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ssherie_

Active member
Last time I rented a car in Greece, I needed an "International Driver's License", which I had the foresight to get before I got there. Is this still the case? Do all rental car places require it?

The reason why I ask is, it was kind of a pain to get and don't want to get it unless I need it.
 
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Not sure where you are from, but I do know that I don't need an "International Driver's License" any more as my Australian Driver's license is sufficient. Might also be the case for a US and Canadian driver's license.
 
REnted a car in Greece several years ago and I presented my international license, which I purchased at AAA for about 15 dollars and in approx 15 mins. I am not a AAA member. The big issue with car rentals is the age limitaion of 75 yrs of age. The rental co."s charge additional fees for anyone over 75. I found a company in Corinth that did not have an age restriction and that's about 1-1/2 hrs from Athens by train.
 
I think I better get the International Driver's License from AAA just in case? Seems like it couldn't hurt, especially since it is so inexpensive and easy to do.
 
Renting a car in Greece is now possible with a US license – an international driver's license is no longer required!

If you visit the website of the US Embassy in Greece you will see the following sentence: “U.S. citizen tourists/temporary residents with stays less than six months with a valid United States driver’s license can drive in Greece with their U.S. license.”

Up to you but you don't need one now.
I go to Greece almost every year . From November 2021 onwards, I don't need international permit, I can use my Australian drivers license.
 
I think I better get the International Driver's License from AAA just in case? Seems like it couldn't hurt, especially since it is so inexpensive and easy to do.
I agree with this!
 
I rented a car in Greece with just my regular US driver’s license and didn’t need to take any kind of driving test. Some places also asked for an International Driving Permit, which I got before the trip. I found some helpful info through Pedirayudas that explained the IDP thing pretty clearly. Always best to check what each rental agency wants, since they don’t all ask for the same stuff.
 

Favorite small towns in Greece?

I realized recently that some of my favorite places in Greece haven’t actually been the major destinations everyone talks about, but smaller towns that just had a completely different atmosphere to them.

Sometimes it’s a mountain village with one main square and old stone houses, other times it’s a tiny coastal town where everyone seems to know each other and life moves slower. A few of the places I still think about most weren’t even places I had originally planned to visit.

I’m curious what small towns or villages have really stayed with people after traveling in Greece. Could be because of the scenery, the food, the people, the history, or just the overall feeling of the place.

Would love to hear everyone’s favorites, especially places that don’t always make the typical travel lists.

Places to go for the first time in Greece?

A friend of mine is planning her first trip to Greece, and she asked me what she should prioritize for about 10 days. I’ve been lucky enough to go quite a few times, so I gave her a starting point: Athens for the history, Santorini for the views, and Mykonos for the energy and beaches.

She loved that outline, but she wants to add one more destination to round out the trip. That’s where I started second guessing myself a bit, because there are so many good options depending on what kind of experience she wants.

I was thinking maybe somewhere a little different to balance things out, but I’m curious what others would suggest. If you had 10 days and those three spots already planned, what would be your fourth destination for a first-time visitor?

Is Island Hopping Worth the Effort?

I've been thinking about trying an island-hopping trip the next time I visit Greece, but I'm wondering if it's actually worth the extra planning and travel time. In the past I've usually picked one island and stayed there for the duration of my vacation, which has been relaxing and let me really get to know the area.

Part of me loves the idea of experiencing several islands in one trip since they each seem to have their own personality, food, scenery, and traditions. On the other hand, I wonder if constantly packing, catching ferries, and checking into new accommodations takes away from the experience.

For those of you who have island-hopped, did you feel it was worth it? How many islands did you visit, and did you wish you had spent more time in fewer places? I'd love to hear your itineraries, tips, and whether you'd do it the same way again.

Best Greek Destinations for History Lovers

I’m thinking about planning a Greece trip next year that is focused almost entirely on history, and I’d love some ideas for the best places to include.

Athens would obviously be part of the itinerary for the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, museums, and other archaeological sites. I’m also considering Delphi, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, and maybe spending more time exploring the Peloponnese. Meteora is on my list too, although that would add a different type of historical experience.

I’m especially interested in places where you can really spend time exploring rather than just stopping briefly to see one major site.

If you were planning a history-focused trip to Greece, which destinations would you consider essential? Are there lesser-known archaeological sites, historic towns, museums, Byzantine sites, or ancient ruins that deserve more attention? I’d also love suggestions for putting together an itinerary without trying to cover too much ground.

Best Way to Get a Car Service to JFK Airport Before a Flight to Greece?

Hi everyone, I'm flying out of JFK next month for a trip to Greece and trying to figure out the best way to get to the airport without the usual stress. My flight leaves early in the morning, and I don't want to deal with parking for two weeks or ask a family member to drive me at 4 a.m. I've been looking into booking a car service to JFK Airport instead of a rideshare, mainly because international flights need more buffer time, and I'd rather have a proper chauffeur waiting curbside than risk a driver cancelling at the last minute with all my luggage in tow. A friend of mine recently used Blue Nile Livery for a JFK run and said her chauffeur showed up early, helped load the bags, and tracked the flight the whole way, so she suggested I try them for this trip too.
I'm still trying to figure out whether it's worth booking the chauffeur service a few days in advance or if that's overkill for a domestic pickup, whether a sedan is fine or if an SUV is smarter given how much luggage most of us end up hauling back and forth to Greece, and if anyone has had a chauffeur reroute or adjust pickup timing because of a flight delay before an international departure. For those of you who fly out of JFK often for trips back to Greece, what's worked best for you, and is there a chauffeur service you'd genuinely recommend for an early morning run like this? Any tips appreciated!
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