Driving in Greece
Apr 16th, 2011, 11:24 AM
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Driving in Greece
Hello - we are leaving for Greece in 2 days. Up until now I wasn't very concerned about driving, but after reading some posts, I would like some suggestions. We are staying in a hotel on Syngrou for two days,k checking out and renting a car from Hertz also on Syngrou. We will be driving to Gythio. Is driving going to be all that difficult? I bought a chip for my Garmin for Greece. Will that help to get on the correct road out of Athens and driving to Gythio? What type of roadway is it? A highway? Tolls? Thank you for any help you can give me...
Deena
Deena
Apr 16th, 2011, 04:57 PM
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From my recollection, there is a modern highway the whole distance. I don't recall any tolls but it has been a few years since I went that way. My only concern would be getting in and out of Athens. Someone else can give you better info. I just saw that you don't have much time so thought I would give you a partial answer.
Apr 16th, 2011, 05:13 PM
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If you live in No. America and haven't already done so be sure to go to your local AAA/CAA office to pick up an International Driving Permit, no test or membership required. In the States it costs $15 plus a photo charge if you don't bring 2 passport photos with you. If you don't have one when you try to rent a car they won't rent it to you. If you don't have one and someone does rent a you a car and you get in an accident your insurance will be invalidated since you will have been driving illegally. This means you might have to pay out of pocket for any repairs to the vehicles involved.
Apr 16th, 2011, 06:46 PM
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Thank you brotherleelove! Yes we got the International License from AAA.
And thank you Chania! We have one more day until our trip. I just wish I found this site sooner. I remember my mother talking about the awful roads to Githio - but that was many years ago. You made me feel a lot better!
And thank you Chania! We have one more day until our trip. I just wish I found this site sooner. I remember my mother talking about the awful roads to Githio - but that was many years ago. You made me feel a lot better!
Apr 17th, 2011, 02:13 AM
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The majority of the route is excellent road. Down as far as Tripoli it is a main highway, with tolls, I think you will go through 3 of them, €3.10, €2.40 & €2.30 if I remember rightly. I use the route a lot, but continue on to Kalamata from Tripoli. I got back from Gythio yesterday via the Taygetos route!
From Tripoli-Sparti-Gythio there are some good stretches, but also some slower & bendy parts, a decent main road, not as good as the first part of the journey, but neither is it horrendous. New highway being built right now.
From Tripoli-Sparti-Gythio there are some good stretches, but also some slower & bendy parts, a decent main road, not as good as the first part of the journey, but neither is it horrendous. New highway being built right now.
Apr 17th, 2011, 06:56 AM
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I'm sorry I didn't notice this post until now and you're probably gone. But in case you check while in Greece:
A couple of years ago I rented a car also on Syngrou and drove to the Peloponnese. Nothing could be easier. In fact, I have no problem at all with driving in Athens... it's the parking that can be the headache.
You'll head down Syngrou toward Piraeus. It's a broad boulevard and at 9 in the morning traffic was light for me as it's against the flow.
Watch as you get to the highway as the ramp you need is to the left even though you need to travel to the right. Follow the sign for Piraeus. Stay in the right lane and exit to the E75 direction Lamia. You can stay on until transferring to the E94 for Corinth but that takes you pretty far north. You can exit earlier and take Highway 8 over to Elefsina if you like.
Have some small bills handy for the autoroute tolls.
Once on the road in Greece a few things to be aware of:
- Keep right! Greeks are enthusiastic drivers and you will be passed often.
- On a 2 lane road, if the shoulder is paved you are expected to put 2 wheels on the shoulder, if it's safe, so the car behind can overtake. You will sometimes have 3 cars abreast on a 2 lane road. Don't panic! This is quasi normal. Don't try it once you're back home though! ;^)
- Keep right at the crests of hills and on curves... you might not think to pass someone at one of these places but Greek drivers often do.
- Be prepared to pull over if traffic is building behind you on a small road.
The above is not meant to scare you... be aware of what's going on and you'll be fine. I love driving in Greece but you need to concentrate!
Have fun!
Rob
A couple of years ago I rented a car also on Syngrou and drove to the Peloponnese. Nothing could be easier. In fact, I have no problem at all with driving in Athens... it's the parking that can be the headache.
You'll head down Syngrou toward Piraeus. It's a broad boulevard and at 9 in the morning traffic was light for me as it's against the flow.
Watch as you get to the highway as the ramp you need is to the left even though you need to travel to the right. Follow the sign for Piraeus. Stay in the right lane and exit to the E75 direction Lamia. You can stay on until transferring to the E94 for Corinth but that takes you pretty far north. You can exit earlier and take Highway 8 over to Elefsina if you like.
Have some small bills handy for the autoroute tolls.
Once on the road in Greece a few things to be aware of:
- Keep right! Greeks are enthusiastic drivers and you will be passed often.
- On a 2 lane road, if the shoulder is paved you are expected to put 2 wheels on the shoulder, if it's safe, so the car behind can overtake. You will sometimes have 3 cars abreast on a 2 lane road. Don't panic! This is quasi normal. Don't try it once you're back home though! ;^)
- Keep right at the crests of hills and on curves... you might not think to pass someone at one of these places but Greek drivers often do.
- Be prepared to pull over if traffic is building behind you on a small road.
The above is not meant to scare you... be aware of what's going on and you'll be fine. I love driving in Greece but you need to concentrate!
Have fun!
Rob
