Must-Have Apps for Greece: The Complete 2026 Travel Guide
Contents (16)
Short answer: before a trip to Greece, install FREENOW (and Uber) for licensed taxis, Ferryhopper for booking island ferries, MarineTraffic to track your ship, OASA Telematics for Athens public transport, Google Maps with offline maps, and Google Translate with the Greek language pack. All of them work best with reliable mobile data.
Why you need dedicated apps for Greece
Greece is one of Europe's favorite destinations, but it has a few quirks worth preparing for in advance: taxis that are booked only through certain apps, ferries between dozens of islands, and signs in the Greek alphabet. With the right apps on your phone, all of this becomes simple.
We've gathered the must-have apps that actually work in Greece, so you can install everything before you leave home.
First things first: internet in Greece
Booking a taxi, tracking a ferry and navigating the islands' alleys all need an internet connection. The easiest way is an eSIM for Greece: install it at home by scanning a QR code, and land in Athens already connected, without looking for a mobile shop at the airport.
With FlySim you can buy a data plan for Greece and install it before your flight. Before you buy, make sure your phone supports eSIM and isn't locked to a specific carrier.
Taxis: FREENOW and Uber
Greece doesn't have private drivers like regular Uber services elsewhere. All ride apps work with licensed taxis only.
- FREENOW: the most popular taxi app in Greece, working in Athens, Thessaloniki and some of the most visited islands. It shows a price estimate before you book.
- Uber: works in Greece, but what arrives is a regular yellow taxi with a meter, not a private car.
Note: older guides mention the Beat app. It stopped operating in Greece in 2022 and was merged into FREENOW. On the small islands there are usually no ride apps at all, and local taxi numbers are displayed at the port and the airport.
Ferries: Ferryhopper and MarineTraffic
- Ferryhopper: the main app for booking ferries in Greece. It compares different companies, shows timetables and prices, and lets you book tickets for routes between the islands.
- MarineTraffic: shows ships' locations in real time. Useful when your ferry is delayed and you want to know when it will really reach the port.
Tip: in summer, routes to the popular islands fill up, so book ahead. Everything about ports, ferry types and cancellations is in our Greece ferries guide.
Public transport in Athens: OASA Telematics
OASA Telematics is the official Athens public transport app, with real-time arrival times for buses, trolleybuses, the metro and the tram.
Bonus: since January 2025 you can pay for the metro, buses and trams in Athens by tapping a contactless card or phone (Apple Pay / Google Pay) on the reader, without buying a paper ticket. Use the same card or device for the whole journey, and one card per passenger.
Navigation: Google Maps with offline maps
Google Maps works very well in Greece, on foot and in a rental car. On the islands, signal is weak in some areas, so download an offline map of the island in advance as a backup.
Translation: Google Translate
Signs, menus in local tavernas and notice boards at ports are often written in Greek. Google Translate translates through the camera, and it's worth downloading the Greek language pack in advance for offline use.
Apps for Greece at a glance
| Need | App |
|---|---|
| Taxis | FREENOW, Uber |
| Ferry tickets | Ferryhopper |
| Tracking your ferry | MarineTraffic |
| Athens buses, metro and tram | OASA Telematics |
| Navigation | Google Maps (with offline maps) |
| Translation | Google Translate (with Greek offline) |
Checklist before your flight to Greece
- Install FREENOW and Uber and sign up while you're still at home
- Download Ferryhopper and book ferries in advance in high season
- Download offline maps of Athens and the islands
- Download the Greek pack in Google Translate
- Install your eSIM and turn off data roaming on your home SIM
- Make sure your card supports contactless payment (for Athens transport)
Frequently asked questions
Does Uber work in Greece?
Yes, but only with licensed taxis. You book through the app and get a regular yellow taxi.
What's the best taxi app in Greece?
FREENOW is the most widely used in Athens and Thessaloniki. Uber is a good alternative.
How do I book a ferry to the Greek islands?
The easiest way is Ferryhopper, which brings most ferry companies together in one place.
Can I pay for the Athens metro with a credit card?
Yes. Tap a contactless card or phone on the reader at the entrance, with no need for a travel ticket.
Does Beat still work in Greece?
No. Beat stopped operating in 2022, and the service moved to FREENOW.
Summary
With FREENOW for taxis, Ferryhopper for ferries, OASA Telematics for Athens and Google Translate for Greek, your trip to Greece becomes much simpler. All of them work only with reliable internet.
Before you pack, choose a FlySim eSIM plan for Greece, install it at home and land connected. Kaló taxídi!