Looking to belt out some useful Greek travel phrases seriously? We cannot blame you since Greece has always been a tourist destination that most of us crave. Before you plan out a tour or move to the country, we highly recommend that you first try to learn the language so that you can navigate the place like a pro, discover the rich history that can be reflected through the everyday words and expressions, and connect with the locals more deeply.
Greece holds a special place in our hearts no matter where we are in the world. Most of us have learned about this country and its history through literature, and we somehow fell in love with gods and their particular stories. In fact, if you will ask anyone if they know any Greek personality, even high school students can list down all the famous names such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Hera, Poseidon, and Athena! If you come across a fan, they might even give you a full-blown explanation of the entire family tree!
But aside from all that, another notable thing about Greece is its distinct natural wonders and dazzling cityscape! Almost anyone can immediately associate it with Greece from the classic pictures of stone houses with white and blue colors. Perhaps, this is the reason why you also landed on this page… you probably want to visit and have a glimpse of this remarkable place!

Basic Greek Travel Phrases
In order to make your trip much more exciting (and survivable), you can never go wrong when you try to learn the basic Greek greetings. The greetings and expressions we have below are perfect to use for casual interactions.
Expression | Greek | Pronunciation Guide |
How are you? | Τι κανείς | Ti kaneís |
Hello / Goodbye | Γειά σου | Geiá sou |
Nice to meet you! | Χάρηκα πολύ | Chárika polý |
Good morning | Καλημέρα | Kaliméra |
Good afternoon/evening | Καλό απόγευμα | Kaló apógevma |
Goodnight | Καληνυχτα | Kalinychta |
Thank you | Ευχαριστώ | Efcharistó |
You are welcome / please | Παρακαλώ | Parakaló |
See you | Τα λέμε | Ta léme |
Sorry! / Excuse me! | Συγνώμη | Sygnómi |
I’m doing well, and you? | Είμαι καλά, εσύ? | Eímai kalá, esý? |
Yes | Ναί | Naí |
No | Όχι | Óchi |
I don’t understand | Δεν καταλαβαίνω | Den katalavaíno |

What Are The Most Common Greek Phrases For Travel
While it is true that you can speak English, especially if you are visiting tourist destinations in Greece, it is still better if you know how to speak some of the local Greek language words, phrases, and expressions. Below is the list of what you can use:
Expression | Greek | Pronunciation Guide |
How much is…? | Πόσο κάνει… | Póso kánei… |
Where is…? | Που είναι… | Pou eínai… |
When? | Πότε | Póte |
May I please have…? | Θα μπορούσα να έχω… | Tha boroúsa na écho… |
Water | Νερό | Neró |
I don’t eat… | Δεν τρώω | Den tróo |
I’m a vegetarian | Είμαι χορτοφάγος | Eímai chortofágos |
the bill, please | Τον λογαριασμό παρακαλώ | Ton logariasmó parakaló |
Do you speak English? | Mιλάτε Αγγλικά; | Miláte Angliká? |
Cheers | Στην υγειά μας | Stin ygeiá mas |
Left | Αριστερά | Aristerá |
Right | Δεξιά | Dexiá |
Straight ahead | Όλο ευθεία | Ólo eftheía |
Turn left | Στρίψτε αριστερά | Strípste aristerá |
Turn right | Στρίψτε δεξιά | Strípste dexiá |
Bus stop | Στάση λεωφορείου | Stási leoforeíou |
Train station | Στάση τρένου | Stási trénou |
Airport | Αεροδρόμιο | Aerodrómio |
Entrance | Είσοδος | Eísodos |
Exit | Έξοδος | Éxodos |
I love Greece | Αγαπώ την Ελλάδα | Agapó tin Elláda |
Taxi | Ταξί | Taxí |

Basic Emergency Greek Phrases
In as much as we want our trip to Athens or Greece, in general, to go according to plan, there are still instances that we might find ourselves having trouble with something. We can usually call 112 (the European emergency phone number) and describe to them what is happening. But, what if you have no one with you who can translate or understand English? To navigate this world like a total pro and not become a “sorry” tourist, take note of the emergency phrases you can use today:
Expression | Greek | Pronunciation Guide |
Thief | κλέφτης | kléftis |
Help! | Βοήθεια | Voítheia |
I need a doctor | Χρειάζομαι ένα γιατρό | Chreiázomai éna giatró |
I don’t feel well | Δεν αισθάνομαι καλά | Den aisthánomai kalá |
Call the police! | Καλέστε την αστυνομία | Kaléste tin astynomía |
Fire! | Φωτιά | Fotiá |
Police! | αστυνομία! | astynomía! |
There is an emergency! | υπάρχει μια κατάσταση έκτακτης ανάγκης! | ypárchei mia katástasi éktaktis anánkis! |
Ambulance | ασθενοφόρο! | asthenofóro! |
Quickly | γρήγορα! | grígora! |
I am sick | Είμαι άρρωστος | Eímai árrostos |
I need help | Χρειάζομαι βοήθεια | Chreiázomai voítheia |
The hospital | το νοσοκομείο | to nosokomeío |
I have a headache | Έχω ένα πονοκέφαλο | Écho éna ponokéfalo |
I have a cold | Έχω κρύωμα | Écho krýoma |
Paracetamol | παρακεταμόλη | paraketamóli |
Aspirin | ασπιρίνη | aspiríni |
Ibuprofen | ιβουπροφαίνη | ivouprofaíni |
As we reach this part of the post, we hope that you were able to get a good grasp of the local language used in Greece through this post. If you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to read our previous language tips, like how to say yes in Czech, thank you in Finnish, and Italian love phrases. Also, if you’d like to discover a Greek word translation for something, then you’d better check out our most recommended app you can check today!
Ready To Learn The Greek Language?
Before you hop on the plane and prepare for the islands you will visit in Greece, let me ask you a question: Are you interested in immersing yourself fully in the Greek culture, language, and traditions? Or are you someone looking to expand your knowledge of Greek words? Then, search no more because we’ve got something just for you!
Learn the best ways to say Greek expressions using the correct accent and words through the Ling app. This language learning application allows tourists and language enthusiasts worldwide to learn about 60+ languages through its platform, available for download and web access.
Unlike other platforms, the lessons from the inside are actually developed and crosschecked by native speakers and language professionals to ensure consistency in meaning and correctness.
Each lesson comes in a gamified package, hitting critical language points such as the alphabet and writing system, pronunciation guides (through sounds and audio files), grammar rules, and formal expressions. This makes it a good resource as it also comes with an AI-based chatbot to practice learned words like you are speaking with a real person! So, what are you waiting for? Download this today in the Play Store and App Store and join the millions of people learning Greek right now!