Car hire in Greece is easy to arrange and good value outside July and August. Independent Greek firms often include full insurance with zero excess and will deliver to the airport, port or your hotel. Book ahead, carry your photocard licence (plus an International Driving Permit if you hold a US licence or a paper UK licence), and check the ferry and insurance terms before you sign.
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This guide covers well-established local car rental companies in Greece that we were able to verify, explains how they compare with the big international brands and online brokers, and answers a question most car hire guides skip: can you realistically rent a car on a cruise port day?
Local car hire in Greece vs international brands and brokers
When you search for car rental in Greece you will see three types of company:
- International brands (Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise) with desks at most Greek airports. Their service is predictable, but the headline price usually includes only basic CDW with an excess that can run to four figures.
- Online brokers and comparison sites, which show very low daily rates. The car usually comes from a third-party supplier, and the broker’s “full protection” is often a reimbursement policy. You pay the rental company for any damage and then claim the money back.
- Local Greek firms, often family-run and based on a single island or in one region. Many quote prices with full insurance included, take little or no deposit, and meet you at the arrivals hall or the quay instead of a desk.
Local firms are not automatically better. Still, for a short island trip, a reputable local company with zero-excess cover is often the least stressful option.
Best local car rental companies in Greece
The companies below are independent Greek firms with official websites and Google business listings. We checked each one in October 2026. We have not added star ratings, because review scores change all the time. Check recent Google reviews before you book.
| Company | Where | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Kosmos Car Rental | Athens centre, Athens Airport, Piraeus | Clear tiered insurance, Piraeus port service |
| Escape Car Rentals | Athens, Athens Airport, Glyfada, Piraeus and Rafina ports | Delivery to ports and accommodation |
| Rental Center Crete | Heraklion and Chania airports, Heraklion port, resorts across Crete | No-excess all-risk cover, 24-hour port delivery |
| Rodos Cars | Rhodes airport, port, marina and hotels | Free delivery to the port, no credit card needed |
| Sunrise Car Rental | Corfu Airport, Corfu cruise port, Corfu Town | Zero excess, no deposit, office at the cruise port |
Kosmos Car Rental (Athens and Piraeus)
Kosmos is an Athens company with an office on Syngrou Avenue and service points at Athens International Airport and Piraeus port. It is one of the few local firms that sets out its insurance clearly. The standard price includes CDW with an excess (from €800 plus VAT on small cars). Optional Super CDW cuts the excess to €100, and Full CDW takes it to zero, at a few euros a day. Tyres, glass and the underside of the car are excluded. A credit card is normally required as a guarantee.
Escape Car Rentals (Athens, airport and ports)
Escape Car Rentals is based in Athens. It lists pick-up points at Athens Airport, Glyfada, Koropi, Piraeus port and Rafina port, and it will also deliver to your accommodation. Delivery to other addresses in Athens costs a modest extra fee. You need the company’s written consent to take a car on a ferry. That is a useful reminder, because most Greek rental contracts include the same rule.
Rental Center Crete (Heraklion, Chania and resorts)
Rental Center Crete says it has been trading since 1975. It covers Heraklion and Chania airports, Heraklion port and resorts from Chania and Rethymno to Malia, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos. It advertises all-risk cover with no excess, unlimited mileage and 24/7 roadside assistance, plus 24-hour delivery and collection at Heraklion port. The minimum age is 21 with a licence held for at least a year. The website is inconsistent about deposits and extra drivers, so confirm both in writing when you book.
Rodos Cars (Rhodes)
Rodos Cars is based in Kolymbia on the east coast of Rhodes. It delivers to Rhodes airport, Rhodes port, the marina and hotels around the island. Its port page says a representative will meet you on arrival at no extra cost. The company says no credit card is required. Its insurance details are on a separate page, so read them before you pay.
Sunrise Car Rental (Corfu)
Sunrise has been renting cars in Corfu since 1980. Its head office is opposite Corfu Airport, and it has its own office at the Corfu cruise and domestic port. It advertises full insurance with zero excess, no deposit and payment on arrival, with pick-up and drop-off around Corfu Town, Gouvia and Kontokali.
Finding a good local firm elsewhere
On islands such as Naxos, Santorini, Mykonos, Kos and Zakynthos, most rental companies are small operators. To find a good one, check that the quote includes FDW with zero excess, a physical office or a confirmed meeting point, and an email confirmation of the full price.
Insurance explained: CDW, FDW and zero excess
Insurance is where Greek car rental prices really differ. The terms you will see:
- Third-party liability is required by law and always included.
- CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) limits your liability for damage to the car, but leaves an excess, typically several hundred to over €1,000.
- SCDW or FDW (Super or Full Damage Waiver) reduces the excess, often to zero.
- WUG or tyres-and-glass cover covers wheels, underside and glass, which are often excluded even under “full” insurance. On gravel roads to beaches, this matters.
Compare prices on a like-for-like basis: the zero-excess price, with tyres and glass included. A broker’s “full protection” policy means paying the rental company first and claiming the money back later.
