Cheap internet in greece. Telephone connection

In this review, we will show where to buy, how to find and what to use to get cheap mobile internet in Greece. If you found this text, then you probably already know that you should not use roaming from domestic operators - there are still high Internet tariffs abroad.

Popular SIM cards for the European Union

If you just want to get reliable and fast internet and know that you are not overpaying for it, then we advise you to pay attention to the well-known European SIM cards. For example, it works in all EU countries at a fixed rate. The tariff is not very different from what Greek operators offer, so buying this SIM card will provide a good opportunity to save money on trips to many European countries. The advantage is that you will receive clear instructions in Russian and prompt technical support.

Buying a local SIM card in the host country provides undeniable advantages and significant savings if you need good internet and want to access the network without worrying about high costs. But carefully read the tariffs, ask the seller how to replenish, how to contact technical support and it is provided in Russian.

Mobile Internet in Greece from local operators

The Greek mobile communications market is served by 3 companies: Vodafone, Cosmote and Wind. Operators sell SIM-cards exclusively by passport. Therefore, if you want to buy a starter package, then even in a meager kiosk you will be asked to present a “foreigner”. SIM cards are sold in a large number of places and some operators have their own retail chains. The Cosmote operator bought out the well-known, large Germanos network and now only starter packages of this company are sold there. Otherwise, SIM cards can be bought either in branded stores or in multi-product outlets, where there are usually SIM cards of all operators. Airports also have mobile communication salons, but there are usually queues and buying a package can take some time. If you still decide to buy at the airport, then it is better to do it in the branded salons of operators, otherwise you can significantly overpay at other points.

Wind

Just enter the place you plan to go to and the system will show the nearest points of sale.

Tariffs for mobile Internet in Greece from Wind are as follows:

The cost of a Wind SIM card starts from 6 euros and depends on the selected tariff plan and account balance.

Vodafone

The photo shows that 120 MB of Internet for a month will cost 3 euros. For 500 MB you will need to pay 5 euros. The cost of the starter package starts from 10 euros. Addresses of official Vodafone sales points can be found on the map https://www.cosmote.gr/mobile/cosmoportal/page/H01/section/Personal/loc/en_US

Tariffs for mobile Internet in Greece from Cosmote are as follows:

As you can see in the photo, it is indicated that 120 MB of Internet per month will cost 3 euros, subsequent billing will be 1.0332 euros per megabyte, which, in our opinion, is extremely expensive. There is also a 500 MB package for a month, which will cost 5 euros.

The operator has a convenient interactive coverage map https://www.cosmote.gr/mobile/cosmoportal/cosmote.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=T25&catName=Network&loc=en_US&cat=Support_Prs where you can see where there is 4G Internet in Greece and where no coverage at all.

We hope that this review will help you choose the most convenient option to get cheap and high-quality Internet while traveling in Greece.

We look forward to collaborating!

Of the foreign calling cards for IP-telephony, in terms of cost and quality of communication, one of the most popular are FACE Card distributed in Greece telecommunications company Algonet. The FACE card comes in two types: 5 euros and 10 euros.

Be aware that if you try to dial an IP telephony operator from a Greek private telephone company landline, you will most likely fail. Most of these operators have their own profitable tariff plans and, accordingly, the numbers of IP companies are blocked. Therefore, ask the owner of such a phone what his tariff plan is, perhaps he will allow you to call like that. Many private operators calls from Greece to EU, Russia and CIS very cheap or free.

The OTE operator also issues IP-telephony cards, called "chronocard", with a cost of:

€6, with talk time €6.36;
€13, with talk time €15.50;
€25 with talk time €30.50

A call through the "chronocard" within the city will cost you €0.032, outside the city - €0.07, to mobile numbers €0.18. With EU countries, USA, Canada, Australia - €0.30, with Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus - €0.36.

Periodically, OTE issues "chronocards" for special promotions with reduced prices in certain directions. Outwardly they differ from standard cards, they are valid for certain areas and their term is usually limited to three months.
For example, one can speak from Greece with the UK/Germany/France/Cyprus/USA/Canada at a price of €0.0227/min and with Ukraine at a price of €0.10/min.

Calling rates within Greece

Local calls in Greece(at a distance of up to 45 km) from a fixed telephone OTE:

up to 2 minutes at any time of the day and day of the week, as well as over 2 minutes on a working day from 8 am to 8 pm - €0.03094;
over 2 minutes on a business day from 20:00 to 08:00 and all day on Saturdays - €0.02975;

A call from an OTE landline phone to any Greek mobile number costs €0.1149 per second.

Call within Greece(for a distance of more than 45 km) from a fixed telephone OTE:

up to 25 seconds on a working day from 8 to 20 hours / up to 28 seconds on a working day from 20 to 8 hours / up to 28 seconds all day on Saturday / up to 2 minutes on Sundays - €0.03094;
over 25 seconds on a working day from 8 am to 8 pm - €0.07378;
over 28 seconds on a working day from 20:00 to 08:00 and over 28 seconds all day on Saturday - €0.06545;
over 2 minutes on Sundays - €0.02856.

Calling outside Greece from a landline phone OTE:

EU countries, day and night tariff: €0.2493 for landlines, €0.33732 for mobiles;
Australia, Canada, Singapore, USA, Turkey, Japan: to all phones, day and night rate €0.29334;
Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine: to all phones, day and night tariff €0.34908;

Detailed rates for calls outside Greece unfortunately only in Greek.

INMARSAT A: €4,522
INMARSAT B: €2,0944
INMARSAT BGAN: €1,785
INMARSAT M: €2.4395
INMARSAT M mini: €1,785
INMARSAT FLEET-GUN (M4): €1,785
INMARSAT AERO: €9,7461

Mobile communications in Greece

The standard for Greek GSM phones is 900/1800. Mobile numbers of all Greek mobile operators as well as city landline numbers - ten-digit, but they start with 69. (for example) 69 44 44 44 44

To call from Russia to mobile Greek number, you need to dial the following combination of numbers:

8 - 10 -30 - 69 - subscriber number(for example, 8-10-30-69-44 44 44 44)

To call Russia from mobile Greek:

7 - area code (or operator code) - subscriber number

As for the roaming service provided by the three leading Russian mobile operators, the picture is as follows:

a call to Russia - about 50 rubles. / min., in Greece - about 50 rubles. / min.

Beeline

call to Russia - 69 rubles. / min., in Greece - 69 rubles. / min.

Megaphone

call to Russia - 86 rubles. / min., in Greece - 36 rubles. / min.

In addition, there are so-called international travel sim cards, providing an acceptable cost of a call, being outside your country. In the CIS, one of the most common is SIM card "Goodline". All information is available on the company's website in Russian. For example, a call on the Goodline card from Greece throughout the country and to Russia will cost 0.65 $/min.

Greek mobile communications are divided into two types: contractual connection (bills coming at the end of the month are paid, available only to permanent residents of Greece) and prepaid packages (available to everyone, including foreigners). Please note that since the summer of 2009 all prepaid cellular communication packages must be purchased only upon presentation of identification documents. This requirement applies to both residents of the country and foreigners. Therefore, from now on, you can buy a Greek SIM card only in communication stores. Recharge cards are still available for sale in supermarkets and street stalls.

All incoming calls to mobile numbers in Greece are free. IN Greece 3 mobile operators:

COSMOTE, a subsidiary of the state operator OTEC;
WIND, the first cellular operator in Greece, was initially called Telestet, then was bought out by the Italian operator TIM, and was eventually owned by an Egyptian businessman and was renamed WIND;
VODAFONE, Greece's second mobile operator Panafone, was bought out by the English operator Vodafone;
Q-TELECOM, the former mobile division of the computer company Info-Quest, was bought out in 2007 by WIND, with only the prepaid package retained under the Q trademark.
FROG Mobile is not a separate operator, but simply a trademark of the COSMOTE prepaid package.

The best coverage is considered by WIND, the worst by VODAFONE (especially in the metro and basements). Although this division is rather arbitrary. COSMOTE often wins with the quality of coverage in the mountains. For fans of extreme sports, especially in the winter mountains of Greece, it is highly recommended to carry phones of different operators in order to accurately guarantee the connection in an emergency when calling rescuers. When you are in the border areas near the borders with Turkey, Bulgaria, FYR Macedonia, Albania, it is advisable to change the network selection to forced mode for your operator, in automatic mode you can suddenly find yourself in roaming. In the Ionian Islands, with good conductivity, Italian mobile operators can also reach you.

