Heraklion car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Heraklion
The best car rental companies in Heraklion are Sixt, Hertz, Avis. Prices start from €18/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 13%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Heraklion
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€18/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€19/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€19/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€23/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Avance
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€15/day
base rate
View Avance deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-20 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Heraklion
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €18 | Hyundai i10 | 4 |
| Compact | €23 | Opel Corsa | 5 |
| SUV | €38 | Dacia Duster | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €53 | Volkswagen Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €78 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Heraklion
Airport — Heraklion International Airport "N. Kazantzakis" (HER)
One of the densest rental markets among Greek airports — around 90 providers compete for arrivals-hall pickup. A separate pickup point also exists at the port for ferry arrivals.
Downtown — Heraklion city center
Desks near the Old Town and Venetian harbor serve local exploration — but driving into the Old Town itself is discouraged, since parking there is notoriously difficult.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~13% of base rate | HER airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €15–25/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €7–12/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee (Heraklion ↔ Chania/Rethymno) | €60–120 | Different pickup/drop-off city |
| Refundable deposit | €300–500 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Heraklion
- Heraklion’s N. Kazantzakis Airport (HER) hosts around 90+ rental providers — one of the densest rental markets of any Greek airport — plus a separate pickup point at the port.
- Avoid driving into the Old Town — locals and guides alike describe parking there as "a nightmare"; the Parking Theseus garage near the city center is the commonly recommended alternative.
- "No deposit" scam complaints are the #1 documented fear here — always ask upfront "what is your fuel policy?" and insist on "same-to-same," not "full-to-full" with hidden add-ons.
- A compact automatic is the recommended choice — Crete’s steep hills and dense urban driving favor it over a manual.
- Mountain and village roads can have falling rocks with no safety nets, sharp blind curves, and livestock crossing — drive cautiously outside the main highways.
- Knossos is a must-see day trip just outside the city; Matala and Agios Nikolaos are each about an hour away, while Balos requires routing through Chania and isn’t a comfortable same-day trip.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Heraklion
Is it worth renting a car in Heraklion?
Not really for the city itself — the Old Town, the Archaeological Museum and the Venetian harbor are all walkable. But for day trips like Knossos, Matala or Agios Nikolaos, a car is essential since public transport doesn’t cover them conveniently.
What is the cheapest, most reliable car rental company in Heraklion?
This exact question comes up repeatedly on the Heraklion TripAdvisor Forum. There’s no single clear winner — advertised prices ($12–16/day) are often misleadingly low compared to the real average ($33–48/day), so compare total price including insurance before booking.
How do I avoid a deposit or insurance scam at Heraklion airport?
Documented complaints exist against specific providers (including Avis and Right Cars) over damage and deposit disputes. Always ask "what is your fuel policy?" upfront — the correct answer is "same-to-same," not "full-to-full" with hidden add-ons — and photograph the car before driving off.
Where can I park near Heraklion Old Town?
Street parking near the Old Town is notoriously difficult — locals describe it as "a nightmare." The Parking Theseus garage near the city center, which offers valet service, is the commonly recommended alternative.
Can I visit Balos from Heraklion in a day?
It’s a stretch — Balos requires routing through Chania, making it a long day rather than a comfortable same-day trip. Matala (~1h) and Agios Nikolaos (~1h) are far more practical day-trip options from Heraklion.
Automatic or manual for driving in Crete?
A compact automatic is the recommended choice — Crete’s steep hills, sharp curves and dense urban driving in Heraklion favor it over a manual transmission.
