Rethymno car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Rethymno
The best car rental companies in Rethymno are Sixt, Europcar, Hertz. Prices start from €25/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 Rethymno
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€27/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#3
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#4
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Rethymno Car Rental
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
base rate
View Rethymno Car Rental deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Rethymno
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €25 | Fiat Panda | 4 |
| Compact | €30 | Opel Corsa | 5 |
| SUV | €47 | Suzuki Jimny | 4 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €70 | Fiat Doblo | 7 |
| Luxury | €88 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Rethymno
Airport — Chania Airport (CHQ)
CHQ sits about 60km west of Rethymno, roughly an hour's drive along the coastal highway, with rental desks in the arrivals hall.
Downtown — Rethymno Old Town
Downtown desks near the Venetian harbor suit travelers who want a car to reach Preveli Beach, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, or the Amari Valley beyond the old town.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~12% of base rate | CHQ or HER airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €10–18/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €5–9/day | Per extra driver |
| High-season peak surcharge | 20–40% above base rate | July–August bookings |
| Unpaved-road damage waiver | €5–10/day | Recommended for the mountain roads to Amari and Kourtaliotiko |
| Refundable deposit | €200–400 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Rethymno
- Chania Airport (CHQ) is the nearest major airport, about 60km west of Rethymno, roughly an hour's drive; Heraklion Airport (HER) is about 80km east.
- The Venetian Old Town, with its Fortezza fortress and harbor, is best explored on foot once parked near the edge of town.
- Preveli Beach, framed by a palm-tree river gorge, is reached by a scenic mountain drive south of Rethymno.
- The Kourtaliotiko Gorge, a dramatic canyon on the way to Preveli, is a popular stop for a short car-accessible hike.
- Rethymno uses EUR as Greece's official currency, so no conversion is needed for travelers from the eurozone.
- The Amari Valley, dotted with Byzantine churches and mountain villages, sits on narrow roads best suited to compact or SUV categories.
- Crete's E75 coastal highway connects Rethymno to both Chania and Heraklion, making day trips to either city straightforward by car.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Rethymno
Do you need a car in Rethymno?
Yes — a car is the practical way to reach Preveli Beach, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, and the mountain villages of the Amari Valley.
Which airport is closest to Rethymno?
Chania Airport (CHQ), about 60km west, roughly an hour's drive. Heraklion Airport (HER) is about 80km east.
Can I drive to Preveli Beach?
Yes, via a scenic mountain road south of Rethymno — a compact car handles it well, though an SUV adds comfort on the winding stretches.
Is the Venetian Old Town walkable once I park?
Yes, the harbor and Fortezza area are compact and best explored on foot after parking nearby.
What currency are prices shown in for Rethymno?
Prices are shown in EUR, Greece's official currency.
Can I drive from Rethymno to Chania or Heraklion in a day?
Yes, both are connected by the E75 coastal highway, each about an hour from Rethymno.
What is the cheapest car type in Rethymno?
Economy cars like a Fiat Panda start around €25/day. An SUV starts around €47/day.
Nearby trips
