These 100 Greek travel phrases cover greetings, directions, food orders, shopping, numbers, and help—with clear phonetics for quick use.
Landing in Athens or stepping off a ferry in Naxos gets easier when you can greet, thank, order a meal, and ask simple questions in Greek. Below you’ll find clean, practical phrases grouped by real trip moments, a short guide to sounds and stress, and two handy tables you can scan at speed. Use the Greek line first, then the phonetic line in parentheses.
Quick Pronunciation Guide
Greek uses stress marks on one vowel in words with more than one syllable. Read the bolded syllable a bit longer and louder. Diphthongs like αι sound like “e” in met; ει/οι/υι/η/ι/υ often sound like “ee.” For more depth, see Modern Greek pronunciation and the Greek alphabet digraphs.
Sound Map: Fast Rules That Help
| Letter/Pair | Sounds Like | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| αι | “e” in met | Common in “καφέ” (ka-FE) = coffee |
| ει, οι, η, ι, υ | “ee” | Different spellings, same sound |
| ου | “oo” | Like souvlaki (soo-VLA-kee) |
| αυ | “av/af” | Before voiced = av; unvoiced = af |
| ευ | “ev/ef” | Same rule as αυ |
| γγ, γκ | “ng”, “g” | αγγλικό ≈ ang-GLEE-ko |
| θ | “th” | As in think |
| χ | German “ch” | Like Bach |
| ρ | Tapped “r” | Quick tongue tap |
Greek Travel Phrases: The Handy Starter Set
Each line shows the Greek phrase, the phonetic hint, and the meaning. Use informal forms with friends; use polite forms with staff or elders.
Greetings And Basics (12)
- Γεια σου / Γεια σας (YAH-soo / YAH-sas) — Hi / Hello (casual / polite)
- Καλημέρα (kah-lee-ME-rah) — Good morning
- Καλησπέρα (kah-lee-SPE-rah) — Good evening
- Καληνύχτα (kah-lee-NEECH-tah) — Good night
- Τι κάνεις; / Τι κάνετε; (tee KA-nees / tee KA-ne-te) — How are you? (casual / polite)
- Είμαι καλά (EE-meh kah-LA) — I’m fine
- Σε λένε…; / Πώς σας λένε; (se LE-neh / pos sas LE-neh) — What’s your name? (casual / polite)
- Με λένε… (meh LE-neh) — My name is…
- Χάρηκα (HA-ree-kah) — Nice to meet you
- Από πού είσαι; / Από πού είστε; (a-PO poo EE-se / a-PO poo EES-te) — Where are you from? (casual / polite)
- Μιλάς αγγλικά; / Μιλάτε αγγλικά; (mee-LAS ang-lee-KA / mee-LA-te ang-lee-KA) — Do you speak English? (casual / polite)
- Λίγο (LEE-go) — A little
Polite Essentials (10)
- Παρακαλώ (pa-ra-ka-LO) — Please / You’re welcome
- Ευχαριστώ (eff-ha-ree-STO) — Thank you
- Ευχαριστώ πολύ (eff-ha-ree-STO po-LEE) — Thanks a lot
- Συγγνώμη (see-GNO-mee) — Sorry / Excuse me
- Δεν καταλαβαίνω (then ka-ta-la-VE-no) — I don’t understand
- Μπορείτε να επαναλάβετε; (bo-REE-te na e-pa-na-LA-ve-te) — Could you repeat?
- Πιο αργά, παρακαλώ (pyo ar-GA, pa-ra-ka-LO) — Slower, please
- Ναι / Όχι (neh / OH-hee) — Yes / No
- Ίσως (EE-sos) — Maybe
- Εντάξει (en-DAK-see) — OK / All right
Getting Around And Directions (14)
- Πού είναι το μετρό; (poo EE-neh to me-TRO) — Where is the metro?
- Πού είναι η στάση; (poo EE-neh ee STA-see) — Where is the bus stop?
- Πόσο κάνει ταξί μέχρι…; (PO-so KA-nee tak-SEE MEH-khree) — How much is a taxi to…?
