• Students are responsible for purchasing their own flight to Greece. Flight prices are usually best 2-4 months before your arrival date. Airlines typically offer their cheapest flights before noon on weekdays. Monitor your ideal flight using an online flight price tracker for a couple weeks before you buy so you get a sense of the airline's price fluctuations and what a good deal might be. 

• All students should fly into Athens International Airport, "Eleftherios Venizelos" - airport code "ATH" 

• Airlines to check out include American Airlines, Delta, and United. 

• Purchase airline tickets that permit a “change of date” that is a non-stop flight that offers, at best, free cancellation or a credit to be used at a later date. Purchase tickets directly from the airline rather than a third-party vendor (like Expedia or Travelocity). The Holy Cross Travel Credit will appear on your HC tuition bill. 

• Once you’ve been accepted by CYA and know when you can move-in, then purchase your ticket. 

• Once a flight is booked, students must upload a copy of the itinerary into the Holy Cross application portal (sa.holycross.edu) and submit a "Flight Information Form" to CYA. 

As indicated in the Study Abroad Acknowledgement and Release Form, Holy Cross is not responsible for travel expenses, including but not limited to, airline tickets and transportation to and from airports, which result from program suspension or termination, schedule changes, flight changes, emergency evacuation, or any other exigency.  Such expenses are the sole responsibility of the student.

Documents to carry on you when you travel:

1. Valid passport with Greek visa 

2. A copy of prescriptions for medications you're currently taking

3. Two color-copies of your passport information/signature page and visa page

4. Your apartment details and contact information for CYA

5. International SOS letter

6. HC Affidavit letter

7. A copy of your flight itinerary

You are required to have a cell phone with the app Whatsapp (Wi-Fi/data texting). Whatsapp is an international texting & calling app that our office will use to stay in touch with you. You are not allowed to study abroad without a phone. 

Cell Phones / SIM Card

• Each CYA student is required to carry a cell phone with a Greek phone number. Students often find it easier to arrange a phone plan once they are in Athens.

• CYA can provide students with a Greek SIM card and has arranged for a Vodafone representative to be at the CYA Academic Center during orientation to help students select the most appropriate plan. Your phone should be unlocked in order to accept the Greek SIM card. 

• If students have an eSIM, they can notify CYA in advance of their arrival, and they can provide a Greek eSIM through Vodafone instead. 

• Students are free to make phone plan arrangements independently, but the plan must include a Greek phone number. 

• If using a physical Greek SIM card in your own phone, you will still be able to use your apps and access Wi-Fi. If you have an iPhone, you will still be able to use Messages within Wi-Fi or data zones. 

  • Once you remove your US SIM card, your US number becomes inactive. Make sure to tell your family and friends your Greek number so they can contact you (which is free and easy to do through apps like Whatsapp). 

  • With an eSIM, you can have two numbers active on your phone. You can swap which of your eSIMs are active simply by changing your selections in the relevant Settings section of your phone. 

• While you can opt to purchase data with a pay-as-you-go plan from Vodafone, you can use Wi-Fi to cut down on data usage. Wi-Fi is widely available throughout the airport and at CYA facilities. 

Unlocking your mobile phone

• You can unlock your phone before arriving in Greece. 

• You should contact your cell provider directly to confirm your phone can be unlocked in the first place. Some US carriers require that the phone in question be paid off fully or by a certain percentage. 

Data charges / Wi-Fi

• International students may find that they run up large charges due to using data overseas. Please check with your network provider and disable data roaming when you arrive if you would like to avoid running up large charges. Use Wi-Fi and connect with WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime, or Google Voice. 

• Be careful when using public Wi-Fi networks to access sensitive accounts, such as banking or health apps. Consider downloading a VPN app if you wish to add an extra layer of security when using Wi-Fi, or only plan to access sensitive accounts while on more secure networks, such as at the CYA Academic Center. 

• Whatsapp 

Whatsapp is a free international texting & calling app that our office and CYA will use to stay in touch with you. Whatsapp operates on Wi-Fi, so you can start using WhatsApp the moment you land, even if you don't have an international cell phone plan just yet - all you need is Wi-Fi, which you can connect to at the airport!

• ISOS

You are required to download the International SOS Insurance App. Once you land, you must open that app and press the "Check-In" button any time you are traveling outside of Athens. 

Basics:

• Wiffinity - helps you find Wi-Fi nearby, and even includes passwords to log on. Doesn't require data connection.

• ATH Airport - official Athens airport app. Check flight status, weather, and even special offers to airport shopping. 

• Oanda Currency Converter - check the official exchange rate of the day. 

• DuoLingo - Learn some Greek before and after you arrive! 

• Google Translate - Speak or understand Greek, even use your phone camera to scan Greek words for real time translation. 

Communication:

• Whatsapp - already mentioned, but the number one choice for messaging and calls outside the US.

• Viber - another app that allows you to make calls and texts for free.

• Facebook Messenger 

Directions:

• Google Maps - can be used offline to get directions around the city without using data!

• CityMaps2Go - another app where you can download one free map to use offline even if you don't have data or Wi-Fi.

• FreeNow - The new Greek/European version of Uber.

• Citymapper - real time directions using public transportation, walking, etc. 

Thinks to do:

• AthensBook - best app for basic needs (finding the nearest supermarket, closest cafés, what films are on, public transport info, etc.). Requires Wi-Fi or data connection.