ERASMUS STUDENT ASSOCIATION July 6, 2014

TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF PIRAEUS

SURVIVAL
GUIDE
ADDRESS OFA guide about life in Greece and how to survive it
INSTITUTION
Petrou Ralli & Thivon 250,
122 44 Athens, Greece

THE ERASMUS
OFFICE
LOCATION:
Building Α – Office Α-015

OPENING HOURS:
Monday – Friday
09:00 – 14:00

MAIN CONTACT Accommodation

PERSON:
Angelo Davaris, Get started with your search for housing as early as possible to
LLP – Erasmus Incoming increase your chances of finding your ideal student room or
Students flat. As an international student looking for housing, your first
Tel: 210 53810009, point of contact should always be your university. Our Institute
2105381415, unfortunately doesn't offer housing services for international
210561 3703 students, including degree-seeking students.
Fax: 2105450964 The availability of student accommodation in Athens varies
e-mail: considerably from place to place. Usually, there is plenty of
peachop@otenet.gr accommodation available in the Athens Centre municipalities.
eu@teipir.gr Fortunately, to help the situation our association has made a list
of previously approved and rented places for you, to make the
whole process easier. There is an “accommodation guide” that
is available in our association’s site.

You can also contact us to help you get in touch with other
Erasmus students for the chance of finding roommates, who are
already established.

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ERASMUS STUDENT ASSOCIATION
TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF PIRAEUS
COST OF LIVING
Living costs in Athens depend
largely on your individual
lifestyle. A sample monthly
budget is as follows:
• Food: EUR100
• Accommodation: EUR 250-350
• Local travel: EUR 20
• Telephone/internet: EUR 20
• Hobby/leisure, miscellaneous:
EUR 100
Total ≈ EUR550+
Don’t forget that if your lucking
and starting searching for
accommodation early you can
even find with less the 200 euro.
Remember that prices can vary
considerably depending on where
you live. Dining out can be
somewhat expensive in Athens,
though student bars, taverns and
restaurants often have discounted
prices.
Lunch at the student restaurant on
campus usually costs around EUR
3-5, except if you have a feeding
card, which is then free; at an
average café you will spend
around EUR 3-5. Dinner starts at
around EUR 8-12, drinks not
included. In most restaurants and
bars, an inexpensive beer or glass
of wine will cost about EUR 3-5.
Survival guide
July 6, 2014
Health Insurance & Medical Care
Health insurance should be arranged before you come to Greece.
If you are a citizen of any of the EU/EEA countries or
Switzerland, you should register for a European Health Insurance
Card (EHIC) in your home country before coming to Greece. This
card gives you the right to medical care at the same cost as
Greeks. The European Commission has developed an EHIC app
with more information on the card and how it works. If you are
not able to receive your EHIC before leaving home due to long
waiting times, you can request a temporary certificate from the
same office in your home country that issues the EHIC. If you do
not obtain an EHIC in your home country, you will need to
arrange your own insurance coverage to cover costs, as medical
care without insurance can be very expensive. However, you
always have access to emergency care.
Weather
Before making the decision for when to come, we suggest that you
take a look in our weather conditions to see which suits you better.
In summer months you should stay hydrated and apply sun screen
lotions, it would be very helpful to you if you can places with air-
conditioning. Winter for the most of it is quite easy to go through
with some warm clothes and hot cup of your favourite beverage.
London Greece
17
16
15 15
21 20
Temp (C)
14
16 17 17
14
12
9 10
8 7
6
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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ERASMUS STUDENT ASSOCIATION July 6, 2014
TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF PIRAEUS

