One of the most frequently asked topics during our travels in Greece is the details of traveling by car. #kişnişvesaire
1- Travel with your own car: You avoid the cost of renting. Don’t forget to get your chip driver’s license and green visa, and get insurance to protect your car.
2- Car rental: If you are going to rent a car, do it online and early before you go. It is difficult to find a car in high season. Check the driving license requirements, opening hours of the rental offices. Get insurance.
3- Roads on the islands: Be prepared for winding roads, especially in Lesbos. The view is usually spectacular and don’t forget to stop and enjoy it from time to time. Dirt village roads often lead to bad and narrow streets. Stay on asphalt whenever possible;
4- Navigation: Although navigation works fine in Athens and on the highway, it can put you in very difficult places on the islands, check the parking options in your destination before you go and create your route. It is usually at the entrance of the village, you will not experience stress on the streets.
5- Parking: There is no shortage of parking outside the touristic areas. Take a good look at the signs around you when parking. Make sure there is not a market on your street the next day; The blue striped areas are toll, the white ones are free of charge, and the yellow ones are for private vehicles. But the situation is different in Athens. In Athens, blue is for citizens, white is for tolls and yellow is for private vehicles.
6- Parking fees: There is no fixed price, it depends on your location. Most places have parking meters for payments. It can be paid with banknotes, coins and sometimes with a bank card. Sometimes it is also possible to pay employees.
7- Fines: Parking fines are €80 and they can also remove your license plate. 🥲 Discounted if you pay within 10 days.
8- Motorways: You pay every time you cross, in the range of 1-3€. It’s good if you have change.
9- Rules: Generally the rules are the same; Stop signs are important, unlike us, if there is no stop sign at roundabouts, the person entering the intersection has priority.
10- Is a car necessary?
Vehicles can be a nuisance, especially in tourist centers and city centers. But on most islands it would be difficult to get around without a car.
Bonus: If you see a big ‘N’ in the rear window of a car, it means the other person is a rookie.