- Θέλω ένα ταξί (THE-lo E-na tak-SEE) — I’d like a taxi
- Πάμε στο… (PA-me sto) — Let’s go to…
- Δεξιά / Αριστερά (thek-see-A / a-ree-ste-RA) — Right / Left
- Ευθεία (eff-THEE-a) — Straight ahead
- Κοντά / Μακριά (kon-DA / ma-kree-A) — Near / Far
- Χάρτης (HAR-tees) — Map
- Περπατάω (per-pa-TA-o) — I walk
- Τρένο / Λεωφορείο / Πλοίο (TRE-no / le-o-fo-REE-o / PLEE-o) — Train / Bus / Ferry
- Εισιτήριο (ee-see-TEE-ree-o) — Ticket
- Μονό / Με επιστροφή (mo-NO / me e-pee-stro-FEE) — One-way / Return
- Τι ώρα φεύγει; (tee O-ra FEV-yee) — What time does it leave?
Eating, Drinking, And Coffee Culture (18)
- Ένα τραπέζι για δύο, παρακαλώ (E-na tra-PE-zee ya THEE-o) — A table for two, please
- Μενού / Κατάλογος (me-NOO / ka-TA-lo-gos) — Menu
- Τι προτείνετε; (tee pro-TEE-ne-te) — What do you recommend?
- Χωρίς γλουτένη / Χορτοφαγικό (ho-REES glooo-TE-ni / hor-to-fa-yee-KO) — Gluten-free / Vegetarian
- Έχω αλλεργία σε… (E-ho a-ler-YEE-a se) — I’m allergic to…
- Νερό, παρακαλώ (ne-RO) — Water, please
- Σκρα / Με ανθρακικό (skra / me an-thra-kee-KO) — Still / Sparkling
- Καφές ελληνικός (ka-FES e-lee-nee-KOS) — Greek coffee
- Φρέντο εσπρέσο / καπουτσίνο (FRE-do es-PRE-so / ka-pou-TSEE-no) — Freddo espresso / cappuccino
- Μπύρα / Κρασί (BEE-ra / kra-SEE) — Beer / Wine
- Ορεκτικά (o-rek-tee-KA) — Starters
- Κύριο πιάτο (KEE-ree-o PEEA-to) — Main course
- Λογαριασμός, παρακαλώ (lo-ga-ria-SMOS) — The bill, please
- Με κάρτα / Μετρητά (me KAR-ta / me-tree-TA) — By card / Cash
- Έχει φιλοδώρημα; (E-hee fee-lo-THO-ree-ma) — Is there a service charge?
- Καλή όρεξη (ka-LEE O-rek-see) — Enjoy your meal
- Στην υγειά μας! (steen ee-YA mas) — Cheers!
- Είναι πικάντικο; (EE-ne pee-KAN-tee-ko) — Is it spicy?
Shopping And Money (14)
- Πόσο κάνει; (PO-so KA-nee) — How much is it?
- Μπορώ να το δοκιμάσω; (bo-RO na to tho-kee-MA-so) — Can I try it on?
- Έχετε άλλο μέγεθος; (E-he-te A-lo ME-ye-thos) — Do you have another size?
- Πιο μικρό / Πιο μεγάλο (PYO mee-KRO / PYO me-GA-lo) — Smaller / Larger
- Χρώμα (HRO-ma) — Color
- Δώρο (THO-ro) — Gift
- Απόδειξη (a-PO-thee-xee) — Receipt
- Κάρτα / Μετρητά (KAR-ta / me-tree-TA) — Card / Cash
- Έκπτωση (EK-pto-see) — Discount
- Φαρμακείο (far-ma-KEE-o) — Pharmacy
- Σούπερ μάρκετ (SOO-per MAR-ket) — Supermarket
- Ψάχνω για… (PSAH-khno ya) — I’m looking for…
- Ανοικτό / Κλειστό (a-nee-KTO / klee-STO) — Open / Closed
- Πού είναι το ΑΤΜ; (poo EE-neh to A-TE-EM) — Where is the ATM?