Emergencies and Practical advice for life in Greece

SOS calls
In case of emergency,
dial 100 to contact the
Banks and post offices
police, for fire
brigade199, for remote Banks are generally open from Monday to Friday, between
medical assistance 1051, 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Many branches have reduced opening
for medical services166, hours at least once a week (usually Fridays until 2:00 p.m.).
for all day pharmacies Banks are closed at weekends.
14944. Emergency calls
You will receive your postal address when moving into
made from payphones are
accommodation. Postboxes can be found outside ofpost
free of charge.
services throughout each city to send letters; Packets can be
picked up and sent at the Post offices.
THE ERASMUS
OFFICE There are also national student cards which give discounts on
LOCATION: domestic travel by air, train and bus. More detailed
Building Α – Office Α-015 information on discount offers is included when you receive
OPENING HOURS:
your card after joining a student union.
Monday – Friday
09:00 – 14:00 Local transportation
MAIN CONTACT Public transport – buses, commuter trains, trams and (in
PERSON: Athens) the underground – is available almost everywhere in
Angelo Davaris, LLP –
Greece and provides a convenient, fast way to get around.
Erasmus Incoming Students
Passes are usually valid for one and half hour (1:30) travel on
Tel: 210 53810009, the local network such as the underground, local buses and
2105381415, 210561 3703 commuter trains. In all cities, you may receive a student
Fax: 2105450964
discount for public transport. You can find more information
e-mail: in our special guide for transportation in our site.
peachop@otenet.gr
eu@teipir.gr

Survival guide 3
ERASMUS STUDENT ASSOCIATION
TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF PIRAEUS
Shopping hours
On Mondays and Thursdays
are between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00
p.m. on the rest of the
weekdays are from 9:00 a.m.
to2:00 p.m and again 5:30 p.m
to 9:00 p.m. In larger towns,
department stores may remain
open until 8-9 p.m. everyday
and some are also open on
Sundays. Shops generally close
early on the day before a public
holiday.
Date System
Dates are often written in the
order day, month, year. So
2014-10-12, for instance, is
written 12 October 2014 (or
just 12/10/2014).
Time Zone
Greece has Eastern European
Time Zone, (GMT +2).
Daylight saving time (GMT
+3) applies from the last
Sunday in March until the last
Sunday in October. Times are
written according to the
European system, e.g. 1 p.m. is
written 13:00.
Survival guide
July 6, 2014
Medications
Prescriptions from Greek doctors can be filled at local
pharmacies (Φαρμακείο); there are a lot of independent
pharmacies operating in Greece. These are open during normal
shopping hours, though many are closed on Sundays. 24-hour
service is usually available only in the major cities. If you take
medication, it is a good idea to make sure that you have an
adequate supply before leaving for Greece. Over-the-counter
medicines may also be available at supermarkets or kiosks.
Driving.
Greece, like most European countries, has right-hand traffic. The
legal driving age is 18 and you are expected to have your driver’s
license with you when driving. The laws on drinking and driving
are very strict and such behaviour is not only illegal, but socially
unaccepted.
Electricity
Electricity is standard European 220 volts and 50 cycles (Hz).
Plugs C, D, E, & F. You will need a voltage converter, and plug
adapter in order to use U.S. style appliances. We recommend
getting a universal adapter and converter kit.
Telecommunications
Most international students in Greece choose to use Skype and
mobile telephones with pay-as-you-go SIM cards.
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ERASMUS STUDENT ASSOCIATION July 6, 2014
TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF PIRAEUS

Miscellaneous – a How to get to the Institution

few practical
things to keep in After you arrive at the Aegaleo Metro Station head east on
mind Iera Odos(Ιερά Οδός) toward Dimarchiou (Δημαρχείου).

Drug laws are very strict Turn right onto Dimarchiou.

in Greece. Foreign
Turn right onto Iera Odos
citizens in possession of
any type of illegal drug From there you can take the Bus829 or 852 towards Τ.Ε.Ι
may be arrested. Drugs ΑΘΗΝΑΣ-ΣΤ.ΜΕΤΡΟ ΑΙΓΑΛΕΩ-Τ.Ε.Ι. ΠΕΙΡΑΙΑ
sometimes referred to as
“soft drugs”, for example Mon-Sun: 5:30am–9:00pm · every 20 min
marijuana and hashish,
You can also use this link to google maps to help find your
are illegal in Greece.
way easier.
The age limit for buying https://goo.gl/maps/ddXVI
alcoholic beverages is 18.
If you are under 25,
please bring your
passport or another
identification card when
buying. If you can’t show
proof that you are at least
18 years old, you will not
be allowed to purchase
alcohol. To make a
purchase for someone
who is underage is illegal
and subject to penalty. In
bars and restaurants the
legal drinking age is 18.

Survival guide 5