Driving in Greece

[unicornsarereal1]

Hi, has anyone driven in Greece before?
I've never driven abroad - I'm in the UK - slightly nervous about driving on the opposite side of the road etc even though I've held a driving license for over 10 years .....

Just wondering on other people's experiences before I go ahead and book a hire car

I'm borrowing my mum & dads sat nav as they have the European maps downloaded already.
I only went for a small car - fiat 500/vw polo or equivalent.........

Doing the google maps thing is a great idea! Shall have a look now

Corfu is pretty good driving actually 😊

Are you hiring straight from the airport? It’s very small & pretty easy to drive out from, but I would recommend using satnav just to get you going. Once you’re away the road signs are good.

The windy roads across the hills can be a bit narrow so take it easy if you try them - worth it though, some very cute villages.

Main roads round the coast are fine. You’ll hardly need satnav there really.

Corfu is really lovely, have a wonderful time! And do have at least 1 day in Corfu town. There are boat trips from many places so you won’t have to worry about parking

Oh, meant to add, as you’ve another adult with you, get a decent map & combine that with your sat nav - it gives you a preview

@GiantKitten yes hiring straight from the airport ... I've had a look on google maps and it looks pretty straight forwards - we're staying near Almyros Beach.

Fingers crossed we can find some nice places to go to for some day trips.
Taking my mum as a surprise so want to make sure she gets some nice peaceful days too!

If you have ever watched The Durrells on tv then that is filmed in Corfu. The bays there are absolutely stunning. These photos were all taken in kalami and kassiopi

Oh yes, that’s an easy trip! I’ve always stayed in Kassiopi, Acharavi isn’t much further, & once you’re away from the built up part it’s a beautiful drive with some stunning views!

Kassiopi is lovely & there are loads of excursions from there (maybe from Acharavi too but I don’t know it)

Do go to Paleokastritsa, that’s another nice drive, sandy beach, & the monastery/gardens on top of the hill are well worth a visit.

When are you going? What times are your flights?

@CrispbuttyNo1 them photos are beautiful! 100% going to try and get there one day.

@GiantKitten we're going in April - we arrive at the airport at 2pm and fly home at 7am a week later. So I'm going to guess the drive back to the airport will probably be the worst one of the 2

In our 50s and we drove a hire car for 2 weeks in Crete last year. No problems. I don't know what the fuss is about tbh.

And we went to lots of places off the beaten track (literally). Driving near the Tarn Gorge in S. Fance was worse by a county mile.

Weirdlookingbricks
In our 50s and we drove a hire car for 2 weeks in Crete last year. No problems. I don't know what the fuss is about tbh.

Good for you

Hmm. Pretty much all covered previously; roundabouts (give way when on them), goats (and other animals) have right of way. Oh and lots of crap parking, double parking and shoving the hazard lights on to denote being parked (for a short period).

Don’t forget the Greek handgestures! I’ll leave you to google “moutza”...

All in all, go slowly and if people get annoyed let them overtake you. Even if the are stuck behind you for miles on winding roads.

@Weirdlookingbricks

I'm not making a fuss. I'm asking for peoples experiences.

I'm 27 - with a child - my first time driving outside the UK - with a car on the opposite side of the road / set up for the other side.

And since asking I've also got some great ideas of places to visit ..... didn't realise it was such a crime to ask for some advice

No I don't mean it snootily. I was terrified by the stuff I read online before we went but it really wasn't like that in our experience. Nothing like what we had been led to expect.

@Minnie747 just went and googled hahaha!

I will no doubt see that a lot aimed at me oops

Unicorns, it should be absolutely beautiful in April, loads of flowers & not too hot.

2pm’s a great time to arrive. 7am not so great for leaving, you’ll need to set off about 4am (?) & it will be dark all the way but at least the roads will be quiet!

We went in August if that makes any difference. Honestly it was fine and we went to the back of beyond.

And yes we had 3 DC in the back but not littlies. To be clear- by fuss I didn't mean you in particular - just that everything I'd read prior to going was very alarmist.

@GiantKitten I didn't even think about the flight times until my dad heard how much the transfers were and chipped in with "you can drive abroad you'll be fine" I did look to change the flight but it's so expensive so I'm not doing it.

I guess it'll be quiet and dark at 4am but I prefer night driving - and by then I will have had a whole week of "experience"

Get your mum primed to chant “drive on the right” at you, particularly the first couple of days, particularly when setting off after parking

Having a LHD car makes it a bit more obvious but it’s still quite easy to slip into autopilot! You’ll also try to change gear with the door handle a few times but that doesn’t last.

Here’s a few more pictures for you -
Kassiopi harbour, looking out towards Albania
Then a view on the way to Paleokastritsa
& the monastery on top of the hill

Corfu is so lovely, I bet you’ll want to go back 😊

Driving that route at 4am will be really easy as there will be virtually no other traffic at all. And the roads are quite wide even if they are in the mountains as buses and trucks use them in the day time.