Petrol in Greece

Old Dec 1st, 2016, 08:04 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Petrol in Greece

Have Googled and cannot find what i need

Any traveler to Greece recently that rented a vehicle

What was unleaded per litre

And do petrol station ask for € cash or will they accept Visa credit card

Hope for some advise or please

Really will help me
Coolmover is offline  
Old Dec 1st, 2016, 08:12 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Does this site give you what you need?

http://www.fuel-prices-europe.info/

My recollection is no credit cards, cash only. But then I don't use my credit card much in country.
artsnletters is offline  
Old Dec 1st, 2016, 08:29 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I will most certainly look at the link you sent

And just as important your comment on cash transaction to
purchase

Needed that advise to estimate what cash i should carry on the days I have the car as I did google the make/model to get an idea on how much fuel it uses

That said i will over estimate a bit to reduce trips to ATM or bank

You really did help
Coolmover is offline  
Old Dec 1st, 2016, 08:44 PM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That site for fuel gr8

Thanks again
Coolmover is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 04:57 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Unleaded in my neighbourhood is today 1.387 Euro per liter.
I live in Athens, which has the lowest prices in Greece.

Most if not all gas stations in Athens accept credit cards, i haven't found one that didn't so far.
clausar is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 05:17 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't know what website you are using to plan your driving days, but the Michelin site is terrific for Greece because it not only shows you the route but estimates costs in terms of tolls PLUS petrol use: https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Routes ... which feature I think Mapquest does not have?
travelerjan is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 05:19 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
PS -- on some routes if you have to stop for petrol you cannot use credit cards from US that are swipe-only ... the CC feature in Greece requires a "chip" card. Just be aware.
travelerjan is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 08:17 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Michelin --am not using but will look
I have an app you put town you leave and town you are going to it plots course give distance/time
and tolls
First day Athens to Delphi total €12,70 tolls

Thanks for the unlead price and heads up on credit card as will ask first but have cash just in case

Must say feel more prepared so thank you
Coolmover is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 10:47 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree, most places in Athens accept cards, but I lived out in the sticks for 7 years & found most were cash only, although that is slowly changing
The other difference you'll notice is that you generally don't fill up yourself, you stay in the car & someone comes & fills up for you! Coming from the UK it was something to get used to as almost all are self service there!
yiassas is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 12:06 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Coolmover is from Australia, so US swipe cards aren't a factor for him. Just in case someone from the US is reading this, US swipe cards work just fine in ATMs, and in most point of sales, too.

My US bank has replaced all my swipe credit and debit cards with chip + signature cards, and I suspect that is the case with most other US travellers. If you have a chip + signature card, insure that it is also PIN enabled so you can use it in self service machines.
Heimdall is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 01:30 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I will not be paying with CCard
Now according to car specifics 5.9ltr per 100 klm.
So work on 5 ltr/100klm
and see how that goes

Establish fuel budget
not rocket science
Lol
Coolmover is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 09:24 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
RIght Heimdall, that is the step I omitted. The US doesn't require PIN with chip cards (stupid, but marketers figured US users are too lazy).

As a side note, having nothing to do with Greece, If US card-issuers would bite the bullet & require pin use with chip card, credit-card theft/fraud would disappear in America. The same way that the technology to instantly "kill" a smart-phone when stolen has led to a plunge in that crime.
travelerjan is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 11:32 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
First day Athens Int.Airport to Delphi

200 klms at 5 ltr per 100 is 10 ltrs =€15
Toll (3 booths) to total €12.70
Accom Hotel Orfeas €30

From 2015 Europe kept coins and notes

€30 notes --- €23 coins

So day one looking good
Coolmover is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 12:09 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Travelerjan, ironically I used to have a USAA chip & pin card, which was issued by request to cardholders who lived or frequently travelled overseas. When USAA chip cards were rolled out to everyone, my chip & pin card was replaced with chip + signature. I hate it, but fortunately can do most transactions in the UK where I live with Apple Pay.

I also have a credit card issued by a British bank, which of course is chip & pin. The chip & pin cards are so much easier to use, I can't imagine why the US is still hung up on signatures (which are easy to forge). No one can use a chip & pin card without knowing the pin.
Heimdall is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 12:19 PM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Visa CC also chip and pin which for purchase,s under
Aud $100 in Australia just require swipe

No idea if simalar applicable at Greek hotels,restaurants and fuel outlets

But no way will I travel thru Greece relying on cards completely

Cash is king
Coolmover is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 12:53 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I spent a week in the Peloponnese during October. We traveled by car from Pireaus - Delphi - Olympia - Nafplio - Corinth - Pireaus. Chose Pireaus because of ferry connections to the islands. Used the Hertz office there, which was terrific. (Downside - driving and parking in Pireaus.)

