Call rules
All incoming calls from all Greek operators FREE, also in Greece in different regions no concept of roaming, that is, if you connected to cellular communications in Athens, and went to Crete - then the cost of calls the same for you throughout Greece. You only need to be careful in regions close to the borders, where sometimes the phone can connect itself, for example to the Albanian cellular network, and then you will find that part of your funds has already been debited from your account...
Connection Basics
Any can connect to the tariff by prepayment any cellular operator. When purchasing a SIM card, you need to provide your passport details and sometimes your address (according to you), it can even be the address of a hotel, so don’t forget to take the hotel’s business card with you in case you don’t remember its address. On “prepaid” tariffs, there is a subscription fee since 2017. Therefore, if you acquired a card a year or more ago, most likely this card has already been deactivated.
You should also pay attention that not always and not everywhere there is good cellular network coverage, so when going on vacation, to a rented property or your new house in Greece, check which cellular operators’ communications work well in that area, otherwise you may purchase a profitable package, but will not be able to call from it due to the lack of a network signal.
If you purchased Greek cell number, then now to call your new number from abroad you need to dial either 0030 or +30
Let's start withQ(daughter fromWIND) / Q Card(WIND company)
Cost of a minute of conversation and sending SMS, MMS
Balance check:
- Call the number 1225
- Send free blank SMS to the number 1225
Useful numbers:
1224
- Changing the language of the Q card system (language choice: Greek, English)
1222
- Customer Service
INTERNET on your phone:
To connect:
send a free SMS to the number 1210 with text:
- "500ΜΒ", to connect the Mobile Internet 500 package
- "1000ΜΒ", to connect the Mobile Internet 1000 package
(you will receive an SMS in Greek informing you that the service has been activated)
Codes change along with packages, so at the time of reading you may be offered other programs
Checking MB balance:
Sending SMS with text YP to the number 1210
- Buy cards with denominations of 5€, 10€ and 15€, which you can find in kiosks (“periptero”), supermarkets and WIND communication stores. You can also top up your balance at the checkout counters in WIND communication stores with any amount starting from €1.
- Next, having a balance replenishment card in your hands, you can:
- call from a mobile phone to a number 1223, then follow the instructions of the system, when the system asks for the card code, enter the 16-digit code from the card and press pound, you should receive an SMS with the new balance, if the SMS does not arrive, then the crediting has not been made!
- send free SMS no text to number 1223
* Top up the balance of another subscriber or vice versa, you can call the number 1229 (from mobileQ) or to the number699 555 1229 (from a landline phone or mobile number of another operator), follow the system instructions, have at hand a recharge card and the phone number whose balance you want to top up.
Notes:
If you have not topped up your balance within 12 months, then your balance is reset to zero and the connection remains for another 35 days. If during these 35 days you have not topped up your balance, then your number and connection will be canceled automatically.
Each time you top up your balance, the connection is automatically extended for a period of 12 months.
For any question that arises. You can contact Q Customer Service at 1222 (from a cell phone) or 699 555 1222 (from a landline) 24 hours a day!
Rates:
In the package 4 euros "Economy" for everyone, for users of the "MyQ" program is given
150 minutes for everyone, 150 minutes for "Q", 150 MB internet.
There are also other countries in Europe, the USA in Asia, as well as combined options.
