Greece Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2026)

Greece, home to 9,716,889 people and over 6,000 islands stretching across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, holds the longest coastline of any Mediterranean country at roughly 16,000 km. Founded as a modern republic in 1830 after the War of Independence, it packs 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites into a country smaller than Alabama. From the 2,917-meter summit of Mount Olympus to sea-level villages carved into volcanic caldera cliffs, Greece delivers an almost absurd density of history, landscape, and culinary brilliance.

Top 3 Highlights at a Glance

• Santorini Caldera at Sunset from Oia — The 300-meter caldera drop creates a panorama formed by a volcanic eruption circa 1600 BC — nowhere else looks like this.
• Acropolis of Athens — The 2,500-year-old Parthenon sits 156 meters above Athens — the definitive monument of Western civilisation.
• Meteora Monasteries — Six Orthodox monasteries perch atop sandstone pillars up to 400 meters tall in central Thessaly — genuinely otherworldly.

Scroll down for our complete travel guide with tips on getting there, where to stay, costs and more.

Getting There & Transport

Which airports are the best entry points into Greece?

**Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)** is Greece’s undisputed main gateway. In my experience, ATH handles the vast majority of long-haul and European connections and is the smartest entry point for first-timers. **Thessaloniki Makedonia (SKG)** is the best northern entry for Halkidiki or Meteora. For island travel, **Heraklion (HER)** in Crete and **Rhodes (RHO)** receive direct flights from across Europe, saving you a domestic connection. My tip: flying directly into your island destination cuts both cost and time — a domestic Athens-to-Mykonos flight adds roughly **€80–120** per person and a layover. The honest caveat: smaller island airports like Skiathos are seasonal and close or heavily reduce schedules between **November and March**.

How do I get from the airport to my first accommodation in Greece?

From **ATH**, the **Metro Line 3 (blue line)** runs directly from the airport to **Syntagma Square** in central Athens in **40 minutes** for **€10.50** — I always take it and it’s the clearest, most reliable option. Taxis from ATH to central Athens cost a fixed **€38** during the day and **€54** at night — legitimately useful if you arrive with heavy luggage late at night. The caveat most guides omit: licensed Athens taxis are yellow, have a meter, and display a taxi sign on the roof. Avoid anyone approaching you in arrivals halls offering ‘private transfers’ — I’ve seen tourists quoted **€80–100** for the same route. At **Heraklion HER**, a taxi to the old town costs around **€15** and takes **15 minutes**.

What transport options are there within Greece?

Greece’s internal transport splits cleanly into mainland and islands. On the **mainland**, **TRAINOSE/Hellenic Train** connects Athens to Thessaloniki in **4 hours 20 minutes** by intercity express for around **€25–45**. **KTEL intercity buses** cover virtually every town and are cheap — Athens to Patra costs **€22** and takes **2.5 hours**. For the islands, **Blue Star Ferries** and **Hellenic Seaways** run the Aegean network; a Piraeus-to-Santorini fast ferry takes **5 hours** for around **€60–90**. Domestic flights via **Sky Express** and **Aegean Airlines** connect Athens to 30+ island airports. My honest warning: Greek rail outside the Athens-Thessaloniki corridor is patchy — for western Greece, the **KTEL bus is faster and cheaper** than any train alternative.

Do I need a rental car to explore Greece properly?

On the mainland and larger islands like **Crete** and **Rhodes**, yes — a rental car transforms your trip. Crete is **260 km long**; without a car, you’ll miss the **Samaria Gorge trailhead**, isolated south-coast beaches, and mountain villages entirely. On smaller islands like **Mykonos** or **Paros**, a **scooter at €25–35 per day** is more practical than a car and fits the winding roads better. In **Athens**, skip the car entirely — parking is a nightmare and the Metro covers the city well. My tip: book rental cars **8–12 weeks ahead** for July-August; prices double or triple if you book last-minute in peak season. The caveat: Greek roads in mountain areas are narrow and poorly lit — night driving in the **Mani Peninsula** or **Epirus** is genuinely stressful.

How good is the public transport network between regions of Greece?

