Discover Greece

Yes, Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for Greece.

• Visa Type: Schengen Tourist Visa (valid for 26 European countries)
• Processing Time: 15-20 working days
• Visa Fee: €80 (approximately ₹7,200)
• Required Documents: Passport (6+ months validity), photos, bank statements (3-6 months), ITR, employment letter, travel itinerary, hotel bookings, travel insurance (€30,000 coverage)
• Application: Through VFS Global for Greece/Greek Embassy

We provide complete Schengen visa assistance including document checklist, cover letter drafting, application filling, and appointment booking. Greece Schengen visa also allows you to visit other European countries!

Greece enjoys a Mediterranean climate with distinct seasons:

• Spring (April-June): BEST! Perfect weather, fewer crowds, wildflowers blooming 🌸
• Summer (July-August): Hot (35°C+), peak season, crowded but great beach weather ☀️
• Autumn (September-October): EXCELLENT! Warm seas, fewer tourists, lower prices 🍂
• Winter (November-March): Cool, some islands close, but Athens is still wonderful ❄️

Pro Tips:

• May-June and September-October are the sweet spots - perfect weather, fewer crowds
• July-August: hottest and most expensive, book 4-6 months in advance
• Santorini sunset is beautiful year-round but best May-September
• Some island hotels and ferries reduce service November-March

Greece is moderate by European standards and offers great value!

• Currency: Euro (€). 1 EUR ≈ ₹90-95
• Credit cards: Widely accepted on islands and in Athens

Typical costs:

• Budget meal (gyros/souvlaki): €5-8 (₹450-720)
• Mid-range restaurant: €20-40 (₹1,800-3,600)
• Coffee: €3-5 (₹270-450)
• Ferry (Athens-Santorini): €40-70 (₹3,600-6,300)
• Acropolis entry: €20 (₹1,800)
• Catamaran cruise: €100-150 (₹9,000-13,500)

Budget range: ₹1.8-3.5 lakhs per person for 7-8 days (excluding flights)

Great news - Greece is one of the BEST European destinations for vegetarians!

• Greek cuisine is naturally vegetarian-friendly with lots of cheese, vegetables, and olive oil
• Must-try vegetarian dishes: Greek salad, spanakopita (spinach pie), gemista (stuffed tomatoes), dolmades (grape leaves), briam (roasted vegetables), fava (split pea dip), saganaki (fried cheese)
• Feta cheese: Available everywhere - salads, pies, grilled!
• Vegan options: Horta (wild greens), fasolada (bean soup), gigantes (giant beans)
• Indian restaurants: Available in Athens, some in Santorini and Mykonos

Tips:

• Greek "nistísimi" (fasting) dishes are naturally vegan
• Always specify "choris kreas" (without meat) when ordering
• Bakeries have great vegetarian pastries (tiropita, spanakopita)
• Olive oil is used instead of butter in most cooking

Island hopping is the best part of a Greece trip!

• Ferries: Most popular option! High-speed (2-5 hours) and regular ferries available
• Flights: Domestic flights between islands (30-45 minutes)
• Operators: Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, Hellenic Seaways, Golden Star

Common routes & times:

• Athens (Piraeus) → Santorini: 5h (regular) / 4.5h (high-speed)
• Santorini → Mykonos: 2-3h (high-speed ferry)
• Mykonos → Athens: 5h (ferry) / 45min (flight)
• Athens → Mykonos: 5h (ferry) / 40min (flight)

Tips:

• Book ferries in advance during July-August (sell out!)
• Use FerryHopper app for schedules and booking
• High-speed ferries are worth the extra cost
• Our package includes all inter-island ferry transfers!

Yes! English is widely spoken in tourist areas of Greece!

