Patras car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Patras
The best car rental companies in Patras are Sixt, Avis, Hertz. Prices start from €23/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 Patras
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€25/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#3
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€23/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Avance
Local pick — near the portFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationDowntown
From€20/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 Patras
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €23 | Hyundai i10 | 4 |
| Compact | €28 | Opel Corsa | 5 |
| SUV | €45 | Dacia Duster | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €62 | Volkswagen Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €90 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Patras
Airport — Araxos Airport (GPA)
Markedly seasonal — most routes (Vienna, Prague, Corfu, Zakynthos) run roughly May–October only, with a Brussels route not starting until September 2026. Outside that window the field is nearly empty and most travelers fly into Athens (ATH) instead and drive ~211km (about 2.5h) via the Olympia Odos motorway.
Downtown — Patras port / city center
Desks near the ferry port and city center serve travelers arriving or departing by boat to/from Italy (Ancona, Bari, Venice), plus local exploration of the northwestern Peloponnese.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~13% of base rate | GPA (Araxos) airport pickup, May–Oct only |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €15–25/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €7–12/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee (Athens ↔ Patras / port drop-off) | €80–200 | Different pickup/drop-off city — availability varies by company, category and season |
| Rio–Antirrio bridge toll | €15.90 per private car (one-way) | Crossing the Gulf of Corinth north toward Delphi or central Greece |
| Refundable deposit | €300–500 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Patras
- Araxos Airport (GPA) is markedly seasonal — most international routes run only from roughly May to October, and a planned Brussels (TUI) route doesn’t start until September 2026.
- Outside the summer season, most travelers fly into Athens (ATH) and drive the ~211km (about 2.5h) route via the Olympia Odos motorway instead of relying on GPA.
- Ferry crossings from Patras to Ancona, Bari or Venice take roughly 19–27 hours, which is why an overnight stay in Patras before a night sailing is almost unavoidable for most itineraries.
- The Rio–Antirrio bridge toll is €15.90 per private car one-way (2026 rate, up from €15.40 in 2025) — budget for it both ways if you continue north toward Delphi or central Greece.
- Port check-in time before a ferry departure varies by operator — from about 1–1.5 hours in peak summer to 2–3 hours for vehicles, and up to 4 hours with some lines (e.g. ANEK-Superfast) — confirm with your specific ferry company.
- Both "Patras" (the standard English spelling) and "Patra" (the modern Greek form) are used — DiscoverCars itself lists the city under "patra," so search both spellings when booking.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Patras
Is it worth staying overnight in Patras, or is it just a transit point?
Outside Carnival season, most independent guides describe Patras as a transit point rather than a standalone destination. But since ferries to Italy take 19–27 hours and often depart at night, an overnight stay before or after your crossing is usually unavoidable in practice.
Should I take a taxi or rent a car from the Patras ferry port?
It depends on your onward plans. If you’re heading straight into the Peloponnese or toward Delphi, picking up a rental car at or near the port avoids a taxi-then-rental-desk detour. If you’re staying in town, walking or a taxi is simpler.
How early should I arrive at the port with a rental car before a ferry?
It varies by operator — some request just 1–1.5 hours in peak summer, others 2–3 hours for vehicles, and lines like ANEK-Superfast ask for up to 4 hours. Always confirm the exact check-in window with your specific ferry company, not a generic rule.
Can I pick up a car in Patras and drop it off in Athens (or vice versa)?
One-way rentals between Athens and Patras exist but are less common than same-city returns, and availability depends on the company, car category and season. Expect a one-way/drop-off fee, and confirm it’s included in the quoted price before booking — it’s often added only at the final checkout step.
Patras or Patra — which spelling is correct?
"Patras" is the standard English spelling (used by Wikipedia and most guides); "Patra" is the modern Greek form. DiscoverCars itself uses "patra" in its own city URL, so it’s worth searching both when booking.
Is Araxos Airport (GPA) open year-round?
Not as a full year-round international airport — most routes are seasonal, running roughly May through October. Outside that window, flying into Athens and driving the ~211km (2.5h) south is the more reliable option.
Do I need to budget for the Rio–Antirrio bridge toll?
Yes, if your route takes you north from Patras toward Delphi or central Greece — the toll is €15.90 per private car each way (2026 rate), payable by cash, card, automatic machine, or a Gefyra e-PASS transponder.
Nearby trips
