Renting a Car in Greece — The Ultimate Guide from a local
I have been visiting Greece for over 30 years. I have driven on the mainland, on the big islands and the small ones, in summer heat and in the quiet of the shoulder season. And after six months living in Athens, I feel I know this country’s roads well enough to give you an honest, complete picture of what renting a car in Greece is actually like — the good parts, the tricky parts, and everything in between.
This guide covers everything from choosing the right vehicle and understanding insurance to navigating Greek roads, parking, ferries, and the scams worth knowing about before you arrive.
Should You Actually Rent a Car in Greece?
Renting a Car in Greece vs. Taking Public Transport
Greece has a public transport system that works well in certain contexts and falls short in others. Understanding where each option makes sense will help you plan a much better trip.
The Athens metro is one of the best in southern Europe — clean, affordable and direct to the airport
In Athens, public transport is genuinely excellent. The metro covers all the main tourist areas, connects directly to the airport, and runs frequently from early morning to midnight. A single ticket costs around €1.20 and is valid for 90 minutes across metro, tram and bus.
For city sightseeing, it is by far the better option — driving in central Athens is challenging, parking is expensive, and the one-way system in the historic centre is genuinely confusing even for experienced drivers.
Athens traffic at peak hours — one of the reasons public transport is the smarter choice within the city
Thessaloniki has a decent bus network and a growing metro system, though still under construction. For the city itself, public transport is manageable. For day trips to Meteora or Mount Olympus, a car is significantly better.
On the islands, the picture changes dramatically. Bus networks exist on most of the larger islands but typically cover only the main routes between towns and popular beaches. The best beaches, the mountain villages, the hidden coves — almost all of them require your own vehicle. On smaller islands, buses may run only once or twice a day, if at all.
| Car | Public Transport | |
|---|---|---|
| Athens sightseeing | ❌ Avoid | ✅ Best option |
| Athens to Peloponnese | ✅ Essential | 🟧 Possible but slow |
| Mainland road trips | ✅ Best option | ❌ Very limited |
| Large islands (Crete, Rhodes, Corfu) | ✅ Highly recommended | 🟧 Main routes only |
| Small islands (Naxos, Paros, Kefalonia) | ✅ Transforms the trip | ❌ Very limited |
Is it Worth Renting a Car in Greece: Possible Scenarios
You are spending all your time in Athens. Skip the car entirely. The metro handles everything you need and saves you the stress of city driving.
You are doing a mainland road trip. A car is essential. The Peloponnese, Meteora, Delphi, the Mani peninsula — none of these are easily done by public transport at your own pace.
You are visiting one or more Greek islands. Rent a car, or at minimum a scooter. The best of every island is off the bus routes. A rental for even three or four days completely transforms what you can see and experience.
You have a long layover in Athens. Consider renting for the day. Drive south to Cape Sounio, stop at a beach, have lunch at a local taverna well away from airport prices. I have done this and it turned a wasted twelve hours into one of the better days of a trip.
How to Rent a Car in Greece
Booking Your Car in Greece
Book as far in advance as possible — this is the single most important practical tip I can give you. Peak season in Greece runs roughly from late June to early September, and during those months car availability drops significantly while prices rise steeply.
In July and August on the popular islands, the difference between booking six weeks out and booking one week out can be 50% or more on the daily rate.
The way I always book is through a comparative website called DiscoverCars that works like the Airbnb of car rentals — every supplier rated between 5 and 10 stars by real customers who actually completed a rental. I filter above 8 stars, often aiming for 9, and choose from there. Cancellation is typically free up to 48 hours before pickup, so locking in a price early costs you nothing if your plans change.
One warning: if you see daily rates that seem impossibly cheap — around 5 euros per day — be cautious. These prices are often the entry point for companies that add hidden fees, pressure you into expensive insurance at the desk, or use pre-existing damage claims at return. A realistic price for a quality rental in Greece in peak season starts from around 30 to 50 euros per day for a small car with full insurance included.