• Athens: Most people in tourist areas speak English fluently
• Santorini & Mykonos: Excellent English everywhere - very international islands
• Hotels & Restaurants: Staff almost always speaks English
• Rural areas: Less English, but locals are incredibly helpful and friendly
• Signs: Most signs are in both Greek and English

Helpful Greek phrases:

• "Yassas" (Hello/Goodbye formal), "Yassou" (informal)
• "Efharisto" (Thank you)
• "Parakalo" (Please/You're welcome)
• "Signomi" (Excuse me/Sorry)
• "Kalimera" (Good morning), "Kalispera" (Good evening)
• "Opa!" (Cheers/Celebration - you'll hear it everywhere!)

Tip: Greeks appreciate any effort to speak their language. Even a simple "Efharisto" (thank you) will earn you big smiles!

Greece is very safe for tourists, including solo women travelers!

• Crime rate: Low crime rate overall, very tourist-friendly country
• Safe for women: Solo female travelers report feeling very safe
• Islands: Extremely safe - Santorini and Mykonos have almost zero crime
• Night safety: Tourist areas are well-lit and safe at night
• Scams: Be aware of typical tourist scams in Athens (overcharging at restaurants, fake taxi meters)

Safety tips:

• Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas (Athens metro, Monastiraki)
• Always agree on taxi fare before getting in or ensure meter is running
• Check restaurant prices before ordering (especially in Plaka area)
• Keep valuables in hotel safe
• Use official taxis from designated stands
• Stay hydrated in summer - temperatures can exceed 40°C!

Emergency number: 112 (European emergency) or 100 (Police), 166 (Ambulance)

Greece is 2 hours 30 minutes BEHIND India (in summer) and 3 hours 30 minutes BEHIND in winter.

• Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET), UTC+2 (Winter) / EEST UTC+3 (Summer)
• India: IST, UTC+5:30
• Summer Example: When it's 12:00 PM in India, it's 9:30 AM in Greece
• Winter Example: When it's 12:00 PM in India, it's 8:30 AM in Greece
• Daylight Saving: Greece observes DST (last Sunday of March to last Sunday of October)

Flight duration: Direct flights from India are approximately 7-8 hours. Most flights connect through Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, or Abu Dhabi (total 10-14 hours with layover).

Tip: The time difference is manageable with minimal jet lag. Greece is closer to India's timezone compared to Americas, making it easier to adjust!

Ferry and flights are the main ways to island-hop in Greece!

• Ferries: Most popular and scenic way to travel between islands
• High-speed ferries: Athens to Santorini in ~5 hours, Athens to Mykonos in ~4.5 hours
• Regular ferries: Slower but cheaper, great deck views
• Flights: Domestic flights available - Athens to Santorini ~45 minutes
• Between islands: Santorini to Mykonos ferry takes ~2-3 hours

Ferry booking tips:

• Book online in advance via FerryHopper, DirectFerries, or BlueStarFerries
• In peak summer (July-August), book weeks in advance
• Business class seats offer more comfort on longer routes
• Arrive at port 30-60 minutes before departure
• Take motion sickness tablets if prone to seasickness
• Deck seating offers amazing views and fresh air

Our package includes: All inter-island ferry/flight transfers pre-booked for you!

Absolutely! We specialize in customized Greece trips. Popular modifications include:

• Add islands: Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Zakynthos (Navagio Beach), Milos, Paros
• Honeymoon specials: Private sunset dinner in Santorini, couples spa, wine tasting
• Adventure: Scuba diving, cliff jumping, ATV tours, rock climbing in Meteora
• Cultural deep-dive: Delphi (Oracle), Olympia (Ancient Olympics), Thessaloniki
• Sailing cruise: Private or group sailing around Cyclades islands
• Extended trip: 10-14 day comprehensive Greece & Turkey combo tour
• Luxury upgrade: Cave hotels in Santorini, 5-star beachfront in Mykonos
• Photography tour: Sunrise/sunset photography at iconic locations
• Cooking class: Learn traditional Greek cooking with local families
• Greece + Turkey: Combine with Istanbul, Cappadocia

Tell us your dream Greek holiday - we'll make it happen! 🇬🇷