Night package
5 GB, 5 euros. from 22:00 to 8 am.10 GB 5 euros, both for 30 days.
3 GB - 2 euros for 2 days.
P.S. I almost forgot - when using the service whatsapp Money for mobile traffic is not withdrawn from your account. Another little thing, but nice... Link to the "Q" site
FROG (daughter of COSMOTE)
BASIC RATES
STANDARD CHARGERS
| Services | Charge |
| FROG FOR CALLS (1) | 0.0124 €/sec. |
| CALLS FOR NATIONAL NETWORKS | 0.0124 €/sec. |
| SMS TO: | |
| FROG (1) | 0.1400 €/SMS |
| Greek networks | 0.1400 €/SMS |
| Foreign networks | 0.1400 €/SMS |
| MMS service | |
| Registration (sending SMS to 1333) | FREE |
| Sending MMS | 0.3751 € / MMS |
| CALLER ID | FREE |
| CALL NOTIFY | FREE |
| PRELIMINARY ASSISTANCE TO THE CLIENT (1299) | 0.19 €/call |
| Help queries 11831 * | 0.0210 €/s |
| FORWARDING CALL | Like a call from your cell phone |
| INITIAL ACTIVATION | FREE |
| TOP UP / CREDIT CHECK (1298) | FREE |
| Replacing the SIM card | 7.90 € |
| DETAILED REPORT | 0 € |
| KEY TRACKING | |
1) To find out if the user you want to call is a FROG user, send a free message 'frog<номер сотового телефона >’ to 1298 (for example 6971234567).
Calls without a minimum charge time. Prices include VAT. 23%
If the balance is reset when sending an SMS, you have the opportunity to continue sending SMS for a short period of time. In this case, the cost of the additional messages you send will be deducted from your account the next time you renew your airtime.
Payment for sending an MMS message corresponds to a maximum volume of 512 KB.
* Charges for every second with a minimum payment of 30 seconds
INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGES/COUNTRIES
| COUNTRIES | Protocol with 5 € (fixed) | Minutes from 5 € (mobile) | MINIMUM TIME / RATE OF CHANGE |
| AZERBAIJAN | 11 | 11 | 1΄+1΄ |
| EGYPT | 69 | 69 | 3΄+1΄ |
| ETHIOPIA | 25 | 22 | 1΄+1΄ |
| COTE D'IVOIRE | 10 | 10 | 3΄+1΄ |
| ALBANIA | 25 | 11 | 1΄+1΄ |
| ALGERIA | 40 | 8 | 1΄+1΄ |
| ARMENIA | 35 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| AUSTRALIA | 100 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| AFGANISTAN | 23 | 23 | 1΄+1΄ |
| BELGIUM | 100 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| BOSNIA - HERZEGOVINA | 15 | 15 | 1΄+1΄ |
| BULGARIA | 135 | 135 | 3΄ + 1΄ |
| FRANCE | 100 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| GERMANY | 100 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| GEORGIA | 20 | 18 | 1΄ + 1΄ |
| GHANA | 25 | 25 | 1΄+1΄ |
| DENMARK | 150 | 50 | 1΄+1΄ |
| ESTONIA | 10 | 10 | 1΄+1΄ |
| ZIMBABWE | 13 | 13 | 1΄ + 1΄ |
| UAE | 40 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| UNITED KINDGDOM | 100 | 25 | 1΄+1΄ |
| USA | 100 | 100 | 1΄+1΄ |
| JAPAN | 11 | 11 | 1΄ + 1΄ |
| INDIA | 249 | 249 | 1΄+ 1΄ |
| INDONESIA | 89 | 60 | 1΄+1΄ |
| JORDAN | 40 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| IRAQ | 40 | 35 | 1΄+1΄ |
| IRAN | 25 | 25 | 1΄+1΄ |
| SPAIN | 100 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| ITALY | 100 | 40 | 1΄+1΄ |
| KAZAKHSTAN | 60 | 40 | 1΄+1΄ |
| CAMEROON | 17 | 17 | 1΄+1΄ |
| CANADA | 100 | 100 | 1΄+1΄ |
| QATAR | 9 | 9 | 1΄+1΄ |
