Car Rental at Athens Airport

You can pick up a hire car the moment you land at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), and the same rules apply as everywhere in Greece: a full licence held for a year, a credit card in the driver's name and a minimum age of 21. Athens has a fast metro and a walkable centre, so you rarely need a car inside the city itself. A car earns its place on the day trips out of town. This guide covers pickup, whether you need a car and where a car takes you.

The motorway out of Athens toward Cape Sounion — A hire car from Athens reaches the mainland sights the trains and buses miss.

Airport: Athens (ATH)
Car in the city?: Not needed
Best for: Day trips
Drive on the: Right

Do you need a car in Athens?

You do not need a car for Athens itself. Athens has a fast metro and a walkable centre, so you rarely need a car inside the city itself. What a car buys you is the day trips: the temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, the ancient sanctuary of Delphi, and the towns and beaches of the Peloponnese. Hiring at the airport lets you drive straight out without returning to the city first.

If you are staying in town before heading off, our Athens hotels guide helps you choose where to base yourself.

Where to pick up a car in Athens

You can collect a car at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), where the rental desks sit close to arrivals, and at offices in the city centre. Book ahead for the summer, when demand from both tourists and locals is high, and check the excess and insurance before you pay.

Our car hire requirements guide sets out the documents, deposit and insurance in full, and the same terms apply at the airport counters.

Driving from Athens

Greece drives on the right, and the roads out of Athens are modern and well signed. Driving into central Athens is busy and parking is tight, so many visitors keep the car at the airport or a car park and use it only for trips out of town. The motorways towards Corinth and Sounion are well surfaced and carry tolls.

For the rules, road signs, tolls, fuel and parking across the country, see our driving in Greece guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a car in Athens?

Not for the city itself, which is walkable and well served by public transport. A hire car is worth it for day trips such as the temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, the ancient sanctuary of Delphi, and the towns and beaches of the Peloponnese.

Where do you pick up a hire car at Athens airport?

At the rental desks near arrivals at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), and at offices in the city centre. Book ahead for the summer.

What do you need to rent a car in Athens?

A full driving licence held for at least a year, a credit card in the main driver's name and a passport or ID. The minimum age is 21, with a surcharge for younger drivers.

Which side of the road does Greece drive on?

Greece drives on the right, so you overtake on the left.