Car rental in Greece: Tips and recommendations

We are absolute road trip fans and love to travel on our own. Whether on the mainland or islands, with a rental car in Greece you enjoy a bit of freedom and are on the move at your own pace.

»With a rental car in Greece, you become an individual explorer and are always one step ahead of the masses.«

So far, we have only discovered many idyllic places, hidden bays, wild nature and real insider tips of Greece on foot, by car or scooter in Hellas. It gets even more interesting with a 4×4 rental car or quad on the Greek Islands. We rarely met crowds of tourists in the remote corners.

Having your own vehicle will make you an explorer and take you to places that the public bus no longer serves and where even the overcrowded tourist buses do not stop. In this article, we will give you useful information about the Traffic in Greece, on the subject of car rental and alternative means of transport:

#1 How much does a rental car cost in Greece?

Car rental prices in Greece vary widely. Ultimately, the travel time (high or low season), the holiday destination (tourist or untouched) and the number of rental car providers on site (monopoly or competition) determine the price of your rental car. Here you will find a Cost overview for car rental in Greece (e.g. small car):

• Car rental in low season (May) → 25-40 EUR per day
• Car rental in high season (Aug.) → 50-90 EUR per day

The cost of a rental car in Greece per day varies depending on the island or holiday destination on the mainland. Among the most popular Greek islands rental cars are cheapest in Kos, Rhodes and Crete (Heraklion). In Santorini and Corfu, prices are significantly higher. In Mykonos, rental cars are the most expensive. You can search for suitable vehicles on the portal Discover Cars*:

➲ To rental cars for your holiday*

This is how much a small car (e.g. Fiat Panda) with fully comprehensive insurance without excess costs for one week in July at least:

• Athens: from 330 EUR per week
• Cephalonia: from 345 EUR / week
• Corfu: from 350 EUR per week
• Kos: from 330 EUR per week
• Crete (Heraklion): from 320 EUR per week
• Mykonos: from 390 EUR / week
• Rhodes: from 330 EUR per week
• Santorini: from 360 EUR per week
• Thessaloniki (Halkidiki): from 360 EUR per week

The basic rates of Greek car rental companies usually include fully comprehensive insurance with a deductible in the event of damage (approx. 1,000 EUR). Fully comprehensive insurance without excess is subject to a fee and increases the daily rental price accordingly.

How to get a cheap rental car

You can get relatively cheaper if you rent the rental car not only for one day, but for several days (long-term rental). Especially local car rental companies in Greece offer graduated prices from a rental period of three or five days or one week. This allows you to reduce the total cost of your rental car.

This makes perfect sense for the operator of the rental car station. The daily process of handing over and dropping off the rental car alone costs the company a lot of time. Therefore, the price for a rental day is always set higher. If, on the other hand, the rental car is rented for a longer period of time, the effort for the operator is reduced.

Even if there are no graduated prices for long-term rentals offered by the rental car rental company, it is still worth negotiating. This is common in Greece and no one holds it against you, as long as your ideas are realistic. However, the international rental car companies such as Avis, Sixt & Co. rarely offer such graduated prices.

Example of common prices for car rental in Greece in the low season:

• Rental car for one day = 50 EUR
• Graduated price from 3 days = 40 EUR * 3 = 120 EUR
• Graduated prices from 5 days = 35 EUR * 5 = 175 EUR
• Rental car for a week = 30 EUR * 7 = 210 EUR

In addition, you can buy a rental car cheaply if there are many rental companies in a holiday destination and they compete for the favor of vacationers, such as on Kos and Rhodes. Even in the high season, 40 EUR per day are sometimes possible for a long-term rental.

Car Rental Greece: Our Personal Experience

While even on large islands like Crete and Rhodes we are best off with a small cars on the road in Greece, a quad (ATV) or scooter was usually enough for us as a couple on the smaller islands. For families, we recommend a robust rental car such as a compact SUV.

