There are two major toll roads in Greece that you need to be aware of. One of them goes from Athens to Thessaloniki and the other from Igoumenitsa to Alexandroupolis. Tolls are collected at both manned and automated booths and can appear on several routes, so it’s rather convenient to have loose change or your card of payment at hand .
Greece has a ramified system of 9 toll highways. They significantly reduce travel time to almost any part of the country.
Igoumenitsa to Alexandoupolis (Egnatia Highway)
It connects Alexandroupolis on the border of Turkey and Igoumenitsa that is located near Albania. There are 11 toll sections on the route, which cost from €1.00 to €2.40.
Igoumenitsa to Alexandoupolis (Egnatia Highway)
It connects Alexandroupolis on the border of Turkey and Igoumenitsa that is located near Albania. There are 11 toll sections on the route, which cost from €1.00 to €2.40.
Athens to Thessaloniki Highway (Pathe & Aegean Highway)
It connects Athens and Thessaloniki. There are 10-12 payment points with a cost from €0.70 to €3.90 for driving on the section.
Athens to Patra (Olympia Highway)
It connects Athens and Patra. There are 5 toll sections. Passing through the sections costs from €1.8 to €3.30.
Corinthos to Tripoli-Kalamata/Sparti (Moreas Highway)
The 205 km long highway connects the cities of Corinth, Tripoli and Kalamata. There is also a paid section to Sparta. There are 6 payment points on the road that cost from €1.25 to €2.90.
Lamia – Trikala
It connects Lamia and Trikala. It has 2 toll gates, which cost €1.95 and €3.00.
Attiki Highway
Attica Tollway is a modern motorway extending along 70 km. It connects Athens airport and Olympia and Pathe highways. The fare is paid only once, at the entrance. The cost will be €2.80.
Antirrio – Ioannina (Ioania Highway)
It connects Antirrio and city of Ioannina. It has 4 toll sections on the highway and 5 on the exits. The toll rate will be from €0.75 to €3.50.
Aktio Tunnel – Preveza
This is an underwater tunnel that connects Cape Aktio and the city of Preveza. The tunnel has a total length of 1.5 km. The toll rate will be €3.00.
Rio–Antirrio Bridge
The Rio – Antirrio Bridge is one of the world’s longest cable-stayed bridges, which dramatically improves access to and from the Peloponnese. It has almost 3 km length and the toll rate will be €13.50.
It’s rather easy to reduce your carbon footprint when you’re behind the wheel. It will help you feel better and your wallet will thank you.
Traffic is your enemy
Being stuck in traffic is not only irritating, it creates more CO2. If you let your engine run for only 20 seconds, it burns more gas and emits more emissions than simply turning it off and starting it up when you are ready to get going again. Also, don’t forget the many apps that can help you beat heavy traffic. And if you still get stuck in a traffic jam, just shift to neutral and be patient.
Go easy on the A/C
Another useful tip. Don’t overdo it with the air conditioning and open the windows once in a while. Everyone in the car will be thankful for a breath of fresh air to cool down their crimson faces. And if you need to park, find a shaded parking space and use a windshield sunshade to help your car stay cooler.
Haste makes waste
Say goodbye to overzealous driving because another great way to save petrol is to avoid sudden starts and stops. You also want to respect the speed limit, so whenever possible, use your vehicle’s cruise control features. Did you know that driving at more than 55 mph (89 km/h) reduces your fuel efficiency by almost 15%?
The more, the merrier
Have you ever tried carpooling? It’s a great opportunity to meet new people. They will be forever grateful you saved them from a stuffy trip on public transport. And you will be ever so happy to share your latest playlist “Sound effects from the Sea”. Who knows… they might even like it!
Give your tires some extra care
Luckily, when you rent a car with us you get a vehicle with tires inflated to the right pressure. That alone will improve your fuel consumption by up to 3% compared with under-inflated tires.
It doesn’t mean your tires should be overlooked, especially if you are covering long distances. Occasionally, pull in at a gas station where you can check the tires in case they have lost PSI and need extra air, while perhaps enjoying a coffee break.
Greece is hands-down one of the best destinations in Europe – if not the world – for a road trip!
We just can’t get enough of it! And it’s all down to its huge selection of different and unique landscapes.
Fancy touring a picturesque country village one morning, enjoying delicious fresh handmade treats for lunch and then looking at the sun set over the sea the very same day?
Well, Greece it is then!
So, if you’re setting off on a country-wide road trip or you’ve got your heart set on exploring a specific region, there’s a few things you’ll want to get up to speed with before you fly or ferry yourself over to Greece…
Your Greek road trip checklist
Few things are worse than a road trip in an unfamiliar country that’s gone terribly wrong! To lower your chances of a Greek driving sojourn turning into the holiday from hell, make sure you:
Book a small car
Vision of an epic road trip involves you speeding around Greece in a spacious SUV? Let us stop you right there!
While Greece’s motorway system is made up of wide roads where you can slip into cruise control and relax, the country’s rural roads aren’t quite as dreamy.
Many roads, especially in mountainous regions, remote country villages or small islands, are extremely narrow or just plain windy. Having a big car instead of something small and nifty will therefore make most of Greece a massive headache to navigate.
The same goes for a lot of car parks in Greece. It’s likely you’ll have trouble squeezing into a spot and finding parking space especially if you’ve hired a larger vehicle!
Remember they drive on the right in Greece!
Now this is one, definitely not to forget!
Just like most countries in Europe, the Greeks drive on the right-hand side of the road. It can take a bit of time to get used to this change if you’re venturing there from Australia or you’ve just been driving around the UK, so avoid driving when you’re tired and more prone to cause a collision !
