Bookingcar
Manage booking
EN · English RU · Русский FR · Français ES · Español DE · Deutsch RO · Română NL · Nederlands CS · Čeština IT · Italiano HR · Hrvatski SK · Slovenčina UK · Українська DA · Dansk SV · Svenska FI · Suomi PT · Português NO · Norsk ET · Eesti HE · עברית JA · 日本語 HU · Magyar PL · Polski BG · Български EL · Ελληνικά SL · Slovenščina AR · العربية TR · Türkçe LV · Latviešu KO · 한국어 LT · Lietuvių SR-LATN · Srpski KA · ქართული
Home Destinations Support About FAQ
Manage booking
Home/Destinations/Greece
From €9/day
Explore Greece on your own schedule

Car rental in Greece

More choice, more flexibility, better prices.

★★★★★★ 4.5 / 8,764 reviews
Rent a car in Greece
✓ No hidden fees · ✓ Free cancellation

Popular cities in Greece

Athens
Athens
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Corfu
Corfu
Zakynthos
Zakynthos

Why drive in Greece

In Greece, driving gives you freedom to move between ancient sites and beaches beyond the main bus routes. From Athens, head to Delphi and Meteora or follow the coastal road to Nafplio and the Peloponnese.

On islands like Crete, Rhodes or Corfu, a car lets you explore mountain villages, quiet coves and hilltop monasteries at your own pace. You can link smaller resorts, wineries and viewpoints without joining organised coach tours.

At a glance
Drives onRight
Motorway tollToll roads (pay per use)
CurrencyEuro (€)
Min. rental age21 years

Good to know before you drive

The essentials for a smooth, ticket-free trip.

🚦

Speed limits

Town50 km/h
Open road90 km/h
Motorway130 km/h
🅿️

Parking

Paid short-stay zones in city centres — buy a ticket and display it.

🍷

Alcohol limit

Typically 0.05% blood-alcohol limit; lower for new drivers.

🎫

Vignette / tolls

Check whether a motorway vignette or tolls apply — many rentals include one.

Watch our video
Renting a car?
Watch this video first
▶

Why book with us

💸
Save up to 80%
Exclusive negotiated rates from 1,000+ rental companies.
🛡️
No hidden fees
No card or admin charges — every cost shown up front.
🔄
Free cancellation
Change or cancel free up to 24 hours before pick-up.
🎧
24/7 support
Real people, every day of the year, in your language.

Practical Information for Drivers

Fines for violations of driving regulations in Greece

If you rent a car, you must observe the driving regulations. Otherwise, you should be prepared to pay a fine. Remember that police officers are authorised to issue a fine, but it has to be paid at a bank. Below are some examples of basic fines for traffic violations.

Violation Fine amount
Exceeding the speed limit by 0-20 km/h € 40
Exceeding the speed limit by 21-30 km/h € 100
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 km/h € 350
Not wearing a seat belt € 80
Using a mobile phone while driving € 100
Overtaking where it is prohibited € 700
Ignoring a prohibitory sign € 200
Failing to stop at a red traffic light € 700

Note that most traffic violations in Greece result in your driving licence being confiscated for 10-16 days.

Parking

It is not easy to find an empty parking space in Greece. The streets are rather narrow and the number of vehicles is constantly increasing. There is a mandatory rule for vehicles parked in public places during the hours of darkness: parking lights must be on.

A parking ban is indicated by yellow lines. Parking is also prohibited near junctions and public transport stops and stations. Payment is required in most car parks in Greek cities. Car parks are paid for at ticket machines. In some cities you will have to buy a special parking card. It is quite common to see traffic signs marked with even and odd months; these indicate that parking is prohibited during those months.

Maximum blood alcohol content allowed

The permitted blood alcohol level is 0.5 ‰. A blood alcohol content higher than this level leads to a fine of €200-1200. In addition, if the blood alcohol content exceeds 1.1 ‰, the fine is accompanied by confiscation of the driver's licence for up to 3 months.

Drivers with less than 2 years of driving experience are a specific category. Their permitted blood alcohol content is 0.2 ‰.

Driving regulations to know when renting a car in Greece

In built-up areas, cars may travel at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Outside built-up areas, you can drive at up to 90 km/h. Other roads have a speed limit of 110 km/h, and motorways 130 km/h.

Note that driving with dipped headlights in the daytime is prohibited. Dipped headlights are recommended in conditions of poor visibility.

Both front-seat and rear-seat passengers must wear seat belts. It is also prohibited to use a mobile phone while driving.

Fuel cost

There is no leaded petrol in Greece. You can fill your car with unleaded petrol (RON95 and RON98). It is prohibited to transport a petrol container in a vehicle. Petrol in Greece is of good quality and there are many filling stations.