Off-road vehicles and quads have the advantage, especially on the islands, that you can also drive on dilapidated gravel roads to some insider tips thanks to the all-wheel drive. Normal cars and scooters, on the other hand, are always used when a large part of the road surface is asphalted.

By the way, we can take you the fear of driving in Greece immediately. Because even if the Greeks drive a little more aggressively and recklessly, most roads are less chaotic than in some major German cities.

A defensive driving style is always an advantage and those who sit confidently at the wheel on German roads and in city traffic will also get into the Greece well done. However, we know from our own experience that the Greeks drive more considerately than their reputation. At least on the islands, things are leisurely.

The car rental offer in Greece is abundant on the mainland as well as on most islands. In large cities and metropolises with airports, you will always find international companies such as Sixt, Europcar and Avis.

However, it is also worth taking a look at regional providers. These are usually a little cheaper, often take you to your desired location and also give useful tips for exploring the region. In addition, the local car rental companies sometimes even have the iconic beach buggies in their range.

Even on the smaller ones Greek Islands So far, we have always found at least one rental company that had a few scooters or small cars on offer. In the case of rather unknown islands (such as Ikaria) and regions, it is advisable to contact the rental company before starting your journey and to reserve a ready-to-drive vehicle.

#2 Road traffic on the mainland and islands

Road behavior in Greece is different from those in Germany and Northern Europe. The Greeks are very temperamental in their driving, but there is still mutual consideration. For some Greeks, the traffic regulations exist only on paper. They are seen more as a recommendation than as a commitment.

Speed limits are exceeded and traffic signs are disregarded just to make rapid progress. For us, this is a phenomenon, as the Greeks are otherwise quite a cozy and relaxed people. The horn is often used, not to mob, but to draw attention to oneself (e.g. when overtaking).

As a holidaymaker, don’t let yourself be infected by the fast-paced driving style and stick to the traffic rules with your rental car in Greece. In Greece, violations of traffic rules can result in high fines.

In the conurbations of Athens and Thessaloniki city traffic is quite hectic. Many an inexperienced driver quickly starts to sweat. A prudent and defensive driving style is worth its weight in gold, especially then.

For large cities, we recommend that you park your car outside and take public transport such as bus or metro to the city centre. Especially those who want to spend a few days in the capital for Athens Holidays it is much more relaxed.

On the highways from Patras to Athens, as well as to Thessaloniki, there is the most traffic during the holiday season. However, major traffic jams are rare.

In the provinces and on the islands, the roads are much more relaxed. Nevertheless, some rules are ignored here as well. Driving without a seat belt is still widespread, turn signals exist or do not work and traffic lights are overlooked.

Advice for Greek road traffic

If you are traveling by car in Greece, you will get used to the chaotic driving style after a short time. Whether with our own car or with a rental car, we have never felt unsafe. The Highways of Greece have been modernized in recent years and are in good condition.

No traffic on Greece’s motorways

Although the route network is very well developed, motorways in Greece are not very busy. This is due to the fact that on some sections of the route there are tolls in Greece. As a rule, these are amounts between 1.50 EUR and 4.00 EUR, which are paid at toll stations (Diodia) in cash or by card.

→ Here is an overview of the Greek toll roads: Greece Toll

Many rural roads in Greece are in poor condition. In the mountains, curves are partly unsecured. An anticipatory driving style protects against potholes and other dangers (herds of goats). The roads here are sometimes very narrow and difficult to see. In the mountains as well as in the Epirus Zagori you honk your horn before corners.

