Starting to plan a vacation in Greece and thinking about driving it. I can catch a ferry from Ancona or Brindisi to several ports in Greece. This would be a first for me and wondering if anyone has done this that may have some tips/pointers travelling this way or to cut costs. Don't know if it would make much of a difference but we would be travelling in the summer, 4 of us and from what I've seen even the shortest trip would be around 12 hours.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8073 posts
Since you are long term in Italy, the car may be less of an issue. Normally, most rental cars that people get would not allow travel by ferry. Beyond that issue, it depends much on where you want to go in Greece. If you told me just Athens then some Islands, I would tell you skip the car, catch a cheap flight to Athens then ferry to the islands without a vehicle...many fewer headaches, and probably cheaper. Now for roaming the Mainland, a car would be nice. Greece does have a reputation for having the worst drivers in Europe (well earned); but if you have been driving in Italy now a good part of a year, you have earned some stripes, and may not find it too bad, especially if you are out away from major cities. Maybe consider finding someplace out of Athens (maybe Corinth) to park the cars for a few days and take the train or bus in for a few days. The main lesson I learned on Greek driving is that, though not marked, every road has at least three lanes, one each way on the shoulders, then one in the middle for speeding traffic in both directions. Watch for the little shrines commemorating a death or close call, they are about every quarter mile. As for the ferry, all that I know of are overnight. 12 hours is really the ferry time, with a vehicle, you will need to show up early to load, then obviously a delay in getting off on arrival. Figure maybe having to be at the port mid afternoon, then being able to get on the road mid morning the next day.
Posted by
OP
Cesena, Italy
791 posts
I'm debating several things. Driving the route with the ferry connections, driving through Slovenia, Croatia etc or flying. Maybe doing a combo of the ferry and driving the other way around for each leg of the trip if I go that way. Doing the ferry I'm leaning towards Patra for arrival in Greece. Each has pros/cons obviously. I'm thinking to sticking to the mainland for this trip and saving the islands for another so having a car would be good but don't really want a rental and really haven't read good things about the train/bus systems there. If I do drive it I'll definitly stay outside of Athens and catch something into the city. Don't want to get into that mess. Other than that I'm not really too worried about the driving. Thanks for the help Paul!
Ciao
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8073 posts
Patras as your arrival port makes the most sense. The only other port would be Igoumenitsa, far in the north, really away from much of anything of interest. Patras puts you not far from Olympia, then several sites in the central Peloponnese, then Nafplio, Epidaurus and Mycenae closer to Athens. You could even circle up after Athens, hit Delphi, then take a short ferry across the inlet to get back to Patras and home. Driving through Slovenia and Croatia is an option. I would take some time to get some info about Albania. Traditionally the country has been sort of sketchy for travel, but seems to have opened up in the last few years.