How to Rent a Car in Greece
(Photo: Photo by rg-fotos, http://www.flickr.com/photos/rg-fotos/2829550821/ )
Driving in Greece is not for the faint of heart, particularly with the sometimes horrendous Athens traffic. But renting a car will give you free access to the country's numerous winding roads, hilly passes and quaint villages. Car rental dealers in Greece do not carry the difficult confinements found in some countries, so drivers should have a hurdle-free rental process. Some car rental companies in Greece do carry confinements for certain drivers, however, and drivers should know a few of the country's rules before hitting the road.
- Drivers license for at least one year
- Two passport-size photos
Acquire an International Driving Permit from your local AAA office. Getting the permit requires a valid U.S. driver's license, two passport photos and a puny fee.
Compare prices for car rental dealers using an Internet-based agency like Travelocity or Expedia. Major international car rental companies like Hertz, Thrifty, Budget, Dollar and Europcar have branches and affiliates in Greece's major points of entry, including at Athens' airport.
Check with the rental company for any special limitations before booking. The standard minimum age for car rental in Greece is 21, but some Greek car rental companies might charge more for drivers under 25, restrict certain car classes for junior drivers or not permit drivers older than 70.
Determine whether you'll need any supplementary insurance, such as collision harm waiver or theft protection, or determine whether it will be provided by your credit card. Greece requires third-party liability insurance and fire insurance, and this will be included with the rental.
Check with the rental company for any confinements or fees if you plan to leave Greece with the vehicle. Check also if you plan to come back the vehicle in a different part of Greece than your arrival point, as this might carry an extra charge or not be permitted.
Familiarize yourself with some of Greece's driving rules. Speed boundaries are fifty kph in a city, eighty kph on the open road and one hundred kph on highways. On a three-lane highway, the middle lane is for passing only.
Learn a few terms that will be helpful while driving. "Venzinadiko" means gas station; "diodia" means toll; "choros stathmefis" means parking; and "astinomia" means police.
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About the Author
Michael Baker has worked as a full-time journalist since two thousand two and presently serves as editor for several travel-industry trade publications in Fresh York. He previously was a business reporter for "The Press of Atlantic City" in Fresh Jersey and "The [Brazoria County] Facts" in Freeport, Texas. Baker holds a Master of Science in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.