There’s nothing quite like a trip around Greece.
Home to ancient cities, beautiful coastlines and some really tasty food, this Mediterranean country is a must-visit for those traveling through Europe.
If you’re wondering how long to spend in Greece, then we would recommend 12-14 days. With this timeframe, you can easily visit the highlights of Athens, enjoy incredible beaches like those of Naxos and Mykonos as well as live it up on islands like Santorini (check out these Santorini hotels with private pools).
Renting a car is a great way of exploring Greece, especially when sticking more to the mainland (Athens, Delphi etc).
If you’re focusing more on the islands, then you can either choose to rent a car in each major island you’ll visit (which is what we did!), or transport your vehicle on a boat (although you’ll need to plan this in advance - as much as 2/3 months before your trip).
In this comprehensive article we’ll explore 10 of the best Car Rental companies in Greece.
This includes the advantages of each one, as well as the different models available for your trip.
Finding a great rental company can be quite stressful, especially if you’re a first-timer or are unsure what to look for. However there’s no need to worry, as we have already researched high and low for the very best rentals and how to find them.
We highly recommend travellers heading to Greece to use DiscoverCars, who are a giant car rental comparison site.
Here you can easily search for your specific dates, vehicle needs and also if you need any extras like unlimited mileage or flexible bookings. You’ll then be able to compare between as many as 35 top car rental providers.
Here are some of the other top advantages of using DiscoverCars:
Although less-known than the other popular rental companies, WheeGo is a solid European choice which is great for travellers heading around Greece.
Founded in Germany in 1987, they are perfect for those who like low cost rentals, especially as they have a policy for zero-hidden fees which can sometimes pop up with other providers.
They do have a smaller fleet when compared with others, so it’s worth booking in advance if using WheeGo.
Their Mini and Economy models are perfect for budget travellers or couples, given prices can be super low (they offer a Skoda Fabia, Kia Picanto or similar vehicle).
Then we have the mid-range options, which include the Compact, Compact Elite and Standard Crossover cars.
Finally travellers can also book the more luxurious SUVs and Economy Convertibles (usually a Fiat 500 Cabrio, Volkswagen T-Roc or similar).
WheeGo does large van rentals too which is ideal for big groups.
One of the newer rental companies to pop up, Avance have been operating for around 30 years and is now one of the top choices for rentals within Greece.
Not only do they have high ratings of customer satisfaction, they also have over 20 pick-up locations throughout Greece, which makes them an ideal candidate for a road trip throughout the whole country.
Travellers who want to keep costs low can select their Economy and Mini vehicles, which include unlimited mileage and collision damage waiver (as with all other vehicles rented through DiscoverCars).
They also supply good mid-range options such as their Compact and Intermediate vehicles (models are usually a Volkswagen Golf or similar).
If you’re after something of higher quality, then you can select their Standard Crossover and Compact Convertible models (Audi A3 Cabrio, Volkswagen Tiguan or similar).
Avance car rental also supplies a large range of standard and luxury vans too.
Known for their reliability all over the globe, Alamo is among one of the bigger car rental companies that you can pick from in Greece.
One of their biggest perks is their partner scheme, where you can earn points towards bonuses such as reduced flights and hotel stays (if you’re still looking for a good hotel, then be sure to look through these top hotels in Athens).
They have a professional team on hand 24/7 to help with any queries or issues you may have during your trip as well.
We'd also recommend them if you're looking for car rentals in Portugal or the United Kingdom (including Scotland).
Given their size and experience, Alamo has one of the biggest fleets of rental vehicles.
First off we have the Economy, Economy SUV and Mini options which are ideal for solo travellers or couples (usually a Toyota Aygo, Suzuki Ignis or similar).
Then we have the mid-tier Compact and Intermediate Crossover Models for some added comfort.
Lastly Alamo also offers luxurious vehicles such as their Premium and Full-Size SUV models (usually a BMW X1 or similar).
Cargini is a Greek car rental company with over 30 years of experience all over the mainland (and on the popular islands).
As a result they have great local know-how, and also offer 24/7 professional assistance whenever you need it.
As well as having rental stations all over Greece, Cargini also offers flexible rental options which is great for travellers who are open with their plans.
This makes them one of the best car rentals in Greece!
Firstly we have their Mini and Economy models, which are best for budget travellers (these are usually a Toyota Aygo, Citroen C3 or similar).
Following this we then have the mid-class options of the Compact and Intermediate Vehicles (normally a Peugeot 301 or similar).
Finally we have their more luxurious Compact cars that are a grade above the mid-class ones, where you’ll rent a KIA Ceed STW or something alike.
Cargini also offers full-size and luxury vans.
Yet another Greek company who competes with the global heavyweights, EXER Rent a Car (or just EXER) is a great choice for travellers.
It’s a perfect option for those who are heading all over the country, given how many pickup locations they have.
They are known for their professional service, and also for their office being located close to major airports (easy to walk or take a taxi to once you’ve left the airport).
Not only that, but they're a fantastic choice if you're after cheap car hire in Greece.
EXER offers a variety of different rental models depending on your needs.
Those looking to keep costs down can either choose their Mini or Mini Elite models (a Suzuki Celerio, Toyota Aygo or similar).
Next we have their Economy, Compact and Compact SUV options for those who prefer more comfort.
Lastly we have the luxurious Intermediate and Intermediate SUVs (usually a Toyota Corolla, Jeep Renegade or similar).
EXER also provides their full-size Elite Vans for a great price, which are perfect for larger groups or more adventurous travellers.
