Greece Driving Tips

Click on one of the options below to view more information:

• Car Hire Depots
• Driving Distances
• Driving Licence
• Driving Age
• Rules and Regulations
• Equipment
• Child Safety Seats
• Speed Limits
• Drink Driving
• Tolls
• Road Signs
• Parking
• Visa Information
• Winter Driving

Car Hire Depot information

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Driving Distances in Greece

• Athens to Patras - 210 kms (2 hrs / 40 mins)
• Athens to Delphi - 185 kms (2 hrs / 30 mins)
• Patras to Thessaloniki - 480 kms (7 hrs)
• Thessaloniki to Athens - 500 kms (5 hrs / 40 mins)
• Rhodes to Lindos - 48 kms (1 hr)

Licence Requirements

A full valid driver's licence is required for a minimum of 1 year. An International Drivers Licence is required for Australian drivers licence holders.

Age Restrictions

Generally the minimum age is 21 years, but can vary between the car hire company and location. Maximum age limits apply in some locations, a young/senior driver surcharge may apply. Please check terms & conditions when making an enquiry or booking.

Rules, Laws and Regulations

General driving rules, laws and regulations in Greece;

• Vehicles drive on the right hand side of the road.
• Overtake on the left hand side of the road.
• All passengers are required to wear a seat belt.
• Radar detectors are prohibited.
• The use of a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, with the exception of a hands-free system.
• Vehicles that use Diesel are not allowed to drive within Athens, Thessaloniki or Piraeus.
• Drivers are to carry at all times while driving, a valid drivers licence, registration documents and insurance documents.

Equipment

It is mandatory to carry the following equipment in your vehicle, which is to be used in the event of an accident, incident or breakdown:

• Warning Triangle: to be used at the event of an accident or breakdown to warn following traffic.
• Fire Extinguisher

Child Safety Seats

Child under the age of 10 years of age are only allowed to be seated in the back seats of the vehicle and be wearing a seat belt or fasted in an appropriate restraint.

Speed Limits

Don't risk it! Greece have very heavy penalties for drivers caught speeding over the limit which can lead to imprisonment. Below are the speed limits in Germany, unless posted otherwise.

• Urban Areas (built up areas): 50km/h
• Rural Roads (outside towns): 80km/h
• Motorways: 120km/h

Drink Driving

Again don't risk it! Infringements are very heavy in fines (in hundreds) which can also lead to imprisonment. The recommended is to keep to zero (BAC) but the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) in Greece is 0.05mg/100ml.

Tolls

Tolls are located along the Attiki Odos motorway where a toll is payable before entering into the motorway. Fares prices are determined on vehicle category which can be paid by cash, electronic pass or special account card.

Road Signs

Road Signs in Greece adopts the standardization of the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals which many European countries now utilize, but with slight variance. Signs in Greece are commonly found in the countries local language however English is also used on city roads and state highways. The signs are very easy to understand as the vast majority of them are posted with symbols.

• Warning Signs are generally triangular in shape with a red border, white background or yellow and a symbol in the middle.
• Prohibitory Signs are signs which motorists must follow. These signs vary in shapes from a circle, octagon and a box. You will find these signs in either blue with a white symbol in the middle and white with a red border.
• Information Signs are indicated with a blue or green background and white text providing motorists with information such as directions.

Parking

Street parking in Greece is strictly regulated with spaces virtually non-existent, your best bet is to use designated off-street parking such as hotel parking. In some areas of Athens a parking ticket will need to be purchased from booths marked in Greek and English. Vehicles parked illegally or unpaid while have the licence plates removed and possibly their vehicles towed.

Visa Information

Visa, Passport and entry requirements for New Zealanders visiting Greece:

• New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for stays up to 3 months. Contact the Greek Consulate in your local state for stays exceeding 3 months or for special visas.
• A valid passport is required by all.
• A return/onward travel ticket/itinerary is required.

Winter Driving

There are no specific rules or regulations regarding snow tyres, however drivers need to pay due care and attention on the roads in winter and be able to adapt to changing conditions.

All information provided is to be used as a guide only. Distances and time may very according to the route taken. The information shown on this page may have changed since the date of publication. Please refer to the countries local tourist office for up-to-date advice. Last updated: February 2022