Average fuel cost in Greece:

  • RON95 petrol – 1,95 EUR
  • RON98 petrol – 2,03 EUR
  • Diesel fuel – 1,75 EUR

Toll roads

If you decide to rent a car in Greece, remember that you must pay to use toll roads, and the payment depends on the distance covered. You pay before entering the toll road. Rates also depend on the type of vehicle. Cars fall into category 2.

What drivers say about Greece

★★★★★★4.5
★★★★★ 4

"Nice clean car, quick pick-up and return. As a couple we were happy, only wish the fuel policy had been explained a bit more clearly."

Γ
Γιώργος
Greece
★★★★★★ 3.5

"We were a group of four friends; car was roomy and the staff friendly. Good price, but the pick-up took quite a while because of the queue and paperwork. Once on the road, everything went smoothly and we had no issues with the vehicle."

Ε
Ελένη
Greece
★★★★★ 5

"I was travelling alone and the whole rental process was smooth from start to finish. The car was almost new, very clean and economical, perfect for both city streets and coastal roads. Staff were polite, efficient and gave clear directions. I would gladly rent from them again."

Δ
Δημήτρης Παπαδόπουλος
Greece
More reviews →

Renting in Greece — FAQ

In popular Greek destinations, especially the islands and Athens, it is wise to book 4–8 weeks ahead for travel between June and September. Outside peak season you can often book 1–3 weeks before arrival. For special vehicle types (automatic, minivans, convertibles) or one-way rentals, reserve as early as possible to secure availability and better rates.
In Greece, deposits are usually pre-authorised on your card rather than fully charged. Once you return the car in good condition, the hold is typically released within 3–10 working days, depending on your bank. Some offers feature reduced deposits or even no deposit, no credit card options, but these usually come with different insurance or pricing structures.
The excess is the maximum amount you must pay if the car is damaged or stolen. In Greece it commonly ranges from about EUR 500 to EUR 1,500 for standard cars, higher for premium models. If repair costs are lower, you pay only that amount. You can often buy extra cover locally or via Bookingcar to reduce or even eliminate the excess.
Many suppliers in Greece still require a credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit. However, some local and international companies provide debit-card or even no deposit, no credit card deals on selected fleets. These offers may limit car categories, increase daily rates or include mandatory insurance, so always check conditions before booking.
Prices vary by season and location. As a guideline, a small car in Greece outside peak season may cost around EUR 20–35 per day, rising to EUR 45–80 per day in July and August, especially on islands like Crete, Rhodes or Santorini. Larger vehicles, automatics and one-way rentals will usually be more expensive than basic manual models.
Bookingcar compares prices from many car hire companies in Greece, including international brands and local providers, in one simple search. You can quickly see different car types, conditions and total costs, then choose the best-value option. This price-comparison approach helps you avoid overpaying at a single supplier and makes it easier to find deals that match your budget.
If you return the car late in Greece, most companies will charge an additional fee, often based on the hourly rate and, after a grace period, a full extra rental day. Being more than 24 hours late may be treated as an unauthorised extension. Inform the rental office as soon as possible if you expect a delay to discuss extending your contract and costs.
Default limits (unless signs show otherwise) are usually:
  • Within built-up areas: 50 km/h
  • Outside built-up areas (rural roads): 90 km/h
  • Expressways and main roads: 110 km/h
  • Motorways: 120–130 km/h, depending on signage
Always follow posted signs, as limits can be lower near villages, schools, construction zones or in mountainous and coastal areas with sharp bends.
Fines in Greece are typically on-the-spot or sent later if recorded by camera. Common penalties include:
  • Speeding: roughly EUR 40–350 depending on excess speed
  • Seatbelt or mobile phone offences: around EUR 100–200
  • Serious violations (dangerous driving, very high speed): higher fines, possible licence suspension
Rental firms may also add administrative fees when they process traffic fines received after your hire.
The general legal blood alcohol limit in Greece is 0.5 g/l (0.05%). For new drivers (less than two years’ licence) and professional drivers, the limit is lower at 0.2 g/l (0.02%). Penalties for drink-driving can include heavy fines, licence suspension and even criminal charges, so the safest choice when renting a car is to avoid alcohol completely before driving.
Fuel prices change frequently, but as a rough recent guide in Greece:
  • Unleaded petrol (95): about EUR 1.90–2.20 per litre
  • Diesel: about EUR 1.70–2.00 per litre
Petrol stations on islands and motorways may charge slightly more than in cities or large towns. Many rural stations have limited hours, so plan refuelling in advance, especially on long routes.
Yes, Greece has several pay-per-use toll motorways, mainly connecting major cities such as Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras. There is no vignette system; instead you pay at toll plazas by cash or card, or via an electronic tag if the vehicle is equipped. Your rental car does not usually include tolls, so you pay them as you drive or later if the provider pre-pays.

Ready to explore Greece?

Compare live prices across Greece.