You should pay attention to this in the road traffic in Greece:

• Be careful with pedestrian crossings – It does not stop automatically and pedestrians are often overlooked at the zebra crossing
• Beware of red lights – Pedestrians simply walk across the street and cars still often drive on red
• Finding a parking space in city centres – In narrow gaps, the car in front is often nudged
• Parking meter – if the machine is broken, the kiosk around the corner will help with the ticket
• narrow streets – Announce dangerous curves by honking, curves are cut
• small alleys – often end in a dead end or become so narrow that you can no longer fit through with the car
• Slow driving style – however, extreme creeping provokes dangerous overtaking maneuvers
• Night Driving – Danger of potholes, animals on roads and unsecured slopes
• Motorway hard shoulder – the emergency lane is used by slow vehicles

#3 Traffic rules in Greece

We have already mentioned the generous interpretation of the traffic rules. Nevertheless, there are traffic regulations in Greece not only on paper, they are applicable law. For example, you will find many similarities to other European countries and also Germany in traffic law. For example, right before left also applies in Greece.

When you are traveling by rental car in Greece, you should observe one of the most important traffic rules: regulation of the Greek roundabout. The one who is already in the roundabout has NO right of way. He must give way to the person entering the building. However, the right of way rule can be overridden by stop signs.

Disregarding the roundabout rule is one of the most common reasons for traffic accidents during a Greece Tour. In some cases, stop signs have been set up in the roundabout. Ignorant tourists in particular often violate it. In tourist places and on islands, locals approach the roundabout with particular caution.

Important traffic rules in Greece:

• General information: Driving licence requirement (EU driving licence), seat belt requirement
• Highway speed limit: 120/ 130 km/h
• Extra-urban speed limit: 90/ 110 km/h
• Speed limit in built-up areas: 50 km/h
• Minimum car rental age: 21 years
• Minimum age scooter/quad: 18 years
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.5 (0.2 for novice drivers, bus and truck drivers)
• Parking behaviour: no parking (yellow), paid (blue), free parking (white)
• Duties to take with you: warning triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher
• Insurance: Green insurance card (for your own car)
• Child seat: compulsory up to 12 years or height of 150 cm

Traffic fines in Greece

Anyone who does not follow the traffic rules as a local or tourist faces high fines. In the case of multiple illegal parking in Greece sometimes even the license plates are removed by the police or a parking claw is used.

• Illegal parking: from 80 euros
• Drinking and driving: 80 euros over 0.5 per mille
• Mobile phone at the wheel: 100 euros
• Speeding: 100 euros from 20 km/h
• Driving without a seatbelt: from 350 euros
• Riding without a motorcycle helmet: 350 euros
• Running a red light: up to 350 euros

#4 Gasoline prices in Hellas

Petrol prices in Greece are on average 20% more expensive than in United States. Along with Norway, Italy and the Netherlands, Greece has the most expensive petrol prices in all of Europe. Fuel prices on the Greek islands are higher than on the mainland due to the transport routes by ship.

• Petrol prices on the islands – Super 95: from 1,75 EUR/ L and Diesel: from 1.50 EUR/ L
• Gasoline prices on the mainland – Super 95: from 1,67 EUR/ L and Diesel: from 1,42 EUR/ L

During the summer months, fuel prices on the Greek islands increase due to increasing demand from tourists. For example, the price per litre of Super 95 (Unleaded) on some islands is between 1.95 and 2.25 EUR. The current petrol prices in Greece can be found on the ADAC website: Petrol prices Europe

That service station network of Greece is very well developed. Even on small islands, there is usually a gas station. Fuel prices in Greece may seem daunting at first glance. However, keep in mind that the distances, especially on islands, are quite short. Accordingly, only a small amount of fuel is usually needed.

Here you can find all the gas stations on the Greek islands and the mainland: Service station network Greece

#5 Rent a quad, scooter or rental car in Greece?

As already mentioned in the introduction, quads and scooters mainly for small Greek islands, which have only short distances and no larger mountains.

In recent years, we have always rented quads (ATV) instead of small cars on islands such as Kos, Symi, Patmos, Kalymnos and Leros, because we just love the fresh wind and the convertible feeling! You can confidently do without the air conditioning and the sound system.

