Greece Road Trip Guide
Introduction
Greece’s rich history and unique Mediterranean nature attract tourists from all over the world. Athens, Santorini, Peloponnese, Cape Sounion, Mykonos are not to be missed. Self-driving is a good option in Greece, where you can go and stop whenever you feel like it. Greece’s roads are in good condition and the rules of the road are strict and reasonable, so as long as you are familiar with them and follow them, you can enjoy the ultimate freedom of road trip. So, pack your bags and get ready to go for an unforgettable driving trip!
Car Rental Tips
Book in Advance
Generally, we recommend that you make your reservation one month in advance so that you could choose the desired vehicle and date.
If you proceed directly to the car rental store without a booking, it is likely that the car you need might be unavailable.
*If you are already a QEEQ diamond member, you only need 1$ to freeze your booking and make the rest of the payment before pick-up, which does not affect your credit card limit.
Required Documents
Passport; Driver’s License; IDP(Optimal); Credit Card
International Driving Permit (IDP) is highly recommended, which allows you to drive legally in countries that need one.
If it is inconvenient for you to apply an IDP, generate a free driver’s license translation on QEEQ.com (Japanese site only).
Car Choices
The choice of your car depend largely on the duration of your trip, passenger number, luggage amount and road conditions.
- City Driving for small groups (1-3 passengers)
If you are a couple, or travel with a friend or two, or if you travel alone, a reasonably priced small car would be a good choice.
Compact size cars have 4 to 5 seats. We recommend sparing one passenger capacity so you could relax and have more space.
- 4 to 5 passengers including children and elderly
Medium and large size cars are recommended. These models could still possess a fair mount of space with 2 to 3 suitcases. SUVs are suitable for hybrid road conditions. Eco-friendly cars such as the Prius could save your spend on gasoline. Choose what you need giving you peace of mind on long trips.
- Traveling in a group of 6 or more
It would be a wonderful experience to choose a van for everyone to have his or her own seat. These models accommodate a passenger capacity from 7 to 12 people. While it is noticeable that large cars cannot make quick and sharp turns. So we recommend renting two small or medium-sized cars if you spend a lot of time driving through towns.
Online Booking Process
We are endeavoring to make your booking as convenient as possible. Enter our website QEEQ.com, log in, enter the required information, and follow the instructions, you are free to rent your desired car.
Insurance
What Insurances Are Available?
*For Autopilot Cars:
- Insured: Protection for the person renting the car, including passenger accident insurance and personal accident insurance (PAI). This includes the personal safety of the driver, passengers, and their personal belongings.
- Automobile Insurance: protection for the vehicle of the renter. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is one example.
- Third-party Insurance: insurance that protects third parties other than the renter and the car rental company. Basic Third Party Liability (BTL) insurance, etc.
International car rental booking will include the basic insurance required for car rentals: Vehicle Damage Coverage, Theft Protection, and Third Party Liability Insurance.
The deductible is the maximum amount of money you’re liable for in the event your rental car is damaged or stolen as long as you follow the conditions of your rental agreement. For example, the deductible is 1000 dollars, if the damage to the rented car is less than 1000 dollars, the customer pays; if the damage is more than 1000 dollars, the customer pays up to 1000 dollars; and the store’s insurance company pays for the part exceeding 1000 dollars.
Many travelers want more comprehensive coverage and purchase additional insurance. Personnel, vehicle and third-party coverage varies by insurance type. Here are some examples of common types of insurance (note: more checks means more coverage):
When and How to Purchase Insurance
There are two ways to obtain insurance: one is to purchase insurance when booking the car online; the other is to purchase insurance at the local store where the car is rented when picking up the car.
Generally, insurances provided by rental car companies usually has narrower coverage, higher premiums, so purchasing insurance online when booking the car is highly recommended.
How to Choose Insurance
If you are traveling with limited budget, it is better to choose the kind of insurance policy with the most comprehensive coverage. The main reasons are:
- Firstly, repairing fee for the car would probably be higher abroad.
- Secondly, in case of an accident, the medical cost and compensation are very high.
- Thirdly, the wider the coverage, the less the troubles you would deal with, which saves tons of time and energy.
Taking automobile insurance as an instance, comparing to common insurance policies, the most comprehensive insurance coverage, including glasses, tires, chassis protection, and considerations for special road conditions such as sand and rocks, is very necessary, but basic insurance of car rental companies usually does not include full coverage as such.
Picking Up the Car
Check Before Departure
Before proceeding to the car rental shop, make sure you have brought with you all necessary documents for picking up the vehicle, and two international credit cards is recommended to ensure that there is enough credit limit for pre-authorization.
