Car hire in Greece

Greece is one of the world’s top travel destinations, with a wealth of ancient attractions, natural beauty and vibrant cities. The public transportation system is adequate but not excellent, making car hire useful for visitors who want to really explore this timeless land. Even the famous Greek islands are accessible, if you rent a car in Greece thanks to extensive car ferry routes. Greece car hire depots such as Avis, Budget and Hertz offer good deals, and are loacted throughout the Islands. Compare cheap car hire in Greece with our effective search engine and get the best possible rates available.

Car hire driving tips in Greece

Some of the most impressive sites in Greece are tucked away in remote valleys or empty stretches of Aegean coastline. With a rental car from Greece and extras like satellite navigation, there is no limit to the things one can see and do. But when the peak holiday season comes, tourists flood into Greece and book the most popular Greece rental cars. Advance online reservations will help you get the vehicle you need at the lowest possible rate.

Need to know essentials

Driving licences: drivers must have both a driving license from their home country and an International Driving Permit.

Which side does Greece drives on: the right.

Speed limits:

Highways and dual carriageways (outside urban areas): 120kph

National or provincial roads: 110kph

Local roads: 80kph

Urban roads: 50kph

Alcohol limits: 0.05 per cent or 50mg/100ml. Offenders face steep fines, possible license revocation and even prison time. The police in Greece regularly set up checkpoints in tourist areas.

Driving age: 18 years (21 years if you wish to rent a car).

Compulsory items: a warning triangle, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher are mandatory.

Seatbelts: must be worn by the driver and all passengers. Children under 10 years must ride in the back, and babies are required to be in a child safety seat that is fitted in the back.

Mobile phones and GPS: driving while using a mobile phone is against the law and may result in a hefty fine. In Greece, almost all road signs are in Greek and English but often they are hard to see so GPS can help when driving around the countryside. We offer GPS as an added extra if you buy car rental in Greece here.

Cost of fuel in Greece: unleaded petrol (95 and 98 octane) and diesel are about the same price here as in theUK.

Car hire and fuel payment: a valid credit card is needed to rent a car in Greece, although a cash deposit is sometimes allowed. In Greek cities, it is common to use credit cards to pay for fuel but in rural towns, cash may be the only option.

Insurance: Greece car hire companies provide mandatory liability insurance but often this does not include collision or incidental damage cover. It’s advised you read the insurance details of your contract carefully to determine if you are properly covered.

Traffic and parking: driving conditions in Greece can be erratic and at times, challenging for visitors, especially in the large cities. Strict parking laws are enforced throughout Greek towns and cities. Always park on the right-hand side of the road and never against the traffic. Blue signs with a white ‘P’ indicate parking is allowed, while yellow-and-red road lines indicate no parking is allowed. Park at least three metres from fire hydrants and at least 15 metres from bus stops. Violators of parking rules may have their car booted or receive an on-the-spot fine.

Our travel editor’s recommended drives

Nestos Valley Drive – along the boundary with Macedonia is a wild frontier where it feels more like Turkey than Greece and tobacco farms cover the valleys between small villages.

Amari Valley – one of Crete’s most luscious areas is filled with olive groves, fruit orchards and vineyards, with charming villages - well off the beaten tourist circuit - that offer an authentic look into rural Cretan life.

Ioannina to Meteora – incredible rock formations ooze from the soft, mountainous landscape of Thessaly, where some of Greece’s most impressive monasteries are located.

Kastoria to the Prespa Lakes – this northeastern route is short but packs in a tonne of wildlife and natural scenery. The roads wind through the national park that surrounds Prespa Lakes and the tiny villages that subsist in these mountains.

Greece travel tips

Greece is one of the top travel destinations for Brits, and rightly so. The mix of timeless culture, ancient iconic landmarks and intoxicating islands ensures there is something for every itinerary. Greece has been hosting travellers for millennia, so it’s fully prepared to handle the needs of tourists, even in more off-beat parts of the country that are best explored with the help of a car rental in Greece.

Greece weather and tourist seasons

Most of Greece enjoys a warm, dry Mediterranean climate but in the northern regions, conditions are notably cold in winter. Summers are reliably hot and dry, especially in Athens. Brisk breezes help to temper this heat along the coast, however. Most of the rain falls from November to March, which is the coolest time of year. The entire country, from the islands to Athens, becomes very busy during the European summer holiday months of July and August. Great travel conditions can be found in the shoulder seasons, however.

Greece contact numbers (+30)

Emergency services – 112

Emergency Medical – 166

Emergency Police – 100

Emergency Fire – 199

British Consular Emergency Services – 30 210 727 2600

British Embassy – 30 210 727 2600

US Embassy – 30 210 721 2951

Irish Embassy – 30 210 723 2771

Canadian Embassy – 30 210 727 3400

Australian Embassy – 30 210 870 4000

Holidays and festivals

Greece feels like a festival virtually all the time, but its religious holidays are particularly important. Good Friday and Easter (March or April) are the biggest dates in the Greek Orthodox calendar and busy travel times. The solemn celebrations during religious festivals and feast days provide a great backdrop to this ancient land. Music and theatre are common themes of Greek cultural festivals such as Athens’ Epidaurus Festival (September). It’s certainly worth planning a trip around one of these colourful events.

Money matters

Greece is a member of the EU and uses the euro as its currency. Travellers cheques are accepted at most businesses and can be conveniently changed at any bank. Cash is best exchanged at banks and bureaux de change, commonly found in all major tourist centres. There should be no problem using credit cards for purchases in Greece, but ATM cash withdrawals could have fees attached to them. Banking hours are generally from 08:00 to 14:30, Monday to Thursday and 08:00 to 14:00 on Fridays.

Health and safety

It is recommended that all travellers to Greece get hepatitis A and B vaccinations, as these strains are the most common health issue associated with the country. Citizens of the EU and Switzerland are entitled to free emergency hospital care in Greece by showing their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or passport. All other travellers are advised to purchase medical coverage for their trip. Tap water can safely be consumed in Athens and other large cities but bottled water should be used in remote areas.

Fitting in…

Greeks are very open and emotional people, so don’t be taken back if they seem overly friendly. Hospitality is a point of pride in this country, and the Greeks expect everyone to eat and drink heartily. If you’ve had enough Greek wine, just leave your glass half full. The Greeks love to dance, too, and really enjoy seeing visitors join in the fun.

Visas for Greece

EU citizens need only show their valid national ID card or passport to enter Greece for an unlimited length of stay.UK residents can also stay for as long as their passport is valid, but Americans, Australians and Canadians are given three months’ stay. All passports must be valid for at least three months past the planned length of stay, but it’s easy to arrange a visa extension inside the country. All other nationals should check with their local Greek embassy for specific visa requirements.

Electricity

The voltage in Greece is 220-240 Volts, 50 Hertz. The two-pin, round plugs that are common throughout Europe are used in Greece. If you come from the UK or North America, you should bring along a universal plug adapter.

Business hours
Shopping hours vary widely in Greece depending on the time of year, the location and the type of shop. In general, stores are open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 09:00 to 14:30 and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 to 14:30 and 17:30 to 20:30. In resort areas, shops typically stay open later at night. Business hours are Monday to Friday, from 08:30 to 17:00.

Helpful phrases

Yia sou - Hello

Parakalo - Please

Efharisto – Thank-you

Ne/ohi – Yes/no

Ti kanis? – How are you?

Milas anglika? - Do you speak English?

Poso kostizi afto? – How much is this?

Resources online

www.visitgreece.gr/portal/site/eot/

www.wikitravel.org/en/Greece

www.frommers.com/destinations/greece/