Frankly, adequate for major corridors but frustrating for off-the-beaten-path destinations. The **Athens–Thessaloniki train** is reliable and comfortable. **KTEL buses** connect regional capitals efficiently and run on schedule in my experience — **Athens (Kifissos terminal)** to **Ioannina** takes **6 hours** for **€35**. The weak points: cross-regional connections that don’t pass through Athens are rare, so getting from **Thessaloniki to Patras** by public transport requires a change and most of a day. Ferry networks in summer are excellent but thin to almost nothing between **November and March** on smaller routes. My recommendation: treat public transport as your primary tool for Athens, Thessaloniki, and Crete, and accept that reaching **Zagori villages or the Mani Peninsula** without a car is genuinely impractical.

Accommodation

Which regions of Greece should I stay in?

For first-timers, **Athens (Attica)** for 2–3 nights gives you the Acropolis and a strong culinary base. Then choose one island cluster: the **Cyclades** (Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros) for iconic scenery and beach culture, or **Crete** for a complete country-within-a-country experience. For a deeper Greece that most visitors skip, I strongly recommend **Epirus** in the northwest — the **Zagori region** with its stone-arch bridges and canyon hikes is spectacular. **Peloponnese** is criminally undervisited given that it holds **Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Monemvasia** within a 3-hour drive. My honest trade-off: the Cyclades are visually stunning but expensive and crowded in July–August; **Naxos** gives you 80% of the beauty at 40% of the Santorini price.

What does good accommodation cost per night in Greece?

Costs vary dramatically by island and season. In **Athens (Monastiraki or Koukaki neighborhoods)**, a solid 3-star hotel runs **€80–130 per night** in peak season. On **Santorini**, expect to pay **€200–400** for a caldera-view cave hotel in July–August — budget options barely exist on the caldera rim. **Crete** is far more reasonable: a good 4-star property near **Chania old town** costs **€90–160**. The **Peloponnese** offers the best value — charming stone guesthouses in **Nafplio** run **€70–110**. My tip: small family-run **xenodocheia** (guesthouses) often give you better beds, fresher breakfast, and local knowledge than chain hotels at the same or lower price. Book Santorini and Mykonos accommodation at least **5–6 months ahead** for summer or forget the caldera views.

When should I book hotels in Greece — how far in advance?

For **Santorini and Mykonos in July–August**, book **5–6 months ahead minimum** — I am not exaggerating. The best caldera hotels on Santorini fill by **January for the following summer**. For **Athens year-round** and the **Peloponnese**, 4–6 weeks ahead is usually sufficient. **Crete** sits in between: good beachfront properties near **Elounda or Balos** fill up by March for peak season. The caveat most guides skip: **cancellation policies** at Greek island hotels are often strict — non-refundable rates are common and you will lose your deposit if you cancel within 30 days. Always read the fine print before booking, and consider travel insurance specifically covering cancellation if booking 6 months out. Shoulder season (**May, June, September, October**) allows last-minute booking with real flexibility.

When is the best time to travel to Greece?

Based on climate analysis, **July and August** deliver the most reliable sun and warmth, but they also bring the most crowds and highest prices. In my experience, **late May, June, and September** are the sweet spot — water temperatures above **22°C**, full ferry schedules running, restaurants and sites open, and hotel prices **20–40% lower** than peak. October remains genuinely pleasant for hiking in the **Peloponnese** and sightseeing in Athens without sweating through the Acropolis. The honest caveat: **July and August in Athens** regularly hit **38–42°C** — visiting the Acropolis at noon in August is a miserable, exhausting experience. Go before **9am or after 5pm** and carry **1 liter of water minimum**. Winter in the islands (November–March) is beautiful for solitude but 60–70% of island businesses close entirely.

How does peak season affect prices in Greece?

Peak season — **July 1 to August 31** — inflates prices across the board. Santorini hotel rates run **3–5x higher** than November prices. A sea-view room costing **€90 in May** hits **€350+ in August** at the same property. Ferry tickets from **Piraeus to Santorini** jump from **€40 off-season to €90+** in summer. Domestic flights double. Restaurants near tourist sites add 15–25% to menus without improving the food. My tip: shoulder season in **September** is the single best value window in Greece — the sea is at its warmest (peaking around **25°C**), tourist numbers drop noticeably after August 20, and prices fall fast. The trade-off: some smaller island beach bars and boat tour operators close after September 15, so water activity options narrow slightly.