Renting a car in Greece with a UK licence (and US licence rules)
UK drivers: GOV.UK says you can drive in Greece on a UK photocard licence. If you still have an old paper licence, you may need a 1968-convention International Driving Permit (IDP), or you can swap the licence for a photocard before you travel. Hire companies can set stricter rules, so check your rental terms.
US drivers: Since 2023, Greece has recognised US licences for short visits. However, the US Embassy still advises carrying an IDP, and many rental desks ask for one. Get an IDP from AAA before you leave, because it cannot be issued in Greece. It is only valid alongside your original licence.
Age and documents: The usual minimum age is 21, with a licence held for at least a year. Many firms charge a young-driver fee under 25 and may restrict larger cars. Some add a fee or set limits for drivers over 70 to 75. Bring your passport and, with most companies, a credit card in the main driver’s name.
Driving tips and taking a hire car on a ferry
- Greeks drive on the right. Typical speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on rural roads and 130 km/h on motorways, unless signs say otherwise.
- The drink-drive limit is lower than in England, and penalties are severe. Don’t drink at all if you’re driving.
- Mainland motorways have tolls, so keep some euros or a card handy.
- On islands, expect narrow village streets, goats, scooters overtaking on both sides and steep hairpins. A small car is easier to park and to fit past oncoming traffic.
- Fill up during the day. Rural petrol stations often close early, and some close on Sundays.
- Ferries: Most contracts forbid taking the car on a ferry without written permission, and insurance usually does not cover damage at sea. If you plan to island-hop, it is usually simpler to rent a separate car on each island.
Can you rent a car on a cruise port day in Greece?
Yes, at the right ports. With six to nine hours ashore, a hire car can get you to places that excursions rush through or skip, often for less than two excursion tickets. A few rules make it work:
- Book a firm that meets you at the ship or has a port office. Sunrise has an office at Corfu’s cruise port, Rodos Cars delivers to Rhodes port, and Rental Center Crete delivers to Heraklion port. Give them your ship name and the berth time, and ask what happens if the ship arrives late.
- Plan to be back at least an hour before all-aboard time. The ship will not wait for an independent trip, and returning the car takes time.
- Keep the driving short. A loop of 60 to 120 km is realistic. Leave time for parking and lunch.
- Agree on one fixed price with zero excess, so you can’t be caught out by a damage dispute minutes before sailing.
Which Greek cruise ports suit a hire car?
- Corfu: excellent. The cruise port is next to town, and Paleokastritsa, the Achilleion and the north-east coast are all within easy reach.
- Rhodes: very good. Lindos, Tsambika beach and the west-coast villages make a classic day loop.
- Heraklion (Crete): good. Knossos is close by, and quieter beaches and villages are within an hour.
- Chania (Crete): good. Ships normally use Souda Bay, a short drive from Chania’s old harbour and the Akrotiri beaches.
- Katakolon: workable. Ancient Olympia is about 35 km away, but local rental options at the port are limited, so book well ahead.
- Piraeus (Athens): not ideal. Athens traffic and parking make public transport or a taxi to the Acropolis easier. A car only makes sense for Cape Sounion.
- Santorini and Mykonos: poor. On Santorini you usually tender to the old port and take the cable car or the steps up to Fira, so collecting a car is awkward. Both islands are small and busy, so a taxi, bus or private driver is usually better.
If you’re weighing up itineraries, the 19-night Greek Islands cruise on Cunard’s Queen Anne calls at several Greek ports where a hire car works well. The comparison of Marella’s Western and Eastern Med routes shows which itineraries include the most Greek calls. For ports where a car is the wrong choice, see our guide to the worst cruise ports and how to make the most of them.
How much does car hire in Greece cost?
Prices depend heavily on the season. In spring and October, a small manual car can cost from around €20 to €35 a day with full insurance from a local firm. In July and August, the same car can cost two or three times as much, and automatics sell out early, especially on the islands. Book automatics months ahead for summer.
If you would rather book a tour than drive, our guide to the best Mediterranean cruise excursions compares transfer times and ticket rules.
FAQs
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Greece with a UK licence?
Not with a UK photocard licence, according to GOV.UK. You may need a 1968 IDP if you still have a paper licence, and some hire companies ask for one anyway, so check your rental terms.
Can I rent a car in Greece with a US licence?
Yes. Greece has recognised US licences for short stays since 2023, but the US Embassy recommends carrying an IDP and many rental desks ask for one. Get one from AAA before you travel.
Is it better to use a local car hire company in Greece?
Often, yes, for short island trips. Reputable local firms frequently include zero-excess insurance and deliver to the airport or port. Compare the fully insured price and recent reviews rather than the headline rate.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Greece?
Usually 21, with a licence held for at least one year. Drivers under 25 often pay a young-driver fee, and some firms limit larger cars.
Can I take a hire car on a Greek ferry?
Only with the rental company’s written permission, and damage at sea is usually not covered. Most travellers rent a separate car on each island.