Unlike cars, scooters and quads are usually never rented with a full tank. In most vehicles, the reserve indicator often flashes. In order not to give the rental company too much petrol when refuelling, it is only worth filling up for a small sum (5-8 €) for the time being and then refuelling later if necessary.

Quads have automatic gears and are very easy to drive even for inexperienced people due to their four wheels. They are suitable for off-road use and master even the most dilapidated gravel roads. However, special caution is required when cornering. If you drive into it too fast, the quad can tip over.

To master inclines confidently, we recommend renting a model with at least 150 cc (cc). For quads you need in Greece your normal driver’s license (Germany: Class B). The maximum speed is between 60 and 100 km/h, depending on the number of cubes.

Discover the Greek islands by scooter

With scooters or scooters, you should have a little more practice when it comes to riding. For 125 cc and more, you need a motorcycle license. Especially on very windy days, riding a scooter can become a wobbly affair, so you should rather take a day at the beach.

For both vehicle types, a helmet in Greece is compulsory. Even though many Greeks like to live out their “freedom” on motorized two-wheelers, the wearing of a helmet is increasingly strictly controlled on the islands. Rental helmets are provided by the provider, a light cloth is suitable as hair protection under the helmet.

Between October and May, depending on the outside temperatures, it can get quite cool on motorcycles, scooters and quads due to the wind. Either you wrap up thickly or then fall back on the closed vehicle variant.

#6 Important tips for renting a car in Greece

International or local provider?

Personally, we prefer local car rental providers in Greece, as they usually offer a delivery service (delivery and pick-up at the desired location) and low prices for long-term rentals.

In addition, we support the locals on site and often get useful tips for exploring the area. It always makes sense to check customer reviews on Google and TripAdvisor in advance to see if the provider is trustworthy and reliable.

Book a rental car online or on site?

In the low season between mid-September and mid-June, you can usually get a rental car spontaneously on site at a reasonable price. The best way to negotiate is in personal contact with the distributor.

In the high season and especially during the holiday season, it is worthwhile to book a few months in advance for very touristy destinations and islands with few rental car providers. So it’s better to book car hire for Greece online, or by e-mail or phone.

On Discover Cars* you will find the right vehicle for your holiday destination: Book a rental car*

Small car or something bigger?

A small car is usually quite sufficient for up to three people and little luggage. Families with children are best off choosing a slightly larger model. If you also want to go off-road, rent a vehicle with all-wheel drive for off-road use. This way you avoid breakdowns and damage to the vehicle that you would otherwise have to bear yourself.

Automatic or switch?

Rental cars usually always have manual transmissions, unless you deliberately select automatic. Then you usually pay a higher rent. Quads (ATVs) almost always have automatic transmissions, as do most scooters.

Diesel or gasoline?

Most rental cars in Greece are petrol and you fill up with Super 95 (Unleaded). Only a few cars, including some off-road vehicles, run on diesel.

Pick-up or drop-off service?

Local car rental companies in particular often offer a delivery service or hotel delivery. This means that your desired vehicle will be brought to a pick-up location of your choice (airport, port, hotel) free of charge or for a small fee and picked up again there or elsewhere. We have always had great experiences with it so far. It is therefore worthwhile to ask the provider for this service before renting.

Can I take the rental car to another Greek island?

No, as a rule, rental car rental companies contractually exclude the transport of their vehicles by ferry from the mainland to the islands or from island to island. It is always advisable to rent a vehicle on site at the respective destination.

Fully comprehensive insurance with or without excess?

So far, we have always taken a fully comprehensive insurance with self-service due to the low price and good driving skills. In most cases, the deductible is around 1,000 euros. This means that in the event of damage or accident, you as a renter have to contribute a maximum of 1,000 euros.

Fortunately, we have never had any problems with the basic insurance in the last 12 years and have not had to pay any damages so far. However, if you don’t mind a higher rental price and prefer to be on the safe side, then take out the VK without self-service. But be careful, sometimes not all damage is covered (underbody, stone chips, etc.).

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