Best Time to Visit

Which regions of Greece have different climate zones?

Greece is not climatically uniform and this catches visitors off-guard. The **Cyclades and Dodecanese islands** have a classic Mediterranean climate — dry, hot summers and mild, wet winters. The **Ionian Islands** (Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos) receive significantly more rainfall year-round, which explains why they’re dramatically greener than the Aegean islands. **Northern Greece** (Thessaloniki, Kavala, Xanthi) experiences a proper continental climate with cold, occasionally snowy winters — Thessaloniki averages **5–7°C** in January. The **Epirus mountain region** around **Metsovo** sits above 1,100 meters and functions as a ski destination from December to March. **Crete’s south coast** is the warmest and driest spot in Greece, receiving almost no rain June through September. I recommend matching your climate expectations to your specific destination, not ‘Greece’ in the abstract.

What are the rainy seasons in Greece?

The Mediterranean rainy season in Greece runs **November through March** on most of the mainland and Aegean islands. The **Ionian Islands** are the exception — Corfu receives around **1,100mm of annual rainfall**, comparable to London, with wet periods extending into April and October. Athens gets the bulk of its **400mm annual rainfall** between October and March, with virtually zero rain June through August. The honest caveat: Greek rain is not gentle drizzle — **November storms** can ground ferries for 2–3 days at a stretch, stranding you on an island. I’ve been stuck on **Naxos for 2 extra days** in late October due to Bora winds — always have travel insurance and flexible return dates if visiting the islands after mid-October. Spring rain (March–April) is usually brief and followed by warm sunshine.

What does a trip to Greece cost per person per day?

Budget travellers staying in hostels, eating **souvlaki and gyros**, and taking ferries can manage **€60–80 per day** outside peak season. A comfortable mid-range trip — good 3-star hotel, taverna dinners, site entry fees — runs **€130–180 per day per person** in Athens or Crete. Santorini and Mykonos in July–August push mid-range to **€250–350 per day** without luxury. Luxury caldera hotels with breakfast easily exceed **€500 per day** per person. The hidden cost most guides ignore: **ferry tickets accumulate fast** on island-hopping itineraries — 4 inter-island ferries can add **€200–300** to a budget. My recommendation: allocate **€150–200 per person per day** for a realistic, comfortable Greece experience including transport, accommodation, food, and entry fees in shoulder season.

How expensive is food in Greece?

Food in Greece is one of the genuine pleasures — and it’s affordable if you eat where locals eat. A **souvlaki wrap (gyros)** costs **€2.50–3.50** at a proper souvlaki shop like **Kostas in Athens’ Monastiraki**. A full taverna lunch with salad, grilled fish, and a carafe of house wine runs **€18–30 per person**. The tourist tax is real: the same Greek salad costs **€6 in a Monastiraki side street** and **€14 on Santorini’s caldera**. Fresh grilled **sea bream (tsipoura)** at a harbour fish taverna typically runs **€12–18 per portion** depending on island. My honest warning: ‘tourist menus’ on the main squares of heavily visited islands offer poor value and mediocre food. Walk **2 streets back** from the waterfront and prices drop by **30–40%** immediately.

What hidden costs should I expect when visiting Greece?

The costs that blindside most Greece visitors: **ferry port taxes and fuel surcharges** added at checkout (€5–12 per ticket), **beach sunbed and umbrella rentals** on organised beaches (€8–25 per set per day — non-negotiable on many Mykonos beaches), and **archaeological site combo tickets** that seem cheap individually but add up across a week. Parking meters in **Athens center** and **Heraklion** are actively enforced — budget **€2–4 per hour**. The most overlooked cost: **checked baggage fees on domestic Sky Express flights** — carry-on is often included but a second bag costs **€20–35** each way. In restaurants, the **bread and cover charge (kouvert)** of **€0.50–1.50 per person** is standard and legitimate. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory — **5–10% rounding up** is the local norm.

Budget & Costs

How much cash should I bring to Greece?

