Sunny Greece always attracts many tourists. A rented car will make a holiday more pleasant and the number of sightseeing record-breaking. The most comfortable way to see Greek ruins, monuments and nature reserves – a travelling by a personal car.
But there are some nuances and rules, information about which will save not only your money, but also time. Let’s try to understand the intricacies of renting a car in Greece.
Do you need an international driver’s license (IDL)?
Definitely yes! In Greece, international driver’s license isn’t required only in separate (usually small) car rental offices. In case of any accident, a policeman will demand to show the IDL. Large rental firms, incl. international ones, ask to produce a standard set of documents, including the IDL. As for the passport, the driver’s age is important – at least 21-25 years old. In some firms, they will ask if you have a three-year driving experience. If the latter is less, they can refuse to rent you a car. But, as a rule, the standard requirement is at least one year at the wheel. You may be asked to provide health insurance, as well as a voucher from the hotel, confirming your stay in it.
How to rent a car cheaper?
In Greece, as everywhere else, the cost of a car is determined by a number of factors, including the car category, the number of people and amount of luggage, the length of the car rental term, the choice of minimum or full insurance, and also the tourist season (low, medium, high):
High season, as well as concluding a contract for renting a car in a hotel or airport, can increase the amount for rent by half at once. A preliminary reservation is also more expensive, if it is made in a week or less than the required date. The longer a rented car is used by renter, the cheaper will be the daily rate, and there will no limit. For a period of up to two days, renting a car is the most expensive (some firms even refuse to rent for such a period), and the mileage is likely to be limited to 200 km per day.
In general, the range of brands and models offered is very large. Sometimes in Greece you can see simply stunning specimens, for example, the Daewoo Matiz microcablet.
The cost per day is from 20 to 60 euros (the price depends on the terms of the rent). Such cars are offered with engines from 1.2 to 1.6 liters. Transmission can be chosen – there are mechanical and automatic. If you know how to drive a mechanical one, take it without hesitation. A feature of the roads in Greece is a large number of climbs and serpentines, where an automatic gearbox in tandem with a small engine volume simply doesn’t work.
If you take into account all these nuances, you can save a lot in renting a car even in high season.
What additional requirements can be in the rental agreement?
First, the renter will be required strict compliance with traffic rules. And they are standard in Greece, nothing special. But the penalties for their violation are severe enough. For example, if you talk on the phone without a headset, you can lose your driving license for at least 30 days, and even pay a penalty of 100 euros. By the way, the penalty paid within ten days from its imposition date is only 50% of the amount. Policemen don’t impose penalties on the spot.
On Greek roads, it is prohibited to use radar detectors and other devices. Also, you mustn’t carry gasoline in cans.
You should also take into account speed limits: in built-up areas – 50 km/h, outside built-up areas – 90 km/h, on a motor road – 110 km/h, on a highway – 130 km/h; for vehicles that equipped with snow chains the maximum permissible speed is not more than 50 km/h.
You can’t drive on rented cars on roads without asphalt pavement.
In no case drive drunk – insurance won’t be paid! But the permissible level of alcohol in the driver’s blood is 0.5 ppm. If the level of alcohol in the blood is more than 0.5 ppm, the driver will be fined 200 euros, if more than 0.8 and less than 1.1, a fine will be 700 euros. But in addition, you will be deprived the driver’s license for three months. Finally, if the level of alcohol in the blood is more than 1.1 ppm, the fine will be 1200 euros, and the period of deprivation of the driver’s license will reach six months. Also, imprisonment for two months is possible.
If the driver is behind the wheel of a moped or a motorcycle, he must wear a helmet.
In some agreements, there will be a ban on moving on a ferry, and almost all offices prohibit driving a rented car outside of Greece. Also, carefully read the conditions for the return of the car – with a full or empty tank, washed or not necessary, specify the time interval so that you don’t have to pay for extra days, etc.
Just in case, remember the emergency phone numbers:
Greece is very friendly to tourists, and caravannists are not exception. But remember that it’s necessary to drive a car on Greek motorways only with an international driver’s license. It can be easily issued on this website. Don’t miss this opportunity!
