Driving in Greece?
May 4th, 2011, 09:43 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Driving in Greece?
We're going to Greece next month and have a week free before our island sailing trip begins. Don't want to spend more than 2-3 days in Athens and then take a 2-3 day bus tour or take train/bus to west coast or we could spend the time driving a rental car to interesting places. Any suggestions? Are road signs in English? Is driving there unthinkable? (We are three women and have driven in other foreign countries.)
May 4th, 2011, 11:58 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,804
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Driving is basically fine as long as you pay attention and DON'T attempt to drive in Athens itself. Road signs are in Greek and phonetic English both. If you need to book a car with an automatic transmission do so in advance. Otherwise you can wait until you're there if you prefer.
If you live in North America be sure to go to your local AAA/CAA office to pick up an International Driving Permit, no test or membership required, for USD $15 plus a photo fee if you don't bring 2 passport photos with you.
If you live in North America be sure to go to your local AAA/CAA office to pick up an International Driving Permit, no test or membership required, for USD $15 plus a photo fee if you don't bring 2 passport photos with you.
May 5th, 2011, 01:18 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You will be fine driving out of Athens if you pick up your rental car on Syngrou Avenue where most of the rental companies are located. It is worthwhile to take a taxi to the agency. If you are staying in Plaka the agency you pick could be within walking distance unless you have a large amount of luggage. I always suggest to have a good navigator to help you watch for the highway signs as you must keep up with the fast traffic when you first start out. Road signs are in English and Greek when leaving the city this way. The roads are well marked. Sounds like a dream of a trip! We have done it many times.
May 5th, 2011, 01:30 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whoops,
Sorry I did not read your second reply. I suggest you do not drive from the airport to the city. Parking is difficult, and even for those familiar with the city, the traffic tie ups can be monumental. Amazing how they untangle, especially with the taxi drivers showing a bit of Greek "emotion". I know, because 2 years ago we took a wrong turn and were caught up in a traffic tangle.. The grand kids loved it!
PS-- One can find excitement at every corner. but I surmise that is not what you are in Greece for!
Sorry I did not read your second reply. I suggest you do not drive from the airport to the city. Parking is difficult, and even for those familiar with the city, the traffic tie ups can be monumental. Amazing how they untangle, especially with the taxi drivers showing a bit of Greek "emotion". I know, because 2 years ago we took a wrong turn and were caught up in a traffic tangle.. The grand kids loved it!
PS-- One can find excitement at every corner. but I surmise that is not what you are in Greece for!
May 7th, 2011, 04:24 AM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You could drive to Delphi which is not far from Athens and very beautiful. Also you could drive down to the Peloponnese and visit Nafplio or Olympia. I agree about not driving in Athens, in the country it's much easier.
http://www.travelmagpie.com
http://www.travelmagpie.com
May 7th, 2011, 08:51 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To add to what brotherleelove said, road signs are in Greek and phonetic English both, in the cities and larger towns, but not necessarily out in the country. I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the Greek spelling of your destination while you have the signs in both languages; you'll lose the English spelling as you get further from the city.
Driving through the Greek countryside was one of the great pleasures of our trip.
Driving through the Greek countryside was one of the great pleasures of our trip.
May 8th, 2011, 08:41 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am currently in Greece as part of a four week trip. Currently traveling around Pensivenesses for two weeks. Driving. So...
If I did not have my GPS then I would be in a sad state. There are some signs in English and Greek but many that are only in Greek.
The countryside is beautiful and there are great places to visit. Get to Mystras if you can. Messene was quite nice with not a tourist in sight.
If I did not have my GPS then I would be in a sad state. There are some signs in English and Greek but many that are only in Greek.
The countryside is beautiful and there are great places to visit. Get to Mystras if you can. Messene was quite nice with not a tourist in sight.
May 8th, 2011, 01:45 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re. post by AlwaysOnTheRoad,
Our GPS broke on the first day, and we had to navigate for the remaining 10 days just using the map that the car rental company provided. This was not a problem. In fact, we traveled on roads that the GPS probably would not have suggested, and never got lost. Also saw some beautiful towns and countryside that we might have missed using a GPS. It helps if you have someone to navigate while you drive - it would have been difficult with just one person. Also, see my post above regarding road signs.
Otherwise, just do it! You'll love it
Our GPS broke on the first day, and we had to navigate for the remaining 10 days just using the map that the car rental company provided. This was not a problem. In fact, we traveled on roads that the GPS probably would not have suggested, and never got lost. Also saw some beautiful towns and countryside that we might have missed using a GPS. It helps if you have someone to navigate while you drive - it would have been difficult with just one person. Also, see my post above regarding road signs.
Otherwise, just do it! You'll love it
May 11th, 2011, 06:56 PM
#11
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We plan to do some driving in the Nafplion area How long a drive is it to Olympia from my home base of Nafplion??? Would this be considered a day trip or not?? Is it a winding mountainous road there????
May 12th, 2011, 09:19 AM
#12
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maybe two people with a map is fine - a solo traveler - a challenge.
If anything the routes from my GPS are much more exciting than I would pick using a map. My trusty Garmin routed me onto the most amazing single lane road through the Langada Pass enroute from the coast to Mystras - vice staying on 82.
As to Nafplio to Olympia. Not what I would do but...
It is 175 kilometers with an estimated driving time of three (3) hours each way. Certainly doable. Olympia is nice, I was there yesterday, easy to see everything to include the museum in 2-3 hours.
If anything the routes from my GPS are much more exciting than I would pick using a map. My trusty Garmin routed me onto the most amazing single lane road through the Langada Pass enroute from the coast to Mystras - vice staying on 82.
As to Nafplio to Olympia. Not what I would do but...
It is 175 kilometers with an estimated driving time of three (3) hours each way. Certainly doable. Olympia is nice, I was there yesterday, easy to see everything to include the museum in 2-3 hours.
May 12th, 2011, 11:47 AM
#13
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is surprisingly easy to learn the Greek alphabet. You have a month, plenty of time to do it.
On several occasions, we found it very handy in several situations that we were able to read the Greek signs, in both capitals and lower case letters. It is well worth the effort to learn, esp if you will be driving around.
On several occasions, we found it very handy in several situations that we were able to read the Greek signs, in both capitals and lower case letters. It is well worth the effort to learn, esp if you will be driving around.