Bring less than you think but don’t arrive empty-handed. **€100–150 in cash** covers you for the first 48 hours comfortably — taxis, small tavernas, and fresh market produce are still cash-preferred. The honest reality: Greece has shifted dramatically toward card payments post-2020, and **Athens, Thessaloniki, and the main islands** are effectively card-functional for 90% of transactions. The caveat: smaller islands, village tavernas, and **rural Peloponnese** guesthouses still run cash-only operations — I’ve been in villages where the nearest ATM is **25 km away**. **Euronet ATMs** (the non-bank branded ones in tourist areas) charge eye-watering fees of **€5–7 per withdrawal** plus dynamic currency conversion scams. Always use **bank-branded ATMs (Piraeus Bank, National Bank, Alpha Bank)** and select ‘decline conversion’ to avoid being charged in your home currency at terrible rates.

Which credit cards are accepted in Greece?

**Visa and Mastercard** are accepted universally at hotels, larger restaurants, ferries, and supermarkets. **American Express** is hit-or-miss — major chains and luxury hotels accept it, but most tavernas and small shops do not. **Contactless payments** work reliably in Athens and the tourist islands. The trade-off: card surcharges of **1.5–2.5%** are technically illegal but quietly applied by some small businesses — always check your receipt. My tip: use a **no-foreign-transaction-fee card** (like Revolut, Wise, or a travel-specific Visa) — standard UK/US bank cards add **2–3% on every transaction**, which compounds painfully over 2 weeks. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at modern terminals. In my experience, carrying **€50 in cash** as backup on any island smaller than Crete is prudent — card machines fail, internet goes down, and you don’t want to be stranded at a restaurant.

Which regions of Greece must I not miss?

**Attica (Athens)** is non-negotiable — the Acropolis, the National Archaeological Museum, and the food scene in **Koukaki and Psirri** alone justify 2–3 days. The **Cyclades** — specifically **Naxos, Paros, and Santorini** — define the Greece most people dream of. The **Peloponnese** is my personal favourite for depth: **Nafplio** (Greece’s first capital), **Mycenae** (3,500-year-old citadel), **Monemvasia** (a Byzantine fortress town on a sea rock), and the **Mani Peninsula** (tower-house villages and wild swimming). **Crete** works as a destination in its own right — **Chania’s Venetian harbour**, the **Samaria Gorge** (18 km, Europe’s longest gorge), and the **Minoan palace at Knossos** (3,500 years old). The region I’d skip for a first trip: **Thrace** — historically fascinating but logistically demanding and thin on tourism infrastructure.

What are the tourist highlights of Greece?

The non-negotiables: **The Acropolis and Parthenon** in Athens (Pericles commissioned it in 447 BC — it’s as extraordinary in person as promised). **Santorini’s caldera** from **Oia at sunset** — yes, it’s Instagram-saturated, but the view of the 300-meter volcanic cliffs is genuinely stunning. **Meteora** — **6 Orthodox monasteries** on 400-meter sandstone pillars in Thessaly, reachable from **Kalambaka town** in 2 hours from Athens. **Delphi** — the ancient Oracle site on a mountainside above a sea of olive trees, 2.5 hours from Athens and often done as a day trip. **Mykonos and its windmills** at **Kato Myli**. **Knossos Palace** near Heraklion — Europe’s oldest city, inhabited as far back as **7000 BC**. My honest take: Delphi and Meteora consistently deliver more emotional impact per euro than the island highlights and are overlooked by beach-focused visitors.

What experiences in Greece are found nowhere else on earth?

Three genuinely irreplaceable experiences: Swimming in the **Blue Caves of Zakynthos (Navagio Beach)** — the shipwreck bay accessible only by boat, with turquoise water so clear you can see **15 meters down**. Walking into a **Minoan Bronze Age palace at Knossos** and understanding that this civilization flourished **1,000 years before classical Athens**. Attending **Easter (Pascha) on a Greek island** — specifically the midnight Resurrection service in a village square where everyone holds candles, fireworks erupt, and the entire community gathers regardless of age. I witnessed this on **Paros** and it remains one of the most moving communal experiences of my travelling life. The hidden one: taking an overnight ferry on a **Blue Star Ferries** boat from **Piraeus to Chios or Lesbos** — watching the Athens lights disappear and the Aegean open up around you as you drink ouzo on deck.

Regions & Highlights

Which areas of Greece are overcrowded — and what are the quieter alternatives?