International Driving Permit (IDP) for Greece
If your driving licence is from an EU or UK country, you are covered — your national licence is all you need.
If you are from outside the EU or UK — Australia, the US, Canada, and most other countries — you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original licence. Not instead of it — both, together, at the counter. The IDP translates your licence into multiple languages and is required by Greek law for non-EU drivers.
Some rental companies will hand over keys without checking for an IDP, particularly if your licence is in Latin characters. Do not rely on this. If you are stopped by police or involved in an accident without one, the consequences can include fines, invalidated insurance, and serious complications with any claims.
Apply online or through your country’s automobile association before you travel.
Pick Up Your Car
Global rental desks at Athens Airport — convenient, though local operators just outside often offer better value
For most destinations in Greece, picking up at the airport is the simplest option. Both global brands with desks inside the terminal and local operators with shuttle pickups just outside are available at all major airports. Local companies are typically a short shuttle ride away — three to ten minutes, depending on the airport and the operator.
Off-site operators use shuttles from the terminal — not a problem when you know to expect it
Before driving away, always do a thorough inspection of the car with a member of staff. Check every panel, the roof, the undercarriage, the interior, and the tyres. Make sure any existing damage is documented on the contract before you sign.
Then photograph everything yourself — every side of the car, the roof, the boot, the interior — regardless of what the contract says. This is your most important protection against false damage claims at return.
Always photograph everything at pickup — five minutes now can save you hundreds of euros later
Also check the fuel type before you drive away. Mixing petrol and diesel is an expensive mistake and more common than you might think when driving an unfamiliar car in an unfamiliar country.
Check the fuel type before your first fill-up — diesel and petrol pumps look identical
Returning Your Car
Return the car with the same fuel level as pickup — almost all Greek rental companies operate on a full-to-full fuel policy. Returning with less than a full tank means paying for the difference at a premium rate set by the company, which is significantly more expensive than filling up yourself nearby.
Return with enough time to do a proper inspection alongside a staff member. If there is any disagreement about damage, your photos from pickup are your best evidence. If you have full insurance with zero excess, small damage disputes become largely irrelevant — another reason full coverage is worth every euro.
Cost of Renting a Car in Greece
Costs vary significantly by season, destination, and supplier type. As a rough guide:
| Period | Small Car (per day) | With Full Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Low season (Oct–Apr) | €10–25 | +€8–10 |
| Shoulder season (May–Jun, Sep) | €20–30 | +€8–10 |
| Peak season (Jul–Aug) | €25–70+ | +€8–10 |
Global brands tend to run 20 to 40 euros more per day than equivalent local operators. Airport surcharges at some companies add 30 to 50 euros on top of the advertised rate — check for this during the booking process before confirming.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
Automatic vs Manual Car Rental in Greece
Manual transmission is the default across Greece, as in most of Europe. Automatic cars exist but availability is more limited and they typically cost more. If you are not comfortable driving manual — particularly on steep island roads with tight bends — book an automatic well in advance, especially for peak season travel.
For the island mountain roads specifically — the descent to Myrtos in Kefalonia, the road above Assos, the mountain approaches in Corfu — an automatic makes the drive considerably more relaxing. If you are at all uncertain about manual on steep terrain, the extra cost is worth it.
For more on choosing the right vehicle size for European roads, this guide to the best car size to rent in Europe covers the compact vs SUV vs EV decision in detail.
Best Car Size to Rent in Greece
Think small. Seriously. The village streets of the Greek islands, the mountain roads, the narrow lanes through old towns — a compact car handles all of these with significantly less stress than an SUV. A Fiat 500, Toyota Yaris or similar category is the right tool for Greece in most situations.
If you are travelling with three people and substantial luggage, a small SUV or estate car is reasonable. But even then, be aware that the larger the car, the more challenging some of the island roads become.
Renting and Driving a Car in Greece with Children
Greece is a very family-friendly destination and driving with children is generally straightforward outside the major cities.
