Page 303 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

Buses Licences
All islands, except tiny ones like Foúrni or Lipsí, Driving licences issued by any of the European
have big Mercedes buses, usually coloured Union member states are valid throughout the
cream and sea-green, which are run by KTEL EU. If visiting from outside the EU, you will need
consortium. Routes and service frequencies to apply for an International Driving Permit.
vary, and are often based on the size of the Check with your local automobile association
island; buses are excellent on major island before you travel.
hubs like Crete, Mýkonos, Skiáthos and Corfu.
During summer, main routes, especially on Rules of the Road
popular islands like Santoríni, are packed. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g per litre, and
Tickets are usually sold on board, though in driving under the influence will result in
some towns, including Rhodes and Mýkonos, heavy fines and possible loss of licence and
you buy in advance from booths next to the prosecution. Seatbelts must be worn in front
bus stop. Évvia is connected to the mainland seats, with a €350 fine for non-compliance.
with a bridge at the capital Halkída, served Children aged under ten must sit in the back
from Athens by both buses (the station is seat and under-threes must ride in approved
well inland, beyond Halkída town centre) child seats (rental agencies will supply these).
and trains, whose schedules are found on Fines for minor infractions must be paid within
TrainOSE (p300). ten days to avoid court proceedings. It’s an
KTEL offence to drive away from an accident involving
∑ ktelbus.com another car – or to move the vehicles from the
positions at which they came to rest – before the
Taxis police arrive, who will breathalyze all drivers and
Island taxis are metered, and there should write an accident report. This will be required by
be a list of per-kilometre rates and allowable your car-hire company and your insurer, even if
surcharges affixed to the dashboard. Never you are driving your own vehicle.
engage a taxi without having small euro notes
(5, 10, 20) and coins. Some short local runs Parking
have set rates (often overpriced), such as the All island town centres are congested and, to
drive from Páros airport to the ferry dock for avoid getting a parking ticket (which start at
Andíparos. Many taxis now issue receipts €80), it is suggested you park on the outskirts
automatically. Taxis are usually coloured grey, of the centre, in an unrestricted zone on the
but on some islands may be navy or burgundy, outskirts and walk in from there.
and take a maximum of four passengers.
Scooter Rental
Driving Island holidays used to be synonymous with
hiring what the Greeks call a papáki (“little
Driving to the Greek Islands duck”) or mihanáki (“little machine”). Agencies
Driving to the islands isn’t recommended, now enforce the Greek requirement for a basic
given the cost of shipping cars on domestic motorcycle licence, even for 50cc scooters.
ferries and the fact that most larger islands Customers without one will have to take quad
have car-rental agencies. Travelling overland bikes instead. Helmets will be supplied and
to Greece makes more sense if you are driving should be worn.
to Lefkáda (bridge to the mainland) or to
northern Greece to access nearby islands like Cycling
Thásos, Samothráki or Límnos (the latter two
have limited car hire options). Road cycling on touring bikes is now common
in the Greek Islands, particularly in summer or
Car Rental the cooler months of autumn. You’ll share the
The minimum age for car rental is 21 years road with locals, as well as increasing numbers
old, although some companies require drivers of fellow visitors.
to be over 25. In low season rental cars can Rental outlets are most easily found on
be arranged on the spot, but in summer it is Égina, Corfu, Zákynthos, Kos, Rhodes and
advisable to reserve one in advance on a third- Páros. Rental agencies tend to have stock of
party website, such as Auto Europe, or directly either fairly basic models – with fat tires and
with a local agency. All the major international maybe three speeds – or mountain bikes.
chains have local affiliates. Take out a policy Daily rates but are generally around €5–15.
insuring you for the collision damage waiver Cyclists should be aware that grades are
excess beforehand. often steep, and the only island with dedicated
Auto Europe cycle lanes is Kos, which are more often found
∑ autoeurope.co.uk in the flatter areas around the main town.

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