| Kenya | 25 | 25 | 1΄+1΄ |
| CHINA | 306 | 306 | 1΄+ 1΄ |
| CONGO | 10 | 10 | 3΄+1΄ |
| KOSOVO | 25 | 10 | 1΄+1΄ |
| KUWAIT | 8 | 8 | 1΄+1΄ |
| CROATIA | 20 | 20 | 1΄ + 1΄ |
| CYPRUS | 149 | 149 | 1΄+1΄ |
| LATVIA | 4 | 4 | 1΄+1΄ |
| BELARUS | 10 | 10 | 1΄+1΄ |
| LEBANON | 40 | 20 | 1΄+1΄ |
| LIBYA | 25 | 20 | 1΄+1΄ |
| LITHUANIA | 10 | 10 | 1΄+1΄ |
| MALAYSIA | 100 | 100 | 1΄+1΄ |
| MOROCCO | 25 | 10 | 1΄+1΄ |
| MONTENEGRO | 11 | 11 | 1΄+1΄ |
| MOLDOVA | 17 | 17 | 1΄+1΄ |
| BANGLADESH | 124 | 124 | 1΄ +1΄ |
| NEW ZEALAND | 100 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| NIGERIA | 69 | 69 | 1΄+1΄ |
| S. AFRICA | 79 | 40 | 3΄+1΄ |
| NORWAY | 150 | 50 | 1΄+1΄ |
| NETHERLAND | 100 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| Oman | 9 | 9 | 1΄+1΄ |
| HUNGARY | 19 | 19 | 1΄ + 1΄ |
| UZBEKISTAN | 60 | 60 | 1΄+1΄ |
| UKRAINE | 20 | 20 | 1΄+1΄ |
| FYROM | 14 | 14 | 1΄ + 1΄ |
| PAKISTAN | 75 | 75 | 1΄+1΄ |
| PALESTINE | 30 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| POLAND | 100 | 89 | 1΄+1΄ |
| PORTUGAL | 100 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| ROMANIA | 135 | 135 | 3΄+1΄ |
| RUSSIA | 33 | 20 | 1΄+ 1΄ |
| SAUDI ARABIA | 40 | 30 | 1΄+1΄ |
| SENEGAL | 25 | 20 | 1΄+1΄ |
| SERBIA | 30 | 14 | 1΄+1΄ |
| SINGAPORE | 149 | 149 | 1΄+1΄ |
| SIERRA LEONE | 10 | 10 | 1΄+1΄ |
| SLOVAKIA | 11 | 11 | 1΄ + 1΄ |
| SLOVENIA | 19 | 19 | 1΄ + 1΄ |
| SOMALIA | 10 | 10 | 1΄+1΄ |
| SUDAN | 25 | 25 | 1΄+1΄ |
| Sweeden | 11 | 11 | 1΄ + 1΄ |
| SRI LANKA | 50 | 50 | 1΄+1΄ |
| SYRIA | 45 | 45 | 1΄+1΄ |
| Türkiye | 45 | 45 | 3΄+1΄ |
| Czech Republic. | 11 | 11 | 1΄ + 1΄ |
| TUNISIA | 6 | 6 | 1΄+1΄ |
| FINLAND | 11 | 11 | 1΄ + 1΄ |
| PHILIPPINES | 60 | 60 | 3΄+ 1΄ |
MOBILE INTERNET:
This company's mobile internet, let's say... is not particularly profitable.
| Internet Monthly Pass 60 | ||||
| service | Free MB to view online | Navigation through COSMOTE my view | Activation cost (€) | Best before date |
| Monthly travel FROG Internet 60 | 120MB | Unlimited navigation | 3,02 € | 30 days |
To activate the package, make a free call to 1330.
- The free MB Internet Monthly Pass 60 package is valid for 30 days from the date of package activation
- Subscribers can activate more than one Internet Monthly Pass 60 at a time
To connect:
send SMS with text 60
to the number 1333
(you will receive an SMS in Greek informing you that the service has been activated)
Checking MB balance:
Sending SMS with text INFO to the number 1313
You will receive an SMS (unfortunately in Greek), which will indicate how many MB are left, but by the number in front of the letters MB, you will understand your balance; if it is approaching the end, it is better to immediately connect another package.
You can top up your balance as follows. ways:
- Buy " Frog Map 5 , 10 Euro. Further call from mobile phone to number 1298 (unfortunately the system speaks Greek) wait until the system chats a little, press “3”, then enter the 16-digit code from the card and press the hash mark, you should receive an SMS with a new balance, if the SMS does not arrive, then the crediting has not been made!
