Bringing your car to Rhodes

To drive your own vehicle in Greece, you are required to have with you:
a) the vehicle's valid registration papers
b) an international third-party insurance certificate, and
c) driver's license.

Note: Valid American and EU licenses are acceptable in Greece.

A free entry card allows you to keep your car in the country for up to four months, after which you can arrange for an extension of eight more months, without having to pay import duty.

Driving Rules

In Greece you drive on the right and overtake on the left, and yield right of way to vehicles approaching from the right, except where otherwise indicated.

The following speed limits are in force:
100 km /hour (65 mph) on the national network throughout Greece, for ordinary light-weight motor vehicles, and 70km/hour for other heavier-type vehicles and motorbikes, wherever there are no signs stating otherwise.

In Rhodes, the top speed limit is 80km/hour on the two major highways, Rhodes/Lindos and Rhodes/Kalithea. In built-up areas, you drive at 50km /hour (30 mph), while on provincial roads, all vehicles must not exceed the 70km/hour speed limit.

The use of seatbelts in cars, and crash helmets on motorbikes and scooters, is enforced by law. If you get caught breaking this law, you will be forced to pay a spot fine.

Parking a car

Parking, thankfully, not an issue in most of the areas in Rhodes since space is readily available and for free. Finding an empty parking might only be a challenge in Rhodes downtown especially during the working hours. Parking areas are indicated by a blue road sign, with a white "P" on it. Once you have parked your vehicle, you have to purchase a ticket from the nearest automated machine. The cost is 60 cents per hour, Monday to Saturday.

Car hire

There are plenty of car rental companies in Rhodes. Many internationally-known companies are well represented on the island along with even more local ones. While the larger and well-known rental companies have set prices for any given car, the smaller ones are willing to bargain with you, and sometimes you land with a very good deal.

Prices normally include full insurance and free mileage. Of course, like everywhere else in the world, you will have to pay for the fuel/petrol you use. In the low season, if you scout around a little, you can almost be assured of finding a company that will hire it out to you for about 35 euro per day, all-inclusive, with even better rates for three days or more.