Getting Around

Holidays by Destination Europe Greece General Getting Around 

Public transport is not particularly helpful if you want to do much sightseeing and especially so if you don't want to tour around. However, when it comes to driving, in Europe Greece is second only to Portugal in the number of car crash fatalities so driving is not as safe as it might be and it is worth choosing your route carefully to avoid the more dangerous roads (the Rough Guide highlights some). You may get a better price on hire cars by booking ahead, particularly for periods in high season.

Seat belts are required for all those in the car and under 10s are not allowed to sit in the front. In addition you need a first aid kit in the vehicle.

If you prefer not to drive, buses are the main alternative. Trains are slower, though notably cheaper and in some cases the rail route is a trip in its own right.

Taxis are cheap as long as the driver uses the meter - check that he will before getting in. However, on some islands for example there are set tariffs for ‘collective' taxis, and there are always surcharges for example for luggage, for leaving an airport, and different rates for cities and rural areas and different times of day.

To counter potential problems with public transport and in particular taxis information pamphlets should be available with itineraries and a ‘complaint form'. These should be available on arrival, for example in airports, as well as in the vehicles themselves.

If you fly into Athens there is now a new airport which is not working as efficiently as it might and which is not currently served by any train link into the centre or by any completed dual carriageway. Connection times are therefore at least 40 minutes by taxi, longer by bus.

If you are taking ferries, particularly in view of the recent problems, it is worth ensuring that you will only be travelling by more reliable vessels. Taking hydrofoil connections should be one way of doing this and they are as well as around twice as fast, though also around twice as expensive.

Ferries take very varying times, depending not just on the type of boat but also the number of stops. Buying a ticket ahead will tie you to a particular "sailing" a potential problem in bad weather (see When to Go). However, just before and after Easter and during August you need to book at least two days ahead. On short hops take your own provisions.

On the islands the usual solution of moped hire is not recommended with children. Bus schedules cater to everyday, not tourist needs. You might pick an island small enough to stroll, one with cars for hire (stipulating EC standard child seats), or somewhere everyone will be happy just hanging out.

Flights between islands are around three to four times the price of a standard ferry ticket and double that of a cheap cabin berth.