Athens Airport: Can You Exchange Currency?

If you're travelling to Athens, Greece, and are wondering whether you can get euros at the Athens Airport, there are a few options available to you. While currency exchange booths are available at the airport, they often come with high fees and unfavourable exchange rates. A better option may be to use a local ATM, but it is recommended to decline their conversion rate and select the option to charge your account directly in euros. If you are able to plan ahead, a good idea may be to order euros from your bank before your trip, so you have some cash on hand when you arrive.

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Currency exchange booths at Athens airport are expensive

Currency exchange booths at airports are notorious for offering poor exchange rates and charging high fees. In the case of Athens Airport, users have reported that the booths offer a terrible conversion rate, with rip-off rates of up to 15-20% worse than other options.

Instead, it is recommended to use an ATM to withdraw money in the local currency. There are ATMs available in the baggage claim area at Athens Airport, and these will offer a much better rate than the currency exchange booths. It is advised to withdraw from your checking account and not from your credit card, and to decline the ATM's conversion rate, instead opting to be charged in Euros.

If you are set on exchanging currency at a booth, it is recommended to do so at Syntagma Square, where you can find a currency exchange office with better rates than the airport.

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Using a local ATM is a better option

ATMs at the Athens airport, such as Euronet, are known to have high withdrawal fees and poor conversion rates. It is recommended to use a local ATM in the city centre for lower fees and better exchange rates. Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank, and the National Bank of Greece are trusted banks in Greece with better rates.

When using a local ATM, it is important to decline the dynamic currency conversion and select to be charged in Euros instead. This allows your home bank to handle the conversion, often resulting in a better rate. Additionally, using a debit card for withdrawals is generally cheaper than using a credit card.

It is worth noting that while Athens has ATMs available at the airport and throughout the city, it is always a good idea to carry some local currency with you when travelling, in case you need to make small purchases or encounter unexpected situations. Carrying a small amount of Euros can provide peace of mind and convenience when arriving in a new country.

Overall, using a local ATM in Athens is a better option than exchanging currency at the airport. You can save money by avoiding high fees and poor exchange rates, and trusted banks in the city centre offer more favourable terms. By being mindful of the dynamic currency conversion and choosing the right type of card, you can further optimise your currency exchange when visiting Athens.

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Avoid Euronet ATMs

You can get euros at the Athens airport. There are currency exchange booths and ATMs available at the airport. However, the currency exchange booths at the airport are said to have rip-off exchange rates, with markups of up to 15-20%.

ATMs are a more inexpensive option, with withdrawal fees ranging from €2 to €6. However, it is important to be cautious when using ATMs, as some have reported issues with Euronet ATMs.

Euronet is a widely available ATM provider at Athens Airport, but it has been reported to have untrustworthy practices. Users have complained that the Euronet ATM interface is confusing, making it difficult to decline extra charges. Some users have accidentally accepted the "Dynamic Currency Conversion" (DCC) without realising it, resulting in a 13% overcharge on their transactions. This service allows merchants to make a significant overcharge for the guarantee of a certain exchange rate.

Euronet ATMs do not clearly disclose these additional charges during the transaction, only mentioning them on the printed receipt after the money has been withdrawn. This lack of transparency has led to many people unintentionally paying outrageous fees.

To avoid these issues, it is recommended to use ATMs from trusted banks such as Alpha Bank or Piraeus Bank. Additionally, always withdraw in the local currency (euros) and decline any "with conversion" offers, as this allows your home bank to handle the conversion at a better rate. If you must use a Euronet ATM, be extremely cautious and carefully read through each step of the transaction to avoid unwanted charges.

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Withdrawing cash in the city centre is cheaper

The euro is the official currency in Greece, and it is recommended that you carry the local currency with you during your trip. While you can exchange your money at the airport, it may be cheaper to withdraw cash from an ATM in the city centre.

ATMs are readily available throughout Athens, including in the city centre, suburbs, and popular neighbourhoods. You can find them in large squares, metro stations, supermarkets, shopping streets, the airport, and major ports.

Using an ATM is likely the best way to obtain cash in euros while travelling in Greece. When withdrawing money from an ATM, always choose to be charged in the local currency to avoid additional conversion fees. You will be charged a flat fee for using a foreign card, which is unrelated to exchange rate fees and typically ranges from 2 to 4 euros. It is also a good idea to inform your bank that you are travelling before your trip.

If you prefer to exchange your money rather than withdraw from an ATM, you will have plenty of options in the city centre. Exchanging money at a local bank or currency exchange bureau may attract additional or hidden charges, so it is recommended to research options beforehand.

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Using a debit card is recommended for cash withdrawals

If you're travelling to Athens, it's a good idea to have some local currency on hand. While many places in Athens accept credit cards, it's always a good idea to have some cash as a backup.

There are ATMs available at Athens Airport, but these are often associated with higher fees and poorer exchange rates. If you need to use an ATM at the airport, look for one associated with a trusted bank, such as Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank, or the National Bank of Greece. Avoid Euronet ATMs, which are known for their high fees and poor exchange rates.

For the best rates and lower fees, it's recommended to wait until you reach the city centre to withdraw cash from an ATM. You can also exchange currency at most Greek and foreign banks and exchange bureaus located around the city centre. Remember to always carry your passport when exchanging money.

Frequently asked questions