Driving in Piraeus is not difficult, but it has three quirks that catch out people arriving from another country or another city: some traffic rules work the opposite way round from what you expect, the port zone is unpredictable at particular hours, and parking is controlled almost everywhere.
Rules that catch people out
Greece drives on the right and overtakes on the left. Nothing unusual so far. The rest deserves attention:
- Roundabouts. This is the biggest trap for foreign drivers. In Greece priority usually goes to traffic entering the roundabout, not to traffic already circulating — the exact opposite of the UK, France or Germany. The rule is overridden wherever a STOP or give-way sign is posted, so read the signs at every roundabout.
- Mobile phones. Permitted only with a hands-free system. Not in the hand, and not with earphones in both ears.
- Alcohol. The limit is 0.05% BAC, stricter for new drivers, motorcyclists and professional drivers. Checks are frequent at weekends.
- Seatbelts and helmets. Compulsory for all occupants, front and rear. On two-wheelers helmets are compulsory for rider and passenger without exception.
- Bus lanes. The main avenues towards Athens have dedicated bus lanes. Straying into one is among the most common fines rental drivers pick up.
The port zone
Gates E1 to E12 handle millions of passengers a year, and on summer mornings between 06:00 and 09:00 the traffic there is as dense as anything you will meet in Europe. It is not a traffic jam in the ordinary sense; it is dozens of ships loading at once, with the port authority directing flow as it goes.
Three practical rules:
- Arrive at least 60 minutes early, and ninety if you are loading a vehicle onto the ship.
- Know your gate before you set off. The gates are spread over several kilometres and you cannot easily switch from one to another once inside the zone. Which gate serves which destination is in our guide to gates E1–E12.
- Follow the signage and the port officers. The one-way system around the port changes periodically and satnav is often out of date.
If you want to avoid the zone entirely, collect the vehicle in the city centre and head straight out.
Parking and road markings
The colour of the line is all the information you need:
| Colour | Meaning | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Controlled visitor parking | Card from a kiosk, or a mobile app |
| White | Free parking | None — but rare in the centre |
| Yellow | No parking; emergency vehicles, taxis, loading | Fine, and plates may be removed |
Controlled parking covers much of the centre. If you are leaving the car for a couple of hours, the blue zone is fine. If you are leaving it all day or overnight, the private car parks around Akti Miaouli and Zea cost less than a fine and are markedly less stressful.
One rule holds across Piraeus: the smaller the car, the easier your life. In the narrow streets around the centre, a group A or B vehicle parks where a family car simply will not fit. The groups are listed on the car fleet page.
Getting out towards Athens and the south
For Athens and the motorways, Schistou Avenue and Athinon Avenue lead to the Attiki Odos and the Athens–Corinth motorway. The Attiki Odos is tolled and worth the time it saves, particularly heading for the airport.
For the southern suburbs, the coastal road through Moschato and Kallithea is slower but a far more pleasant run to Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Sounio. Route suggestions are in our guide to day trips from Piraeus.
Fuel and practicalities
Most filling stations are open until 22:00, with some 24-hour sites on the main avenues. In Greece an attendant serves you — you do not fill the car yourself — and a small tip is welcome if they clean the windscreen too.
Two things people forget: say amolyvdi (unleaded) or petreleo (diesel) clearly, because misfuelling is expensive and is not covered by the insurance; and return the vehicle with the same fuel level you collected it with, as the rental terms require.
Tolls on the Attiki Odos and the Athens–Corinth motorway are paid by cash or card at the barrier. Fines are the driver’s responsibility, so if you pick one up, settle it before you return the vehicle.
In an emergency
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| European emergency number | 112 |
| Police | 100 |
| Ambulance (EKAV) | 166 |
| Coast Guard | 108 |
After an accident, call 100 first if anyone is injured or fault is disputed, complete a European accident statement with the other driver, photograph the scene and the number plates, and tell us immediately. For a breakdown, roadside assistance is included in every rental and operates around the clock across Greece.
The rest — what the insurance covers, how the excess works and what you need in order to rent — is in the frequently asked questions.
