I've never driven in Greece before and was wondering how it is like driving there. Am wondering if I should take a tour bus instead, but there are 5 in my party so it might be cheaper to take a car.
2006-07-14 09:34:27 · 8 answers · asked by ideaoasis 2 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Greece
Driving in Greece is not difficult. Some visitors in Greece they complain that the Greek drivers are a bit recless and for sure they do not drive like Germans but it is safe.
The drive from Athens to Meteora you need 4-5 hours and it is about 300klm (it depends on your driving). You should take the motorway from Athens to the north (for about 200klm). The motorway is good enough but the problem is that you can not use it for very long. You should get the secondary roads that are narrow. Moreover you have to drive on mountains so you should expect narrow roads with a lot of turns. If you choose this road go through Domoko the road is better but still on a mountain so a bit difficult and you need to be carefull and not to speed.
Please note that you are going to Kalampaka the town that is near Meteora and from there to Meteora.
By car you can choose a second route. From Athens to Delphi, visit the ruins and the villages nearby and the to Kalambaka. In this case the road is more difficult because you will use the motorway for only about 100klm. The rest of the trip is on mountain roads but the scenery is amazing.
In both cases I think you need two days to properly see everything. I prefer to travel by car since I can stop where-ever I want and to explore not very touristic places. I also believe that since you are 5 it would be cheaper by car. You can also choose KTEL (This is the name of the intercity bus system of Greece) or take the train.
The train is probably the cheapest but I can not be sure. I suggest Intercity trains but they are more expsive than the normal ones and you need about 4 hours. You have to book in advance and try to choose a direct train because connection can be confusing.
I would choose the car because it will be really usefull at Meteora to visit all the monasteries and spend as much time you want to each one.
Have a nice time.
2006-07-14 09:50:26 · answer #1 · answered by Gke 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Athens To Meteora
2016-11-08 20:42:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what you mean by difficult. Greek drivers are notorious for being reckless. When road fatalities are not figured in, Greeks have the longest life expectancy in Europe. When they are included, they have the shortest life expectancy in Europe. I remember during the war in Kosovo, a Greek radio announcer joking that if NATO really wanted to make an impact, they just needed to send a bunch of Greek drivers up there. There were more deaths on the roads in Greece the first weeks of the war than there were in Kosovo attributed to the war.
However, there is pretty much a straight shot from Athens to Meteora on the main highway. The highway is only two-lane a lot of the way. Be prepared to pull onto the curb a lot as people pass you. I don't know if you are from the US or the UK, but they drive on the right side of the road in Greece. (I mean that literally. I.e., not the left side.) You'll have to adjust if you are from the UK or Australia, etc. I think it would be fairly safe to drive as long as you stick to your comfort speed and get out of the way of the impatient. It gets a little more difficult in the villages, but the one at the foot of Meteora has pretty wide roads, if I remember correctly.
You can also stop at a lot of places along the way. There are very many interesting sights from Athens to Meteora. I lived in Thessaloniki, so I never went directly from Athens to Meteora, but I took that route from Thessaloniki to Athens quite a bit, and from Thessaloniki to Meteora.
I think I would prefer to be in control of my own car than in the control of a bus driver.
Have fun. Whatever you do, don't miss Meteora. Wow!
2006-07-18 20:39:49 · answer #3 · answered by tianjingabi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cheaper yes,better no.You have to look for the hidden sometimes signs and as others say you have to drive on the mountains too,which s difficult even for pros.You will save some money but is it worth the trouble?
2006-07-16 04:31:12 · answer #4 · answered by gina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello again! The biggest part of the road is very easy to drive but the last km are a bit difficult... But nothing like VERY danger! Ok we don't have the best roads and definately we aren't the best drivers but u shouldn't worry!
Don't forget : Watch the trucks!!!!
PS : In www.viamichelin.com they have VERY good road maps try it!!!
2006-07-14 10:36:35 · answer #5 · answered by Louis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would advice to rent a car. Drive safely and make many stops to enjoy the view and places. Request a driver's guide to show you the interesting places towards your way!
Don't drink and drive while there is neither so big or so little traffic!Enjoy!
2006-07-14 23:38:00 · answer #6 · answered by soubassakis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would also advise renting the car. Most of the road signs are in Greek and English, so as long as you had a map and some decent directions, you would be fine.
2006-07-16 01:55:41 · answer #7 · answered by Ashley M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You mean Athina (Athens) to Thessaloniki?
2006-07-14 12:18:39 · answer #8 · answered by Varachack 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