In each of Greek cellular companies there are paid connection packages, in Greek "kartokinito" - "card mobile phone" (the name means that the account is replenished with prepaid time cards). A SIM card in prepaid phones is valid for a year after the last top-up of the account, in case of spending all the funds on the account, calls continue to be received. If you are outside Greece for more than a year, but want to keep a Greek number (perhaps to be found by Greek acquaintances upon arrival), ask someone in Greece to top up your account. This can also be done from a landline phone.

Prepaid time cards are sold in all street kiosks, mini markets, consumer electronics stores, supermarkets and, of course, in operators' branded stores. You will also find Q and MO "MAD cards at WIND, Q stores and at ACS courier service offices. FROG cards are in the same place as COSMOTE. (Keep in mind that the Germanos chain of stores was bought out by COSMOTE and from now on offers only COSMOTE products Sometimes, instead of a card, a printout of a cash receipt is issued with the account replenishment code indicated on it.Replenished in voice mode or by sending SMS.

Our recommendation for calling from mobile and sending SMS to CIS countries - Q card, FROG Mobile or VODAFONE International. Unfortunately, not everyone supports the Internet. To do this, choose other paid connection packages.

Calls between Q phones, Greece and 25 countries in Eastern Europe - €0.324, EU, USA, Canada, etc. - €0.438. There is a special package for conversations with WIND and Q subscribers: for 3 euros 300 minutes per month, you can top up 4 times a month. Call 12200 and follow the instructions (of course, the amount of 3 euros should already be in your account).

SMS within the Q network, within Greece and abroad - €0.0644, MMS within Greece - €0.3721.

Mobile Internet has already appeared: 500 MB for 5 euros per month (if 500 megabytes are selected, and the month has not yet ended, then further prices are 0.92 euros / MB). To activate, send a message 500 to 1210. It is better not to use the Internet without this package - the default price is 6.96 euros per 1 MB.

Recharge cards are for: €5, €10, €15.

The cost of a SIM card is 5 euros, which allows you to spend 1 euro of this amount per month. The menu is available in Albanian, Bulgarian, Georgian, Russian and can be changed by calling 1252.

Calls between VODAFONE International phones and to landline numbers in Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine - €0.12, to mobile numbers in Albania, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and Greece - €0.222, to all numbers in the USA and Italy - €0 .21, EU countries - €0.87.

SMS within Greece and abroad - €0.0414, MMS within Greece - €0.36.

For 3G devices video call within Greece €0.996, abroad €2.856.

Recharge cards come from other VODAFONE prepaid packages and come in: €3, €10, €15, €20, €30, €36.

VODAFONE a "la Carte

Another VODAFONE prepaid package. The cost of a SIM card is 5 euros.

A call within Greece - €0.354, when topping up an account in excess of 20 euros - €0.252, within Europe - €0.87.

SMS within Greece €0.11, abroad €0.2618, MMS within Greece - €0.4641, abroad €0.69.

On cards starting from 10 euros, there is an additional time for talking in Greece, which must be spent over a certain time period: 24 hours, 7 days, etc.

Mobile Internet without a subscription costs €0.006 / KBt, with a 30 MB subscription - 3.50 euros, if you exceed 30 MB, then the prices are further than €0.0009 / KBt. Subscriptions for a larger volume are not available for prepaid packages. The first month of using the Internet for each new client is free of charge. To activate, you need to send an SMS with the number 2 to the number 19109. Phone settings for the Internet -.

VODAFONE CU

Another VODAFONE prepaid package for SMS lovers. The cost of a SIM card is 5 euros.

Call between CU - €0.294, within Greece - €0.348, within Europe - €0.87.

SMS within Greece €0.0514, abroad €0.1714, MMS within Greece €0.4641, abroad €0.69.

Mobile Internet- similar to the "A" la Carte package.

There are many recharge options for sending cheap SMS and talking within the CU network. .

COSMOCARTA

The price of a SIM card is 5 euros.

The cost of a call within Greece is €0.354, Western Europe - €0.858, Balkans and CIS - €0.774, the minimum billing is 30 seconds, then per second.

SMS within Greece €0.11, abroad €0.2202, MMS - €0.4403. For 3G devices video call within Greece €0.996, abroad €2.856.

Recharge cards are available for: €3, €9, €15, €20, €30.

On cards starting from 9 euros, there is an additional time for talking in Greece, which must be spent for a certain time period: 24 hours, 7 days, etc.