Numbers And Money Quick Reference
| Greek | Phonetic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| μηδέν | mee-THEN | zero |
| ένα / δύο / τρία | E-na / THEE-o / TREE-a | 1 / 2 / 3 |
| τέσσερα / πέντε | TE-se-ra / PEN-de | 4 / 5 |
| έξι / επτά | EX-ee / ef-TA | 6 / 7 |
| οκτώ / εννιά | ok-TO / e-NYAH | 8 / 9 |
| δέκα | THE-ka | 10 |
| είκοσι | EE-ko-see | 20 |
| τριάντα | tree-AN-ta | 30 |
| σαράντα | sa-RAN-ta | 40 |
| πενήντα | pe-NEEN-ta | 50 |
| εκατό | e-ka-TO | 100 |
| ευρώ / λεπτά | ev-RO / lep-TA | euro / cents |
Emergencies And Health (12)
- Βοήθεια! (vo-EE-thee-a) — Help!
- Καλέστε την αστυνομία (ka-LES-te teen a-stee-no-MEE-a) — Call the police
- Πού είναι το νοσοκομείο; (poo EE-neh to no-so-ko-MEE-o) — Where is the hospital?
- Πονάω εδώ (po-NA-o e-THO) — It hurts here
- Φάρμακα για… (FAR-ma-ka ya) — Medicine for…
- Έκτακτο (EK-tak-to) — Emergency
- Χρειάζομαι γιατρό (hree-A-zo-me ya-TRO) — I need a doctor
- Είμαι αλλεργικός/ή σε… (EE-me a-ler-yee-KOS/EE se) — I’m allergic to…
- Ασφάλιση ταξιδιού (a-SFA-lee-see tak-see-THEE-o) — Travel insurance
- Τηλέφωνο ανάγκης (tee-LE-fo-no a-NAN-gees) — Emergency phone
- Χάθηκε το διαβατήριο (HA-thee-ke to dee-a-va-TEE-ree-o) — Passport lost
- Πού είναι το προξενείο; (poo EE-neh to prok-se-NEE-o) — Where is the consulate?
Small Talk And Social (12)
- Τι κάνεις απόψε; / Τι κάνετε απόψε; (tee KA-nees a-PO-pse / tee KA-ne-te a-PO-pse) — What are you doing tonight? (casual / polite)
- Πού προτείνεις να πάμε; (poo pro-TEE-nees na PA-me) — Where should we go?
- Είναι όμορφα εδώ (EE-ne O-mor-fa e-THO) — It’s beautiful here
- Μου αρέσει η μουσική (moo a-RE-see ee moo-see-KEE) — I like the music
- Καλή ιδέα (ka-LEE ee-THE-a) — Good idea
- Καλή τύχη (ka-LEE TEE-hee) — Good luck
- Συγχαρητήρια (see-gha-ree-TEE-ree-a) — Congratulations
- Περάστε (pe-RA-ste) — Come in
- Καλώς ήρθες / Ήρθατε (ka-LOS EER-thes / EER-tha-te) — Welcome (to a place)
- Ωραία! (o-RE-a) — Nice!
- Τέλεια! (TE-lee-a) — Great!
- Καλή συνέχεια (ka-LEE see-NE-hea) — Have a good rest of the day
Time, Days, And Plans (8)
- Τι ώρα είναι; (tee O-ra EE-neh) — What time is it?
- Σήμερα / Αύριο (SEE-me-ra / AV-ree-o) — Today / Tomorrow
- Χτες (hTES) — Yesterday
- Πρωί / Μεσημέρι / Βράδυ (pro-EE / me-see-ME-ree / VRA-thee) — Morning / Noon / Evening
- Δευτέρα… Κυριακή (thef-TE-ra… kee-ria-KEE) — Monday… Sunday
- Ραντεβού (ran-de-VOO) — Appointment / Date
- Τώρα / Σε λίγο (TO-ra / se LEE-go) — Now / In a bit
- Αργότερα (ar-GO-te-ra) — Later
How To Use Stress, Politeness, And Pace
Greek shows stress with a small accent mark over one vowel. Hit that syllable, and natives will follow you even with a tourist accent. Polite speech often uses the “-τε” form (second person plural), so “Γεια σας,” “Πώς είστε;” and “Μιλάτε αγγλικά;” feel instantly courteous. Slow down a touch, smile, and keep phrases short.
