TRANSPORT
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Europcar (%210 960 2382;
http://www.europcar.gr)
Hertz (%210 626 4000; http://www.
hertz.gr)Insurance
Always check what the in-
surance includes; there are
often rough roads or danger-
ous routes that you can only
tackle by renting a 4WD. If
you want to take a hire car
to another country or onto a
ferry, you will need advance
written authorisation from
the hire company, as the
insurance may not cover
you. Unless you pay with
a credit card, most hire
companies will require a
minimum deposit of €120
per day.MOTORCYCLE
Mopeds, motorcycles and
scooters are available for
hire wherever there are
tourists to rent them. Most
machines are newish and in
good condition. Nonetheless,
check the brakes at the
earliest opportunity.
To hire a moped, motor-
cycle or scooter you must
produce a licence that
shows profi ciency to ride the
category of bike you wish to
rent; this applies to every-
thing from 50cc up. Brit-
ish citizens must obtain a
Category A licence from the
Driver and Vehicle Licens-
ing Agency (www.dft.gov.
uk/dvla) in the UK (in most
other EU countries separate
licences are automatically
issued).Rates & Insurance
Motorcycles or scooters are
a cheap way to travel around.
Rates start from about €15
per day for a moped or 50cc
motorcycle, to €30 per day
for a 250cc motorcycle.
Out of season these prices
drop considerably, so use
your bargaining skills. Most
motorcycle hirers include
third-party insurance in the
price, but it’s wise to check
this. This insurance will not
include medical expenses.
Helmets are compulsory and
rental agencies are obliged
to off er one as part of the
hire deal.Road Conditions» (^) Main highways in Greece
have been improving steadily
over the years but many still
don’t off er smooth sailing.
» (^) Some main roads retain
the two-lane/hard shoulder
format of the 1960s which
can be confusing, if not
downright dangerous.
» (^) Roadwork can take years
and years in Greece, espe-
cially on the islands where
funding often only trickles
in. In other cases, excellent
new tarmac roads may have
appeared that are not on
any local maps.
Road Hazards
» (^) Slow drivers – many of
them unsure and hesitant
tourists – can cause serious
traffi c events on Greece’s
roads.
» (^) Road surfaces can change
rapidly when a section of
road has succumbed to
subsidence or weather-
ing. Snow and ice can be a
serious challenge in winter,
and drivers are advised to
carry snow chains. Animals
in rural areas may wander
onto roads, so extra vigilance
is required.
» (^) Roads passing through
mountainous areas are often
littered with fallen rocks that
can cause extensive damage
to a vehicle’s underside or
throw a bike rider.
Road Rules
» (^) In Greece, as throughout
Continental Europe, you drive
on the right and overtake on
the left.
» (^) Outside built-up areas,
traffi c on a main road has
right of way at intersections.
In towns, vehicles coming
from the right have right of
way. This includes rounda-
bouts – even if you’re in the
roundabout, you must give
way to drivers coming onto
the roundabout to your right.
» (^) Seat belts must be worn in
front seats, and in back seats
if the car is fi tted with them.
» (^) Children under 12 years
of age are not allowed in the
front seat.
» (^) It is compulsory to carry a
fi rst-aid kit, fi re extinguisher
and warning triangle, and it
is forbidden to carry cans of
petrol.
» (^) Helmets are compul-
sory for motorcyclists if the
motorcycle is 50cc or more.
Police will book you if you’re
caught without a helmet.
» (^) Outside residential areas
the speed limit is 120km/h
on highways, 90km/h on
other roads and 50km/h in
built-up areas. The speed
limit for motorcycles up
to 100cc is 70km/h and
for larger motorcycles,
90km/h. Drivers exceeding
the speed limit by 20% are
liable to receive a fi ne of
€60; exceeding it by 40%
costs €150.
» (^) A blood-alcohol content
of 0.05% can incur a fi ne of
€150, and over 0.08% is a
criminal off ence.
MOTORCYCLE WARNING
Greece is not the best place to initiate yourself into
motorcycling. There are still a lot of gravel roads –
particularly on the islands. Novices should be very care-
ful; dozens of tourists have accidents every year. Scoot-
ers are particularly prone to sliding on gravelly bends.
Try to hire a motorcycle with thinner profi le tyres. If you
are planning to use a motorcycle or moped, check that
your travel insurance covers you for injury resulting
from a motorcycle accident. Many insurance compa-
nies don’t off er this cover, so check the fi ne print!