Thessaloniki car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Thessaloniki
The best car rental companies in Thessaloniki are Sixt, Hertz, Avis. Prices start from €20/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 13%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Thessaloniki
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€22/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€23/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#5
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Avance
Local pick — no depositFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€17/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 Thessaloniki
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €20 | Hyundai i10 | 4 |
| Compact | €25 | Opel Corsa | 5 |
| SUV | €40 | Dacia Duster | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €55 | Volkswagen Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €82 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Thessaloniki
Airport — Thessaloniki Airport "Macedonia" (SKG)
Greece’s second-busiest airport sits about 15km from the city center, with most rental desks in the arrivals hall. Unlike Rome’s ZTL or Athens’ metro-first pattern, the friction here is operational — parking and traffic — not regulatory.
Downtown — Thessaloniki city center
Desks near the waterfront and city center serve local exploration plus onward day trips to Halkidiki and Meteora.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~13% of base rate | SKG airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €15–25/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €7–12/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee (Thessaloniki ↔ Athens) | €100–180 | Different pickup/drop-off city |
| Refundable deposit | €300–500 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Thessaloniki
- SKG airport sits about 15km from the city center, with most brand-name rental desks located in the arrivals hall.
- Street parking in the center costs €1.70/hour (max 4 hours), charged weekdays 08:00–21:00 and Saturdays 09:00–16:00 — free outside those hours and on Sundays.
- Avoid parking or leaving anything visible in the car near Vardaris Square (central bus station area) — it carries a recurring theft warning in local guides.
- Minimum rental age is 21, plus at least one year of driving experience — a stricter requirement than nearby Athens.
- Thessaloniki has one of the strongest "no deposit / no credit card" rental markets in Greece — a whole cluster of local operators caters specifically to this pain point.
- Meteora is about 230km away (roughly 2.5 hours by car) — with no direct public transport connection, a rental is essential for a day trip.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Thessaloniki
Do you need a car in Thessaloniki?
Not for the city center itself — walking, the metro and buses cover it well. But for Halkidiki’s beaches and day trips like Meteora, a car is the practical option since public transport is limited or nonexistent on those routes.
Can I rent a car in Thessaloniki without a credit card or deposit?
Yes — Thessaloniki has an unusually strong local cluster of operators built specifically around "no deposit / no credit card" rentals, stronger than the equivalent niche in Athens.
Where can I park in Thessaloniki city center?
Street parking costs €1.70/hour with a 4-hour maximum, charged weekdays 08:00–21:00 and Saturdays 09:00–16:00. It’s free outside those hours and on Sundays. Parking near the IKEA mall is free, and some locals park near supermarkets like Masoutis for a couple of free hours with a small purchase.
How far is Meteora from Thessaloniki?
About 230km, roughly 2.5–2.75 hours by car. There’s no direct public transport route, so renting a car is the standard way to visit for a day trip.
What’s the cheapest month to rent a car in Thessaloniki?
February tends to be cheapest, averaging around $12/day, while August is the most expensive at around $41/day — a wide seasonal swing driven by the mix of international and local providers.
What are the minimum age and license requirements?
Most companies require drivers to be at least 21 with at least one year of driving experience — stricter than the simple 21+ rule you’ll see in some other Greek cities.