WHAT'S UP

Another prepaid package from COSMOTE is designed for SMS lovers and cheap calls between owners of the same package. The price of a SIM card is 5 euros. You can activate various communication packages for calls within WHAT "S UP, for example, 10 hours for 5 euros. There are also packages for sending SMS at reduced rates. Activation of all packages by calling 1330.

The cost of a call (without activation or after the expiration of special communication packages) within Greece €0.372, Western Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa - €0.8856, Balkans and CIS - €0.7968.

SMS within Greece €0.09, abroad €0.21, MMS - €0.4403, Internet Day Pass: €1.00 - 24 hours - 20 MB. Or Internet on the Phone 60: 120 MB per month for 3 euros.

FROG Mobile

Another prepaid package from COSMOTE.

The cost of a SIM card is 5 euros, which allows you to spend 1 euro of this amount per month.

Call between FROG - €0.1002, Greece, Balkans and CIS - €0.21, Europe and USA - €0.426.

SMS between FROG - €0.02, within Greece and abroad €0.04, MMS - €0.36.

Recharge cards are for: €3, €7.

WIND F2G (Free 2 Go)

The main WIND prepaid package has been turned into a tool for very cheap communication, but only between F2G owners. For example, you can choose a communication package for 5 euros per month, allowing communication between F2G owners for 10 hours. The cost of calls to other networks within Greece is €0.366/min, SMS within Greece is €0.05. SMS abroad €0.1808. Call within Western Europe and to Russia/Ukraine €0.9446. Video call within Greece €0.738.

WIND CARD to ALL

Another prepaid package WIND, which is intended for calls to phones of all Greek operators and abroad, is a kind of "golden mean". When updating an account with an amount of 10 euros or more, an additional 50% is charged, which must be spent within 30 days.
Calls within Greece €0.402, calls to Russia/Ukraine/Western Europe, USA/Canada €0.4651, calls to the Baltic countries and Belarus €1.0791. Billing for 30 seconds. SMS within Greece €0.12, SMS abroad €0.177.
Details are on the WIND website.

All prices above in the text are indicated in euros for 1 minute of conversation, including VAT 23%.

What is more justified - to use roaming, a tourist card or buy a SIM card from a Greek operator, I think, is quite clear if you look at these prices. But, again, one should not forget about the various special promotions that are arranged, from time to time, by both Russian and Greek operators, and at one fine moment, prices within one of them can drop sharply. We advise you to familiarize yourself with the ongoing promotions in more detail before the trip, at least this will help you decide which option is more suitable, given the fundamental ratio "Call price / Call quality".

Mobile Internet in Greece

Pro mobile internet in Greece already mentioned above in which Greek mobile phone packages it is available. In addition to connecting to the Internet directly from a telephone, Greece also provides access to the network via a USB modem with a SIM card that allows you to use the Internet from a laptop anywhere in Greece where mobile communications are available.

As one of the options for mobile Internet in Greece, we can recommend the WIND Mobile Broadband mobile Internet package from the Greek operator WIND. To do this, you need to purchase a Mobile Broadband package in one of the WIND communication stores for €34.90 (there are occasional promotions at a price of €29.90 and a month of internet as a gift). Next, simply insert the SIM card into the USB modem, and the WIND Connection Manager program will start. Upon completion of the installation of the program, you will need to enter the PIN code of the card and you can immediately start working on the network. To check the balance of money on the card, you need to send SMS from the program with the text "balance" to number 1228.

Mobile internet rates from WIND:
1 day - 5€ - 1GB
7 days - 10€ - 2GB
30 days - 30€ - 3GB
To replenish your account, you need to buy a scratch card and send a 16-digit number by SMS to 1268 (also from the Connection Manager program).

Speed in 3G+ network up to 7.2 Mbps download / 2 Mbps upload. If a 3G network is not available, then the connection will be established via GPRS at a speed of 45Kbps. The package includes a Huawei E173 USB modem.
WIND 3G coverage map.

At the operator COSMOTE prepaid mobile internet is offered in two packages:

SIM Pack, worth 20€, including 20€ to use for internet and SIM card;

Full Pack, valued at 50€, including 20€ for internet use, a SIM card, and a USB Stick type modem with speeds up to 7.2Mbps.

