What to pack
Pack light! You'll be toting your own luggage around at airports and hotels, so bring only what you need—one small carry-on suitcase and your EF backpack should be enough. Remember, checked baggage fees are not included in the tour cost, and they vary by airline. If you decided not to check a bag, remember to check tsa.gov for current security requirements in carry-on bags. The following suggestions are provided by EF.
Power Adapters
Greece uses Type C and Type F power outlets. You will need a plug adapter to charge your American devices. We recommend this Anker European Travel Plug Adapter.
Clothing and Accessories
- Masks/face covering (as required by local authorities)
- Comfortable walking shoes and one pair of nicer shoes
- Shirts (short and long sleeved)
- Socks and underwear
- Watch
- Pants/shorts/jeans
- Long sleeves and pants for religious sites
- Pajamas
- Bathing suit (if applicable)
- Dressier outfit (reserved for a special night out)
- Raincoat and/or umbrella
- Lightweight nylon jacket or fleece (rather than bulky sweatshirts)
- Reusable water bottle
Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush/comb
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer
- Any medications (in addition to a copy of any prescription)
- Spare set of contact lenses/glasses (if applicable)
Money
- Till debit card (Find out more about Till here.)
- ATM card (Call your bank prior to departure to alert them of the trip; foreign purchases sometimes result in a hold on bank accounts.)
- Personal credit card
- At least $50 converted to the currency of the first country or region that you’re visiting
- Pouch for storing money and passport under clothing
Electronics
- An alarm clock (Many hotel rooms won't have one.)
- Camera with extra batteries or charger
Documents
- Proof of negative COVID PCR test, if required by your destination
- Passport—required on all EF Educational Tours (Remember to leave one copy of it at home and bring a couple more copies on tour, in case your passport gets lost.)
- Visas (if applicable)
- Health Insurance Card
- A copy of the tour itinerary
- A list of important phone numbers
- Addresses to send postcards home
- Copy of any prescriptions (Customs officials may want to verify that a container's contents match its label, so all medication should be carried in its original container.)
Carry-on bag
The EF backpack that every traveler receives is a perfect carry-on bag. Here’s a short list of things travelers might need on the first day of the trip. These should be packed in your carry-on in case your checked luggage is delayed:
- Passport
- Money
- Airline boarding pass
- Toothbrush and toothpaste (Check tsa.gov for current security requirements.)
- Hairbrush
- Contact lens case/glasses (to sleep comfortably on the plane)
- A change of clothes (in case luggage is delayed)
- Medication
- Any valuables
Cultural Tips & Expectations
- Language: Learn a few basic Greek words like "Yassas" (Hello/Goodbye) and "Efharisto" (Thank you).
- Plumbing: In many parts of Greece, you should not flush toilet paper down the toilet; use the provided bins instead.
- Respect: Always be respectful of historical monuments. Do not touch ancient stones or climb on ruins.
- Curfew/Buddy System: Always stick with your assigned buddy and adhere to the evening curfews set by chaperones.