Athens car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Athens
The best car rental companies in Athens are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from €19/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 12%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Athens
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From€19/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From€18/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From€18/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Athens
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €19 | Toyota Aygo | 4 |
| Compact | €24 | VW Polo | 5 |
| SUV | €42 | Nissan Qashqai | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €58 | Peugeot 5008 | 7 |
| Luxury | €79 | Mercedes C-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Athens
Airport — Athens International Airport (ATH)
On-site desks in the arrivals hall between Exits 3 and 4; parking ~50 m from the terminal.
Downtown — Central Athens (Syntagma)
Desks around Syntagma Square and near the port of Piraeus for island ferry connections.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~12% of base rate | Any airport pickup |
| Motorway tolls | €2.55 Attiki Odos + national tolls | Driving on Attiki Odos and national motorways (paid by driver) |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €10–30/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €5–10/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €30–120 | Different drop-off location |
| Refundable deposit | €250–300 hold | Credit-card hold at pickup, released on return |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Athens
- Drive on the right; most rentals are manual — request automatic explicitly, as they book out fast.
- Motorway tolls are common: Attiki Odos is €2.55 per passenger car (one flat charge), payable by cash or card at staffed booths — keep coins handy.
- Athens traffic is dense and assertive; watch for scooters and motorbikes filtering between lanes at every junction.
- Non-EU drivers whose licence is not in English or Greek generally need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their home licence.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21 (some categories 23–25), with a young-driver surcharge under 25 and a one-year licence requirement.
- The port of Piraeus is the main gateway to the Greek islands — many visitors drop the car there before catching a ferry.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Athens
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Athens?
Most companies rent from age 21, though some categories require 23 or 25. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of €10–30/day, and you must have held your licence for at least one year.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Greece?
EU/EEA licences are accepted as-is. Non-EU visitors whose licence is not printed in the Latin (English) or Greek alphabet generally need an IDP carried alongside their original licence. Canadian licences are commonly accepted without one.
What insurance is included and what is the excess?
Base rates include third-party liability plus CDW/theft, usually with an excess of €800–1,500. A zero-excess top-up (or DiscoverCars Full Coverage) removes that risk.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly €250–300 is standard. It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged.
How do motorway tolls work in Greece?
Attiki Odos around Athens costs €2.55 per passenger car as a single flat charge, and national motorways add distance-based tolls. You pay by cash or card at staffed booths — the driver covers tolls, not the rental company.
Can I do a one-way rental (different drop-off)?
Yes, most suppliers allow it within Greece for a fee of roughly €30–120 depending on distance. Drop-off at the port of Piraeus or the airport is common before island ferries.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. Athens International Airport (ATH) has in-terminal desks in the arrivals hall between Exits 3 and 4, and there are central desks around Syntagma Square and near the port of Piraeus.
What is the cheapest car type in Athens?
Economy cars (e.g. Toyota Aygo) start around €19/day. For families, a 7-seat minivan starts around €58/day.
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