Greece traffic report

Are you going to Greece by car? Then prepare yourself well with our practical information about route and traffic. In Greece, some things are sometimes slightly different than in other European countries. Would you like to know which route is best to drive to Greece or where it will or will not be busy this holiday? On this page you will find everything about traffic and route information for your trip to Greece.

Greece traffic information

Traffic density Greece

Avoid traffic jams

• Note: The information below applies under normal circumstances. However, most countries have introduced measures to prevent the spread of the corona virus. It is still unclear what effect this will have on traffic density.

Busy roads

• A1 (E75) Athens – Thessaloníki, near both cities.
• A8A (E65 and E94) Patras – Athens, at the ferry terminals to Italy.

Greece traffic – border crossings

With Bulgaria:

• Kulata / Promachonas (E79)
• Makaza (Kurdjali)

With North Macedonia:

• Bogorodica (E75)
• Medzitlija (E65)

With Turkey:

• Féres / Ipsala (E90, in Turkey E84).

Greece traffic – busy traffic days

• In the summer months, from mid-June to mid-September, it can bevery busy on the weekend (Friday evening to Sunday evening) on the Greek roads, especially from the cities towards the coast.

Greece traffic information

Phone

• The tourist police provides all kinds of information (including traffic information) via telephone number 171. They can also refer you to other public services.
• The Greek automobile club ELPA can be reached on telephone number 210 606 88 00 (Mon to Sat between 8 am and 3 pm).

Radio

• Traffic information in foreign languages is not broadcast in Greece.

Internet

• Road network and toll rates (Athens area): aodos.gr (English).
• Information on highways: neaodos.gr (English).

Greece traffic – road network

• In mainland Greece, roads are generally good and a more extensive network of modern highways is being developed.
  Both on the mainland and on the peninsulas there are also many primary and secondary roads with a reasonable road surface.
• The road network on the islands is limited.
• There are also unpaved roads all over the countryside and on all islands.

Greece traffic – road safety

• Greece is one of the European countries where there are relatively many road deaths every year, but much is currently being done to reduce the number of road deaths.
• Due to the sometimes less good condition of the road surface, the often heavy traffic on the roads, especially around the big cities and the many drivers who drive faster than permitted, driving in Greece involves risks. This is even more true in bad weather.
• You are advised to pay close attention and drive defensively.
• Tailgating is a common problem in Greek traffic.
• Motorcyclists are advised to drive with extra caution.
• Drivers are advised to pay extra attention to the many motorcyclists who sometimes drive between rows of cars, overtake incorrectly or make unexpected maneuvers.
• Pedestrians are also advised to use extreme caution when walking along the road and when crossing the road.
• Driving in the dark is not recommended outside the cities.

Greece traffic – roads and routes

• The best route to Greece is via Germany – Austria – Hungary – Serbia – North Macedonia.
• The Peloponnese peninsula has only two connections to the mainland: the bridge at Corinth on the east side and a second bridge between Antirion and Rio to the west. This second bridge is near the port of Patras, a godsend for motorists who travel to Greece via Igoumenitsa or want to visit Patras and Peloponnese.

Greece traffic – new roads

A3

• Connection A2 – Trikala (50 km). Date of completion unknown.
• Xyniada – Stavos (18 km). Date of completion unknown..
• Stavos – Lamia (A1) (14 km). Date of completion unknown..

A52

• Amvrakia – Vonitsa South (36 km). Completion 2022, very uncertain.

Road works

• Maintenance work is carried out on many roads.

Greece traffic – driving ban trucks

• There is no general driving ban for trucks in Greece on public holidays or weekends.
• On public holidays, some motorways or parts of Greece are banned from driving trucks.
• On Sundays in the summer there is also a driving ban for trucks on various highways to the major cities (Athens and Thessaloniki) from 1 June to 30 September from 3 pm to 10 pm.

Greece traffic – roadside assistance

• Greece traffic – safety first!
• Put your car aside as far as possible (preferably on the roadside).
• Turn the wheels towards the shoulder.
• Turn on your hazard lights (make them also flash after placing a warning triangle).
• Put on a safety vest and have your passengers put on a vest as well.
• Get out of the car on the side where there is no traffic and let your passengers out on that side as well.
• If necessary, place a warning triangle.
• Stand behind the crash barrier or on the verge and wait for the roadside assistance service, with a view of the traffic.
• Never cross the highway, that is dangerous!

Here you will find more information about Greece.