- Buy " Frog Map» with the required denomination, they are available according to 5 , 10 Euro. Next send SMS with text ΑΝΑspace 16-digit code on the card to the number 1298
- Another person can top up your balance using a top-up card by calling the number 697 100 1298 , unfortunately, the system speaks Greek...
* It should be noted that the amount credited to the account will be less than the face value of the card, since you will be charged a 12% cellular tax and VAT.
Balance check:
- Call the number 1298
- Send free SMS with text YP to the number 1298
SMS PACKAGES
- SMS 40 for only 1.61 €
- SMS 60 only 2.42 €
- SMS 100 for only 4.03 €
- SMS 250 for only 10.08 €
Coverage map
VODAFONE International
User support in his native language and low tariffs for Russia and other countries of the former USSR.
Tariffs (Talk) abroad:
Free minutes | Price | Bundle activation by sending "SMS code" |
|
| Bulgaria | 4.44 € | Send “22” to 12555 | |
| Bulgaria | 160 (fixed phones) | 4.44 € | Send “2” to 12555 |
| Romania | 120 (mobile and fixed phones) | 4.44 € | Send “1” to 12555 |
| Egypt | 40 (mobile and fixed phones) | 4.44 € | Send “20” to 12555 |
| Ethiopia | 25" (networks in Ethiopia) | 5.04 € | Send “21” to 12555 |
| Albania & Italy | 50" & 500MB (all Vodafone Albania and Vodafone Italy mobiles) | 8.07 € | Send “3” to 12555 |
| Ukraine | 40 (mobile and fixed phones) | 4.44 € | Send “4” to 12555 |
| Georgia | 30 (mobile and fixed phones) | 4.44 € | Send “5” to 12555 |
| Russia | 40 (mobile and fixed phones) | 4.44 € | Send “6” to 12555 |
| Poland | 90 (mobile and fixed phones) | 5.04 € | Send “7” to 12555 |
| Turkey | 40 (mobile and fixed phones) | 4.44 € | Send “8” to 12555 |
| Philippines | 50 (mobile and fixed phones) | 4.44 € | Send “9” to 12555 |
| Great Britain (UK) | 70 (mobile and fixed phones) | 5.04 € | Send “10” to 12555 |
| Netherlands | 40 (mobile and fixed phones) | 5.04 € | Send “11” to 12555 |
| Cyprus | 200 (mobile and fixed phones) | 7.06 € | Send “12” to 12555 |
| USA & Canada | 160 (mobile and fixed phones) | 5.04 € | Send “13” to 12555 |
| Germany & France | 60 (mobile and fixed phones) | 5.04 € | Send “14” to 12555 |
| Australia | 50 (mobile and fixed phones) | 5.04 € | Send “15” to 12555 |
| Pakistan & Bangladesh | 50 (mobile and fixed phones) | 5.04 € | Send “16” to 12555 |
| China | 300 (mobile and fixed phones) | 4.44 € | Send “17” to 12555 |
| India | 250 (mobile and fixed phones) | 4.03 € | Send “18” to 12555 |
| Albania | 20 (all networks in Albania) 300 to Vodafone International | 4.44 € | Send “19” to 12555 |
| Ethiopia | 25 (all networks in Ethiopia) | 5.04 € | Send “21” to 12555 |
| 22 Countries* & Greece | 200’ (mobile and fixed phones) | 7.06 € | Send “30” to 12555 |
Package "talk + Internet"
To select the system language, call the number 1252 (English, Albanian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Russian, Georgian and Ukrainian)
Vodafone International Prepaid also offers:
You can activate packages by calling 1252 or through the My Vodafone app or my account at www.vodafone.gr
* Billing is per minute.
* Prices include VAT (24%).
You can top up your balance using Vodafone cards with denominations of 5 €, 10 €, 15 €, 20 € and 30 €, which you can find in kiosks (“periptero”), supermarkets and Vodafone communication stores.
1252 -
Balance check
13830 -
Vodafone Customer Service
If you are going to use your Russian SIM card (Ukrainian, etc.), then it is advisable to clarify the cost of incoming and outgoing calls and SMS, as well as tariffs mobile internet directly from your Russian operator (Ukrainian, etc.).
