Flying
Flying to The Peloponnese
There are 2 notable airports on the Peloponnese.
Kalamata
International Airport: It mainly receives charter flights
during the summer months. Once a week there is a scheduled domestic
flight from Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city.
Araxos National
Airport: It is a civilian airport that uses the military
base runway. Araxos is the closest airport to the city of Patras.
During summer time the airport serves a few civilian charter flights
from northern Europe.
Athens
Most tourists who go to the Peloponnese however fly to Athens International Airport and start their journey there.
Driving
Ferries
So you've decided to come to the Peloponnese by car. Excellent choice!
The easiest way to get to the Peloponnese by car is taking a ferry from
Italy to Patra.
There are daily
departures from Ancona, Brindisi, Venice and Bari to Patra.
When you're driving your own car, you need a valid registration, proof
of internationally valid insurance (check with your insurance
company!), and your driver's license.
If you want to hire a car, you can find more information here.
Road Rules of Greece
Note: Many of these rules are ignored by many Greek drivers, but
tourists do so at their peril.
Minimum Age:
Drivers must be 18.
Seat Belts:
Must be used by front-seat passengers. With Greece's high accident
rate, please, everybody, strap yourself in.
Children:
Kids under 10 can't sit in the front seat.
Speed Limits:
Use these as a guide, but always obey the posted limits, which may
vary.
Urban areas: 50 kmh/30 mph
Outside cities: 110 kph/68 mph
Freeways/Expressways: 120 kph/75 mph
Parking:
In some areas, street parking requires purchase of a ticket from a
booth. These areas will be posted in both English and Greek.
Driver's Licenses:
EU citizens can use their own. Other nationals should have an
International Drivers License, though in practice, a recognizable photo
license is usually accepted. US licenses have been readily accepted in
the past but I recommend having the international version as a second
form of ID. Many passport photo services also offer the International
Driver's License forms.
Athens Restricted
Area: The central Athens area restricts car access to
reduce congestion, but these restrictions do not apply to rental cars
or those owned by foreigners in the country for a short stay.
Emergency Numbers:
For visitors to Greece, dial 112 for multi-language help. Dial 100 for
Police, 166 for Fires, and 199 for ambulance service.
Toll Roads:
Some of the special roads called Ethniki Odos do require tolls, which
vary and must be paid in cash. There are only a few of these in Greece;
keep 4 Euro handy in the car..
