dmkujat

We have a group of ten adults renting a villa in Greece in October. We have been told that we should get a rental car, especially for travel to and from the nearest town, which is too far to walk to. If we can get a big enough car, we can keep it around for the week for day trips too...so, how difficult is it to get a car to fit 8-10 people in Greece? Should we just get two smaller vehicles, or hope that not all 10 of us are interested in the same day trips!

janisj

You don't want anything to do w/ a 12 pasenger van - even if you could find one. Rent 3 small cars or 2 midsized (3 small cars would be my choice). Three small cars would cost less than a mini bus, you'd have more flexibility, and would be MUCH easier to handle on rural roads.

carylspall

janisj is right. It would be awful driving a big vehicle on the Greek roads.

bobthenavigator

Get 2 diverse vehicles---see Autoeurope.

dmkujat

Thank you....I like the idea of two mid-size cars..that way the group can split up if need be, or leave a car behind for those lounging by the pool for most of the day!

GBC

I agree that mid-size would be the way to go.

One further note that may assist you; we had a disappointing experience with Hertz in Greece. If I were to visit Greece again, I wouldn't avoid Hertz but I would not pay extra to use them.

dmkujat

Looks like Autoeurope is the ticket..I've been told its cheaper to get the car in Athens rather than the airport to avoid the airport tax, however, I don't know if I want to do too much messing around with that, since we will be flying overnight and will be tired and want to get to our villa an hour away from Athens. I think 2 cars and an additional taxi will get us all up to the villa..then the two cars will give the group transport for the rest of the week just fine...that way, no one is stranded!

stanbr

I have used Ace Rent a Car the past two years. They deliver the cars to the airport and you drop them off there as well. There is no airport tax as they are not based at the airport. Their web site was the most helpful site I could find for driving in Greece. Full insurance was also included in the price and I was able to get an automatic.
Do not even consider renting and driving in Athens. The traffic is caos. On the other hand the drive from the airport to the national road is all freeway driving. Keep in mind that a mid sized rental car will not have the power of the locals in their BMW Audi and Mercedes. Be very aware of what is coming up behind you because the speed limits don't appear to apply to German cars.
Have fun.

dmkujat

stanbr....that was a most helpful answer! Thanks!! I am "in charge" of making all the arrangements for the group, and of course I want to do a good job!! LOL! Thank you for your information!

stanbr

You are welcome. I have a few other thoughts on driving in Greece. Always remember if you are being overtaken it is your responsibility to get out of the way by moving over to the right.

Once you are off the main highway the roads tend to be quite narrow and often hilly. Because the roads are so windy Greeks often drive in the middle of the road ( particularly on blind curves) and rely on reflexes and good fortune to stay alive. In fact the speeds on the secondary roads are pretty slow so there really is time to get out of the way. It's a little scary at first but by the end of the third day I noticed, much to my shame that I too was driving like a Greek. It's fun and your crew should have a great time.

polly229

We got pretty good rates with Thrifty. Wanted an automatic on the mainland (lots of times manual is the only option in the islands) and they had the best price. You can arrange for a pick-up, which will save time over having to call when you get there - tell them your flight # and they will meet you with a sign as you leave immigration. For returning the car, they will arrange a meeting time at the airport but give you a phone number in case you're early or late. Since they're off site maybe they don't charge the airport tax and that's one reason they're cheaper. But whatever that tax might be, I'll venture a guess that it will be worth it not to have to drive in Athens.

What I found odd - and amusing - was that the Greeks drive on the multi-lane national roads just the way they do on small roads. In other words, if there is a paved shoulder, you drive on as much of it as you can and leave as much of the "real" lane open for passing as possible. Even if you're on one of the wider sections of highway in the general area of Athens, three lanes each direction and you're in the far right lane, many cars will zoom up behind you and expect you to move to the shoulder - even if the center and left lane are clear. Old habits die hard, I guess.