If you are planning to discover the best places in Crete, having a car is the best way to experience all of its islands, winding mountains roads, and undiscovered beaches. Driving can give you the flexibility to explore wherever you want to, at your own speed, and even allow you to travel places that are difficult to reach.
Crete is a mountainous island with narrow roads. Some of these roads need serious widening due to lack of space. But in recent years, roads have improved, and the driving conditions have changed with it. Driving in Crete can be a great experience as you can create great memories and admire the place with its unique landscapes.
When you are a traveler visiting the island for the first time, renting a car in Crete is the most convenient way to enjoy your travel moreover national pardon can help you on this. There are reasons why renting a car can be more accessible rather than public transportation.
Public transportation will only depend on the timetable and limited schedules. Renting a car allows you to explore the place where the bus does not usually go, and you will miss seeing the stunning coastal drives, mountainside views, archaeological sites and several beautiful villages.
There are essential rules and requirements for renting a car in Crete. You need to be at a certain age. You must be 21 years old, and if you are under 25 years old, there will be an additional charge for young driver surcharge.
Aside from age requirements, they also required a standard International valid drivers license for at least 12 months. If your consent is not Greek and English, translation can be the quick solution.
Driving in Crete is challenging. The cars that are driven from the right side of the road have the right way, same with the United States and Europe. Using a Google map and GPS is a big help when you are driving on the unknown roads because some signs in Crete are heavily damaged and might be impossible to read. The following details are some things to understand before renting a car in Crete.
Overtaking. Cretans usually overtake, and they will not respect the speed limits. If someone passes you, do not hesitate to move to the emergency lane to give them space.
Flashlight. Flashing the headlight ahead is a signal that the driver behind you wants to overtake. If the driver coming in the opposite direction, then flashes twice the headlight, this could be a warning of obstruction.
Traffic Police. Usually in the big cities during weekends, it is normal to expect some police along the road checking the alcohol levels of each driver. The alcohol tests in Crete are frequent and strict, which limit is 0.5mg, and even tourists will be checked.
Beware of Goats, Sheep, Pigs. When you pass through the Cretan mountains and small villages, goats and sheep appear all of a sudden. Avoid speeding and try to slow down because they will move away from the road. Watch and pay attention and survey some streets ahead.
To pay in advance, you can use a credit card for car rental in Crete. The credit card is essential to a rental process. Your credit cards need to hold, and the cardholders name will be registered as a driver. The reason to have a credit card is the excess charge for the rental period.
The excess charges are already stated upon the reservation. Typically, it is essential to examine the car before you leave the rental company. Check the vehicle for any forms of damages, make sure that the damages are recorded on the car rental service agreement form to prevent any charges. The excess charge will be applied to your credit card if the car where crashed and has damages that you refused to pay.
Checking your credit card company about the documentation on your credit before going to Crete is a smart choice. If you have a US credit card or card from another country that is equivalent from the US, it is possible that you already have an insurance collision damage waiver (CDW) that covers rental car insurance.
This insurance provides complete protection in case of theft, damage or accidents while renting a vehicle. The insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that the small damage will not turn into a large fee.
Through online, it is now easy to compare the price of each car rental crete, rental companies prices are pretty close to each other. But big rental companies offer different ways to plan for your trip.
Be careful in selecting rental car companies online because some of the rental companies prices look lower than they are. They show the amount excluding the tax, and only reveal when you are further into the booking process. Make sure to read more about the details, especially the total cost before booking.
It is essential to have a car from the beginning of your trip. It reduces stress levels and provides the best comfort on your travels. For travelers, booking rental cars in Crete is fairly simple, it can be done online through email. Moreover, traveling in Crete with a car is quite safe when you follow the rules, avoid drinking, parking in the allowed area, and keeping your seatbelts on all the time.