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Plakias => Plakias => Topic started by: ARGONAUT on September 09, 2005, 01:37:40 AM

Title: airport - plakias
Post by: ARGONAUT on September 09, 2005, 01:37:40 AM
howdy Plakias people----just a quicky ! I get into Iraklion 3am , should I get a taxi from airport to Iraklion bus station then bus to Rethymon then taxi to Plakias - any idea how much taxi reth to plakias cost?

regards   Argonaut
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: Rodger on September 09, 2005, 09:24:09 AM
Quote
howdy Plakias people----just a quicky ! I get into Iraklion 3am , should I get a taxi from airport to Iraklion bus station then bus to Rethymon then taxi to Plakias - any idea how much taxi reth to plakias cost?

regards   Argonaut
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4305\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

The first bus leaves Heraklion at 5.30 so you'd do better to hang around at the airport for a while - there is a 24-hour cafe upstairs.

Your taxi driver will not be at all happy to take you to the bus station as he'll be looking for a fare to one of the coastal resorts.  But after all, it's not your job to make taxi drivers happy.  

Why not take the bus from Rethymno to Plakias as well?  It goes from the same station where you get off the Heraklion bus.
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: beachcombers on September 09, 2005, 09:25:20 AM
Quote
howdy Plakias people----just a quicky ! I get into Iraklion 3am , should I get a taxi from airport to Iraklion bus station then bus to Rethymon then taxi to Plakias - any idea how much taxi reth to plakias cost?

regards   Argonaut
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] ([url]http://index.php?[/url]act=findpost&pid=4305\")



Hi Argonaut
We would personally hire a car: looking at your plans to explore south coast and WWII statues etc.

Suggest you contact [a href=\"http://www.ansotravel.com]http://www.ansotravel.com[/url]

This Plakias travel agency has nice deals 3 days car hire Pick up at airport leave at Plakias and Vice Versa.

Drive carefully and suggest to wait till daylight before you start driving.

We are sure you have have a good time.

Regards
Beachcombers
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: Mike G on September 09, 2005, 01:58:37 PM
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howdy Plakias people----just a quicky ! I get into Iraklion 3am , should I get a taxi from airport to Iraklion bus station then bus to Rethymon then taxi to Plakias - any idea how much taxi reth to plakias cost?
regards   Argonaut
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] ([url]http://index.php?[/url]act=findpost&pid=4305\")

For a bus transfer from Heraklion to Plakias, there were several useful posts some time ago. Click [a href=\"http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?PHPSESSID=fa5540ab9afe633aed5561eaa3b652a4&showtopic=298&st=60]here[/url] and look for the post by Noopsy 500 on 15 July 2004 at 10.54am

It takes a long time but is cheap!

Mike
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: John R on September 09, 2005, 03:05:37 PM
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Drive carefully and suggest to wait till daylight before you start driving.

Probably good advice if you are unfamiliar with the place.

However I'm looking forward to driving at that time of night (Assuming my car has lights !!) because that horrible main  east/west highway has virtually no traffic on it at that time.

John R
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: harribobs on September 09, 2005, 03:16:37 PM
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However I'm looking forward to driving at that time of night (Assuming my car has lights !!) because that horrible main  east/west highway has virtually no traffic on it at that time.

John R
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4329\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


John

how long does it take you get acustomed to driving on the wrong side?

(i feel just about OK by the spilli turnoff on the national)
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: beachcombers on September 09, 2005, 03:18:05 PM
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Quote

Drive carefully and suggest to wait till daylight before you start driving.

Probably good advice if you are unfamiliar with the place.

However I'm looking forward to driving at that time of night (Assuming my car has lights !!) because that horrible main  east/west highway has virtually no traffic on it at that time.

John R
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4329\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Only in emergencies I will do this. I must not think of the car broken down just after curve in the road. It can be very dark and Greek drivers are surely not defensive drivers!
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: John R on September 09, 2005, 07:38:21 PM
[[/quote]

Only in emergencies I will do this. I must not think of the car broken down just after curve in the road. It can be very dark and Greek drivers are surely not defensive drivers!

[/quote]

Famous last words, but I am not at all bothered about the prospect. I've been driving there for 9 years now. I totally agree about Greeks not being defensive drivers but I am an ultra defensive driver - especially over there. I feel I can make a better job of it than some of the transfer taxi drivers that we've been with in the past.

I see you are from Netherlands. Now I once drove through Amsterdam (Beautiful place) on a Sunday afternoon. NEVER NEVER EVER again. If you can deal with drivers in Amsterdam (I did - just) then Crete is very easy indeed.

I am very used to driving hilly, narrow mountainous roads  - in the dark - near to where I live.

John R
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: John R on September 09, 2005, 11:02:34 PM
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John

how long does it take you get acustomed to driving on the wrong side?

(i feel just about OK by the spilli turnoff on the national)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4331\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I get used to it amost immediately.  It is a bit like getting used to both of our cars back here. Each very different but I adapt immediately to whichever one I'm in. I have to be more careful back at home when I might tend to go to the right if not careful. I always seem to be very conscious of the situation when on the right - which seriously is not a bad thing - never getting into "autopilot" mode like back at home. Having a LH drive car is a big advantage in keeping one aware.

The only thing I have problems with is occasionally getting into the incorrect side of the car. I've been know to sit there and wonder whose pinched the steering wheel.
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: Noopsy on September 09, 2005, 11:15:00 PM
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The only thing I have problems with is occasionally getting into the incorrect side of the car. I've been know to sit there and wonder whose pinched the steering wheel.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4352\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
  Nice one!
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: beachcombers on September 09, 2005, 11:20:04 PM
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Quote
The only thing I have problems with is occasionally getting into the incorrect side of the car. I've been know to sit there and wonder whose pinched the steering wheel.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4352\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
  Nice one!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4356\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Experience from the opposite site:
Direction L/R handle is opposite from window wiper handle. :

It took my 3 weeks to get used to it!  
And 2 weeks to get back to the continental system.

Most likely due to no dense traffic in NZ
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: harribobs on September 10, 2005, 04:17:34 PM
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The only thing I have problems with is occasionally getting into the incorrect side of the car. I've been know to sit there and wonder whose pinched the steering wheel.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4352\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


I enjoy watching mandy walk round to the drivers side and then panic when she sees the steering wheel!

i did NOT enjoy driving in belgium in my (RH drive) car, i won't do that again
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: John R on September 10, 2005, 08:40:50 PM
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i did NOT enjoy driving in belgium in my (RH drive) car, i won't do that again
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4364\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Me too - one reason for us not visiting our mutual friends. We experienced Belgium drivers at the same hol as my other recent reference to Amsterdam drivers. Drivers in that part of the world are nuts and make Creten drivers seem very tame. (Still quite wild though).
I vowed I would never drive abroad again after that experience but have since found Crete ok if you are careful and defensive.

John R
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: LoukaFran on September 10, 2005, 09:19:21 PM
 Belgian drivers,....you mean us ? We live in a very crowdy country -  we do not drive on the hard shoulder, we have have traffic lights and have to stop for every orange or red light, speeding is monitored by cameras and we do not overtake other cars when there is a full white line, drinking and driving is out of the question.... I do have to say I (Fran) would never want to drive in Brussels. If you are refering to the situation there, as in a lot of cities, I totally agree. Have you ever tried to drive trough Athens ? A nightmare !
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: beachcombers on September 10, 2005, 09:36:55 PM
Quote from: John R,Sep 9 2005, 08:38 PM
[

Only in emergencies I will do this. I must not think of the car broken down just after curve in the road. It can be very dark and Greek drivers are surely not defensive drivers!

[/quote]

Famous last words, but I am not at all bothered about the prospect. I've been driving there for 9 years now. I totally agree about Greeks not being defensive drivers but I am an ultra defensive driver - especially over there. I feel I can make a better job of it than some of the transfer taxi drivers that we've been with in the past.

I see you are from Netherlands. Now I once drove through Amsterdam (Beautiful place) on a Sunday afternoon. NEVER NEVER EVER again. If you can deal with drivers in Amsterdam (I did - just) then Crete is very easy indeed.

I am very used to driving hilly, narrow mountainous roads  - in the dark - near to where I live.

John R
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4342\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
[/quote]


Hi John R,
In general driving in Greece (Did you ever try Athens - Patras taxi ride? You certainly wish you had hired a car) is a nightmare. Crete is pretty relaxed compared to surroundings of Athens.
The Greek are completely changing as soon as they are behind a steering wheel.
This and the uncertain road conditions makes defensive driving a must.

