So you’ve decided to explore Greece by car – bravo! (And yes, due to the Venetian Occupation of many of the islands of Greece, you will hear “bravo” as an accolade in Greece as well as Italy.) However, before you embark on your adventure, it’s important to understand the presence of toll roads that may influence your journey.

The toll booths are found on the freeway-like National Roads or Ethniki Odos, which are designed for quick, long-distance travel throughout Greece. You’ll find them on the main road running between Athens International Airport and the city center. The toll cost will often be in addition to your quoted taxi fee, making it essential to account for these charges in your travel budget.

In some fortunate instances, a traveler may discover that the National Road running along the top of the big Greek island of Crete does not have toll booths – there are no roads with tolls on Crete. The downside, however, is that there are few roads that would qualify as highways on Crete; only the National Road and a small part of the north-south road running from Heraklion to Moires offer a highway-like driving environment.

If you’re used to utilizing toll roads in the United States, you might find that Greek toll booths are farther apart and that your costs tend to be cheaper than traveling an equivalent distance on toll roads in the United States. For instance, traveling from toll-free California to toll-heavy Illinois, I was amazed at how expensive highway travel fees were for a short trip, highlighting the relative affordability of tolls in Greece.

Where Are the Toll Roads in Greece?

Attiki Odos – This toll road crosses Attica, the peninsula where Athens is located, and runs toward the Peloponnese peninsula.

Egnatia Odos – Also known as the A2, this toll road in Northern Greece, which partially follows an ancient Roman road, runs between Epirus to Macedonia and on to Thrace.

Corinth-Patras – While not considered to be the same quality as some of the other toll roads, it remains the quickest way to cross the northern portion of the Peloponnese peninsula. However, it runs parallel to the old coastal road, which travels through each beachside village, offering a slower but more scenic option.

Athens-Thessaloniki – Known variously as Motorway 1, the A1, the E75, or the PAThE (for Patras, Athens, Thessaloniki, and Egnatia), this road provides an easy way to travel between the two main cities of Greece. Expect modern truck-stop type complexes offering food, gas, and souvenirs, along with opportunities to pull off for a meal or some sightseeing. Nevertheless, it still has a couple of narrow spots slated for expansion, but most average drivers will find satisfaction driving on this road with at least two lanes in both directions along most of its length.

How Much Are the Tolls?

The toll fees may change at any time, but they generally range from about 0.70 Euro cents to about 2 Euro per segment. Therefore, it’s advisable to keep some 1 and 2 Euro coins handy while driving.

How Can I Avoid the Toll Roads in Greece?

The quick answer is that you may not want to try. Greece has been fairly discreet in adding toll booths, and these tolls are usually located on the roads that offer the most convenience for travelers. Using alternate routes often doesn’t make much sense. However, if you enjoy exploring back roads and driving through picturesque landscapes, you can circumvent these toll roads. Nevertheless, for the average tourist, the convenience and speed that toll roads offer are often too appealing to resist.