Proceed to the Car Rentals
If there is a pickup store nearby, you could just walk there, following signs for airport rental cars.
If the rental car center is far away, there is usually a free shuttle bus bound for the rental car center. Shuttle buses run every 10 minutes approximately, so take the bus when you see the logo of your car rental company.
If the shuttle is not available, you can contact the car rental company and wait for staff member to pick you up at designated location. In case you have difficulty communicating with the store staff, please call QEEQ and we will assist you in English or other languages.
Inspect the Car
When you receive your reserved vehicle, inspect the bodywork for damage. At that time, it’s a good idea to document the entire process with your smartphone camera or take a picture of the dashboard. Because if you forgot to check the condition of your vehicle before departure, you may be charged for wronged damage repairs when you return it.
Payment
Payment is due on the day of the rental unless you are paying online or purchasing a tour package.
Insurance is usually included in the rental price, but some car rental companies offer paid options for more comprehensive coverage.
Last but not least, keep all contracts and documents safe for possible further usage. Once you have received your keys, check the seat heights, mirror positions, secure child seats, and then you are ready to go!
Cautions for Cross-border
European countries are close to each other, so if you got time, you may want to consider a cross-country drive.
Car Rental Company Regulations
It has concerns to the validity of insurances while you are crossing each country. Different car rental companies have different rules for corresponding car choices and countries:
- Free pass
- Cross-border fee needed (per rental/per rental day)
- Cross-border prohibited
We will let you notice before your order on the view deal page:
Select the country you are going to head for and you’ll see the requirings below.
Please inform the staff of your cross border plan at pickup to confirm the validity of insurances in other countries or any other restrictions should apply.
Traffic Rules and Signs
Driving on the Right
Greeks drive on the right side of the road. Please pay attention and spend some time to adjust if your country differs from that. Mind for overtaking on the left side and keep left when you are turning, entering or exiting traffic circles.
Pedestrian Priority
Pedestrians have absolute priority. Vehicles must yield to pedestrians.
Safety Belt and Child Seat
Seat belts must be worn by the driver and passengers (including) in the rear. Children under the age of 10 must use child seat.
Low Beam on in Daylight
Even in the day time, please turn on your low beam light. It is required to turn on the low beam light in Greece during the day time for the maximum visibility and safety of drivers.
Do Hold Your Phone when Driving
Do not hold on to your phone while driving for your own safety. If it is necessary to use your phone, please turn on the hands-free mode.
Honk Restrained
Please do not honk unless it is necessary. Greek drivers might be less patient on the road. You may want less trouble when going out as a tourist and don’t let irritations and impatience ruin your trip!
Right of Way
The right of way is very important when driving in Greece. Sometimes there are no signs to remind you of that. The main right-of-way rules of unmarked roads in Greece are: the car from the right has right of way; the car in a roundabout has right of way. The vehicle with the right of way may drive pretty fast and would not yield, so keep the rules in mind and avoid in time in case of an accident. Remember, vehicles coming from the right always have priority.
Stop Sign
In Greece, stop signs are like red lights. All vehicles must come to a complete stop when seeing this sign, even if there are no cars or pedestrians in sight. You need to stop for at least three seconds and observe for safety before proceeding.
Yield
The yield sign indicates that vehicles need to be ready for stop and let the cars and pedestrians with priority go first. If there are pedestrians nearby, please stop completely.
Right of Way Sign
The right of way sign indicates vehicles on this road have priority of ignoring those coming from other roads. If there are traffic lights, follow the light. But be careful that no all the people abide by traffic laws, so please always be cautious no matter what kind of “priority” you have.
Roundabout Sign
There are lots of roundabouts in Greece. If there are cars in the circle, stop and let them pass first. Do not hesitate when you have priority either in case of a rear-end crash.
Speed Limits
In cities the speed limit is 50 km/h;
On open roads is 90 to 110 km/h;
On motorways is 120 km/h.
Other Common Road Signs
For more information on road signs in Greece, you can visit:
https://traffic-rules.com/en/greece/traffic-signs/prohibitory-signs
Highways and Road Conditions
Road Conditions
- Most of the Greek islands have two lanes in each direction, and some just a single lane, with traffic borrowing each other’s lanes. There are no traffic lights on the islands. Cars that do not have the right of way are required to stop at intersections and look around to see if it is safe to drive.
- The roads in downtown Athens are pretty narrow, with many ramps and one-way streets, so please slow down and observe the signs on both sides of the road before making a turn.
Toll Roads
In Greece the highways are mostly charged manually. It is rare for Greeks to pay in credit card at the toll post. So we recomment you to prepare some cash and coins.
