Best Things to Do:
- 1. Car Rental in Athens
- 2. Why rent a car in Athens?
- 3. The process to follow to rent a vehicle
- 4. How to pick up your rental car in Athens
- 5. Car rental in Athens: the best deals on DiscoverCars
- 6. What you need to know before renting a car in Athens
- 7. Car rental in Athens: what documents to prepare?
- 8. How to drive in Athens? Tips and best practices
Car Rental in Athens
Ah, Athens and its treasures of ancient Greece... It's clear that a trip to this beautiful city promises exciting discoveries. But first, you need to know how to get around between the key sites, as note that the Greek capital stretches over 38 km². Renting a car is by far the most convenient option for touring the city and continuing your journey throughout the country if you wish. Let's cover all the essentials to keep in mind when renting a car in Athens
Why rent a car in Athens?
The more adventurous sometimes choose to drive to Athens in their own cars. But remember that before arriving at your destination, you'll need to drive for over 28 hours from France. This long journey can increase the risk of wear on the vehicle, not to mention fatigue for the driver. In this sense, it is wiser to fly and then rent once on-site. This option also tends to be more economical, especially if you are planning a short stay
Moreover, many reasons can justify the need for a rental car in Athens <-️
- Having a rental car at your disposal allows you to move around at your own pace, without relying on bus schedules and other public transport. You will enjoy great freedom of movement, day or night
- You're also not subject to fluctuating taxi fares. Imagine paying €42 to get to downtown from Athens Airport, whereas for that price, you could use a rental car for about 2 days. In short, this mode of transport is ideal if you want to save on your transport costs
- Driving a rental car minimizes walking and avoids exhausting you, especially if you have to carry your belongings around all day. Moreover, it is essential for visiting outlying neighborhoods or attractions located on the outskirts, such as Lake Vouliagmeni or Cape Sounion.
- Car rental sites offer a plethora of models to choose from. You will easily find a comfortable vehicle that matches your needs. So, for example, you can drive an air-conditioned car instead of being stuck in overheated subway stations during the summer ☀️
- A rental car makes family or friends trips much easier. There's nothing more nightmarish than moving with children in crowded buses during a heatwave.
- Finally, Athens, like the rest of Greece, boasts excellent infrastructure, with very good quality and wide roads, even in mountainous areas. Just be cautious of the trucks that are quite present, even in mountain passes ⛰️
The process to follow to rent a vehicle
There are many dedicated agencies in Athens. They are excellent providers for your car rentals on-site. However, don't wait until your arrival to organize your travels
To make things easier for you, I suggest you book your rental car before your departure. To do this, it's simple; just visit specialized platforms such as DiscoverCars. Car rental websites allow you to easily compare different offers, book the model you like in a few clicks, and set off on your trip with peace of mind. These platforms collaborate with local agencies, allowing you to pick up your car of choice ✅
Another significant advantage: these sites are user-friendly. You won't have any trouble deciphering the offers, as they are super detailed. This way, you avoid hidden costs and misunderstandings with local renters due to language barriers. If you ever encounter a problem, the platform serves as a reliable intermediary to manage unforeseen issues on your behalf
How to pick up your rental car in Athens
It all depends on where the pickup will take place
- You can pick up your car directly at Athens Airport ✈️ To do this, follow the signs >. They will lead you straight to the counters of several rental agencies, including your chosen one. Once the formalities are completed, you will get more specific information about the pickup and drop-off location.
Car rental in Athens: the best deals on DiscoverCars
Note that these prices may fluctuate depending on the seasons. The prices I've provided correspond to peak tourist season rates. It's highly likely that they will decrease further in the off-season
- A small city car like the Skoda Citigo will be more than enough, especially if you're mainly traveling in the city center. For this particular model, the daily rental price is around €17. Note that it has 4 seats and a manual transmission.
- If you need more space, the 5 seats of the Seat Leon might suit you. This compact sedan is offered at around €18/day. And unlike the previous model, it comes with unlimited mileage.
- For family trips, you often need to transport much more luggage. In this case, you'll need a model with a larger trunk, like the Fiat Doblò, also offered at €18/day. However, this small van can hold 3 suitcases, compared to one for the Seat Leon.
- If you don't have specific preferences for options but just want to rent the cheapest car on the list, choose the Nissan Micra, a high-tech city car that costs less than €13/day.
What you need to know before renting a car in Athens
You will not be able to rent a car in Athens or anywhere in Greece if you are under 21 years old. Your driver's license must also be at least one year old to benefit from this service. Generally, young drivers often have to pay a higher fee, likely because rental agencies consider the risk of incidents to be higher for this type of profile.
Furthermore, if you plan to travel to Athens during the peak season, consider booking your preferred model in advance. This will avoid price increases as the busy periods approach or the risk of someone else reserving the vehicle ahead of you.
Agencies aren't always flexible. They might rent out your car to another customer if you are late. So, be punctual on the pickup day ⚠️
And, be sure to take your time to ensure that everything matches what you reserved. Also, check the vehicle's condition before pickup. If necessary, don't hesitate to take photos. That way, you'll have proof in case of an issue. In other words, the rental company won't charge you for any damage that was already there but went unnoticed by you.
Finally, to minimize these hassles, I recommend once again to book your rentals on DiscoverCars, a reliable platform that collaborates with agencies that are just as professional and trustworthy in Athens, and all around the world
Car rental in Athens: what documents to prepare?
Good to know: you will be required to make a security deposit when picking up the vehicle. The amount is known in advance on rental sites. For example, DiscoverCars indicates the importance of the deposit for each model. In any case, this amount will be returned to you at the end of the rental period ✅
- A driver's license valid for more than a year (as mentioned above);
- A valid passport;
- The reservation voucher issued by the rental platform;
- A credit card to finalize the rental, etc.
How to drive in Athens? Tips and best practices
When it comes to driving in the city, a few details are worth noting. For example, there are several narrow streets, some areas with very dense traffic, or the limited number of parking spaces in the center. You will also notice that locals have a somewhat dangerous driving style, such as running stop signs. For all these reasons, I recommend limiting your driving in downtown. Prefer walking or public transport.
One last tip, if you plan to leave Athens and your itinerary includes highways, remember to bring change for the tolls. They can be rather expensive in my opinion. For example, you need to pay €30 to go from Meteora to Patras.
Final point for this post about renting a car in Athens. I hope I've provided you with all the keys necessary to realize your rental car project during your upcoming vacation in the Greek capital. If you have any further questions about your stay, such as where to stay in Athens or what to do in Athens, feel free to read my other dedicated articles!
- 50km/h in the city
- 70 or 90km/h on the road
- 110km/h on the expressway
- 120 or 130km/h on the highway