There is good news and bad news about driving in Greece. On a positive note: most people have no problem driving on the main roads in Greece, and there are main roads that lead to all the major tourist destinations. Particularly good areas for road trips are the Peloponnese peninsula and Crete.
Now for the bad news: Greece has the highest car accident rate in Europe, and if you’re an inexperienced driver, the roads of Greece may not be for you. Car and gas rental fees are expensive, especially from an American perspective. Greece is also a mountainous country, and many roads will have curves and in late fall and winter can be wet, snowy, or icy. Also, Athens traffic and parking in Athens can be a nightmare.
However, if you still want to rent a car and tour Greece with the comfort and ease of driving between popular tourist destinations, then luckily there are a host of great car rental companies that you can use, or if you have the money for it, potentially. you could buy and then resell a used car if your trip is expected to last more than a month.
Rent the right car for the Greek landscape
A good option for small groups is a minivan like the Nissan Serena, but these and other minivans have little luggage capacity, and while they can technically carry up to eight passengers, they can only carry a few suitcases. For this type of minivan, you should be wrong in estimating five or six passengers to accommodate the additional space your luggage will require. Of course, if you only use the vehicle for day trips, this shouldn’t be a problem, although the trip to and from the hotel can be memorably uncomfortable.
Four-by-four and off-road vehicles are popular options for many travelers, but major international rental companies like Ace Car Rentals don’t really offer an option for this type of vehicle. Instead, you’ll need to book through Greek companies like Kosmo’s Car Rental, which offers a variety of off-road touring SUV brands like Jeep and Nissan.
If you are used to an automatic transmission, try to get an automatic vehicle, although these are relatively rare and more expensive. Learning to drive a gear shift for the first time on Greek roads is not recommended. Unfortunately, an Opel Astra is often offered as the only automatic transmission option.
Costs, insurance and associated fees
Take the insurance coverage offered, and if you are unsure whether or not your regular policy covers travel in Greece, it is advisable to double check. Not everyone will, and it’s a costly mistake to make if you have a problem.
When you rent a vehicle in Greece, the price quoted will generally NOT include VAT tax of 18 percent and airport rental tax of 3 percent to 6 percent. To be safe, allow an additional 25 percent to cover these costs. Also, the prices listed for rentals generally exclude the summer premium – allow an additional $ 10-15 per day for June through September rentals. Actual “premium” dates will vary by provider.
For residents of the United States, the ‘mini’ and ‘economy’ offerings will generally be too small, both physically and psychologically for your vacation needs – stick with the ‘Compact’ class and for more comfort and space, although they will be a biggest challenge for park.
Many of the service stations are the BP chain, with large, clean stations, good toilet facilities, and some snacks and other items like maps. Silk stations and even the occasional Shell are also found along the roads. However, gas stations are not that common, so take advantage of them when you see them and keep in mind that many of them are closed on Sundays. If you have trouble finding a gas station, stop and ask; Locals will usually know which ones are open!