**Santorini’s Oia village** in July–August is genuinely suffocating — **15,000 tourists a day** in a village built for 500. Alternative: **Folegandros island**, 2 hours by ferry from Santorini, with clifftop Chora village architecture and virtually no cruise ship crowds. **Mykonos Town** in high season is aggressively expensive and club-focused — alternative: **Sifnos**, with better food, ceramic tradition, and calm harbours. The **Acropolis at Athens** hits **10,000 visitors daily** in peak season — arrive at **8am at opening** or book the last entry slot after **5pm** to avoid the worst. For Crete, everyone goes to **Elafonisi and Balos** — stunning but packed: instead try **Falasarna beach** on the northwest coast or the beaches around **Plakias** on the south coast. The **Northern Aegean islands** (Lesbos, Chios, Samos) remain almost entirely off the tourist radar despite being beautiful and locally authentic.

How many days do I need to see Greece properly?

Minimum **10 days** for a first meaningful trip; **14–16 days** to feel unhurried. My recommended 12-day structure: **3 days Athens**, **2 days Peloponnese (Nafplio base)**, then fly or ferry to **Crete for 4 days**, then **3 days Santorini or Naxos**. The caveat most itineraries ignore: **ferry connections eat a full day**. A Piraeus-to-Heraklion overnight ferry leaves at **9pm and arrives at 6am** — that’s a transition day with no real sightseeing. Factor **1 full travel day** for every major island hop. Trying to cover Athens, 3 Cyclades islands, Crete, and the Peloponnese in 10 days is a logistical sprint that leaves most travellers exhausted. My honest advice: choose either the mainland depth route or the island route — trying both on a first trip leads to rushed, surface-level experiences.

Do I need a visa to visit Greece?

**EU/EEA and Schengen zone citizens: no visa required**, and Greece is part of the Schengen Area. **UK citizens post-Brexit**: no visa required for stays up to **90 days in any 180-day period** — but note that **ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)** is scheduled to launch for UK and other non-EU visitors, likely in **2025–2026**; check current status before travel as the launch date has shifted repeatedly. **US, Canadian, and Australian citizens**: no visa for up to **90 days**. **Indian citizens**: visa required — apply through the **Greek Embassy** or a **VFS Global centre** at least **3–4 weeks ahead**. The caveat: your passport must be valid for at least **3 months beyond your planned departure date** from Greece — several travellers I know have been turned away at boarding because of this requirement.

What languages are spoken in Greece?

**Greek** is the official language, spoken by essentially the entire population. In tourist areas — **Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Crete’s north coast, Rhodes** — English is widely spoken, including by hotel staff, restaurant owners, and ferry operators. My honest experience: off the tourist trail in northern Greece (**Kavala, Kastoria, rural Epirus**), English drops off significantly and basic Greek phrases become genuinely useful. **’Efharisto’** (thank you), **’Parakalo’** (please/you’re welcome), and **’Signomi’** (excuse me) go a long way in creating goodwill. German is the second most useful foreign language in tourist areas, reflecting Germany’s historically strong tourism volume to Greece. The honest caveat: Greek signage outside major cities is sometimes **Greek-alphabet only** with no romanisation — a navigation app with offline maps is not optional in rural areas.

What cultural rules do I need to know before visiting Greece?

The rules that actually matter: **Dress codes at Orthodox churches and monasteries are strict** — shoulders and knees must be covered; wraps are sometimes provided but don’t count on it. At **Meteora monasteries**, women must wear skirts (not just covered legs). **Littering on beaches** is illegal and locals take it seriously on smaller islands — fines exist. Greeks eat late — dinner before **9pm** marks you as a tourist immediately; most tavernas don’t fill until **9:30–10pm**. **Bargaining is not a Greek custom** — unlike in markets elsewhere in the Mediterranean, haggling at Greek shops or restaurants is considered rude. The trade-off: Greeks are extraordinarily warm hosts, but they read disrespect quickly — a genuine greeting of **’Yia sas’** (hello, formal) and visible appreciation of their food and culture opens doors that money alone cannot.

Practical Tips

How safe is Greece for travellers?

