Car Rental in Greece: rugged landscape and spectacular beaches
Greece is a country that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetimes. From the rugged landscape to the spectacular beaches to the phenomenal structures left behind by ancient civilizations to the flavors and spunk of the people today, Greece will not leave you disappointed! Book your rental car today to see the country at your convenience and at its most diverse and intimate.
Summers are long in Greece, stretching from April to November, with the most comfortable weather in May, June, September, and October.
Greek is the official language of Greece. English is widely spoken, and many Greek people also speak some French, Italian, and German. Road signs are typically in Greek, though often also with transliterations into the Latin alphabet.
Euros are the currency in Greece, and it is good practice to have cash on hand for your day-to-day transactions. Be aware that ATMs may quickly run out of currency.
Greece is in the Eastern European Time Zone, UTC+2.
Greece is deceptively large! Both Corfu and Thessaloniki are about 500 kilometers (310 mi) away from Athens along beautiful and winding coastal drives (and including a ferry ride from/to Corfu).
Cheap car hire in Greece is available in many cities, particularly in the major metropolitan centers, such as Kalamata and Athens in the south and Thessaloniki in the north; or on the islands of Corfu, Rhodes, and Santorini. A great road trip option around Athens spans 300 km (186 mph) from Delphi to Nafplion by way of Corinth. In good traffic conditions, your driving time along this route should be about three and a half hours.
Visa Regulations
As a Schengen country, Greece accepts visitors from many countries around the world visa-free for up to 90 days. Double check entry requirements for your nationality, as you may be required to apply for a visa in advance of your departure.
Driving in Greece
Self-driving Greece is the best way to get acquainted with the beautiful landscape and lively culture. A car will also give you the best access to Greece’s archaeological sites, where travelling by bus often requires lengthy walks up to the sites themselves. Just be alert while driving for the erratic behavior of others on the roads and quickly changing road conditions, particularly along winding mountainous roads and in larger cities.
Right-Hand Driving
- As in the rest of continental Europe, traffic proceeds on the right-hand side of the road throughout Greece.
Speed Limits
- In cities: 50 km/h (31 mph)
- On rural roads: 80 to 90 km/h (50 to 55 mph)
- On major highways: 100 to 120 km/h (62 to 75 mph)
Other Regulations
- Parking in Athens is marked by color; you can likely park in a blue spot by purchasing a ticket. Be aware that parking on some streets is illegal the day that a market is to take place, so double-check calendars before leaving your car for longer than a couple hours.
- Drivers from anywhere outside the European Union will require an international driver’s permit in addition to their valid domestic driver’s license in order to rent and drive in Greece.
- Almost all the major expressways through Greece are tolled; have cash on hand to pay the tolls at booths.
- The minimum driving age in Greece is 18. Most rental companies will require you to be at least 21 or even 23 years of age in order to rent a car, and you are likely to face young-driver surcharges until the age of 25.
Other Tips
- Road construction is being undertaken in Greece at a rapid rate, so make sure you have the most up to date maps or satnav/GPS software to ease your navigation of the country.
- If you’re dependent on an automatic transmission, you’ll want to book your car well in advance of your arrival.
Cheap Car Rental in Greece
Car hire in Greece typically starts at around $10 a day. Here are some of the best deals in Greece:
- Hyundai Atos or similar (mini class) – $10/day
- Volkswagen Polo or similar (economy class) – $13/day
- Ford Focus or similar (compact class) – $19/day
- Renault Megane or similar (intermediate class) – $20/day
- Fiat Tipo or similar (standard class) – $26/day
Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.
Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Greece
Booking your rental car between one and five months in advance of your arrival can save you around $10 a day!
Car rental is particularly inexpensive in the winter months in Greece, starting in October and spanning through March. Cars are available at the Athens International Airport, for example, for as low as $10 a day.
Renting at airports is also typically the cheapest option, especially where the companies U Save and Caldera Car Hire offer unbeatably cheap rental options. Caldera is guaranteed to offer low rental prices wherever they are located, whether at airports or in city centers and beyond.
You can also save around $3 a day by extending your rental period to over a week.
