Weak points of the Greek main road network

(Last update: 3 April 2009)

IGOUMENITSA - IOANINA - TRIKALA (E92)

This road is used by many motorcyclists because it's the faster route from Italy to Thessaly and (if combined with E75) to Greek Macedonia and Turkey (and vice versa).
However, it is the most susceptible to weather part of the main Greek National Network. If weather is very cold, chances are that you cannot pass because there is a rather small portion where snow accumulates VERY easily. Its name is "Katara passage" (and pronounced "Katarah" or something like that). When that snow accumulation happens, public snow-ploughing trucks take action but, even then, the remain ice crust is dangerous for the motorcycles. Thus, the passage might be impassable by motorcyclists or even 4-wheelers without snow chains. Á completely new passage without weather problems is under construction. Until it's ready, beware of the winter...

To have a report on the conditions at the Katara passage, call Ioanina Tourist Police (site in Greek language) on this number: 26510-65938. You may also call the general Greek Tourist Police tel. number (171). Other Greek Tourist Police local offices can be found here.

KORINTHOS - TRIPOLI (E65)

Actually, this was one of the best best built Greek roads, but now it's quite a few years old and being reconstructed. There is a portion around the Artemision tunnel (a few km from Tripoli), where (in winter, but rather rarely) snow accumulation, ice or heavy fog problems might exist. Traffic jam and/or car crashes might happen then. Depending on your target, alternatives do exist but you don't need them unless weather is REALLY bad. To be sure, you may make a call to the nearest Tourist (27410-23282 for Corinth) or Road Police office (hoping they are able to speak English).

IGOUMENITSA - PATRA - KORINTHOS (E951-E55-E65)

If you come from Italy and your target is Athens or Aegean islands, this is the faster route. That doesn't mean it's well designed and built. Even on the part between Patra and Athens, road is usually narrow and with only one lane per direction. You might be surprised but do yourself and other vehicles a favour and keep driving on the safety lane (rightmost of the street). Theoretically it's illegal but, in practice, you 'll quickly notice that none will consider it as such (unless you hit someone stopped on it, so be careful especially in the night).
Sometimes there are 2 lanes per direction but with length limited to a few km only (adding confusion to drivers). Speed limits are low and road police often operates radars on specific points (even outside weekends).

ATHENS - LARISA - SALONIKA (E75)

This is the backbone of the main Greek road network. The part between Lamia and Athens is currently (spring 2009) under reconstruction.
The toll free alternative is quite slow and I wouldn't suggest it for anything but visiting associated sites.