Greece is one of the **safer countries in Europe** for tourists. Violent crime targeting visitors is rare — petty theft and pickpocketing in **Athens’ Monastiraki Square, Omonia area, and on the Metro Line 3** are the realistic risks. I’ve had a wallet attempted on the **Athens Metro** near the airport — use a money belt or front-pocket wallet in crowded transit areas. **Omonia Square** in central Athens warrants after-dark caution — it’s a known drug and rough-sleeping area; stick to **Monastiraki, Psirri, and Koukaki** at night. The sea safety caveat most guides omit: **Greek summer afternoon winds (Meltemi)** can reach **Force 7–8 in the Cyclades** — rip currents and rough water develop quickly on exposed beaches. Always check beach warning flags and take them seriously. Road safety is a real concern — Greece has one of the **higher traffic accident rates in the EU**.

What health precautions should I take before visiting Greece?

No vaccinations are required to enter Greece, but I recommend being **up to date on routine vaccinations** (tetanus, hepatitis A, MMR). The practical health issues in Greece are sun-related — **UV index regularly hits 9–11** in July–August; factor **SPF 50** is not vanity, it’s necessary. **Tap water is safe to drink** in Athens and most of the mainland; on some smaller islands (Mykonos, Santorini), tap water is desalinated and safe but tastes poor — bottled water is universally drunk. The health caveat most guides miss: **scorpions exist in rocky, rural areas** of the Peloponnese and Crete — shake out shoes left outside overnight. **EHIC/GHIC cards** (EU and UK residents) cover emergency treatment at Greek state hospitals — private clinics are good but expensive at **€100–200 per consultation**. Medical facilities in Athens and Thessaloniki are solid; on small islands, serious emergencies require **helicopter evacuation** to the mainland.

What SIM card or eSIM options are available in Greece?

**EU residents roam for free** in Greece on their home plan — no SIM purchase needed. **UK and US visitors** need a local or travel SIM. The best local options at **ATH airport arrivals**: **Cosmote (largest network, best rural coverage)**, **Vodafone Greece**, and **Wind Hellas** all offer prepaid tourist SIMs. A **10GB data SIM** from Cosmote costs around **€15–20** and is valid for **30 days**. For eSIM users, **Airalo’s Greece eSIM** offers **10GB for approximately €10–14** — I activate mine before departing because airport SIM kiosks sometimes have queues. The honest warning: **mobile coverage on small, remote islands** (Gavdos, Tilos, Ikaria) is patchy at best — don’t rely on Google Maps navigation in real-time on remote tracks. Download **offline maps via Maps.me or Google Maps offline** before heading to smaller islands or mountain regions.

Which apps do you recommend for travelling in Greece?

The essential Greece travel app stack: **Ferryhopper** — the single best ferry booking platform covering all Greek operators; I book every ferry through it. **Google Maps offline** — download Crete, Peloponnese, and whichever islands separately before losing wifi. **Visit Greece** (official tourism app) — better than expected, with verified sites and opening hours. **e-ΚΤΕΛ** for **KTEL bus tickets** — real-time booking for intercity buses. **Waze** for driving in Greece — it’s used by locals and handles narrow island roads better than Google Maps. **The Fork (TheFork)** for Athens restaurant reservations, especially useful for **Monastiraki and Kolonaki** neighbourhood spots. The app most travellers miss: **Windy.app** — absolutely essential for checking the **Meltemi wind forecast** if you’re planning inter-island ferry days or water sports; a Force 6 Meltemi cancels hydrofoils with zero refund flexibility.

What are the most common traveller mistakes in Greece?

The mistakes I see repeatedly: **Underestimating ferry travel time** — a Piraeus-to-Mykonos ‘fast ferry’ takes **2.5 hours**, but boarding starts **45 minutes early** and the port at **Piraeus is enormous**; budget 1.5 hours from central Athens to boat departure. **Visiting the Acropolis at noon in August** — this is miserable and potentially dangerous in **40°C heat**; book the first entry slot at **8am**. **Booking Santorini without researching the shuttle bus chaos** — the island has no taxis in any meaningful number; the **island bus (KTEL Santorini)** is slow and crowded; budget **€15–25 for an ATV** or accept limited mobility. **Ignoring the Peloponnese entirely** — the most common first-timer regret I hear. Finally: **exchanging currency at airport exchange booths** — they charge **5–8% commission**; use a **Wise or Revolut card** or an **Alpha Bank ATM** instead.