Car Rental Greece

What cars can I hire in Greece?

Hertz offers a wide range of vehicles for your travel needs in Greece, so it is easier to match the car to your route, whether you’re staying in a city, planning a mainland drive, or moving between island regions.

• Compact cars: are ideal for city centres like Athens and Thessaloniki, where tighter streets and easier parking can make a difference.
• Small and mid-size cars: add comfort and boot space for longer regional drives across the mainland and larger islands.
• Estate cars: are a practical choice when you are travelling with more luggage and want extra loading space.
• SUVs and crossovers: suit routes with steeper gradients or longer scenic drives, especially in parts of Crete, Rhodes, Epirus, and the Peloponnese.
• Carriers and vans: work well for larger groups, airport arrivals, and multi-stop itineraries.

Vehicle availability may vary by location and dates.

Are there any restrictions on hiring a car in the country?

To hire a car in Greece with Hertz, drivers must usually have held a valid licence for at least one year. Minimum age requirements can vary by vehicle group. In many cases, smaller categories are available from age 21, while larger groups may require the driver to be at least 25. Some younger drivers may still be able to rent selected vehicles with an extra charge.

At pickup, the main driver may need to present a credit card in their own name, depending on the vehicle category. You should also have your driving licence, passport or ID, and any payment card linked to the booking ready when collecting the car.

Driving tips for Greece

Driving in Greece can feel very different depending on where you are, so it helps to stay alert to local road conditions and signage.

• Drive on the right and pass on the left.
• Seat belts are required, and children must use the appropriate restraint system.
• Speed limits are shown in kilometres per hour and can change by road type, so always follow posted signs.
• Some mainland motorways include tolls, so plan for that on longer routes.
• On islands and in hillier areas, roads are often narrower and more winding, which can make journeys slower than expected.
• Parking rules vary from place to place, especially in busier destinations, so check local signs carefully before leaving the car.

Best places to visit in Greece

Greece is one of the easiest countries to explore by road when you want to witness diverse landmarks and destinations. A rental car gives you the freedom to move between city landmarks, coastal routes, island scenery, and quieter regional stops without depending entirely on the varying timings of local transport.

Here are some of the places that make a self-drive trip in Greece especially rewarding.

• Athens (Attica): Greece’s capital is the natural starting point for many trips, but a rental car also makes it easier to explore beyond the centre. One of the most practical drives from the city is the coastal route towards Sounio, where you can enjoy sea views and visit one of the country’s best-known historic landmarks.
• Crete: Crete is one of the most compelling destinations in Greece for self-drive travel because its attractions are spread across a large island. A rental car makes it easier to move between Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and quieter inland villages at your own pace.
• Rhodes: Rhodes combines beaches, resort areas, and one of Greece’s most well-known historic old towns. Hiring a car here gives you a convenient way to move between the city, coastal areas, and the southern parts of the island.
• Corfu: Corfu is well-suited to a slower island drive, with scenic coastal roads, villages, and beach areas spread across the island. A rental car gives you more freedom to reach different parts of Corfu without relying on fixed local transport.
• Peloponnese and Kalamata: For travellers who want more mainland driving, Kalamata works well as a starting point for the Peloponnese. It is a practical base for beaches, olive-growing regions, and longer scenic drives across southern Greece.