Car hire in Athens is particularly useful for exploring Attica, the Athens Riviera and routes towards the Peloponnese. If your city days focus on Plaka and the Acropolis, consider starting the rental when you are ready to leave the centre.
Compare car hire on Rent.it
Enter your destination, dates and collection and return times on Rent.it to compare available offers. Rent.it is a broker; the supplier named in your booking provides the car. Compare the total cost alongside the fuel policy, mileage allowance, insurance cover and excess. Read the collection instructions as well, including any shuttle arrangements.
Choosing your pick-up area
Athens Airport (ATH) is a useful collection option to consider after your flight. A city office may suit a departure after a few nights in Athens: compare its location with the direction of your first stop. If you arrive at Piraeus, an Athens city booking is not automatically a port collection; check the exact address and any transfer you need.
Driving documents, cards and deposits
Have your valid driving licence, identity document and booking voucher ready. Check whether the country that issued your licence creates any additional document requirements. The deposit card must meet the offer’s terms and be in the main driver’s name where required. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted automatically: eligible cards, deposits, minimum age and surcharges depend on the supplier, collection location and vehicle. Deposits, excess, cover and mileage may also vary by supplier, location, vehicle and offer: check the vehicle details and rental terms before booking.
Choosing a suitable car
A compact car makes manoeuvring through towns easier, while a larger party should check luggage capacity as well as seat numbers. If you prefer an automatic, select this option in your search and check the booked category. Hiring an SUV does not give permission to drive on unpaved roads: read the vehicle details and rental exclusions before choosing your route.
Driving and parking
Central Athens can have heavy traffic, and street parking requires attention to reserved spaces. Use permitted parking and walking routes for Plaka and the Acropolis area. Before entering a restricted area, ask the supplier which rules apply to your assigned vehicle. Include any motorway tolls when planning the wider journey.
Planning your driving routes
The Athens Riviera and Cape Sounion make a coastal itinerary separate from sightseeing in the centre. Corinth can be a first stop on a route into the Peloponnese. For Nafplio or a longer tour, leave time for driving and returning the car. Piraeus provides ferry departures, but does not itself authorise taking a rental vehicle to the islands.
Returning the car and taking ferries
Confirm the return address and time, required fuel level and any out-of-hours procedure. Returning to a different branch depends on availability and may incur a charge. Before putting the car on a ferry or driving outside Greece, obtain the supplier’s permission and check insurance cover, restrictions and fees. A ferry ticket does not authorise you to transport a hire car.
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