Where to buy a SIM card:
Options: - in kiosks, right on the street at dealers (usually in public places and central squares) in specialized stores of operator networks, in the Germanos chain of stores (Cosmote only)
Top up your card:
In most kiosks (some will offer you to top up directly without a card through their terminal), souvenir shops, mini-markets, in the Germanos chain of stores (only Cosmote), in specialized stores of the operator network.
Tariffs and prices are current as of March 2018.
Greece is the cradle, the birthplace of Western civilization, annually receiving 20 million tourists who need to communicate with relatives from other countries. Until 2006, one monopoly company, OTE, was responsible for mobile communications and the Internet in Greece, which is still operating today. The lack of competitors in the telephony market has led to inflated tariffs.
About ways of communication between Greece and other countries
It is difficult for a tourist from the CIS countries to believe that mobile communications and the Internet can make up a significant part of the Greek budget.
Tariffs in Greece are considered the most expensive in Europe. There are several ways to get in touch with other countries:
- payphones;
- IP telephony cards;
- wireless internet (Wi-Fi);
- Mobile Internet;
- mobile connection.
Payphones are found everywhere: cafes, hotels, small shops, public transport stops, etc. They work every day, except Sunday. Their advantage is that if you call after 21:00 until 7:00, the cost of the call will be 30-40% lower. The state-owned OTE company issues cards called “tilekarta”.
Beautiful Greece
Important! To call from Greece to Russia, you need to dial: 007 – area code – number of the called subscriber.
According to the provided tariff, the cost of a call to Russia and CIS countries will be 0.45 €* per minute of conversation. Europe, USA, Canada, Australia will cost 0.39€*. The call can be made at the expense of the called subscriber, but it will be 3 times more expensive.
An IP telephony card, called a "chrono card", can be applied to a landline or to mobile phone, but the latter does not always support this function. It is necessary to check with the Greek operator.
Important! IP telephony cards are produced by many companies. You shouldn’t choose budget ones, as there is a chance you won’t get through.
The average cost per minute of a call using a “chronocard” to Russia and the CIS countries is €0.36. Europe, USA, Canada, Australia - 0.30 €.* To start a call, you must enter 807-5-807, dial the card PIN code and the subscriber number.
Payphones in Greece at every turn
Internet for tourists (work and leisure)
Since the beginning of 2009, wireless points have appeared in Greece Wi-Fi access that provide free Internet to everyone who wants it. In total, it is planned to place 5,000 of them.
For tourists who do not want to part with their gadgets on vacation, or continue to work remotely, points were placed on the coasts, at the airport, cafes, and squares. The Wi-Fi card can be downloaded online or purchased in souvenir shops.
Private companies such as Forthnet, if necessary, are ready to provide paid Wi-Fi, which will cost 6€ for 2 hours, or 14€ per day.*
Bus with free Wi-Fi
What kind of mobile internet is there in Greece?
To use mobile Internet in Greece, it is not necessary to buy local SIM cards. Those that are valid throughout the European Union are suitable. Such SIM cards include Orange Mundo (30€), Ortel Mobile (10-30€), GlobalSimNew, etc.
Pros of Orange Mundo:
- fixed tourist tariff in the European Union;
- fast 4G internet;
- there is already 6 GB on your balance;
- online purchase in the CIS countries;
- replenish your account online;
- service in Russian;
- after activation without expiration date;
- using your phone as an access point and distributing Wi-Fi;
- cheap internet.
The downside is the initial price.
Pros of Ortel Mobile:
- the price varies depending on the number of Gb;
- activated via SMS or personal account on the official site;
- using your phone as an access point and distributing Wi-Fi.
- valid for 4 weeks;
- To top up your balance and activate the package, you must contact the operator via a web camera;
- After finishing using it, you must disable the options and unsubscribe from yourself.
The main advantage of GlobalSimNew is that it is possible to connect unlimited Internet in the first year of use at a rate of 1€ per 100 Mb.