Child seats are required by law for children under 12 years old or shorter than 135cm. For younger children (under 4 years), a proper rear-facing or forward-facing child seat is required. For older children (4 to 12 years), a booster seat is appropriate. Children under 10 may not travel in the front seat.
You can rent child seats from the rental company — typically 5 to 10 euros per day. For longer rentals, it may be cheaper to bring your own or purchase one locally. If renting from the company, confirm availability in advance — not all suppliers have seats in every size category.
For island driving with young children, the calmer east coasts of most islands offer easier beach access and less challenging roads than the more dramatic west coasts. On the mainland, the Peloponnese is particularly family-friendly — wide roads, manageable traffic outside of Athens, and plenty of beach stops along the way.
Understanding Car Rental Insurance in Greece
A small scratch like this can cost between 300 and 500 euros at drop-off — full insurance removes this risk entirely
Insurance is the most important decision you make when renting a car in Greece. Get it wrong and a minor parking scrape on a narrow island road can cost you 500 euros or more on return.
All rental cars in Greece come with mandatory Third Party Liability (TPL) insurance — this covers damage to other people and vehicles, not your rental car. Most cars also include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), which limits your out-of-pocket liability to an excess amount, typically between 700 and 3,000 euros depending on the company and the car category.
You have three options for eliminating that excess:
Your credit card or travel insurance. Some policies include car rental coverage. Check yours carefully — the critical detail is the excess. My own travel insurance has a 700 euro deductible, which means it covers almost nothing for the small scratches that are most likely to happen on Greek roads. Zero excess means genuinely useful. Any excess above 500 euros and you are still paying out of pocket for the most common damage scenarios.
At the counter. Possible, but consistently the most expensive option — between 20 and 50 euros per day. The paperwork is signed under time pressure with luggage at your feet, may not cover everything buried in the small print, and some companies use the counter insurance conversation as an opportunity to add extras you did not ask for.
During the booking on the comparative website DiscoverCars . This is what I do every single time. Between 8 and 10 euros per day. Zero excess, roadside assistance included, full transparency before you arrive. Added in two clicks before you land.
On the narrow roads and tight parking situations Greece is famous for, full coverage is not overcaution. It is common sense.
The rental agreement you sign in Greece typically covers the following key areas. Understanding them before you sign saves time and avoids surprises.
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) | Limits your liability for damage to the rental car, subject to an excess |
| TPL (Third Party Liability) | Mandatory cover for damage to other vehicles and people |
| Excess / Deductible | The amount you pay before insurance covers the rest — aim for zero |
| Full-to-Full Fuel Policy | Pick up full, return full — the standard across Greece |
| Mileage | Most Greek rentals offer unlimited mileage — confirm this before signing |
| Additional Driver | Usually charged extra — confirm if you need this |
| Young Driver Surcharge | Drivers under 25 often pay a daily supplement |
| Ferry Permission | Must be stated explicitly in writing if you plan to take the car on a ferry |
Car rental companies in Greece typically keep the original vehicle documents (registration, insurance certificate) at their office rather than in the glove compartment — this is normal practice.
Always carry your rental contract, your driving licence, your IDP if required, and your passport or national ID card at all times while driving.
Driving in Greece: Rules and Regulations
Greece follows the standard European Union road rules, with a few specifics worth knowing before you start driving.
Drive on the right. Greece drives on the right side of the road, with overtaking on the left. If you are arriving from the UK or Australia, take the first day slowly and let the muscle memory adjust.
Speed limits. 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on secondary roads outside towns, 110 to 120 km/h on motorways. Speed cameras and police checks are common on main routes. Fines are significant and are processed administratively — you may receive them weeks after returning home.
Seatbelts. Mandatory for all passengers in front and rear seats. The fine for non-compliance is 350 euros.
Alcohol limit. 0.05% blood alcohol content for most drivers — lower than the UK limit. For novice and professional drivers, the limit drops to 0.02%.
Mobile phones. Illegal to use while driving without a hands-free system.
