a sister know how it works…

International Driver’s License – If you are planning to or want to rent a car at some point in Crete, you’ll need to get an international driver’s license before leaving for Greece. They’re little books that translate your driver’s license into several languages, including Greek. You can generally get one at any express title business that issues driver’s licenses. They’re not that expensive and they’re valid for one year. Brittany will be getting one, just in case we want/need to drive somewhere. You can find more information on international driver’s licenses here.  

Tipping Culture – One thing to keep in mind about Crete (and basically everywhere outside of the US) is the difference in tipping culture. Service staff abroad are paid fairly, so tips are more of a thank you than an expectation. According to ChatGPT, the following reflects the standard tipping practice in Greece:

• Restaurants: Round up the bill or leave 5–10% for very good service.

• Cafés/Bars: Leave small change or give €1–2.

• Taxis: Round up to the nearest euro or give €1–2.

• Hotels: €1–2 for bellhops or housekeeping.