Menu And Café Moves That Work
Servers appreciate a greeting and a clear request. A simple “Καλησπέρα” before “Ένα τραπέζι για δύο” sets the tone. When you order coffee, the sugar level is a common follow-up: σκέτο (no sugar), μέτριο (medium), γλυκό (sweet). For water, bottled is common; ask for νερό and point to still or sparkling. If you’re curious about spelling or sound clusters you see on boards, skim the linked sections on Modern Greek pronunciation and Greek alphabet digraphs for a quick refresh.
Make These Phrases Work Harder
Swap Ins And Add-Ons
- Add “παρακαλώ” at the end to soften requests without sounding stiff.
- Point and say the noun + “αυτό/αυτή/αυτό” (this) to order from a case or shelf.
- Use “λίγο” to soften: “λίγο πιο αργά” (a bit slower), “λίγο ακόμα” (a bit more).
Phrase Builder: Turn One Into Many
- Θέλω… + food/drink: “Θέλω σουβλάκι,” “Θέλω σαλάτα.”
- Έχω… + need/issue: “Έχω κράτηση,” “Έχω αλλεργία σε…”.
- Μπορώ…; + action: “Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα;”.
Transport Tips In Simple Greek
At kiosks, tickets vary by zone and time. The words you’ll hear: “κανονικό” (standard), “μειωμένο” (reduced), “ημερήσιο” (day pass). Ask: “Ένα κανονικό εισιτήριο, παρακαλώ.” At island ports, scanning boards for “Αναχωρήσεις” (Departures) and “Καθυστερήσεις” (Delays) helps you line up at the right gate.
Hotel And Check-In Phrases
- Έχω κράτηση στο όνομα… (E-ho KRA-tee-see sto O-na-ma) — I have a reservation under…
- Τι ώρα είναι το check-in / check-out; (tee O-ra EE-neh) — What time is check-in / check-out?
- Κλιματισμός / Wi-Fi (klee-ma-tees-MOS / WHY-fai) — Air-conditioning / Wi-Fi
- Πού είναι το ασανσέρ; (poo EE-neh to a-san-SER) — Where is the elevator?
- Πετσέτες / Σεντόνια (pe-TSE-tes / sen-DO-nia) — Towels / Sheets
- Έχετε χώρο στάθμευσης; (E-he-te HO-ro STATH-mev-sees) — Do you have parking?
Beach, Sites, And Day Trips
- Παραλία / Ομπρέλα / Ξαπλώστρα (pa-ra-LEE-a / om-BRE-la / xa-PLOS-tra) — Beach / Umbrella / Sunbed
- Είσοδος / Ξενάγηση (EE-so-thos / xe-NA-yee-see) — Entrance / Guided tour
- Εισιτήρια online; (ee-see-TEE-ree-a on-LAIN) — Tickets online?
- Τι ώρα κλείνει; (tee O-ra KLEE-nee) — What time does it close?
- Φωτογραφίες επιτρέπονται; (fo-to-GRA-fee-es e-pee-TRE-po-nte) — Are photos allowed?
Packing The Phrases For A Day Out
Snap a screenshot of two sections you’ll need that day—say, transport and food. Practice out loud while walking. Hit the stress mark, keep your sentence short, and point with a smile. Locals often switch to English to help, but opening in Greek earns instant goodwill.
Mini Cheats For Clear Speech
- End consonants are crisp; don’t trail off.
- Greek “r” is tapped; one quick touch of the tongue.
- Double vowels join into one sound in many words; check the tables above.
Print-Ready Wrap
These lines cover arrivals, rooms, meals, rides, shopping, plans, and mishaps. Save the page offline, keep the stress mark in mind, and use polite forms with staff. A little Greek goes a long way in markets and family tavernas—especially when you lead with “παρακαλώ” and close with “ευχαριστώ”.