Three mobile internet packages from COSMOTE are available:

1 day - 5€ - 1GB

10 days - 15€ - 2GB

30 days - 40€ - 5GB

Many homes and businesses, especially in Athens, are now using wireless modem routers. Connection to fast Internet in Greece is possible only via ADSL, and recently the connection package contains a wireless modem-router. So wherever you are, make sure you have a Wi-Fi connection. It is possible that you will come across an open connection. There is also a little trick - many have an ADSL connection from an OTE operator under the CONN-X trademark. If you notice an available connection under this name, then try entering the password 1234567890123, this is a factory code that many do not change.

Many hotels have local Wi-Fi and the number of such hotels is increasing. When placing hotels on our map, we will try to track the presence of such a plus. We also ask all our users not to forget the Wi-Fi issue when posting a description of the next hotel.

Forthnet, a private provider, offers paid connectivity at Forthnet stores, Starbucks, McDonalds, six Minoan Lines ferries, and a selection of other cafes and hotels.

To connect, you need to buy a NetKey Wi-Fi card worth 6 euros for 2 hours of access or 14 euros for a day of access. Also suitable cards for regular terrestrial Internet NetKey worth 5 euros (100 + 100 minutes of access) or 10 euros (200 + 200 minutes of access).

In case of urgent need, you can get access for 20 minutes by sending an SMS word WiFi to 54350, the cost is 1.19 euros. If you wish, you can get a monthly subscription for 21.30 euros with the right to access any point of Forthnet Wi-Fi.

Greek Post ELTA

A few words about Greek mail. Post offices in Greece work on a shortened schedule: from 7-30 to 14-30, Monday - Thursday, Friday from 7-30 to 14-00. According to this schedule, all state institutions and banks in Greece work, Saturday and Sunday are days off. At other times, the post office may be open only in tourist areas. Most Greeks also use post offices for payment and utilities. A sign with the inscription "ELTA" and the head of Hermes usually hangs over the entrance to the Greek post office. In offices with the sign "Exchange" you can exchange currency. You can also buy tickets for public transport in Athens post offices.

The letter boxes are marked with one of several colors: green for Athens mail, white for Greece, blue for international mail, respectively. The red color of the box indicates that it is intended for letters with express delivery, which is paid at an increased rate, although the delivery time of the letter in this case is reduced by several days. Letters sent by air mail will reach the vast majority of European countries in 3-6 days, in the USA or New Zealand - in a week and a half. Postcards go longer, so you can safely add a few days to these terms. If you need to send a package to a country outside the European Union, try not to seal it. Such parcels are usually checked for content, and it will still be opened before being sent.

Once at the post office, you should remove the ticket with the number from the machine and start waiting for this number to appear above one of the windows. Usually, window and queue A are for parcels, windows and queue B are for other services. Accordingly, press A or B on the machine, and look at the scoreboard at the letter in front of the number. In small branches there may be a general queue, but you still need to take a ticket. The ticket will have your number and the average waiting time in line. The queue at the Greek post offices is electronic.

A letter to non-EU countries will cost you:

regular size 20 g - €0.70 plain / €3.20 custom; 50 gr - €1.20 / €3.70; 100 gr - €1.70 / €4.20. For example, a large letter of 100 grams - €2.15 / €4.65; non-standard 100 grams - €2.40 / €4.90. The price for express letters is usually in the middle between simple and registered.

Shipping to non-EU countries: 1 kg - €24.00; 2 kg - €26.60; 5 kg - €39.70; 10 kg - €65.50.

All major international courier services are represented in Greece: DHL, TNT, UPS, etc. Information about their Greek branches is available on the international versions of the websites of these companies. Of the Greek couriers, the most popular is ACS. The most democratic in price, both within Greece and abroad, is the state-owned ELTA Takhimetafores, a division of the ELTA post office.

A letter up to 100 grams to Russia or Ukraine will cost about 20 euros, it will take 2-3 days to Moscow / Kyiv and 4-6 days to the provinces.

Updated 06/17/2017.

When planning a vacation in Greece, for many, the issue of access to high-speed Internet is an urgent issue. As a rule, you should not rely on hotel wifi, especially for those who plan to work there in parallel. In hotels in Greece, wifi is often overloaded and unstable, in addition, sometimes the Internet is available only from the general lobby of the hotel, and not from the room.

Using a SIM card from a Russian operator is also not an option, it is very expensive, even when you connect special travel options 100mb (that's 10-20 open Internet pages) will cost you about 1000 rubles.