SIXT are one of the better-known rental companies who operate in Greece and across Europe for that matter, with them also offering rentals in France and Italy among destinations.
Having opened their doors way back in 1951, this German company has now grown to have over 2200 pick-up locations across 105 countries.
It’s one of the best options for flexible travellers, as they offer a free “change of cancel” policy on any booking you have already made, where others may charge you. As such, they're one of the the best options if you're after Greece car rentals.
Out of all the companies on this list, SIXT offers one of the largest fleets of rental vehicles which is ideal for all kinds of travellers.
Their entry-level Economy and Mini models are best for smaller groups (usually a VW Polo, Opel Corsa or similar).
If you want a little more comfort, then you can choose from either their Compact, Standard or Intermediate SUV models.
Finally we have their Premium and Premium SUVs (usually an Audi A5 or Audi Q4 E-Tron).
SIXT also offers full-size vans which you can compare online.
Those who want to save the most on car rentals will love CarQ, who offer arguably the most price-competitive rentals of all (it’s even cheap for hiring a luxury van too!).
A Greek car rental company, they’re on the smaller side, however have an excellent reputation for their customer service which is available 24/7 for any enquiry or needs that you may have.
As they offer some of the cheapest car rentals in Greece, this company is a no brainer!
CarQ begin with their affordable Mini and Economy models, which are usually a Toyota Aygo, Citroen C3 or similar vehicle.
Then we have their Intermediate and Compact SUVs, which are ideal for travellers who want more space and comfort than what’s offered from the smaller economy vehicles.
Lastly, CarQ also offers more luxurious car rentals for those who want a more memorable ride. These include their deluxe Compact vehicles (which are usually a Kia Ceed STW or similar).
They offer both full-size and luxury vans too.
Along with SIXT and Alamo, Thrifty is another massive global rental company who operates virtually everywhere nowadays.
They offer a massive fleet of vehicles, and in Greece it’s no different.
Some of the best advantages of using Thrifty include their quick and efficient pick-up / drop-off, as well as having their professional customer support team on-hand 24/7.
This giant rental provider has the largest fleet of vehicles to choose from in Greece, so it may take some time to compare the very best options that they have!
Firstly we have their Mini and Economy models, which are best for small groups and those who value low costs (usually a Seat Ibiza, Kia Picanto or similar).
Then we have their mid-tier Compact Crossover and Intermediate Crossover models.
Finally we can find their top-level Elite Crossover vehicles (usually a Volvo XC40 or similar), which are best for those who want more luxury.
Based in Athens, this Greek company is also found all over the country and is used by both tourists and locals alike.
They have a large fleet to choose from, allowing both free cancellation on vehicles and flexibility with changing any pre-existing bookings.
Yours Car Rental also allows an additional driver to be added to a reservation for free, making them a great choice for couples, families or those travelling in larger groups.
The introductory vehicles that are offered are the Economy and Compact models (usually a Peugeot 208, Hyundai i30 or similar).
Next we have their mid-priced Mini vehicles, which are actually more expensive than economy rentals.
Those who are after a more luxurious rental can choose from their Intermediate and Intermediate Elite SUVs (usually a Fiat Tipo STW, Volkswagen T-Cross or similar).
Another successful Greek rental company, AutoUnion has gone one step further and have already started rentals in other countries around Europe.
This makes them a well-trusted choice, operating in over a staggering 400 car rental locations across the country.
They also have a large fleet of rental options available to suit pretty much all tastes.
Firstly we have their Mini and Economy vehicles, which are best for budget travellers (usually a Citroen C1, Fiat Panda or similar).
Next we have their mid-tier models, which include their Compact, Intermediate and Intermediate SUVs.
Lastly we have the higher-priced rental cars, which includes the Luxury and Intermediate Elite vehicles (usually a BMW Series, Ford Kuga or similar).
AutoUnion also does Intermediate and Full-size Van Rentals.
This really depends on you and your own needs.
For example, those who will book a luxurious vehicle for a shorter period will pay a much higher rate than travellers booking a compact car for a month.
Other factors that can affect the total price include whether you're under 25 (as a young driver surcharge may be added), as well as if booking during high season.
Overall we’ve found car rental in Greece to cost an average price of around $20-$320 per day.
If you can find a vehicle toward the lower end of the scale, you'll have no problems traveling cheaply through the country.
The current law stipulates that you need to be at least 21 Years old to hire a car in Greece, which is important to note since other countries in Europe may be more or less.
If you’re between 21-25 then you may also need to pay a young driver surcharge, so keep this in mind when browsing between different rental companies.
It really depends on your personality and trip requirements, however we think renting a car in Greece is a really good idea.
You’ll have full flexibility to get around as you wish, which is great for the more independent travellers among us.
Another advantage is that you’ll also get to enjoy some memorable driving scenery too, such as the winding cliff roads around the blue Mediterranean as well as when passing by vineyards up in the mountains.
You can also find some really cheap rental cars in Greece - perfect for budget travellers!
Greece is a fantastic country to visit, home to pretty much everything you can imagine. It's also one of the more affordable countries in Europe which is always a bonus.
Whether you’re into exploring ancient ruins or beach hopping on different islands, planning your own trip around this nation is really exciting to say the least!
Many heading here wonder if it’s worth renting a car to get around, and we believe it’s a good idea. Not only are road conditions great, you’ll also be able to visit the more remote towns and mountains with ease.
If you’re planning on spending more time along the coast, then we recommend checking out our Greece Island Hopping Itinerary for more inspiration and ideas. We've also got an in-depth Europe packing list if you're not sure what to take with you!
Here are some other Europe guides you may find helpful:
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