Gas / petrol prices were as given by others here. The price would differ by as much as 4 cents per liter from station to station so we tried to keep a look out. My notes tell me we spent about 70 euros for gas on that whole route in a Skoda. Sorry, don't know the distance. There were lots of stations so we didn't worry about availability, but we topped it off at half a tank anyway. The stations / rest stops along the highways are good and not much more expensive than in the towns.

Yes there are tolls on the highways. I'd guess around 50 euros total for our route.

We probably stopped for gas four times and used a credit card each time, no problem. I used a chip and signature Master Card. Don't know the swipe card situation. American Express wasn't widely accepted (except at hotels).

A word about cash: It's expensive in Greece. I used my US bank ATM card twice to withdraw euros, about 200 each time. Both times the fees added up to over 12%. So use your credit card as much as you can. (Almost everyone takes them. One restaurant on Santorini did not. I've heard stories about tourists being told the credit card machine is broken - but becomes magically functional if the patron doesn't have enough cash. That didn't happen to us in Greece.) I use a Capital One Master Card and an American Express Card in Europe. Neither one charges a currency conversion fee, which is generally 3% with other cards.

And driving in Greece: The expressways are world class, beautiful roads. Of course the secondary roads, even highways to such places as Delphi, are generally one lane each way and narrow. Greek drivers are skilled and courteous but some customs are different (when and how to pass) and the roads can be dangerous. Highway signs are in both Greek and English in and around Athens and on the expressways. Elsewhere you see English maybe 60-70% of the time.

I'm glad we saw the Peloponnese by car. It was fun and flexible. We only got lost twice, no big deal, but driving in Pireaus was stressful. I understand that public transportation isn't the best in this area and that would leave you with a tour if you don't drive yourself.
MichGuy is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 01:10 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
MichGuy, if the fees for ATM withdrawals added up to over 12%, either your bank at home was ripping you off, or you were requesting the amount to be settled in US dollars instead of euros (Dynamic Currency Conversion or DCC). Greek banks don't charge for ATM withdrawals.
Heimdall is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 01:53 PM
  #18  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A lot of people not wanting to have lot of cash on them
for worry of loss/theft and understandable

But I am confident to carry a bit so hope fully not too many ATM visits
Coolmover is offline  
Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 02:10 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Coolmover, you can have your cake and eat it too! Michguy got stuck with fees because he didn't do his homework. ATM Highway Robbery is practiced by the BIggie banks ($5 fee PLUS 3% of amount withdrawn ... for getting $300 worth of Euros, that's $14!!! outrageous). Fortunately there are banks (and credit unions) that charge ilttle or nothing ... just check this website -- https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/bank...onal-atm-fees/ -- and open an account specifically for travel. I have a separate credit union account that I ONLY use for travel ... and there are many credit unions (such as Philadelphia Credit union) that any resident of the area can use. Problem Solved!

Michguy as Heimdall said, probably also was suckered by an ATM offer "Do you want to see the amount of your withdrawal in your Home currency?" If you say yes, it tells you the amount in $$ instead of Euros -- but that means they convert it TWICE, and TWICE the cost. So... if an ATM asks you that, take Nancy Reagan's advice and Just Say No. After all, you're getting cash to spend in a Euro economy, so why ask about $$??

I usually get 400 Euros or so per time, just so I won't have to bother very often, NOT because of fees. And by the way, Greece is onle of the safest countries in Europe... among the lowest rate of petty theft ... almost non existent in the islands, and in Athens, only in a few "target" spots such as the Metros used by tourists (From Airport & Seaport), and in the crowds around the Parliament at guard-changing time.

The metro-pickpocket thing is fairly recent phenomenon (since 2010 or so), and BTW, amusing story I saw in Athens newspaper about 3 yrs back, Athens cops broke up a Metro pickpocket ring, arrested 70 petty criminals -- and 69 were illegal Albanian immigrants.
travelerjan is offline  
Old Dec 4th, 2016, 02:28 AM
  #20  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bet they be not as good as Rome metro p/pockets

Of the some 600 cities I have stayed only place on a metro p/pockets got me
was Rome metro
Coolmover is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -