Car Hire in Plakias

[Pimo]

I'm debating if to hire a car whilst in Plakias this year, maybe just for a few days for exploring. I've never driven abroad before... Any useful information would be appreciated....

[draper10]

We hired last year for a few days at each end of the holiday instead of paying for transfers and this year we've got a jeep for the fortnight.
It's not really a problem. We drove into Rethymnon and along the coast to Frangokastello as well as several shorter trips and didn't have any problems really. The locals are a bit relaxed about double white lines and seem to ignore them and overtake if there's room.
The road to Frangokastello was interesting last year. It's a beautiful drive but Rodakino was being dug up from one end to the other to put in a new bridge over the gorge so that was a bit hairy and the Greeks aren't big on barriers on the side of the road, so in quite a few places the side of the road stops at quite a large drop. The wife wasn't too chuffed at this, but I've promised to let her drive this time, so that should solve that problem.
We were there in June last year and also will be there in June this year and the roads (except Rethymnon and around the airport) were really quiet. Much nicer than driving in the UK!

[Pimo]

Thanks for the info, might just give it a try when we go in June, and that's a big might !!!! Lol !!!

[draper10]

Sorry about the video link! There are several on Youtube and I picked the worst one!!!! The roads are not bad and the main ones have significantly less potholes than we get in the UK. It's just that occasionally a large chunk at the side may have fallen off!!!! I've driven in several European countries and Crete is by no means the worst (if you're nervous, don't try Portugal). We're there in the middle of June, so if you see a middle aged hippy carreering around in a hired Jeep, it's probably me 

[Pimo]

Thanks, will check out the videos now..... I'm just a bit worried about all the 'extras' when arranging the car hire..... how do you know you need them all ! (eg what type of insurance, damage wavier etc)...

[Tony and Sandra Smith]

If you hire cars abroad a few times a year or for longer periods of time it is often cheaper to buy stand alone excess insurance in the uk before you go. I have a policy from www.insurance4carhire.com that covers for a year.

Also check the fueling arrangements eg hire full return empty or hire full return full and read my recent post re petrol scams in Plakchat

Tony

[draper10]

We've used Just Rent a Car following a recommendation on this forum. Never used them before. Insurance is fairly standard, collision damage waiver etc. A guy in Menorca told me a couple of years ago that the only things they ever checked when a car came back were the tyres and the windows. They keep them for such a short period of time that it's not worth bothering with small dings on the bodywork. Don't know how true that is but I've hired all over the place and never had a problem.
The first time with a hire car is always a bit nervy for the first hour or so, then everything is fine. There are just as many loonies on British roads as anywhere else.

[draper10]

Link to site:
http://www.justrentals.gr/index.html