The way out is to buy a SIM card from a local operator with access to a 3g or 4g network with a pre-paid tariff.

But there is another option - buying a tourist SIM card. This is the only operator of international tourist SIM cards, where the cost of mobile Internet in almost all countries is comparable to local operators. DrimSim is currently the best in terms of conditions. The cost of the Internet in Greece on a DrimSim SIM card is 1gb - 10 euros. In any case, you should have this card, at least temporarily, in order to always and everywhere be in touch. And for some who use only a smartphone, this may be enough for the whole vacation.

Regarding COSMOTE tariffs:

1 day = 1GB = 5 euros.

5 days = 2GB = 10 euros.

15 days = 3GB = 18 euros.

30 days = 5GB = 30 euros.

For 15-20 euros get a 2GB package (Cosmote Internet On The Go AnyWay 2GB), exceeding 0.0307 per 1mb

For 20-25 euros get a 5GB package (Cosmote Internet On The Go AnyWay 5GB), exceeding 0.0307 per 1mb

Regarding WIND:

Perhaps the most attractive is the monthly tariff (link) - for 20 euros you get 1.5GB per month.

The daily rate is completely ridiculous (link) - for 1 euro per day you get 20mb per day and for every additional 20mb another 1 euro. In general, it is not enough and if you use a lot, then it is expensive.

And there is also a 500MB card for 5 euros (link). For overlimit you will pay 0.10 euros per megabyte.

That's all for now, if something new appears, we will add it to this page.

Many people, when going on vacation to Greece, worry about whether they will stay in touch with their relatives. We are in a hurry to please all tourists: since 2017, this has ceased to be a problem, since mobile roaming has been canceled in European countries. Citizens of the EU countries got the opportunity to use the services of local mobile operators at a single tariff, even while being in another European country.

Thanks to such innovations, Russian tourists no longer have to look for and buy local SIM cards. You can use mobile communications in Greece without restrictions, but for this you need to purchase a special Orange SIM card in advance. This can be done on the website https://orangesim.ru/internet-v-gretsii/, here you can also learn more about the tariffs and conditions for its use.

More about Orange SIM card

This SIM card with connected Mundo tariff belongs to the Spanish operator Orange. It is used by many tourists during a trip to Greece and other EU countries. The card works in any mobile phone. Before you start using it, you must configure it in accordance with the instructions that will come with the starter pack.

The Mundo fare can only be used in EU countries. It does not work in all other countries of the world. While staying in border areas near those states that are not included in the tariff coverage area, the owner of the mobile phone must select the operator manually. In Greece, such places include the island of Kos, Rhodes and others located near the border with Turkey.

There is another important point. When staying in countries that are not part of the Eurozone, the owner of the SIM card must always turn off the Internet on the device. Otherwise, all funds from the account will be debited, and the balance will become negative. In this case, the SIM card will not see the mobile network.

Features of the Mundo tariff

all incoming calls are free;
the cost of outgoing calls to European numbers is 0.08 EUR/min;
the cost of outgoing calls to Russian numbers - 3.15 euros / min.;
connection fee - 0.30 euros;
the cost of sending SMS to European numbers is 0.73 EUR/min;
the cost of sending SMS to Russian numbers is 1.21 euros.

Benefits of the Orange Mundo Fare

cheap cost of mobile Internet in comparison with the tariffs of Russian operators;
European card internet speed - 4G, it works in all EU countries;
there is no need to re-pay for mobile services when crossing the border of the country;
you can use the Internet immediately after entering the EU;
you no longer have to buy SIM cards in each individual country;
there is technical support in Russian.

If you plan to use the SIM card more than once, then be sure to register in the "Personal Account" on the official website of the mobile operator. From here, users will be able to control the rest of the traffic on the balance, change tariff plans and perform a number of other actions.

How cellular communication and mobile Internet work in Athens. Which mobile operators are the most popular in Greece and how to save on vacation.

The Russians have chosen this small country for a long time. Here they are attracted by beaches, shopping, modern hotels and historical sites. A stable connection is one of the important components of a great holiday.

Greece has one peculiarity. Locals are very fond of talking, including on the phone. In addition, they are willing to spend quite a lot of money on it. They mainly demand expensive contract packages (30-60 euros). With lots of minutes and traffic. Tourists are interested in prepaid options, if only because they are much cheaper. However, the volume of services included in the package will be insignificant. In most cases, you will have to buy more traffic. You need to count on 15-20 €.