Will you travel by ship to an island?
If you want to move with a ship to another island you have to book your tickets(and the car tickets) in advance.
Note that when you book ferry tickets online you have to add the license plate numbers. THIS IS NOT MANDATORY.
You can book them by adding a default Plate number (Greek Plate numbers are usually in this format: AAA-1111) and the local authorities will be happy to allow you on the ferry.
Also always be mindful of your vehicle’s spot when you park it in a ferry as you are not covered by the insurance on the ferry – that means that you are fully responsible for the car’s condition. You can get more information locally upion your arrival to any of our stations.
Keep an eye out for toll roads
Know much about Greece’s toll roads? We’ve got the lowdown.
Greece’s terrestrial is pretty intricate , and you’ll find lots of roadways which can whizz you quickly from one region to the next. Unfortunately, a lot of these are toll roads that involve tolls which vary from 5-15€ per toll, that can really start to add up after a while!
While they can be unavoidable at times (toll roads are typically the fastest ways to get from A to B), you might want to plan out some of your driving routes on smaller, country roads instead. They won’t be as well-kept (or as wide!), but they’ll probably be pretty picturesque.
Map out a road trip route– but only roughly
All about the spontaneity? Love a random adventure? Us too!
But, while it can be nice to be a bit spontaneous on a driving holiday, it’s still a good idea to have a vague idea of where you’re going.
Planning out in advance a few spots you’ll definitely make pitstops is a wise way to enable yourself to visit wherever catches your attention in between!
Plan your overnight parking in advance
Staying at a hotel or at an airbnb which includes free or cheap parking would be the ideal solution.
But if you’re not, it’s a savvy idea to look for your parking spots in advance to avoid spending half the night searching for a space.
It helps to give your accommodation a quick call beforehand for advice or simply do a web search for local parks and free parking areas in the cities/towns you’re planning to visit.
We can definitely all agree that finding parking is one of the most stressful parts of a road trip! Who wants to have to deal with that pressure if you don’t have to?!
Essentials to pack in your hire car in Greece
Preparation is the key to success on a driving holiday, so make sure you have:
– A paper map in case the GPS or phone signal fails you and you’re stuck out in the middle of nowhere. Some hire cars feature built-in satnavs, but it’s still a good idea to have a physical map or at least to download one on your phone.
– A warning triangle in case you breakdown and a medic kit in case you have an emergency when you are far away from a hospital or medical center (ask about this when you pick up your rental car).
– Water and snacks are always a good thing to have stashed in your car in case you breakdown somewhere remote. If you’re travelling across Greece in the winter, make sure you’ve got plenty of warm clothing, too!
Greece road trip inspiration
This hospitable, excitting, tourist-packed nation has an endless stream of bucket list places perfect for visiting at your own pace! Searching for some solid ideas on where to go on your next road trip in Greece? Why not:
1.Hit the mountains on a driving holiday between beautiful Thessaloniki and the majestic Olympus.
2.Check out the stunning islands for endless beaches filled with white sand and unique experiences. No island is the same as you will soon find out. Every island you choose will be a completely new unique and fun experience.
3.Walk (or drive) in Athens, the birthplace of democracy and view Greece’s most famous landmark, the Parthenon and Acropolis.
4.Hop between Greece’s provinces on a grand tour of the country’s most Instagram-worthy landscapes.
Winter getaways are an opportunity for some of the most beautiful and warm family moments, but because the winter weather can be intense and unpredictable it is good to prepare ourselves and the car for any unfortunate incident.
Driving conditions in winter are getting harder as we drive with low lighting and visibility while the traction of the road is low. At the same time, the chances of the car being immobilized either due to damage or due to the conditions increase.
Find some tips from the Volta4u team for safe driving during winter.
Check Your Levels :
Keep your tank full. In winter, you should keep a high fuel level- just in case of delays or diversions.
Test your battery. Battery power drops as the temperature drops.
Make sure the cooling system is in good working condition.
Check your wiper blades and replace if needed.
Add wiper fluid rated for -30 degrees.
Check the tire pressure, tire pressure drops as the temperature drops.
Don’t forget to make sure your spare tire is inflated too and that you have all the tools necessary to change it if you have to.
Clear the snow and ice from windscreen, lights, roof, hood and the exhaust pipe if necessary.
Plan Your Trip:
Before setting out on a long journey, it’s worth spending time planning your route and checking that the roads are clear.
Check the weather conditions along your route and when possible, delay your trip if bad weather is expected.
Notify others and let them know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
Take your time , journey-delays are common in colder conditions. Giving yourself more time means you don’t need to rush.
Pack the essentials. It’s better to have things you don’t need than need the thing you don’t have. Pack a winter survival kit in case of emergencies. For example : Food and water for all the passengers including pets, first aid kit, warm clothing/ blankets, reflective coat or jacket. Don’t assume that breaking down will never happen to you. It could, and this really isn’t the place to break down without supplies.
Safe Winter Driving Tips
Volta4u offers the following driving tips:
Drive slowly when driving on snow or ice.
Don’t use cruise control in snowy or icy roads.
Keep enough stopping distance between you and other cars.
Use your brakes carefully. Even roads that appear clear can have slippery spots.
Don’t get overconfident in your SUV vehicle. Many SUV’s are heavier than the passenger cars and take longer to stop.
Pay attention to the warning signs.
Keep your headlights on, even in the daytime.
Select a vehicle that suits your needs. Volta4u has a variety of vehicle categories that can cover all your needs, from Mini and SUVs to passenger and cargo vans. Book your winter experience with us NOW. If you need any further information, please contact us via email at reservations@volta4u.com or via telephone at +30 2109735000.
