Our Road Trip to Corfu 2026: An Epic Journey for a Pawsitive Cause

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 This year marks a very special milestone: my third year returning to the beautiful island of Corfu to volunteer at the Tlapky z Korfu dog shelter, lovingly run by Marketa. 

Because there is absolutely no way I’m leaving my two rescue girls behind, we decided to hit the road again. Yes, driving from Central Europe all the way to Greece is a massive journey, but having my furry best friends by my side makes every mile worth it. Here is a look at our 2026 adventure across borders, complete with travel tips, stunning views, and a very heartwarming reunion.



The Preparation: What You Need to Drive to Greece

If you are planning a cross-country European road trip, preparation is key—especially when traveling with pets! Here is what we had to get ready before hitting the gas:


  • Passports:  Since we crossed through two non-EU countries (Serbia and North Macedonia), I needed my passport, and just as importantly, the girls’ pet passports.
  • Car Documents: A green card (insurance), driver's license, and car ID card are must-haves.
  • Vignettes & Tolls: I bought electronic vignettes for the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. For Serbia, North Macedonia, and Greece, you pay at toll booths. While you can pay by card, the fees are usually between 1 and 3 Euros, so having a stash of coins is super handy. (I did use my card for Serbia since the route is longer and the tolls are a bit higher).
  • Ferry Tickets: I highly recommend using the Ferry Scanner app; it made booking our crossing to the island a breeze.

Day 1: Hitting the Road to Hungary

On Saturday morning, before the long drive, we started with a massive walk. I knew the girls would be in the car for 7 hours, so I let them run wild and burn off their energy in our beloved Průhonice Park. With a fully packed car, our adventure officially began!


The drive went smoothly, and we arrived in Szeged, Hungary, around 4:00 PM. This gave us plenty of time to stretch our legs. We took a lovely stroll along the river for the dogs, followed by an exploration of the city center. Szeged is gorgeous, filled with beautiful architecture. It was a sunny spring Saturday, so everyone was out enjoying the weather, making the city feel vibrant and delightfully busy.


Knowing what the next day entailed, I kept the evening short. We walked back to our apartment (a convenient 15 minutes from downtown), I grabbed a quick bite, and went straight to sleep. My alarm was set for 3:00 AM! 



Day 2: Borders, Detours, and the Ferry

Sunday started in the middle of the night. We did a quick dog walk, packed the car, and headed for the Serbian border. My goal was to reach the port of Igoumenitsa by 6:00 PM, factoring in rest stops for the dogs and the one-hour time difference we'd lose entering Greece.

Border Crossings:

Everything went incredibly smoothly! 

  • Hungary to Serbia: Passports only.
  • Serbia to North Macedonia: Passports and car documents.
  • North Macedonia to Greece:Passports and car documents. No problems at all.

The drive through Serbia was fantastic—great highways and no roadwork meant we made excellent time. However, things got a bit tricky later on. Due to highway construction in Greece, my GPS routed me through North Macedonia, crossing into Greece at Bitola. 


While the scenery on this detour was absolutely stunning, the drive itself was painstakingly slow. We navigated side roads—some well-kept, some full of potholes—and the Greek highway construction meant long stretches of driving at 60 km/h. After being in the car since 4:00 AM, it was testing my patience, but the gorgeous views definitely softened the blow.

The Ferry to Paradise:

Despite the slow detour, we made it to the port of Igoumenitsa ahead of schedule! We had time for a relaxing walk before boarding the ferry. The girls were a little spooked by the loud noises of the ship at first, but making friends with another dog on board quickly calmed their nerves. 


Once we docked in Corfu, it was just a quick 30 km drive to our accommodation. I had booked a beautiful house with a lush garden, located just a 5-minute walk from the beach. It was absolute heaven.



The Best Reunion

Our first day on the island was dedicated entirely to chilling. We spent hours relaxing in the garden and taking easy strolls on the beach. 


The highlight of the day, however, was a visit from Marketa. When my girls saw her, they were absolutely beside themselves with joy. It is so heartwarming to see that they still remember her and the love she gave them when she saved their lives. 


It was the perfect start to our two weeks of volunteering. We are rested, reunited, and ready to help the wonderful dogs at Tlapky z Korfu!




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