Explore the latest trends and booking tips. The data is based on booking statistics from the past six months.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Athens?
Over the past 72 hours, the lowest car-hire prices in Athens came from Europcar (€11/day), Avis (€13/day) and National (€14/day). The cheapest of all was Europcar — about 1.6 miles from the city centre.
What is the most popular rental car in Athens?
Mini cars are the most popular choice in Athens, costing around €18/day on average. Some drivers have found deals from as little as €10/day.
Mini34%
Standard23%
Electric18%
Business10%
Van15%
Athens car rental price comparison by vehicle type
How much does it cost to hire a Mini car in Athens?
Mini car hire in Athens typically costs around €18 per day. Prices are lowest in Feb, averaging €12 per day — roughly 33% below the yearly average. Mini cars are usually 59% cheaper than the average car hire in Athens.
How much does it cost to hire a Standard car in Athens?
Standard car hire in Athens typically costs around €30 per day. Prices are lowest in Feb, averaging €20 per day — roughly 33% below the yearly average. Standard cars are usually 32% cheaper than the average car hire in Athens.
How much does it cost to hire a Business car in Athens?
Business car hire in Athens typically costs around €100 per day. Prices are lowest in Feb, averaging €66 per day — roughly 34% below the yearly average. Business cars are usually 127% more expensive than the average car hire in Athens.
How much does it cost to hire a SUV car in Athens?
SUV car hire in Athens typically costs around €40 per day. Prices are lowest in Feb, averaging €26 per day — roughly 35% below the yearly average. SUV cars are usually 9% cheaper than the average car hire in Athens.
How much does it cost to hire a Van car in Athens?
Van car hire in Athens typically costs around €43 per day. Prices are lowest in Feb, averaging €29 per day — roughly 33% below the yearly average. Van cars are usually 2% cheaper than the average car hire in Athens.
How much does it cost to hire an Electric car in Athens?
Electric car hire in Athens typically costs around €35 per day. Prices are lowest in Feb, averaging €23 per day — roughly 34% below the yearly average. Electric cars are usually 20% cheaper than the average car hire in Athens.
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Athens car rental — FAQ
For Athens, it is wise to reserve a rental car at least 2-4 weeks before your trip, especially for summer and holiday periods when demand is high. Early booking usually gives you a wider choice of vehicles, better rates, and more flexible conditions than last-minute reservations at the airport or downtown offices.
The security deposit is normally released by the rental company when the car is checked in without new damage or unpaid charges. Banks then take about 7-14 business days to remove the hold or show the refund. Choosing no-deposit / no-credit-card deals can help you avoid this temporary block on your funds altogether.
The excess is the maximum amount you must pay if the Athens rental car is damaged or stolen. In Greece, typical excess levels range roughly from EUR 600 to EUR 1,500, depending on car class and supplier. You can often reduce or even eliminate this contribution by buying additional insurance or a full protection package during booking or at pickup.
Most Athens rental desks require a major credit card in the driver’s name to secure the deposit. Some local suppliers may accept debit cards or cash, but options are limited and conditions stricter. Look out for special no-deposit / no-credit-card deals on Bookingcar, which are designed for travelers who prefer not to use a credit card.
Average daily prices in Athens generally start around EUR 25-35 for a small economy car in low season, rising to EUR 45-70 or more in peak summer. Costs vary with vehicle size, supplier, insurance options, and pickup location. Booking early and being flexible with dates can noticeably reduce your overall rental budget.
Bookingcar lets you compare many Athens suppliers at once, from international brands to trusted local companies, helping you secure competitive rates and clear rental conditions. You can filter by mileage, fuel policy, insurance, and more, then book instantly with confirmed prices. Multilingual support and transparent vouchers make pickup at Athens Airport or downtown smooth and predictable.
If you return your Athens rental car late, most companies charge an extra fee, usually calculated per additional hour and then as a full extra rental day after a grace period. Unauthorised late returns may also void some insurance conditions. If you expect delays, call the rental office immediately to discuss extending the contract and limiting extra charges.
Central Athens has several good parking options, like the Polis Park facilities near Syntagma and Omonia, or private garages around Monastiraki and Acropolis areas. Organized car parks are usually guarded and charge hourly or daily rates. On-street parking in blue zones requires a ticket from machines or kiosks, while some residential white zones are time-limited or permit-only.
Driving a rental car from Athens into neighboring countries is not always allowed and usually requires written permission from the supplier. Cross-border travel may involve extra insurance, fees, and restrictions on which states you can enter. Always declare your intended route when booking and confirm the rules on your voucher to avoid issues at the border or during police checks.
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.
What drivers say about Athens
★★★★★★4.5
★★★★★5
"Took a spacious car for our family holiday in Athens and the islands. Booking was easy, staff friendly with the kids, and the child seats were clean and ready. Pick‑up and drop‑off at the airport were quick, no surprise charges at all."
Γ
Γεώργιος Παπαδόπουλος
Athens
★★★★★5
"We hired a small car for a week in Athens and a few day trips. The staff were warm, explained the insurance clearly and gave us tips for parking in the centre. Car was modern, economical and spotless. Only slight issue was that the GPS maps felt a bit outdated, but overall we were very satisfied."
Μ
Μαρία Κωνσταντίνου
Athens
★★★★★5
"We rented a compact car for a friends’ trip around Athens and Sounio. The car was clean, powerful enough, and collection from the airport was fast and simple."