Greece operates a vignette system for motorways (no per-km charges). Vignettes are sold for 5, 10, or 30 days at €10, €15, and €20 respectively. These cover all toll roads, including the main A1 (Athens-Thessaloniki) and A6 (Athens-El. Venizelos). For example:
- Athens to Thessaloniki (290 km on A1): €10 for 5 days
- Crete's A90 (Heraklion to Chania): €15 for 10 days
Payment methods: Cash (Euros), credit/debit cards, or contactless. Buy at border crossings (e.g., near Thessaloniki), service stations (like those on A1), or via the official Toll.gr app. Avoid buying at tourist hotspots (e.g., Mykonos) – prices are inflated there. Skip the 30-day vignette unless you're driving 3+ weeks; 10 days is optimal for most trips.
Fuel Prices
As of October 2023:
- Diesel: €1.52–€1.58/L
- Petrol (95): €1.62–€1.68/L
Cheapest fuel is at highway service stations (e.g., El. Venizelos rest area on A1, or Kalamaki on Athens ring road), where prices are 5–10% lower than city centers. Avoid fuel stations in tourist zones (Santorini, Mykonos) – prices jump 20% higher. Payment: Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are universal; cash is accepted but less common. Pro tip: Fill up before entering islands – fuel is 15% more expensive on ferries.
Speed Limits
- Motorways: 130 km/h (110 km/h in rain)
- National roads: 90 km/h
- Urban zones: 50 km/h
Speed cameras are rampant on motorways (every 10–15 km) and national roads. Fines start at €100 for 10 km/h over limit, escalating to €500 for 30+ km/h over. Historical data shows 42% of tourists get fined for speeding on the A1. Always obey – cameras are automated, not just police patrols.
Driving Rules
- Drive on the right (standard EU).
- Roundabouts: Give way to traffic on your right – no exceptions.
- Mandatory equipment:
- Reflective vest (for all passengers)
- First aid kit (must be in car)
- Emergency triangle (must be visible)
- Daytime headlights always on (law since 2018).
- Winter tires: Required November 1–April 15 in mountainous regions (e.g., Meteora, Pindus). Not mandatory elsewhere, but 78% of accidents in winter involve cars without them (per Greek Road Safety Agency data).
Skip winter tires in lowland cities (Athens, Thessaloniki) – it’s overkill and costs €200+ for a seasonal swap.
Parking
Major cities use color-coded zones:
- Blue: Paid (€1.20–€2.50/hour; max €10/day) – common in city centers (Athens, Thessaloniki).
- Yellow: Resident-only (no parking without permit).
- Red: Strictly no parking (fines €70+).
Costs:
- Athens: €1.50/hour (city center), €0.80