Trip readiness checklist for Greece
Santorini sunsets, Athens ruins, island-hopping ferries — a little planning turns Greece from chaotic to effortless.
Build my checklistEntry rules for a US passport
Visa-free up to 90 days
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted across every Schengen country together, not per country.
- US passport issued within the last 10 years and valid at least 3 months beyond the day you leave the Schengen Area
- Proof of onward or return travel — a booking on your phone is enough
- Where you're staying — a hotel confirmation or your host's address; officers can ask
- ETIAS (the EU's online pre-travel authorization) once it's live for your dates: tied to your passport, expected to start in late 2026. Check the official ETIAS site before you fly
Source: U.S. Department of State, checked September 14, 2026. Other passports get their own answer in the app. Confirm at the official source before you book.
What to pack
Greece is sun, stone, and sea. Pack light, breathable clothes, real sun protection, and sandals that can handle ancient ruins and a ferry deck.
Sturdy sandals or walking shoes
Ancient sites like the Acropolis have smooth, slippery marble and uneven stone — flimsy flip-flops won't cut it.
Strong sun protection
The Greek sun is fierce from late spring to early autumn; hat, sunglasses, high-SPF.
Layers for ferries and evenings
Sea breezes and open-deck ferry rides get cool even in summer.
Shoulder cover for monasteries
Sites like Meteora require covered shoulders and knees.
When to go
July–August is peak everything: hottest, priciest, and islands like Santorini and Mykonos packed shoulder-to-shoulder. May–June and September give you warm seas, open tavernas, and room to breathe.
Money & getting around
Greece is on the euro (€). Cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, but carry cash for small islands, tavernas, and kiosks ('periptero'). Tipping is appreciated, not required — round up or leave 5–10%. Island-hopping runs on ferries, so book ahead in summer.
Local quirks worth knowing
Greece rewards travelers who slow to its pace. Nothing here is rushed, including you.
Don't flush the paper
The plumbing is old and narrow; toilet paper goes in the bin beside it. That bin is not decorative.
Dinner starts at nine
Show up at 6:30 and you'll dine alone. Tavernas hit their stride from 9pm onward.
The afternoon quiet is real
Roughly 3–5pm, especially on islands and in smaller towns, things pause. Don't fight it — swim.
One coffee, one hour, minimum
A frappé is a sit-down commitment, not a to-go cup. Nobody will rush you out of the seat.
A week in Greece, the list starts here
Quantities scale with your dates, the weather groups arrive once we have your travel days, and your own plans add their gear on Trip Pass.
- Passport & travel documents1
- Phone charger & adapter1
- Wallet, cards & some local cash1
- Toiletries bag1
- Any daily medicationsenough for the trip
- Underwear7
- Socks7
- T-shirts / tops5
What am I forgetting?
A real answer from Trip Happens for a sample week in Greece, departing in five weeks with a checked bag and nothing packed yet. Yours is built from your own trip.
A week in Athens, five weeks out. Three gaps.
- 1.
ETIAS status for your dates
Your entry guide says ETIAS is expected to start in late 2026, which is roughly when you travel. Check the official ETIAS site before you fly, and allow extra time at arrival for the fingerprint and photo step at the border.
- 2.
Layers for late October
Greece's packing advice is written for sun and sea, but you land on 20 October, well past that. Pack a light rain layer and something warm for evenings on stone and marble, and check the forecast a few days out.
- 3.
A day-one carry-on
You have a checked bag and nothing packed yet, so decide now what rides with you: passport, chargers, adapter, a change of clothes. Anything you cannot replace in Athens on arrival day should not be in the hold.
Entry, advisories & health
These change. Confirm at the official source before you book.
Entry and visa requirements depend on your nationality. Confirm the current rules for Greece with the official source below before you book.
U.S. State Department travel advisory for Greece — check the current level and any alerts before you go.
CDC traveler health page for Greece — recommended vaccines, health notices, and a packing checklist.
Get the full Greece checklist
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