Driving to Greece: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Sea Adventure
Which path to take to the sea, what kind of road, what kind of traffic, which border crossing to choose, and where are the least crowds - these are the most common questions that drivers ask before heading to the sea.
Whether you are going to Thassos, Halkidiki, or the Ionian coast, here you will find links to specific guides for each part of the journey: verified routes to all tourist regions, the latest toll prices, and tips to avoid crowds.
In the text you will find:Routes by destinations
Alternative routes with less crowds
Route through Bulgaria
Ferries to Thassos
How to avoid crowds at the border
Tolls and travel costs
TAG devices
Breaks and overnight stays
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Which way to go to the sea by car?
If you are heading to Thassos, Sithonia, Lefkada, or any other destination, check out the detailed guide with all the necessary information.
THASSOS
Land route + ferry, border and port tips:
By car to Thassos and back.
SITHONIA
The fastest and most common route to the central peninsula of Halkidiki:
By car to Sithonia.
KASSANDRA
Route to the first peninsula of Halkidiki and resorts near Thessaloniki
By car to Kassandra.
ATHOS
Practical routes and driving tips to Athos (tolls, border, traffic rules)
Route to Athos
THESSALONIKI REGION
Detailed route and bypasses around Thessaloniki
By car to Thessaloniki region
KAVALA
Arrival through North Macedonia or Bulgaria, see detailed explanation
By car to Kavala.
LEFKADA
The only island reached without a ferry
By car to Lefkada.
IONIAN COAST
Different routes to Lefkada, Kefalonia, and other Ionian islands
Niki border crossing - route to Ionian coast
Route to Greece via Albania
EPIRUS - Parga, Vrachos
Mountain route and highway exits
Route to Parga and Epirus.
KEFALONIA
Combination of driving and ferry
Route to Kefalonia
Alternative routes with less crowds
As an alternative to Evzoni - where are the turns and what is the advantage:
Route to Greece via Dojran
Route through Bulgaria
For a large number of tourists, especially from the north and east of Serbia, the route through Bulgaria shortens the journey, especially when vacationing in Thassos or near Kavala. Check out the detailed description of the route through Bulgaria in the text By car to Greece via Bulgaria.
Another route you can explore is Route through Vlasina Lake and Bulgaria.
Ferry to Thassos
Ferries to Thassos operate from two coastal towns: Kavala and Keramoti.
From Kavala, the ferry goes to Skala Prinos, and from Keramoti to Limenas.
Duration of the journey:
- Kavala - Skala Prinos takes 75 minutes.
- Keramoti - Limenas only 35 minutes.
For the schedule, ticket prices, and other information, read our article Ferry to Thassos.
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How to avoid crowds at border crossings?
Based on live cameras you can check the traffic flow at border crossings, delays, number of active lanes, and the real situation on the ground. In combination with Google Maps, which show the length of queues, you can more easily choose the right time to cross the border and avoid long waits.
All links to cameras and current information can be found in the article Avoid crowds on the road to Greece - monitor the situation live at border crossings via cameras
Toll booths and tolls to Greece: What do you need to know?
Toll costs are an important part of trip planning. Whether you are traveling through North Macedonia or Bulgaria, we recommend checking the number of toll stations and payment methods in advance.
For each country you pass through, we have prepared up-to-date guides:
Serbia toll booths
Toll prices depend on the departure location (Subotica, Novi Sad, Belgrade, or Niš).
Tolls through Serbia - price list.
North Macedonia toll booths
On the way to Greece, you will encounter five toll booths.
Tolls and TAG payment.
Greece toll booths for all directions
Prices depend on the region you are traveling to (Halkidiki, Thassos, Ionian coast, Peloponnese…).
Tolls in Greece - complete overview by all road directions.
Bulgarian vignette
A vignette is required for transit through Bulgaria (weekend, weekly, or monthly).
How to buy an e-vignette for Bulgaria.
Total toll costs from Serbia to resorts in Greece
For a complete toll calculation and other costs:
Toll booths, tolls, and total travel costs to Greece.
Faster to the sea with TAG device (ENP)
During the summer season, the biggest crowds are at toll booths. Using the TAG device allows for faster passage and easier travel. Thanks to the Open Balkan system, the Serbian TAG can also be used in North Macedonia.
The Greek TAG is not yet connected to the Open Balkan system, but it can be ordered to an address in Serbia.
- How to set up a Serbian TAG for Macedonia (Open Balkan system).
- How to order a Greek TAG device to an address in Serbia - how to order and activate a Greek TAG.
Using the tag is not only faster, but often also more affordable due to various discounts for electronic toll payment.
Where can you rest or stay overnight on the way to Greece?
A long drive requires concentration, so quality breaks are crucial for safety. Whether you are looking for a place for a quick lunch or a verified accommodation for overnight stay, explore our recommendations:
Accommodation and lunch breaks on the way to Greece Recommendations for verified restaurants and accommodation from southern Serbia to the Kožuh mountain in North Macedonia.
Accommodation and sightseeing on the way to Greece via Bitola Advantages of the route through Bitola with tips for visiting the city and comfortable overnight stay.
Rila Monastery - Suggestion for a unique break during the journey through Bulgaria.
Royal Break: Queen Maria Winery - Ideal for wine and history lovers. Enjoy the beautiful garden with peacocks and exquisite food in Demir Kapija.
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