Car Hire Athens Greece: The Exact Guide Israelis Need Before They Waste Money
You land at Athens airport after a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Tel Aviv. Your bags are out. The kids are already asking for ice cream. And now you face the big question: taxi, metro, or car hire Athens Greece style?
I’ll be honest. The first time I thought about driving in Athens, I pictured the Ayalon at 8am with extra scooters. Not exactly a holiday dream. But here’s the thing: Athens itself is the one place where a car is optional. Everything outside Athens is where a car turns a good trip into a brilliant one.
So let’s work out whether you need one, what it costs, and how to book without getting stung.
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Is it a good idea to rent a car in Athens, Greece?
Yes, but not for the whole trip.
Inside central Athens, a car is more hassle than help. Streets are narrow, parking around Plaka and Monastiraki is a sport, and the metro is cheap and quick. You’ll walk to the Acropolis anyway.
But the moment you want to leave the city, a car wins. Think:
- Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon at sunset
- Delphi, about two to three hours away, with mountain views that make your phone camera cry
- Nafplio and Epidaurus in the Peloponnese
- Meteora, the monasteries on rock pillars
- Beach days along the Athens Riviera
Here’s my rule of thumb. Spend your first days in Athens car-free, then collect the car when you leave the city. You save on rental days and avoid paying to park a vehicle that just sits there.
Quick pros and cons
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Car hire in Greece | Total freedom, easy with kids and luggage, reach places buses skip | Athens traffic, tricky parking, tolls, fuel |
| Public transport | Cheap, no parking stress | Limited for day trips, slow with bags |
| Taxis and ride apps | Easy in the city | Costs add up fast on long trips |
What is the average cost of renting a car in Athens, Greece?
Prices swing a lot by season, so treat these as rough guides, not promises. Always check the live price before you commit.
| Car type | Typical low season (per day) | Typical high season, July–August (per day) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy (Fiat Panda, Toyota Aygo) | about €20–€35 | about €40–€70 |
| Compact (VW Polo, Toyota Yaris) | about €25–€40 | about €50–€80 |
| Family SUV or estate | about €45–€70 | about €80–€130 |
| 7 to 9 seat minivan | about €70–€100 | about €110–€180 |
| Luxury (Mercedes, BMW, Porsche) | from about €100 | from about €170 |
Those are estimates based on typical market ranges, and the real numbers move with demand. Israeli school holidays, Pesach, Sukkot and August are busy, and Greek prices rise with them.
Extras that change the final bill:
- Full insurance or lower excess cover
- Young driver fees (often for drivers under 25)
- Additional driver fee
- Airport pick-up surcharge
- Child seats
- One way drop-off fees
- Fuel policy (go for full-to-full, it’s usually the fairest)
Car hire Athens from € / $: what about shekels?
Most suppliers quote in euros, and some show dollars. Your Israeli card may add a foreign currency fee, so check with your bank before you travel. Paying in euros is often better than letting a booking site convert it for you.
💶 See today’s real prices in your currency
Check Athens car rental prices on Localrent → Local suppliers, clear terms, and plenty of choice.
Car rental Athens weekly rates: why a week often works out cheaper
If you’ll hold the car for five days or more, look at car rental Athens weekly rates. Many suppliers give a lower daily price once you hit seven days, so a week can cost less per day than a long weekend.
A tip I wish someone had told me: book the exact days you need. Sometimes a seven-day booking is cheaper than six, even if you return it early. Check the terms first, because some suppliers don’t refund unused days.
A simple sample plan for a week:
- Days 1–3: Athens on foot and by metro. No car.
- Day 4: Collect the car in Athens (city office or airport).
- Days 4–7: Delphi, Nafplio, and the coast.
- Return the car at the airport before your flight home.
Which car rental company is best in Athens? Which is the best car hire company in Greece?
Here’s the awkward truth: there’s no single best company. The best one is the one that suits your dates, your budget and your car type. What helps most is comparing several at once, then reading the fine print.
Here’s how I’d think about the options on my shortlist:
| Platform | What it’s useful for | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Localrent | Marketplace of local and international suppliers | Travellers who like clear terms and local options |
| Getrentacar | Comparison across providers | Quick price checks |
| Auto Europe | Established broker with a long track record in Europe | People who want a familiar, bigger name |
| QEEQ | Comparison platform | Hunting for deals and flexibility |
| EconomyBookings | Comparison of many suppliers at once | Budget-minded searchers |
No single platform wins every time. Prices change, so I’d open two or three and compare the same dates and car type side by side.
🔍 Find the best car hire company for your trip
Search Getrentacar → | Search QEEQ → Same dates, same car, different prices. It takes two minutes.
What to check before you pick any company:
- Recent reviews from the last few months, not just the star rating
- Deposit amount and whether it’s held on a credit card
- Excess and insurance (what you pay if something goes wrong)
- Mileage limits (most Greek rentals are unlimited, but check)
- Pick-up point (airport desk or shuttle?)
- Cancellation terms
One way car hire Athens: when you don’t want to come back
Planning a road trip that ends somewhere else? One way car hire Athens is possible, and it’s great for routes like:
- Athens to Thessaloniki (about 5 hours by road)
- Athens to Patras, for ferries to Italy
- Athens to Nafplio or the Peloponnese, then flying home from another airport
The catch is the one way fee. It can be small or surprisingly big, depending on the distance and supplier. Search with different drop-off cities to see what the total looks like, because the cheapest daily rate doesn’t always give you the cheapest trip.
