Renting a car in Greece opens up a world of possibilities. It means trading crowded tour buses and rigid ferry schedules for the freedom to explore hidden mountain villages, ancient ruins, and secret coastal coves on your own time. A Greek road trip is the ultimate adventure—but getting behind the wheel in a new country comes with a unique set of challenges.
At Go Greece Tours, we want your self-drive vacation to be memorable for the stunning Mediterranean views, not the logistical headaches. If you are planning to hit the road, here are seven common mistakes tourists make when driving in Greece, and exactly how you can avoid them.
1. Forgetting the International Driving Permit (IDP)
Many non-EU travelers show up at the rental counter with their native driver’s license, only to be turned away. By Greek law, drivers from countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia are often required to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their regular license.
How to avoid it: Apply for an IDP through your local automobile association (like AAA in the US) well before your trip. It is a cheap, easy process that will save your vacation.
2. Upgrading to a Massive SUV
It is tempting to book the largest, most comfortable vehicle available, especially if you have a lot of luggage. However, Greek infrastructure is ancient. Village streets are notoriously narrow, and parking in historic towns can be incredibly tight.
How to avoid it: Book the most compact car that can safely fit your group and luggage. You will be grateful for a smaller vehicle when navigating tight hairpin turns or squeezing into a tiny parking spot in a hillside town.
3. Misunderstanding the "Shoulder Driving" Custom
If you are driving on a single-lane national road and a faster car approaches from behind, you might notice local drivers pulling halfway onto the paved right shoulder. This is an unwritten, polite custom in Greece to let faster traffic pass safely down the middle.
How to avoid it: Do not panic if someone flashes their lights at you. Simply check your right side, ease onto the shoulder if it is clear and paved, and let them pass.
4. Underestimating Point-to-Point Driving Times
Looking at a map of Greece can be deceiving. While two towns might look close as the crow flies, the reality of the route often involves winding mountain passes or coastal roads where you cannot safely exceed 30 or 40 mph.
How to avoid it: Add a 20% to 30% time buffer to whatever your GPS app estimates. Take it slow, enjoy the spectacular scenery, and don’t rush.
5. Relying Exclusively on Live Cell Service
Exploring the rugged beauty of regions like Epirus or the Peloponnese means you will often find yourself out of range of a cell tower. If you lose your signal, you lose your live map.
How to avoid it: Always download your daily route on Google Maps for offline use while you still have Wi-Fi at your hotel.
6. Traveling Without Small Cash (Euros)
While credit cards are widely accepted across Greece, relying entirely on plastic is a mistake. You will need coins and small bills for highway toll booths (which occasionally have broken card readers) and for tipping gas station attendants who pump your fuel for you.
How to avoid it: Keep a dedicated stash of 1 and 2 Euro coins, along with a few 10 Euro bills, in your car’s center console.
7. Winging the Daily Logistics
The biggest mistake you can make is assuming you can just “figure it out” on the fly. Trying to find a hotel with secure parking at the last minute, or accidentally plotting a route down an impassable dirt road, quickly turns a dream vacation into a stressful chore.
How to avoid it: Let the experts handle the heavy lifting! By booking a self-drive package with Go Greece Tours, you get a meticulously planned, road-tested itinerary, pre-booked premium accommodations with guaranteed parking, and 24/7 local support.
A road trip through Greece should be the adventure of a lifetime, completely free of stress.
