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Car Rental in Greece: The Complete Guide & Expert Tips

Updated: March 19, 2026
Greece › Greece Rental Cars
By Santorini Dave

See Also

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

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

Rental car boarding a ferry in Greece.

Renting a car in Greece is easy, but taking that car on a ferry is often more trouble than it’s worth. For most island-hopping trips, it’s simpler to rent separately on each island.

Car Rental in Greece – My Advice

  • Booking: Booking.com is my favorite site for booking rental cars in Greece. It’s a good way to compare major brands with local agencies, but always read the rental terms before paying – especially the insurance, mileage, fuel policy, and deposit requirements.
  • The Ferry Rule: In almost every case, it’s easier to rent separate cars rather than take one rental car from Athens onto the islands. Many rental companies require prior written permission before a car can board a ferry, and some apply extra ferry coverage or restrictions. Unless you have a very specific itinerary, return the car before your ferry and rent again on the next island.
  • Manual vs. Automatic: Most rental cars in Greece are manual transmission. Automatic cars are available, but they are fewer in number, cost more, and often sell out first on the islands. If you need an automatic for summer travel, book as early as you can.
  • Size Matters: Rent the smallest car that comfortably fits your group and luggage. Roads can be narrow, village lanes can be tight, and parking is often limited. A compact car is usually the easiest choice. If you need a minivan or larger vehicle, reserve well ahead for peak season.
  • License Requirements: Whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) depends on your nationality and where your license was issued. Greece officially recognizes licenses from some non-EU countries, but some rental agencies and insurers may still prefer or request an IDP. For peace of mind, many travelers bring one anyway.
  • Where to Rent: The airport is often the easiest place to pick up and drop off a rental car because selection is wider and hours are usually longer. But if you’re arriving by ferry or staying in a town center, a port or downtown pickup can be more convenient. Check both before booking.
  • Before You Book: Make sure the main driver has a credit card in their own name. Even prepaid rentals often place a deposit or authorization hold on the card at pickup, and extras like child seats, one-way rentals, and added insurance can change the final price.

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.

  • Athens – Downtown
    Car rental is not necessary for most tourists staying in central Athens. Budget, Thrifty, Hertz, and Enterprise have convenient locations close to the Acropolis and the Plaka neighborhood.
  • Athens – Piraeus Ferry Port
    Well-connected by public transit with central Athens and the airport. Taxis are plentiful. Car rental not necessary for most tourists but there are several car rental companies close to the ferry terminal.
  • Athens – International Airport
    Easy place to pick up a rental car. Great selection and cheap prices. A car makes exploring the Peloponnese, Delphi, and the Meteora much easier. There are several car rental companies in the airport terminal.
  • Santorini
    Car rental is not necessary for most visitors. The Santorini airport is the best place to pick up a rental car.
  • Mykonos
    Car rental is not necessary for most visitors. The Mykonos airport is the best place to pick up a rental car.
  • Naxos
    Car rental is not necessary for most visitors. Naxos Town is the best place to pick up a rental car.
  • Paros
    Car rental is not necessary for most visitors. Parikia or Naoussa are the best places to pick up a rental car.
  • Rhodes
    Car rental makes exploring the island much easier. The Rhodes airport is the best place to pick up a rental car.
  • Kefalonia
    Car rental makes exploring the island much easier. The Kefalonia airport is the best place to pick up a rental car.
  • Corfu
    Car rental makes exploring the island much easier. The Corfu airport is the best place to pick up a rental car.
  • Heraklio (Crete)
    Car rental makes exploring the island much easier. The Heraklion Airport is the best place to pick up a rental car.
  • Chania (Crete)
    Car rental makes exploring the island much easier. The Chania airport is the best place to pick up a rental car.
  • Thessaloniki
    Easy and convenient place to pick up a rental car. The Thessaloniki airport is the best place to pick up a rental car.

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?
Usually not for all of your trip. In central Athens, and in the main towns of islands like Santorini and Mykonos, many visitors can get around with a mix of walking, buses, taxis, and pre-booked transfers. But a rental car is very useful if you want to explore beaches, mountain villages, archaeological sites, or less-visited parts of an island or the mainland.

What is the best way to book a rental car in Greece?
I like Booking.com because it compares major brands and local agencies in one place. But don’t book on price alone. Before paying, check the insurance terms, mileage limits, fuel policy, deposit requirement, cancellation terms, and whether ferry travel is allowed.

Should you rent for your entire trip?
Often, no. In Greece it can make more sense to rent a car only for the days you plan to explore. On islands with good bus service, or in places where parking is tight, many travelers are better off using transfers and taxis for arrival/departure and renting a car for just 1 to 3 days.