The best options for local mobile Internet are Cosmote and Vodafon. The average cost of Internet for 30 days for 5 Gb with good speed will be 30 €.
WIND Mobile Broadband is the most expensive mobile Internet with the worst conditions. Its cost is 35€. The only advantage is accessibility. The card can be purchased in any part of Greece.
- necessary additional device USB modem;
- 30 days of use will cost 30 € with a balance of 3 Gb;
- speed no more than 3G;
- To top up your account, you need to buy a scratch card.
SIM card in Greece for Internet and cellular communications
Cellular communications are provided by three companies, all others are subsidiaries:
- Vodafon;
- WIND;
- COSMOTE.
To purchase a SIM card, you must provide passport details (a photocopy of your passport is needed) and the tourist’s place of residence, so you need to have a hotel business card with you.
There is no such thing as internal roaming in Greece. For example, a SIM card purchased in Rhodes can be used in any other city in Greece. Price mobile communications in Greece for tourists is the same throughout the state. All incoming calls are free. The quality of communication may vary depending on the location of the tourist, so this issue should be clarified when purchasing a SIM card.
Important! For Athens and Crete, any mobile connection in Greece is suitable. There is a signal even in the subway.
A SIM card in Greece is valid for a year after the last top-up. If this does not happen, then after 35 days the number is blocked.
The cost of mobile communications for the three operators is almost the same, but there are differences in tariffs. The cheapest is International from Cosmote. The price of a minute of conversation between subscribers within the country is 0.222 €. The same cost applies to calls to Russia. SMS costs 0.04€.
Important! Cosmote’s most popular offer is What’s Up. A minute is 0.372€ in Greece and 0.8€ in Russia, and an SMS is 0.09€ and 0.2€ respectively. But there is a limitation here. Within the country, both subscribers must use the same tariff, otherwise the full price will be charged.
You need to buy a local SIM card if you have someone to communicate with in Greece. If you need to call only to another country, then select roaming:
- MTS subscribers pay 65₱ (1 and 6,7,8... minutes) and 25₱ (2-5 minutes) for outgoing calls.
- Tele2 subscribers - 15₱.
- Beeline - 10₱.
If you use roaming, you will also be charged for incoming calls.
Newcomers who visit this country for the first time are concerned about what kind of connection they should use in Greece. Experienced tourists recommend visiting one of the forums where you can discuss the nuances.
Travelers have developed their own algorithm for communicating in the country. One SIM card is purchased per family. If there are several families flying, then two SIM cards are purchased, and What’s Up is connected to only one of them. So, instead of paying twice for the service, it is paid once. The second subscriber sends call alerts. Instead of 20€, 15€ is spent. The number of rooms may be greater.
Important! Purchased SIM cards must be activated before the trip.
Mobile Internet is connected less frequently, since matters with personal mail are resolved via free Wi-Fi in cafes and squares.
Travel is an art with its own difficulties. Learning enough information will help you spend your weekend comfortably. The absence or presence of communication does not determine the pros and cons of a vacation.
How cellular communications and mobile Internet work in Athens. Which mobile operators are the most popular in Greece and how to save money on your vacation.
Russians have chosen this small country for a long time. Here they are attracted by beaches, shopping, modern hotels and historical attractions. A stable connection is one of the important components of a great vacation.
Greece has one peculiarity. Local residents love to talk, including on the phone. In addition, they are ready to spend quite a lot of money on this. They are mainly in demand for expensive contract packages (30-60 euros). WITH big amount 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 purchase additional traffic. You should expect 15-20 €.
It is better to purchase a starter package at 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 package you will need a passport and 5 € per SIM card. You will also need the address where you are staying in Athens or other cities. You can simply dictate it.
Popular excursions in Greece
It is interesting to start getting acquainted with Greece with (see legendary places, outline routes for future walks). But in Crete it is better to go on a big excursion around the entire island. The route is an 8-hour trip through wine, gastronomic and simply beautiful places. The program includes picturesque beaches, observation decks and tastings.
