The Best Romania-Greece Route and Costs

Whether you adore the Greek islands or want to spend an unforgettable summer holiday on mainland Greece, this country has rightly won the hearts of beach lovers everywhere. From affordable prices and delicious food to secluded beaches and crystal-clear waters surrounded by picturesque coves and islands, Greece checks every box for a dream getaway abroad.

Getting to Greece by plane or car is fairly straightforward, especially if you live within the Schengen area. However, both travel options come with pros and cons. On one hand, flight delays and cancellations are becoming a frequent headache this summer season, largely due to ongoing geopolitical issues in the Middle East. On the other hand, driving involves costs like expensive ferry tickets depending on your final destination, as well as fluctuating gas prices. Still, when you weigh average costs against the pure comfort of having your own vehicle on site, driving from Romania to Greece stands out as the best overall choice.

To help you find the absolute best driving route from Romania to Greece, let's take a closer look at fuel costs, tolls, and path options.

This article covers the following topics:

• Fuel costs
• Renting a car
• Tolls and road taxes
• Important rules to keep in mind
• Driving routes

Fuel Costs: Romania to Greece

As of April 22, 2026, fuel prices across Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece are outlined in the image below. The chart clearly shows that filling up your tank in Bulgaria is your best bet, as prices are cheapest there.

Renting a Car in Romania for Your Trip to Greece

If you currently drive a small city car, or if your vehicle is not in tip-top shape to handle thousands of miles, renting a station wagon or a roomier car for all your luggage is a smart move. Masinilacheie.ro offers a wide selection of vehicle classes so you can choose the exact size and comfort level your group needs.

Crossing borders with a rented or borrowed car is pretty simple, especially when traveling through Schengen countries. However, if you pass through non-EU territories, you may need written authorization from the rental company or owner.

Road Taxes: Romania

In Romania, the first toll you will encounter is at the Giurgiu-Ruse Bridge, which costs 15 RON (around 3 EUR). On the way back through Bulgaria, crossing the same bridge costs 2 EUR.

Road Taxes: Bulgaria

Right after crossing into Bulgaria, you must purchase a road vignette, which you can buy online or at the nearest gas station. The cheapest option covers the weekend (Friday 12:00 PM to Sunday 11:59 PM) and costs about 5 EUR. Keep your trip duration in mind, as you will need a valid vignette for the drive home too.

Road Taxes: Greece

Greece does NOT use a vignette system. Instead, they charge motorway tolls at toll stations along the route. You can pay tolls in cash, by card, or using an electronic transponder (GRITS - Greek Interoperable Tolling Systems). Greece features one of the most developed highway networks in Europe, spanning over 2,200 km.

You can check out all official Greek toll rates here.

⚠️ Important Things to Watch Out For ⚠️

Gas Stations in Greece: Not all gas stations accept credit cards, and not every highway station stays open 24/7.

Speed Limits: Keep a close eye on speed limits in both Bulgaria and Greece. Speed traps are frequent and fines are heavy. Exceeding the speed limit by over 20 km/h carries a 100 EUR fine, while going over 30 km/h will cost you 350 EUR.

Radar Detectors: Radar detectors and jammers are strictly illegal. Getting caught with one can lead to fines up to 2,000 EUR plus a 30-day driver's license suspension.

Parking Rules: Illegal parking carries fines ranging from 40 to 150 EUR, along with the risk of having your license plates confiscated for 20 days.

Mobile Phones: Using a phone while driving without a hands-free system is strictly forbidden.

The Best Driving Routes to Greece

The most popular border crossing for Romanians is Makaza-Nimfea, which shaves several hours off the journey to many northern Greek destinations. The driving distance from Bucharest to Makaza is roughly 370 km.

Shortest route to Thassos (491 km, ~7h 30min): Bucharest - Giurgiu - Ruse - Byala - Veliko Tarnovo - Debelets - Gurkovo - Nikolaevo - Stara Zagora - Dimitrovgrad - Haskovo - Kardzhali - Balabanovo - Makaza - Komotini - Chrisoupoli - Keramoti (ferry) - Thassos.

Shortest route to Thessaloniki (660 km from Bucharest, 8-10h): Bucharest - Giurgiu - Ruse - Veliko Tarnovo - Haskovo - Makaza - Komotini (A2 Egnatia Odos) - Thessaloniki.

Shortest route to Halkidiki (750 km, ~9h 30min): Bucharest - Giurgiu - Ruse - Byala - Pleven - Sofia (bypass) - Blagoevgrad - Sandanski - Kulata - Promachonas - Thessaloniki - Halkidiki.

Shortest route to Lefkada (1100 km, ~14h): Bucharest - Giurgiu - Ruse - Pleven - Sandanski - Petrich - Kulata - Promachonas - Thessaloniki - Veria - Kozani - Ioannina - Arta - Preveza - Lefkada.

Shortest route to Corfu (1300 km, ~17h): Bucharest - Giurgiu - Ruse - Byala - Pleven - Sofia (bypass) - Promachonas - Thessaloniki - Veria - Igoumenitsa (ferry) - Corfu.

Now you have all the key details you need for a smooth road trip from Romania to Greece. If you need a reliable vehicle for the trip, feel free to book one directly on masinilacheie.ro.