Can you take a rental car on a Greek ferry?
Sometimes, but only if the rental company allows it. Many agencies require written permission before a car can board a ferry, and some add a separate ferry fee or special coverage. In most cases, it is easier to return the car, take the ferry as a foot passenger, and rent another car on the next island.

Do you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
It depends on your nationality and where your license was issued. Greece officially recognizes licenses from some non-EU countries, so an IDP is not always legally required. But some rental desks and insurers may still ask for one, so bringing an IDP can help avoid problems at pickup.

What documents and payment card do you need at pickup?
Bring your passport, your driver’s license, your reservation details, and a credit card in the main driver’s name. Even if you prepaid online, many rental companies still place a deposit or authorization hold on the card at pickup. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and cards not in the driver’s name can cause problems.

What is the minimum age to rent a car in Greece?
For many companies, the minimum age is 21, and some vehicle categories require drivers to be older. Younger drivers may also pay an extra fee. Always check the specific agency’s rules before booking.

Manual or automatic?
Most rental cars in Greece are manual transmission. Automatics are available, but they are fewer in number, often cost more, and usually sell out first in summer, especially on the islands. If you need an automatic, book early.

What size car should you rent?
Get the smallest car that comfortably fits your group and luggage. Roads can be narrow, village lanes can be steep or tight, and parking spaces are often small. Compact cars are usually the easiest and least stressful choice.

Is airport pickup the best option?
Often, yes. Airports usually have the widest selection and the longest opening hours. But if you are arriving by ferry or staying in a port town, a pickup in town or near the ferry port may be easier and more practical. Compare both before booking.

Can you pick up in one place and drop off in another?
Yes, one-way rentals are common, but they are not always free. Some routes or vehicle types have an extra charge, and not every location pair is available. Double-check before you book.

Do rental companies provide child seats?
Usually yes, for an extra fee, but they are limited and should be reserved in advance. I recommend bringing your own child car seat. It’s a safer and less stressful option.

What should you check before driving away?
Take photos or video of the entire car, including wheels and existing scratches. Confirm the fuel policy, note any damage on the paperwork, and make sure you understand what insurance you do and do not have. This is one of the best ways to avoid disputes later.

What rental companies operate in Greece?
You’ll find the big international brands – Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, Sixt, Thrifty, and others – along with many smaller local agencies. In Greece, local companies can be perfectly good, but read recent reviews carefully and pay close attention to pickup process, insurance terms, and deposit rules.

Rental cars at Santorini Airport.

Santorini Airport is usually the simplest place to pick up a rental car, especially if you want to avoid arranging delivery to your hotel or the ferry port.

Rental car desks at Athens International Airport.

Athens Airport is the easiest place in Greece to compare rental options, with the widest selection of cars and the longest opening hours.

The Acropolis in central Athens.

Many of Athens’s top sights are in a compact, walkable area, so a rental car is usually more hassle than help in the city center.

Road to Santorini ferry port.

The drive down to Santorini’s ferry port is steep and a little chaotic, so for most visitors it’s easier to pick up a car at the airport or in town.

Winery in Santorini.

You do not need a car for all of Santorini, but it is very handy for wineries, quieter beaches, and inland villages that are slower to reach by bus.

Taxis in Mykonos.

Taxis are limited in Mykonos, especially in peak season, which is one reason many visitors rent a car for at least part of their stay.

Beach in Crete.

Crete is one of the best places in Greece to rent a car, especially if you want to reach beaches and villages beyond the main bus routes.

Knossos near Heraklion, Crete.

Knossos is easy to visit from Heraklio by tour, taxi, or bus, but a rental car gives you more flexibility if you are combining it with other sights.

Elafonisi Beach in Crete.

Elafonisi can be reached by bus from Chania, but a rental car gives you much more flexibility for timing, stops, and avoiding the return rush.

Old Town Chania, Crete.

Old Town Chania is best explored on foot, so save the rental car for beach days and drives around western Crete.

Old Town Rhodes.

Rhodes Old Town is walkable and car-free in large parts, so a rental car is more useful for the rest of the island than for sightseeing here.

Beach in Rhodes.

For Lindos, beach-hopping, and exploring the coast, a rental car gives you much more flexibility than relying on buses.

Sarakiniko and the coast of Milos.

Milos is one of the islands where a rental car makes a huge difference, especially for reaching more remote beaches and viewpoints.

Village in Naxos.

Naxos has a good bus network, but a rental car makes it much easier to visit mountain villages, olive groves, and smaller inland sights at your own pace.

Car ferry from Paros to Antiparos.

Antiparos has limited rental inventory, so in high season it is smart to reserve early if you want a car there.

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 in Athens, Greece Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.