Honking. Used as communication on narrow roads and mountain bends — a short toot before a blind corner is standard practice, not aggression. In urban areas, excessive horn use is technically prohibited.
Traffic restrictions in Athens. Central Athens operates an odd/even licence plate restriction on certain days to manage traffic congestion. Check the current rules before driving in the city centre.
Understanding Different Types of Roads in Greece
Motorways (Ethniki Odos) — The main highway network connecting major cities is modern, well-maintained, and fast. Most are toll roads. The Athens to Thessaloniki motorway and the connections to the Peloponnese are excellent examples. Tolls are payable by cash or card at booths — carry small change as a backup.
National roads — Secondary roads connecting towns and regional centres. Generally well-maintained but narrower than motorways, with more local traffic and occasional slower vehicles.
Island roads — This is where Greece gets interesting. Main island roads between towns are usually sealed and manageable. Once you head toward beaches, villages, and viewpoints, roads narrow quickly. Blind bends, passing places, and occasional unpaved sections are all normal. Drive slowly, hoot on blind corners, and fold mirrors when it gets genuinely tight.
Dirt tracks — Many of the best beaches and viewpoints in Greece are reached by dirt road. A standard small car handles most of them fine — just take it slowly and check your rental agreement, as some companies do not cover damage incurred on unpaved roads.
Main roads in Athens move reasonably well outside peak hours — the challenge is the historic centre and the one-way system
Tips for Using GPS and Maps While Driving in Greece
Google Maps works well across Greece, including on most islands, though mobile data can be patchy in remote mountain areas. Download your destination area offline before setting out for any remote driving.
A few things GPS does not always capture well in Greece: the difference between a sealed and unsealed road, road width on island back roads, and current road closures during summer works. If locals tell you a route is currently impassable, trust them over the app.
For island driving, it is worth knowing that some minor roads appear on mapping apps but are effectively private tracks or are too rough for standard rental cars. When in doubt, ask at your accommodation.
Parking in Greece
Parking rules in Greece follow a simple colour code:
| Line Colour | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yellow | No parking at any time |
| Blue | Paid parking — use meter or app |
| White | Usually free, sometimes with time limits |
| No lines | Generally free, check local signs |
In central Athens, improper parking can result in your licence plates being removed by the police — requiring a visit to the station and payment of the fine to retrieve them. Underground car parks near tourist areas are the safest option in the city.
On the islands, parking is generally more relaxed outside peak season. In July and August at popular spots — Paleokastritsa in Corfu, Myrtos in Kefalonia, Oia in Santorini — arrive early or expect to park and walk a considerable distance.
In smaller villages and towns, designated parking areas are usually signposted just outside the centre. Ask your accommodation for specific advice — locals always know the best spots.
Handling Fuel and Maintenance
Petrol stations are well distributed along main roads on the mainland and on the larger islands. On smaller islands and in remote mountain areas, they can be scarce — always fill up before heading into the hills or to remote coastal areas.
Most stations in Greece are still serviced — an attendant will fill your tank for you at no extra charge. The phrase to know is “Γεμάτο, παρακαλώ” (full, please). Self-service is becoming more common but is not yet universal.
Fuel prices in Greece are broadly in line with the EU average — roughly €1.70 to €1.90 per litre for unleaded petrol and slightly less for diesel. Prices at motorway service stations tend to be slightly higher than at stations in towns.
Most rental cars in Greece operate on a full-to-full fuel policy — pick up full, return full. Returning with less than a full tank means paying for the difference at a premium rate set by the company.
Basic Car Maintenance Expectations During the Rental Period
If you notice any mechanical issue during your rental — unusual noises, warning lights, tyre pressure problems — contact the rental company immediately rather than attempting to resolve it yourself. Most good operators have a roadside assistance number and a response protocol.
Keep the rental company’s emergency number saved on your phone before you drive away. If you have booked full insurance through a comparative website, roadside assistance is typically included in the policy.
