Here are a few helpfull tips you should remember when driving in Athens:
- Be patient Greek drivers usually are not but you should not let this ruin your vacation.
- Drive defensively to protect yourselves and your passengers.
- If you want to drive out of Athens try to use the motorways as musc as possible to avoid traffic.
- If you can try to avoid the rush hour traffic (usually from 8:00 to 9:30 in the morning and from 16:00 to 18:00 in the afternoon although these times may vary according to season and unforeseeable events that may occur)
- If you are caught ina traffic jam be patient. Unless you have an up to date GPS navigation system you should stick to your planned route. Following a traffic sign that seems to lead to the same point you are heading may not always have the desired effect.
- If you are staying in the center of Athens rent a car to visit what is outside of the center.If you are staying in the outskirts of Athens use your rental car to head to a main Metro Station where parking is available - you will save yourself a lot of hassle trying to find where to park in the centre of Athens (do not forget most of the monuments have pedestrian or public transport access only).
- If you are lost do not be afraid to ask. You will find that most people in Greece will try to help you get to your destination.
- If in trouble while driving a rental car always have the rental agency phone (and emergency phone) available. They will help you.
- Remember that use of your mobile phone without a hands free kit is prohibited in Greece and bears a fine.
- Traffic Violations in Greece are expensive and bear fines that can rise to the amount of hundreds of Euros.
- All traffic violations while driving a rental car are payable by you.
- Speed limits are (unless otherwiseindicated) : 50kph for residential areas (30 kph in a lot of municipalities in Athens) 110 kph outside cities and 120 kph on motorways.