Mobile communications 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 largest number of subscribers - 5.5 million people. It has few dead zones, including beaches and mountains. It began switching to 4G networks back in 2012. There is no great variety of packages.
To select and activate a tariff normally, it is preferable to use a special application for a smartphone. For subscribers who are inclined to pre-paid conditions, the basic package is considered to be 8.5 €, which allows you to spend 300 minutes on calls and 500 MB of traffic. It’s immediately obvious that Vodafon “supplied” the Internet sparingly and will have to get it.
There are several options for this: a 1 GB package, which is extended for a month. Or use the “1GB per day” service. It will cost 8.5 and 1 €, respectively.
The cost of calls to the Russian Federation is high - 1.8 € per minute. But the operator provides a good opportunity to save: connect to one of the package options Vodafone International. It gives 200 minutes of talk time.
Mobile communications in Greece: COSMOTE
A 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: a rather complex tariff system. The operator works in two directions: Cosmokarta packages and a separate brand WHAT’S UP.
The standard option for Cosmokarta costs 8.5 € and includes 300 minutes to all networks and 500 MB per month. It can be expanded for 2 € for 100 minutes or 250 MB. But for the Internet there is a separate 3 GB package for 4 €. It lasts for seven days. It should be taken into account that communication with Russia will cost 0.8 € per minute.
WHAT'S UP offers a separate line of packages aimed more at a youth and active audience and companies that communicate with each other. The operator provides quite a few additional 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 with Cosmokarta, you can take another 3 GB for a week for an additional 4 €.
Mobile communications in Greece: WIND
All about mobile communications and operators in Greece
The third largest operator in Greece, but slightly behind Vodafon. It currently serves 4.1 million subscribers. He separated prepaid packages into a separate brand called F2G (stands for free to go). Actually, only these packages are available to visitors.
First you need to purchase a connection for 12 € and choose a suitable package from the whole variety. The best option is a 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 8.5 €, for 1.5 GB - 10 €.
But F2G has an international tariff for calls to . For 5.3 € you can buy 40 minutes to talk with your homeland. You just need to take into account that the minimum standard time according to the operator’s conditions for one conversation is 3 minutes.
SIM cards from Drimsim
Universal SIM cards are usually perceived as a convenient tool for people who love to travel. Tariffs in Greece, as in other Western European countries, are quite high, which makes their use also profitable. Even taking into account the 10 € that you need to pay for ordering the starter package.
Provides a gigabyte of mobile Internet for 10.24 €, which is not much more expensive than the cost of services from Greek operators.
The price of a minute of conversation within the country is 20 euro cents per mobile numbers and 12 eurocents for landlines. And contacting friends in Russia will cost 0.3 €.
But the main advantage is different. It will serve you for more than one trip. You don’t need to activate it every time and go somewhere with your passport. It starts working as soon as you step off the plane. Moreover, the list of countries where this starter package is valid is huge - there are already more than 100 of them.
Internet in Greece is provided by three main operators: "Wind",Vodafone And "Cosmote". All hotels use wired Internet from these operators and distribute Wi-Fi to their guests free of charge or for an additional fee.
When going to Greece, ask your tour operator in advance or contact your hotel directly to see if the hotel provides free Internet access. It often happens that hotel networks are overloaded or unstable due to large quantity guests simultaneously connected to the Internet. You can solve the problem by having a SIM card in your phone with an Internet package at a favorable rate. Then you will be able to access the network both from your phone and from your laptop by turning on mobile point access.
Which SIM card to choose for the Internet in Greece?
There are several options:
Connect roaming to your regular SIM card
Buy a SIM card from a local mobile operator
Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. By connecting the roaming service to your regular SIM card, your phone number will not change, but mobile Internet traffic will cost you a lot. Internet access is provided while roaming at high speeds, but provided that your device supports 4G technology. You may have to pay a very high price. Agree, you can’t send many photos, not to mention audio or video calls to Russia.
