We are spending a few weeks in Europe next summer and would to visit Greece. We've traveled in Europe before and always drive (5 people)as we like to hit out of the way places. We are trying to determine the best way to get to Greece. We're considering driving to Venice and then taking a ferry to Patras. Anyone done this? The cost is similar to driving all the way if you include hotels and I am not sure we want to drive through Serbia and Macedonia (and not sure about car rentals).
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
That would be quite a drive. Many rental companies are reluctant to let their cars go through the countries you're talking about so you need to be sure they know your plans up front.
At some point I would consider hopping on a low-cost flight to Greece. Maybe drive part way, hop on a flight, then pick up another car to drive around mainland Greece. A car won't help if you're doing islands.
Posted by
OP
carlsbad, CA
3 posts
Thanks. I'll look into the flights some more. I hadn't considered that option. We are going in July, right now it's around $500 a person Basel (the closest airport) to Athens which would cost more than driving, taking a ferry and staying in a hotel 2 nights based on a couple of mapping websites. We have more time than money, so unless that goes down I'd rather drive and get a chance to sight see.
Posted by
Tacoma, WA, USA
671 posts
Have you priced the train? Eurail passes? Many many years ago (before I was born- eek), my great-aunt and my dad's cousin took the train from Athens to Germany and back again. She said it was a very interesting trip.
Posted by
OP
carlsbad, CA
3 posts
Thanks. We've looked into it, however, trains are expensive and we have to pay for 5 people. I agree they give you a chance to look around.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1005 posts
Don't know anything about the ferry from Venice but it might be your best bet or flying to Greece. Our family of 4 visited Croatia and Slovenia in summer 2005. Because it is harder to take a rental car say from Italy into Slovenia and Croatia we flew into Dubrovnik (picking up our rental car in Split) working our way north through Slovenia and ending in Venice.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Look into the car ferries down around Brendisi that go directly to Greece; that should solve the problem
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Uhm, Germans actually fly to Greece. As mentioned above check with Air Berlin, Condor, Germanwings, TUIfly... e.g. on www.swoodoo.com