Returning the Rental Car
Return the car clean and with a full tank to avoid additional charges. Most companies do a visual inspection on return — this is when false damage claims are most likely to occur. Your pickup photos are your protection.
If staff identify damage you believe was pre-existing, refer calmly to your photos and the original inspection documentation. If you have zero-excess insurance, the financial impact of any dispute is minimal.
Allow extra time for returns at busy airports during peak season — queues at some rental offices can be long in July and August, and missing a flight because of a disputed return inspection is a situation best avoided by leaving a buffer.
Avoiding Car Rental Scams in Greece
Greece is a wonderful country to drive in, but it does have a small number of rental operators who use predictable tactics to extract extra money from tourists. Knowing the patterns makes them easy to avoid.
The pre-existing damage scam. This is the most common and the most expensive. The car is delivered with existing scratches and dents — some documented, some not. At return, the operator claims new damage and presents a bill. Your defence: photograph everything at pickup without exception. Every panel, the roof, the undercarriage, the interior. Five minutes of photos is your complete protection against this tactic.
Document everything at pickup — every angle, every existing mark, every interior detail
The insurance invalidation tactic. You arrive at the desk with full coverage already purchased, and the agent tells you it is not valid with their company and you must buy their own policy. This is false. Pre-booked insurance through a reputable comparative website is valid. Stay calm, refer to your booking confirmation, and if needed contact the comparative website directly.
Below 8 stars on the comparative website. The single most effective filter. Below 8 stars, the risk of encountering the above tactics rises significantly. The price difference between a 7-star and a 9-star operator is rarely more than 10 euros per day — the potential cost of one damage dispute is often ten times that.
Google Maps review manipulation. A company with 40 or 50 reviews on Google Maps is one thing. A company with 8 reviews, all 5 stars, where several reviewers have only ever left one review in their life — that tells you very little. Google Maps allows anyone to post a review regardless of whether they rented a car. The comparative website I use requires a completed booking before a rating can be submitted. That verification matters.
13. Best Road Trips in Greece
Greece rewards the road tripper more than almost any other country in Europe. Here are three routes that represent the best of what driving here has to offer.
13.1 A Crete Road Trip in the East of the Island
Crete is Greece’s largest island and arguably its most rewarding to drive. The north coast highway is fast and modern, connecting Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos and beyond. But the real discovery is the south and east — remote gorges, remote beaches, villages that feel completely untouched.
A loop from Heraklion east to the palm beach at Vai, south through the Lasithi Plateau, and back along the southern coastal road through Ierapetra passes through some of the most varied and spectacular landscapes in Greece — all of it accessible only by car. Taking a car to Crete, a good size island, makes an enormous difference to how much of it you actually see.
13.2 A Zakynthos Road Trip
Zakynthos is small enough to drive completely in a day, which makes it perfect for a focused road trip. The northwest — Navagio viewpoint, Porto Vromi, Cape Skinari — requires a car and rewards you with the most iconic views in the Ionian.
The south coast turtle nesting beaches and the quieter inland villages complete the picture. No bus route touches the best of this island.
13.3 A Road Trip to Meteora
From Athens, drive north through the Greek mainland to Meteora — one of the most extraordinary landscapes anywhere in Europe. Ancient monasteries perched on top of sheer rock pillars, each one accessible by road and offering completely different views.
Allow two full days — one for the drive and arrival, one for exploring the monasteries and surrounding villages. On the return, detour through Nafpaktos on the Gulf of Corinth — a small Venetian harbour town that most people drive straight past and almost everyone who stops regrets not having stayed longer.
Conclusion
Greece is one of the best countries in the world to explore by car — particularly once you leave the cities and get onto the open roads of the mainland or the winding coastal routes of the islands. The key is knowing where a car adds genuine value and where it simply adds stress.
Avoid driving in central Athens. Pre-book everything. Get full insurance before you arrive. Filter by rating when choosing a supplier. Photograph everything at pickup. And then enjoy the freedom that comes with having your own wheels in one of Europe’s most rewarding driving destinations.
