Renting a Car in Greece

Greece › Greece Rental Cars
Updated: December 3, 2022
By Santorini Dave

Top Rental Car Locations

• Athens Airport – Car Rental
• Heraklio – Car Rental
• Mykonos – Car Rental
• Santorini – Car Rental

• Note: I always use RentalCars.com to book vehicles in advance.

Rental car for Athens and Greek Islands.

A rental car driving onto a ferry in Greece. It’s best to check prices and car availability online before arriving in Greece.

Car Rental in Greece – Tips & Information

Rental Car Locations in Greece

Car rental at Athens airport in Greece.

Airports in Greece will have the best rental car selection and prices, and are usually the best place to pick up a rental car. The Athens International Airport has the most rental car companies of any location in Greece.

Car Rentals in Greece

Driving in Greece with a rental car.

A rental car is often unnecessary for visiting the most popular sights in Greece. But if you want to get away from the crowds and see the less visited spots, then a rental car can be essential.

Do you need a rental car in Greece?
For most visitors, visiting the most popular sights and attractions, renting a car in Greece is not necessary. A mix of public transport and taxis will get tourists where they need to go with little trouble and low costs. That said, a rental car can definitely make getting to less-visited spots much easier. If seeing the “other side of Greece” is on your to-do list, then renting a car is a good plan.

What is the best way to rent a car in Greece?
RentalCars.com is the best site for booking rental cars in Greece. The site searches the top rental car companies and returns the cheapest prices for all available vehicles. You can reserve cars in advance for all of the most popular destinations: Athens • Santorini • Mykonos • Rhodes • Heraklio

Can a rental car be taken on a Greek ferry?
Yes, it is possible to take a rental car on a ferry between the Greek islands. But in practice, it’s an unnecessary hassle that requires a car-ferry ticket, written permission from the rental car company, and lots of patience. For most visitors it’s much easier to just return your current rental car, take the ferry as a walk-on passenger, and rent a new car on the next island.

Is it possible to pick up and drop off the car at different locations?
Yes, renting a car at one location and returning at a different location is a common practice and should not cause any problems.

Do rental car companies provide car seats?
Yes, some car-hire companies will have car seats to rent for an extra fee. But when I traveled with young children I always brought our car seat from home to use in the rental car. You’re just never sure what type of car seat you’ll get from the car company and what condition it will be in. And what happens if they mess up and there’s no car seat waiting for you? Much better to bring your car seat from home and know what you’re getting.

Do you need an Internation Drivers License to drive a rental car in Greece?
For non-EU citizens, yes you do (officially) need an international driver’s license to rent and drive a car in Greece. That’s in theory. In practice, I have never had an international driver’s license and have rented countless cars in Greece and never been asked for the special license.

What is the best place to pick up a rental car in Greece?
I find picking up car rentals from the airport to be easy and convenient. There are multiple car companies and lots of variety. If for some reason your reserved car is not there it’s easy to find a replacement. Prices are usually cheaper than in the city center.

What car rental companies are available in Greece?
All the big car hire companies are here: Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Thrifty, Hertz, Sixt.

Rental car companies in the Athens airport terminal.

Car rentals at the Athens International Airport: There are many rental car companies in the Athens airport terminal (arrivals level).

Rental cars at Athens International Airport.

The rental cars are located a short walk (or quick shuttle bus) from the terminal.

The Acropolis in central Athens.

Many of the top historical and cultural sights of Athens are located in a small area that’s walkable and well-connected by public transportation. A rental car is not recommended for visiting central Athens.

Renting car in Santorini, Greece.

Car rentals in Santorini: Pick up and drop off at the Santorini airport is very easy.

Rental cars at the Santorini airport.

The rental car parking lot is just a 30-second walk from the Santorini airport terminal.

Road to Santorini ferry port.

The road to the Santorini ferry port is a little tricky. I recommend pick up from the airport or one of the island’s villages.

Winery in Santorini.

A rental car is not absolutely necessary for Santorini but it does make getting to some of the inland sights easier, like this Santorini winery.

Boat tour in Santorini.

All Santorini boat tours have hotel pick up and drop off so do not require a rental car.

Rental car kiosks at Mykonos airport terminal.

Car rentals in Mykonos: Getting your car at the Mykonos airport is what I recommend for most visitors.

Hotel shuttle in Mykonos.

The best Mykonos hotels will have airport and ferry port shuttles.

Water taxi in Mykonos.

The Mykonos water taxi runs between several of the top Mykonos beaches.

Beach club in Mykonos.

If you’re going to be drinking at one of the many Mykonos beach clubs then please don’t drive.

Taxis in Mykonos.

There are not a lot of taxis in Mykonos which does make a rental car more appealing.

Helicopter transfer in Greece.

Helicopter tours and transfers in Santorini and Mykonos are awesome! And they include pick up and drop-off.

Rental car shuttle at Heraklion International Airport.

Rental cars at Heraklion International Airport: A rental car shuttle at the Heraklion airport.

Beach in Crete.

Crete is loaded with great beaches. A rental car can be essential for getting to the more remote ones.

Knossos near Heraklion, Crete.

Knossos near Heraklio, Crete. Though there are tours a rental car is helpful for getting here.

Beach in Greece.

The fantastic Elafonisi Beach in southern Crete. It’s served by bus from Chania but a rental car does allow for more freedom coming and going.

Restaurant bar in Chania, Crete.

Restaurant bar in Old Town Chania. A rental car is not necessary for exploring this magical town.

Rental car companies in the Rhodes airport terminal.

There are multiple rental car kiosks inside the airport and the rental car parking lot is steps from the terminal.

Old Town Rhodes.

Car-free Old Town in Rhodes. A rental car is not necessary here.

Beach in Rhodes.

But for getting to the beaches down the coast a rental car makes things quite a bit easier.

Beach in Milos.

A rental car in Milos is essential to getting to many of the remote sights and best beaches.

Village in Naxos.

The bus network is excellent but a rental car in Naxos does make visiting all the inland villages easier.

Historical church in Naxos.

A historical church in Naxos.

Rental cars at Corfu airport.

The rental car parking lot is just out the door at the Corfu airport terminal.

Rental cars at Thessaloniki airport.

The rental cars at Thessaloniki airport are a short walk from the terminal.

Car ferry in the Greek islands.

A car ferry from Paros to Antiparos. There are a small number of rental cars available on Antiparos.

Read More

• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Where to Stay in Mykonos
• Where to Stay in Naxos
• Where to Stay in Paros
• Where to Stay in Crete
• Where to Stay in Athens

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave Author Bio. Santorini Dave was started in 2011 by a guy who loved Greece, travel, and great hotels. We're now a small team of writers and researchers on a mission to deliver the most helpful travel content on the internet. We specialize in Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece and recommend the best hotels, best neighborhoods, and best family hotels in top destinations around the world. We also make hotel maps and travel videos. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.