VRENTY CAR is an independent comparison service. The search above is provided by our partner Localrent and lists local agencies side by side; you book directly with the provider. Always confirm the price, insurance and deposit before you pay.
📍 Greece: a country of mainland, Crete and many islands in the eastern Mediterranean; most visitors fly into Athens, Thessaloniki or an island airport.
Is It Worth Renting a Car in Greece?
Yes on most islands and for mainland touring, no for the centres of Athens and Thessaloniki. Public transport covers city sights, but beaches, villages and ancient sites are far easier by car, and island buses often run to fixed timetables. On Crete a car is almost essential, and on Corfu, Kefalonia and Naxos it is highly useful.
Rental cars usually cannot go on ferries without the agency's written permission, and insurance may not apply, so the usual approach is to rent a separate car on each island. Distances are moderate on the islands but long on the mainland: Athens to Thessaloniki is about 500 km, and Crete is roughly 250 km from end to end.
Where to Go: Car Rental by Airport and City
Pick the airport or city closest to where your trip starts. Each page lists pick-up options, drive times and local driving notes.
Airport Car Rental in Greece: Where to Pick Up
Greece has many airports, and most visitors choose by region: the capital and the Peloponnese, the north, or one of the islands. The four pages below cover the largest, and the city and island pages cover the rest.
| Airport | Serves | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Athens (ATH) | Athens, Peloponnese, Delphi | The capital and the mainland south |
| Thessaloniki (SKG) | Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Olympus | The north |
| Heraklion (HER) | Heraklion, Knossos, Hersonissos | Central and eastern Crete |
| Chania (CHQ) | Chania, Balos, Elafonisi | Western Crete |
How the hand-over works depends on the agency: some meet you in the arrivals hall or the car park, some use a nearby yard and a shuttle, and many deliver to a hotel. The search lets you choose with the "Specify location" option, and your voucher shows the manager's phone number and the meeting point. Many flights land late at night, so give the provider your flight number and confirm any out-of-hours fee.
No-Deposit Car Rental in Greece: How It Really Works
A deposit is the amount a rental company blocks on your card until you return the car undamaged. Many agencies block it on a credit card. With basic insurance the excess — the part of any damage you pay yourself — can be large, so the deposit is large too. "No deposit" does not mean "no insurance": it usually means you buy a higher level of cover, and the provider then has far less to protect.
What the Search Filters Mean
The booking search lets you filter by the terms that matter most:
- No deposit — nothing is blocked on your card. Usually tied to full insurance
- Low deposit — a small hold, common on economy cars
- No credit card — the provider accepts another payment method for the deposit and the rental; the exact method is on the car card
- Full insurance — the higher cover level that cuts the excess to zero or close to it
- Free cancellation and unlimited mileage — shown on the car card, so you can check before you book
What Full Coverage Usually Does Not Include
Even with full coverage, local agencies typically exclude tyres, glass, the underbody, interior damage, lost keys and any damage on unpaved or off-road surfaces. Fines, tolls and parking charges are not insurance matters at all: the agency bills them to you after the rental. Read the exclusions on the car card, not only the headline.
Motorway Tolls, Ferries and Traffic Fines
Greece has a growing motorway network, including the Attiki Odos around Athens, the Egnatia Odos in the north and the north–south A1. Tolls are charged at stations, and the agency can explain how it handles them. Rental cars usually cannot be taken on ferries without the agency's written permission, so plan to rent separately on each island. Police and cameras issue fines, and a fine can reach the agency weeks after you have left; the agency will charge it to you, usually with a handling fee.
Documents You Need to Rent a Car in Greece
- Valid driving licence, usually held for at least one year; minimum age is typically 21 (some agencies ask for 23 or 25 for larger or premium cars)
- Valid driving licence; drivers from outside the EU/EEA are generally advised to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) with their national licence — rules differ by nationality, so ask the agency what it requires before you travel
- Passport and proof of entry as required
- The booking voucher, and a payment method that matches the offer
Driving in Greece: Rules and Road Conditions
Rules in Short
- Traffic drives on the right; seatbelts are compulsory and children need a suitable child seat
- Speed limits are signed — typically 50 km/h in towns, around 90 km/h on open roads and 110–130 km/h on motorways; cameras and police checks exist
- Low drink-driving limit with heavy penalties — the safest rule is zero alcohol before driving
- Do not use a handheld phone; fines are heavy
- Slower drivers often use the hard shoulder to let others pass; do not assume it is always clear
- Parking lines: white usually allowed, blue paid or restricted, yellow forbidden
Road Conditions
Motorways are modern and fast, but local roads on the islands are narrow, with sharp bends, stone walls and few barriers. In towns, streets are one-way and parking is scarce, and in summer the strong meltemi wind blows across the Aegean. Mountain roads in Crete and the Peloponnese can have rockfall and snow in winter, and at night lighting is poor, with animals on the road.
Off-Road and Border Rules
- Insurance is not valid off-road, on beaches or on dirt tracks, even with full coverage
- Rental cars usually cannot go on ferries or leave the country without written agency permission
- Do not rely on map tracks to reach beaches; stay on the paved road
- Check the exclusions for tyres, glass and underbody on the car card
Which Car to Rent in Greece
Popular Road Trips by Car
When Is the Best Time to Rent a Car in Greece?
Greece is busiest and dearest in July and August, when the Aegean wind can be strong and island car parks fill early. May, June, September and October are calmer and usually cheaper, with good weather for driving. Winter is quiet and some island agencies close, and mountain roads may have snow or ice.
Photograph the Car at Pick-Up
Check the body and interior with the agent present, film or photograph every scratch and make sure each one is written in the acceptance document. This is your best protection against a damage claim when you return the car. Do the same at return, including the fuel gauge and the odometer.
Local Agencies or International Chains?
Local agencies listed through comparison services often offer lower prices, flexible pick-up and a wider choice of no-deposit and no-credit-card terms. International brands are present at the main airports, but they usually charge more and require a credit card. For most travellers a well-reviewed local agency with a real-photo car card, clear insurance terms and free cancellation is good value. Compare the full-insurance total, not only the base rate.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking the cheapest base rate and finding a large deposit at the desk — compare the all-in price with full coverage
- Driving into the centre of Athens or an old town instead of parking outside
- Taking a rental car on a ferry without written permission
- Driving on dirt tracks to beaches: insurance does not apply
- Underestimating long distances, especially on Crete and on the mainland
- Ignoring tolls, parking lines and fines — they are billed to you after the rental
- Not photographing the car at pick-up and return
- Driving tired straight after a late flight