You can buy a SIM card from a local mobile operator at any airport or in mobile phone stores. Local calls will be very cheap, but you will have to understand the tariffs English language and upon purchase, present your passport for registration. An additional fee may be required for card activation. An Internet package, for example, from Vodafone will cost about 12 euros for 1.5 GB. No one will know your phone number until you tell your family and friends. In addition, upon returning home, this card will no longer be useful to you.
Tourist SIM card “GoodLine” with “Good-Roaming” tariff can be used in any European country at the best rates. The cost of 1 MB of Internet will be from 60 kopecks, which is significantly lower than the cost of traffic of local operators and Russian operators in roaming. You can also call Russia at the best prices - only $0.05 per minute. In addition, it is possible to activate the service of saving your regular phone number. You will take this card on any trip and use it only when you need it. It will not be blocked and will not require constant replenishment!
Greece has well-developed mobile communications. The network covers almost the entire country, with the exception of some very small islands, as well as remote mountainous areas.
In cities the coverage is very good. Calls can even be made from the Athens metro. But it is recommended to buy a local SIM card only in cases where you intend to call Greek numbers.
To make calls to Russia and receive calls, we recommend using roaming services from your operator or purchasing a separate SIM card for travel and providing yourself with Internet anywhere in the world. Moreover, as part of the promotion, you can get 1GB of Internet for only 200 rubles.
Roaming from mobile operators
Russian telecom operators offer tourists on holiday in Greece to use the limits of their plan. The conditions are quite attractive, except for one important point.
Roaming paid daily upon calling or accessing the Internet through a Turkish mobile operator.
| Operator | Tariff “Like at home” (calls + internet) | ||
| from 329 rubles/day () | |||
 | from 350 rubles/day () | ||
| 1800 rubles/month () | |||
- Megafon makes it possible to pay as you go for roaming services. Calls to Russia will cost 99 rubles. Internet 10 rubles per 1 MB.
- At MTS you can refuse the Internet and pay only for calls. 1MB of traffic with this plan will cost 875 rubles.
- On Beeline, for 1800 rubles you get 15 GB of internet and 3000 minutes of calls for 30 days. Based on 7 days of vacation, it works out to only 257 rubles per day.
7 days of roaming will cost 1800-2400 rubles.
SIM cards for tourists
If you have an extra phone for Internet distribution, then the option of purchasing a separate SIM card for travel is an excellent budget solution to the situation!
Differences and characteristic features of tourist SIM cards:
- delivery of cards anywhere in the world leaves cards all over the world
- no monthly subscription fee
- pay only for used (prepaid) minutes and megabytes
- operate in almost all countries of the world
Main Greek operators
In Greece, the "big three" mobile operators include the following companies:
Cosmote is owned by a state-owned company. Has the same connection quality as Wind. The main advantage is a good level of customer service.
Wind was once the only Greek mobile operator and was called Telestet, but it was bought and renamed by Egyptian investors. The company boasts very good coverage and 4G LTE coverage in big cities.
Vodafone is the former Panafone. Currently owned by a large transnational company, which is represented in other European countries, also under the Vodafone brand. It has almost the same quality of coverage as other mobile phone companies, but the number of dead zones is slightly higher.
Where to buy a SIM card and how to top up your account
You can purchase a SIM card at Greek resorts:
- at branded mobile phone points
- special kiosks
- communication salons
- airports
- from distributors on the street
The last point is very common, since the most interesting plans for tourists are offered by street vendors. They will also need to present a passport, which they will take a photo of on their phone. Therefore, buy only from licensed sellers (they usually wear branded clothing and will not refuse to show their documents).
When purchasing a card, you must present a foreign passport to make a copy. When changing operators, you can keep your previous number. The provision of communication services is possible under a contract and on an advance payment basis, but contracts are concluded only with permanent residents of Greece.
After purchasing the SIM card, you need to register it in a company store or at a communication store.
How much does a local SIM card cost in Greece?
Every mobile operator offers its solution for tourists. But the best option in terms of price/quality is the following:
- for 10€ you get 2.5-3 GB of internet + a sufficient number of minutes within Greece.
Such plans are offered by Cosmote and Vodafone.