An Athens based friend of mine told me the following joke:
As soon as Greek would be occupied again, they would give the enemy free cars!
It was expected that the occupation would be over in a few weeks time.

The Brits have of course an additional handicap RH driving.

Amsterdam is a difficult city to drive in and local drivers sort of own the streets there and bikers apparently donot have to follow any trafic rules or lights.

It is of course making a large difference in case you drive the same road every day.
I as well feel much safer driving myself the to be driven by a lunatic Greek taxidriver
Regards
Beachcombers
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: sheryl on September 11, 2005, 03:25:51 PM
guess i have a wee added advantage - being a driving instructor   and spending all day controlling the car from both sides, the l/h r/h thing doesn't bother me.  and if you've been beside learners long enough the taxi transfer looks like another day to me...minus the dual controls.  there are nutty drivers in every country, but i find i am more aware of dangers due to the memorial boxes and crosses at the side of the roads where someones been killed esp going through the gorge. i do find that a bit unnerving
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: harribobs on September 11, 2005, 10:57:44 PM
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Belgian drivers,....you mean us ? We live in a very crowdy country -  we do not drive on the hard shoulder, we have have traffic lights and have to stop for every orange or red light, speeding is monitored by cameras and we do not overtake other cars when there is a full white line, drinking and driving is out of the question.... I do have to say I (Fran) would never want to drive in Brussels. If you are refering to the situation there, as in a lot of cities, I totally agree. Have you ever tried to drive trough Athens ? A nightmare !
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4371\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

the worst part about driving in belgium was that i was in a right hand drive car!  i didn't think the drivers were any worse than england, driving in Gent for me was the worst  ( so was our friends trying to get me to pronounce Gent correctly (and grimberger bier)

BUT  what we don't have to deal with in the same quantity in the UK is the cyclists!   they're everywhere and sneak up on the inside

when i'm driving in crete, i'm quite relaxed (after the initial shock) after a few days i'm driving with my arm out of the window, cursing the tourists who are getting in my way    until i get into the cities, there i find the mopeds a nightmare
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: beachcombers on September 12, 2005, 08:09:27 AM
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guess i have a wee added advantage - being a driving instructor   and spending all day controlling the car from both sides, the l/h r/h thing doesn't bother me.  and if you've been beside learners long enough the taxi transfer looks like another day to me...minus the dual controls.  there are nutty drivers in every country, but i find i am more aware of dangers due to the memorial boxes and crosses at the side of the roads where someones been killed esp going through the gorge. i do find that a bit unnerving
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4382\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hi Sheryl,

There are indeed nutty drivers in every country, however statistics prove there are over 3 time as much mortalities in Greece.  :'(  
Perhaps you should start given driving lessons in Greece?  
regards
Beachcombers


[attachment=161:attachment]  :'(
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: beachcombers on September 12, 2005, 10:56:01 AM
And how about parking? We do not try this at home do we?
[/quote][attachment=162:attachment]
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: John R on September 12, 2005, 09:24:53 PM
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And how about parking? We do not try this at home do we?

[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4392\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I'm sure that must be me parking outside the Park Hotel, Amsterdam when we visited
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: sheryl on September 12, 2005, 09:30:21 PM
well beachcomber, what can i say NOT A HOPE IN HELL   i think there driving test consists of :-do you know where the horn is and try and stay on the road  
but even i get it wrong across there as ali can confirm as i tried to get in the wrong side of her car one night mooching a lift to the beach bar  
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: beachcombers on September 13, 2005, 09:51:57 PM
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And how about parking? We do not try this at home do we?

[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4392\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I'm sure that must be me parking outside the Park Hotel, Amsterdam when we visited
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4403\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

What did it cost you € 200.= or something?  
Title: airport - plakias
Post by: beachcombers on September 13, 2005, 09:55:03 PM
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well beachcomber, what can i say NOT A HOPE IN HELL   i think there driving test consists of :-do you know where the horn is and try and stay on the road  
but even i get it wrong across there as ali can confirm as i tried to get in the wrong side of her car one night mooching a lift to the beach bar 
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4404\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

However some cars seems to survive even in Greece. I saw this one in Matala early May 2005.
 [attachment=166:attachment]