A note on islands: Many rental companies don’t allow cars on ferries, or only with permission. If you plan to island hop, ask first, or hire a separate car on each island. Mixing this up is a classic mistake, and an expensive one.
Family car rental Athens: what to know with kids
Travelling with children from Israel? You’re probably used to packing like you’re moving house. A car makes that much easier.
For family car rental Athens, think about:
- Space: A compact looks cute online, then four suitcases arrive. Go up a size.
- Child seats: Greek rules require proper child restraints for young children, generally those under 12 or shorter than about 135 cm. Book seats in advance, and double check the rules before travelling.
- Automatic gearbox: Manual cars are the default in Greece and cheaper. Many Israeli drivers prefer automatics, so filter for it early because they sell out in summer.
- Air conditioning: Non-negotiable between June and September.
- Rear seat space and boot size: Check actual luggage capacity, not just the car name.
I once watched a family argue for ten minutes over how to fit a pram into a tiny hatchback at an airport car park. Don’t be that family. Pick the size first, then the price.
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Browse family-friendly cars on Auto Europe → Filter for SUVs, minivans and automatics, and add child seats at booking.
Luxury car hire Athens: for the big occasion
Honeymoon? Milestone birthday? Or you simply want to cruise the coast road in something with a nice badge?
Luxury car hire Athens usually means Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, and sometimes convertibles or high-end SUVs. The Athens Riviera, from Glyfada to Vouliagmeni and on to Cape Sounion, is made for an open-top drive.
What to expect:
- Higher deposits, often several hundred euros or more
- Stricter age and licence rules (often a minimum age of 25 and a few years of driving experience)
- Credit card required for the deposit
- Full insurance is worth a serious look
Book early. The nicest cars go first, especially in peak season.
What Israeli drivers need to know before booking
This is the section that can save your whole trip.
Your licence: Many Greek rental companies accept an Israeli licence, but Greek rules for non-EU licence holders often call for an International Driving Permit (IDP) as well. Check with your supplier and the Israeli licensing authority before you fly. Having one costs little. Being refused a car at the desk costs a lot.
Credit card: Most suppliers want a credit card in the main driver’s name for the deposit. Debit cards often won’t work. Check your limit, because the deposit is a hold, not a charge, but it still uses up your available credit.
Minimum age: Usually 21, sometimes 23 or 25 for bigger cars. Young driver fees are common.
Driving on the right: Same as in Israel, so that’s one less thing to worry about.
Greek driving habits: Think confident, a little creative, and loud on the horn. If you survive Tel Aviv, you’ll be fine in Athens, although the one-way systems in old neighbourhoods can feel like a puzzle box.
Tolls: Several motorways around Athens and across Greece are toll roads. Keep some cash (coins help) or ask your supplier how tolls are handled, especially on the Attiki Odos ring road.
Parking: In the centre, look for paid car parks. Blue and white lines usually mean paid or restricted parking. Parking fines are real, so read the signs.
Fuel: Petrol prices in Greece are higher than many visitors expect. Plan for it in your budget.
Smart booking tips from someone who has been burned
- Book early for summer, Pesach and Sukkot. Prices rise and cars run out.
- Take photos and a short video of the car before leaving the car park. Every scratch, every scuff.
- Check the fuel policy. Full-to-full is usually the fairest.
- Read the insurance terms. Excess cover can be bought separately, but understand what it covers (tyres, windscreen, undercarriage often aren’t included).
- Keep the paperwork until your deposit is released.
- Pick up at the airport only if it suits you. If you’re spending the first days in Athens, a city office can be cheaper and less stressful.
- Compare at least two platforms with identical dates and car types.
✅ Ready to book your Athens car hire?
Compare deals on EconomyBookings → | Check Localrent → | Try Auto Europe → Prices and availability change daily, so the sooner you look, the better your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Which car rental company is best in Athens?
There isn’t one winner. International names and local firms both have good and bad reviews. Compare prices, deposit levels, insurance and recent customer ratings for your exact dates.
Is it a good idea to rent a car in Athens, Greece?
Yes if you want to explore beyond the city: Delphi, Nafplio, the coast, and mainland road trips. No if you’re only staying in central Athens, where the metro and your feet do the job.
What is the average cost of renting a car in Athens, Greece?
Roughly €20–€40 a day for an economy car in low season, and about €40–€80 or more in summer, plus insurance, fuel and extras. Weekly rates often lower the daily cost.
Which is the best car hire company in Greece?
It depends on your route and budget. Comparison sites help you see several suppliers at once, and reading recent reviews helps you spot the reliable ones.
Can I do one way car hire in Athens?
Yes, often with a one way fee. Always check the total before you book.
Do I need an international driving permit?
For Israeli licence holders, it’s often recommended or required by Greek rules or rental firms. Confirm with your supplier and relevant authorities before you travel.
Final thoughts: should you hire a car in Athens?
If you want the classic Greece, the one with the quiet monasteries, the sunsets over the sea, and the roadside tavernas that don’t appear in any guidebook, a car makes it possible. Just don’t use it for the Acropolis.
So here’s my advice: plan your route, choose the right size car, compare a few platforms, and read the small print. Then relax. You’ll be sipping a Greek coffee with a view in no time.
Ready? Start your search now:
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