Tens of thousands of Romanians choose to drive to Greece every year. However, not everyone knows that even after leaving the country they have to pay more taxes. In this way, other expenses are often added to the initial fuel costs.
Tourists pay a lot of taxes on their way to Greece. PHOTO: Pixabay
Hundreds of thousands of Romanians choose to spend their summer vacation in Greece every year, and a good part, especially those who live in the south of the country, decide to go with their own car. The road also involves certain expenses, and some of the taxes are not known to all drivers, so they risk stinging fines if they do not pay them.
Not by chance, the problem was raised by an internet user on a Facebook group for Romanian tourists.
“Tomorrow I am leaving for Thassos by car and I would like to know what taxes should be paid and if you recommend a particular route. So far I've only traveled by plane,” he wrote.
The responses were not long in coming, and while some netizens tried to offer her help, others mocked her post.
Fees on sight
“Vignette for Bulgaria online and the motorway toll in Greece that you pay there”, someone summed up. “You forgot the Giurgiu bridge toll“, another intervened in the discussion.
“Where are you leaving from? It's essential information to be able to help you”, a lady asked her. And after he was told that he was from Galați, he returned with the explanation. “Then you will go through Bulgaria. We, those who were leaving from the north – northwest, have a different route. Have a nice trip anyway…and have a wonderful holiday!”
However, there were also netizens who were less kind. “Wouldn't you also like to know how many toilet fees you find? Even the peak, some… too naive. Good roads”someone said.
But it was quickly put in place by those who truly understood that the role of the group is to give information. “It bothered you? What are you doing here? What is the purpose of this page?”someone wrote to him.
“You don't know about her and you have surprises”
Another netizen elaborated and explained why it is very important that those who decide to make such a long drive must have all the information.
“You are dealing with the wrong problem! There are situations when if you don't take an interest in time you can be fined for not knowing that a tax is due. It's not about the amount, it's about the taxes you don't know. For example, the vignette in Bulgaria, if you don't know about it, go quietly, then you will find yourself with a fine at home. The Queen's Bridge in London has a fee that if you are not interested in, you don't know about it and then again you have surprises. There can be dozens of examples, so there's nothing wrong with being interested”another pointed out.
“I'm sorry, but some of us have become too dependent on other people's information. When do you have the most exciting vacation? When you discover the surprises yourself. Well, even if I go for online information or just eat it in my mouth, what satisfaction do I have? PS: Sorry, I'm 8 years old from Greece with my personal car, I kiss you with love“, returned the one with the malicious message.
“Giurgiu bridge toll – 15 lei, then the vignette for the Bulgarians, taken ahead of time or on the day of departure, for the time you stay there, then for the Greeks you only have tolls for the highway and that's it. There are stops on every highway, where tolls are paid between 20 cents and a maximum of 2 euros (similar to the one in Fetești)!”, someone came with more relevant information. It was supplemented by other netizens, who came forward with their information. “The Bulgarians have the weekend vignette, between Friday and Sunday, or for a week, it's about 35 lei“, wrote another.
Others raised other issues, such as whether cash can be paid at toll booths in Greece. “Are there operators in the Greeks to pay the highway?”, he asked, and the other members of the group answered him in the affirmative.
Overt and hidden taxes
“Bridge toll 15 lei, Bulgarian vignette 13 leva a week (you can pay with your card in lei) and the highway toll for Thassos you have only one toll point, under 2 euros“, wrote another.
“The only hidden tax is the Bulgarian vignette. Otherwise you will pay at the counter and there is no way to pass without paying”someone added.
There were also some members of the group who recommended certain routes to him. “Shorter road on Makaza, highway on Kulata, but longer. Have a nice trip, have a nice holiday”another member of the group wrote.
Others have raised the fairbot issue. “And what is he doing at the ferry? Does it jump? 20 euros, car up to 4.20 m, 25 over 4.20 and 5 euros per person“, someone wrote.
Another wanted to know how far in advance the ferry ticket can be purchased. “At the ferry, do you have to buy a ticket in advance or can you buy it directly there? In July I would like to go by car”, he wrote.
