Athens - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Something small and maneuverable if you plan on living in the heart of Athens. If you are thinking about driving all over Greece to explore (which you should) maybe bring a midsize SUV. Many people brought a SUV and then purchased a smaller more beat up car on the local market. Your car will get dinged and scratched and bumped..and maybe broken into..so plan accordingly. When in traffic, never leave anything of value out on the seats next to your or behind you, scooters have free reign in Athens so occasionally criminals will use this to roll through and smash windows and grab purses etc. - Jan 2023
Nothing big, four or all wheel drive is handy. - Mar 2022
Recommend something small, but you see everything (SUV, minivans, trucks). Parking can be a nightmare. The roads/highway system are great. Just lots of traffic and limited parking in most areas. Plan for dings and scratches. Accidents aren’t uncommon. - Jan 2020
Take a car you are ready to ding up. - Mar 2018
Bring something small due to parking issues in the city. - Feb 2018
With the lack of parking, smaller is better here. - Oct 2017
Most cars should be fine on most roads. There are some narrow ones where larger cars would have problems. Motorcycles are commonly used here as well. - Jan 2017
Small cars are helpful since parking in downtown is challenging. Any car may receive bumps, scratches, etc. when parked. Our car is not available locally but the Hyundai dealer was able to find the part we needed. However, there was a significant delay. Consider bringing a car that is available in Greece so you can purchase the parts easily here. - Dec 2016
I brought an SUV but it was a challenge driving downtown on the old narrow streets. Parking is slim, so that was a challenge also. Gas prices are very high around US$8 a gallon, so a smaller car would be better. - Sep 2013
All types of vehicles can be found in Greece, and you will see more Porsches and Ferraris in Greece than NYC! However, due to the VERY expensive gas prices (approximately USD 8.00 a gallon!), most Greeks have smaller vehicles, 2.0 liter engines or less. There is a luxury tax for anything above 2 liter engines, making those above this threshold VERY expensive. Parking in Athens would be another consideration, so I would bring something smaller. SUVs are NOT needed. - Jul 2012
SMALL! - Jun 2010
Small is better. Everyone here drives tiny little cars. I think it would be hard to park a large car, but driving one would not be a problem. Have not had a issue with getting parts yet. - Jan 2009
Don't bring an SUV here -- you don't need one and it will be hard to navigate the tiny streets and park. - Dec 2008
I brought a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I love it. It does use more gas, but it didn't make sense for us to sell a car that was already paid for to buy another one we'd then owe money on. I enjoy being a little higher up than most vehicles since I'm toting a toddler and concerned for her safety. Parking can be difficult but not unreasonable. I've become intimately familiar with the *exact* size of my vehicle and have managed to do everything I've wanted to do here, including going down to the historic narrower streets and been just fine. Something like a Suburban or a wide minivan would not have made it through, but I did okay. - Jun 2008