Electric payment systems are also installed in Greece. Some cars are equipped with automatic payment device like e-Pass. But there are multiple companies in Greece running the highways and each require a particular payment system. So we recommend you to just pay in cash.
Refueling
Fuel Price
The price of gasoline in Greece is about 1.7 euros per liter. Disel is 10% to 15% cheaper than gasoline.
Manual Service Refueling
In most places of Greece refueling is assisted manually, with a relatively small number of self-service refueling. Gas stations offer good service and free window washing. Larger gas stations take VISA credit cards, and many of the smaller stations in the mountains only take cash.
Self-Service Refueling
Use the gas pump directly to fill your car. The gas volume and price would be displayed on the screen of the gas pump. After refueling, tell the staff of the station the number of the gas dispenser and pay the bill.
Parking
Where can you park
- Indoor/Public Parking Lot
When you are parking indoors, mind the blind spots in the corners. Some positions are not divided in standard size, please pay attention to avoid obstacles around.
- Roadside Parking
In Athene you could park directly on the road side with no charges. But spare places might be difficult to find.
Parking Restricted Areas
- You cannot park at the spaces for the disabled, building entrances and exits, by the fire hydrant and beside a bus station, as the picture below shows.
- You cannot park at spaces where there is a no-parking sign. Some of these places have words like “Loading” or “Taxi (Coach)” on the ground.
- You cannot park at restricted time period. Certain parking spaces are alternate. They are closed during specific time periods. For example, they are closed during odd-numbered months (January, March, May, July, etc.) or during even-numbered months (February, April, June, August, etc.). For example, the picture below left indicates that parking is prohibited in odd-numbered months and the picture below right indicates that parking is prohibited in even-numbered months.
How to Pay the Bill
Some parking spaces require you to purchase a ticket from the kiosk (also known as a periptero). Follow the instructions to pay at the kiosk and then place the ticket under the front windshield for inspection. Fines are higher for parking beyond the purchased time or for not purchasing a ticket.
Self-payment process: park your car—find a nearby pay machine—follow the prompts— insert credit card—Confirm the parking time and amount —Press confirmation button—Grab the receipt and put it under the windshield.
(Ticket from kiosk)
Accident Handling
If you are involved in a traffic accident, do not panic. Check whether the passengers are injured, help yourself and seek help from passersby. Emergency contacts are available at any time.
- Police: 100
- Fire: 199
- Ambulance: 166
- Emergency Number: 112
- Coast Guard: 108
- Traffic Police: 10400
- National Child Protection Helpline: 1056
- This website provides access to multiple embassies of each country in Greece: https://www.embassypages.com/greece
Scratch
Ensure the safety of personnel→Move the vehicle to the side of the road without obstructing the traffic→Call 100→Take photos or videos of the condition of the vehicle →Register the accident by police and keep a proper record of the accident→Contact the rental car company and insurance company.
Theft
Call 100 → Police take notes → Insurance report → Verify information → Payment
Malfunction
Call the rental car company → They will send someone nearby to tow your car or change a tire.
If the rental car company is unable to help you, contact a towing service with the help of the police. Car repairs are very expensive sometimes, so it is important to have insurance.
Roadside Assistance
When renting a car and driving in Greece, if a traffic accident occurs, in addition to calling 100, you can also contact the following emergency contact numbers:
- Roadside Assistance Number in Greece:
Extra Assistance: 10 20 40
Express Service: 1154 (24hr online)
ARVANITIS ODIKI: +30 231 068 5002/ +30 697 998 9565
TRUST ASSISTANCE: +30 694 412 3433
RED ASSISTANCE: +30 697 764 7080
- You can also contact your car rental company:
AVIS: 1-800-352-7900
SIXT: 1 (888) 749 8227
Budget: 800-218-7992
Thrifty: 1-800-283-0898
Hertz: 1-800-654-5060
ACE: (877) 822-3872
Dollar: 800-235-9393
Yesaway: 1 424-800-4990
- Local Car Rental Companys:
AVANCE: +30 210 9200 100
Centauro: +30 966 36 03 60
Carq: +30 2811217126
Autounion: +30 214 224 1300
Yours Car Rental: 0030 211 1875515
Returning the Rental Car
To return the car, just drive back to the rental car company, but pay attention to the following things:
Refuel Before Returning
Usually, the basic rule for returning a car is to refuel the gas before returning it to the rental car company.
Even if the time is up, and there may not be a convenient gas station, it’s okay to drive for a while (about 5 kilometers or so) after refueling.
If you tried to return the car after the due time without refueling, or if you drove an excessive long distance after refueling, we will calculate the remaining time and charge you an additional fee.