It is better to purchase a starter pack in authorized company offices. Their employees will not only help you choose a more or less favorable tariff, but also activate all the necessary services. To purchase a starter pack, you will need a passport and 5 € for a SIM card. You will also need the address where you stayed in Athens or other cities. It can be simply dictated.

Popular excursions in Greece

It is interesting to start acquaintance with Greece with (to see the legendary places, to outline the routes of future walks). But in Crete it is better to go on a big tour around the island. The route is an 8-hour trip through wine, gastronomic and simply beautiful places. The program includes picturesque beaches, viewing platforms and tastings.

Mobile phone in Greece: Vodafon

One of the largest mobile phone companies in the world has been operating in Greece since 1993. And it is considered the second in terms of the number of subscribers - 5.5 million people. She has few dead zones, including beaches and mountains. She began switching to 4G networks back in 2012. It does not differ in a large variety of packages.

For a normal selection and activation of the tariff, it is preferable to use a special application for a smartphone. For subscribers who prefer pre-paid conditions, the basic package is 8.5 €, which allows you to spend 300 minutes on calls and 500 Mb of traffic. It immediately catches the eye that Vodafon "dumped" the Internet sparingly and will have to get it.

There are several options for this: a 1 GB package, which is stretched for a month. Or use the "1GB per day" service. It will cost 8.5 and 1 €, respectively.

The cost of calls to Russia is high - 1.8 € per minute. But the operator provides a good opportunity to save money: connect one of the package options Vodafone International. It gives 200 minutes of calls.

Mobile communications in Greece: COSMOTE

Subsidiary of the Greek telecommunications giant OTE. Serves more than seven million subscribers and has opened branches in Albania and. The peculiarity of this operator is a rather complicated billing system. The operator works in two directions: Cosmokarta packages and a separate brand WHAT'S UP.

The standard version for Cosmokarta costs 8.5 € and includes 300 minutes to all networks and 500 MB per month. It can be extended for 2 € by 100 minutes or 250 MB. But for the Internet there is a separate package for 3 GB for 4 €. It is valid for seven days. It should be borne in mind that communication with Russia will cost 0.8 € per minute.

WHAT'S UP offers a separate line of packages aimed more at youth and active audiences and companies that communicate with each other. The operator provides quite a few extra minutes for communication between WHAT'S UP numbers. For example, for 8.5 € it gives 400 minutes for communication within WHAT'S UP, 200 minutes for other networks and 200 Mb of traffic. However, as in Cosmokarta, you can take an additional 3 GB for a week for 4 €.

Mobile communications in Greece: WIND

All about mobile communications and operators in Greece

The third largest operator in Greece, but slightly inferior to Vodafon. Now it serves 4.1 million subscribers. He singled out prepaid packages into a separate brand called F2G (stands for for free to go). Actually, only these packages are available for visitors.

First you need to purchase a connection for 12 € and choose a suitable package from the whole variety. The best option is the combined Blender. It includes 400 minutes of calls, 100 SMS and 1 GB of traffic. It is valid for a month. Naturally, 1 GB may not be enough for fanatical social media users or tourists who often use maps and search engines. Alas, F2G does not have a cheap offer for the Internet: for an additional 1 GB it asks for 8.5 €, for 1.5 GB - 10 €.

But F2G has an international rate for calls to. For 5.3 € you can buy 40 minutes to talk with your homeland. It is only necessary to take into account that the minimum standard time according to the conditions of the operator for one conversation is 3 minutes.

SIM cards from Drimsim

Universal SIM cards are usually seen as a handy tool for people who love to travel. Tariffs in Greece, as in other countries of Western Europe, are quite high, which makes their use even more profitable. Even taking into account the 10 € that you have to pay for ordering a starter pack.

Provides a gigabyte of mobile Internet for 10.24 €, which is slightly more expensive than the cost of services from Greek operators.

The price of a minute of conversation within the country is 20 euro cents for mobile numbers and 12 euro cents for landlines. And contacting friends in Russia will cost 0.3 €.

But the main advantage is different. It will serve you more than one trip. It does not need to be activated every time, go somewhere with a passport. It starts working as soon as you get off the plane. Moreover, the list of countries where this starter package is valid is huge - there are already more than 100 of them.