Internet Connectivity

Staying Connected in Athens

Reliable internet access is especially valuable for wheelchair users who need to check metro elevator status, find accessible routes, look up venue accessibility details, and use navigation apps. Athens has good mobile coverage and several options for getting online.

Greek Mobile Operators

Greece has three main mobile operators:

• Cosmote (subsidiary of OTE, owned by Deutsche Telekom): The largest network with the best overall coverage, including underground metro stations. 4G/5G coverage throughout Athens.
• Vodafone Greece: Strong coverage in urban areas, competitive tourist plans. Good 4G/5G in central Athens.
• Nova (formerly Wind Hellas): The third operator. Generally slightly cheaper than Cosmote and Vodafone. Good coverage in Athens, may be weaker in remote areas.

All three operators provide reliable 4G/LTE coverage throughout Athens.

Buying a SIM Card

What You Need

Greek law requires a valid passport or national ID card to purchase a SIM card. The shop will photocopy your document and register the SIM in your name. This process takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Where to Buy

Athens International Airport (ATH):

• Cosmote, Vodafone, and Nova have shops or kiosks in the arrivals area
• Convenient for getting connected immediately

Syntagma and Central Athens:

• Multiple phone shops on Ermou Street and around Syntagma Square
• Easy to access and centrally located
• The area is relatively flat, making it accessible for wheelchair users

Monastiraki Area:

• Several electronics and phone shops near the metro station
• Accessible from the flat main square area

Typical Tourist Plans

Prepaid tourist SIM plans in Greece generally offer:

• 10 to 30 GB of data
• Calls and texts within Greece and the EU
• Validity of 14 to 30 days
• Prices between 10 and 20 euros (plus SIM card cost of about 5 to 10 euros)

eSIM Options

If your phone supports eSIM, you can avoid the shop visit entirely:

• Airalo: Wide selection of Greece and Europe eSIM plans, buy and activate from the app
• Holafly: Unlimited data eSIM plans for Greece, easy setup
• Nomad eSIM: Affordable Greece data plans
• Cosmote eSIM: Available but may require visiting a store for activation

eSIM is especially convenient for wheelchair users since you skip the potentially inaccessible phone shop and the registration process. You can set up your data connection before you land in Athens.

Free WiFi

Athens WiFi

Free WiFi is available in some public areas:

• Most Athens hotels offer free WiFi
• Many restaurants and cafes offer free WiFi for customers
• The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center offers free WiFi throughout the complex
• Athens International Airport has free WiFi
• Syntagma Metro station has WiFi

Other Free WiFi Spots

• McDonald's and Starbucks: Free WiFi, usually reliable
• Shopping centers (The Mall Athens, Golden Hall): Free WiFi with registration
• Athens International Airport: Free WiFi available

EU Roaming

If you have a SIM card from another EU country, you can use it in Greece at no extra cost under EU roaming regulations ("Roam Like at Home"). This applies to calls, texts, and data within your plan's fair use limits. Check with your home operator for any data caps that may apply to roaming.

This is often the simplest option for EU visitors.

Coverage Tips

• Mobile coverage is excellent in central Athens and along major transport routes
• Metro Lines 2 and 3 have mobile coverage in stations. Coverage between stations may be intermittent
• Indoor coverage in thick-walled neoclassical buildings can be weak. Step outside or near a window if you lose signal
• If taking day trips outside Athens (Sounion, Delphi), coverage is generally good along main highways but may drop in mountainous areas