Inspect the Car
When you arrive, we will have a representative inspect your vehicle for damage. If it had any damage, additional payment would be made.
Reconcile the Fee
When you return the car, the staff will check and record the vehicle and print the settlement list on site. Please check the list carefully, and if you have any unknown charges, you can raise them in person or call customer service to solve the problem.
Keep the Contract and Document
After returning the car, it is recommended to keep the contract and receipts in a safe place in case of needs.
Help after Trip
Traffic Citation
How to Pay Fine Ticket:
There are two main methods to pay a fine: ATM transfer or manual payment.
We recommend you to pay the fine as soon as possible, otherwise you may have to pay a late fee. If you can’t deal with it right away, tell the car rental company when you return the car, and you can let the company charge your credit card directly, but it usually requires a service fee.
Insurance Claim
If you bought a full coverage insurance, you would receive a fast claim settlement. The following documents should be prepared:
- Passport
- Driver’s License
- Credit Card Checkback History
- The Car Rental Contract
- Car Damage Deduction Bill
For more detailed information, check the terms and conditions of insurance company:
https://www.qeeq.com/term?info=axa_policy&browser_open=1
Unknown Charges after Trip
If you received an unexpected deduction when you return to your home country, it might be that your violation fee is paid by the car rental company, but usually the deduction amount will be more expensive than the violation fee because that includes the management fee charged by the car rental company. If you don’t know what the violation was, you can contact our customer service for help.
Penalties of traffic offences in Greece are expensive. Here are some common offences and the corresponding penalties:
Classic Routes
Greek Islands
- Greek Islands Road Trip
The Greek islands road trip, covering 180km of driving (excluding sea travel), begins in Athens and takes you through the Cyclades, starting with Serifos. Known for its rugged beauty and less crowded beaches, Serifos offers a loop road around the island. Next, visit Sifnos, famous for its culinary scene and charming seafront villages accessible via roads from Apollonia. The journey concludes on Paros, where drivers can explore numerous beaches, mountain villages, and olive-covered hills. Consider whether to use the same vehicle throughout or rent separately on each island, as ferrying cars can be costly and slots fill quickly.
- The Magnificent Island of Crete
The Crete road trip, spanning 280km from Iraklio to Hania, is ideal for exploring this Mediterranean gem. Begin in Iraklio, visiting the ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos. Head west to Moni Arkadiou, a 16th-century monastery symbolizing Crete’s resilient spirit. Journey through dramatic cliffs and gorges to the south coast, where Sougia offers untouched beaches. Conclude in Hania, a historic port town with Venetian-era charm. Be prepared for slow travel due to winding roads and minimal signage, reflecting the island’s rugged beauty and independent spirit.
Mainland Greece
- Ancient Greece: Wonders of the Classical World
The Ancient Greece road trip, spanning 590km, is ideal for exploring the wonders of the classical world. Starting in Athens, with a must-visit to the Parthenon, the route heads northwest to Ancient Delphi, offering stunning views over the Gulf of Corinth. Continuing south to Nafplio in the Peloponnese, travelers can explore the acropolis at Tiryns, the citadel of Ancient Mycenae, and the ancient theater at Epidavros. The journey concludes at Ancient Olympia, where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BCE, providing a rich historical experience of Greece’s legendary past.
- Around Athens: A Quick Visit
The Athens to Marathon road trip, covering 136km, is perfect for a quick visit to Greece. Starting in Athens, the route takes you southeast to Glyfada, marking the beginning of the Apollo Coast, known for its beaches and upscale clubs. Continue to Cape Sounion to visit the marble Temple of Poseidon. The journey concludes in Marathon, a suburb famous for its historical significance and inviting seafront tavernas, offering a blend of cultural and natural attractions within a short drive from the capital.
- The Northern Wilds of Greece
The Northern Wilds of Greece road trip covers 880km, starting in Thessaloniki, a vibrant city rich in history and culture. Head southwest to Mount Olympus, Greece’s highest peak, offering hiking opportunities amidst its spiritual landscapes. Continue west to the Zagorohoria region, known for its timeless villages nestled in the mountains. Conclude the journey at the Halkidiki Peninsula, exploring the pristine beaches of Sithonia. This route provides an off-the-beaten-path experience, showcasing Greece’s diverse natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Useful Websites and Numbers
Emergency contacts are available at any time.
- Police: 100
- Fire: 199
- Ambulance: 166
- Emergency Number: 112
- Coast Guard: 108
- Traffic Police: 10400
- National Child Protection Helpline: 1056
This website provides access to multiple embassies of each country in Greece:
https://www.embassypages.com/greece
This is the official tourism website of Greece: