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Car Rental in Athens

Verified local owners. No credit card. Low or zero deposit. Free cancellation.

✓ No credit card ✓ Low or zero deposit ✓ Full insurance available ✓ Free cancellation

Rent a Car in Athens

From compact city cars to family SUVs — find the right vehicle for exploring Athens at your own pace.

Economy & Compact Cars

Small, fuel-efficient cars perfect for navigating Athens and reaching its beaches. Great for solo travellers and couples. No credit card required, low deposit. From €15/day.

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Standard & Family Cars

More comfort and boot space for families or groups planning longer trips around Athens. Verified local owners, transparent pricing, full insurance available.

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All Vehicles in Athens

Browse the full range of vehicles available from local Athens owners — economy, standard, automatic and diesel. Filter by pick-up location, dates and vehicle type to find the best match for your trip.

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Pick-up Locations in Athens

Choose your pick-up point, compare local providers, and book in a few clicks — no credit card required, low or zero deposit.

Athens Airport (ATH)

Athens Airport (ATH)

Eleftherios Venizelos Athens International Airport (ATH) sits about 35 km east of the city centre — typical drive time 35–50 minutes via the Attiki Odos motorway. Picking up your car directly at the airport saves the €40+ taxi fare and avoids waiting for transfers. Local owners on Rent From Locals usually meet you in the arrivals hall and walk you to the parking area — share your flight number when booking so they can track delays. From ATH you can drive straight to central Athens, the Athens Riviera (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni), or head south to Lavrio port for ferries to Kea, Kythnos and the Cyclades.

Athens City Centre

Athens City Centre

Pick up your car in the heart of Athens if you're already based around Syntagma, Plaka, Monastiraki or Kolonaki. This is the easiest option if you arrived by train, taxi or spent a few days exploring on foot before renting. From the centre you reach the Acropolis in 5 minutes, Piraeus Port in 20–30 minutes (about 12 km), Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in 30–40 minutes, and Cape Sounion in roughly 75 minutes. Central Athens has paid blue-zone street parking and limited free spaces — most local owners will deliver the car to your hotel or to an agreed nearby meeting point at no extra cost.

Piraeus Port

Piraeus Port

Piraeus is Greece's largest port and the main hub for ferries to the Saronic islands (Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses), the Cyclades (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos) and Crete. If you're arriving by ferry, picking up your car right at the port gives you immediate mobility — no need for a taxi into the city. Piraeus is about 12 km from central Athens (20–30 minutes by car) and roughly 50 km / 50 minutes from the airport. Local providers usually meet you near gate E1 or E2; mention your gate number when booking so they can position the car nearby.

Rafina Port

Rafina Port

Rafina is Athens' second-largest port, 30 km north-east of the centre and just 10 minutes from the airport. It's the main departure point for ferries to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos and other Cycladic destinations, especially in summer — and it's often cheaper and less crowded than Piraeus. Picking up a car here makes sense if you've just landed and want to drive straight to your accommodation in north-eastern Attica, or if you're returning from an island and need a car to drive into Athens. From Rafina the airport is 10 km (15 minutes), central Athens is 30 km (40–50 minutes), and the Marathon beaches are just 15 minutes away.

Popular vehicles in Athens

Book in a few clicks. Most vehicles include full insurance, low or zero deposit, and no credit card required.

Fiat Panda
€15 / day
I
ioannist

Peugeot 208 Diesel

€15 / day
I
ioannist

Fiat Panda
€20 / day
asterioso

Toyota Aygo

€20 / day
giannist1

Renault Clio

€20 / day
I
ioannist

Fiat Panda.
€20 / day
asterioso

Kia Picanto

€20 / day
I
ioannist

Nissan Micra New
€21 / day
asterioso

Toyota Yaris
€21 / day
asterioso

Top Providers in Athens

Verified local businesses with the best ratings — book direct, save more.

salonikir
G4.5★★★★½(8)
19 rentals
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asterioso
G4.6★★★★½(119)
14 rentals
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P
panagiotisa
5 rentals
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I
ioannist
5 rentals
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odysseyscarr
G4.4★★★★½(76)
5 rentals
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at1
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iliasz
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M
mochamenta
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andronikosd
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What customers say

Real reviews from real renters across Greece.

★★★★★

Smooth pickup at the airport and the car was spotless. Owner waited for us even though our flight was late — no extra fee.

— Marco V.

★★★★★

Half the price of the big rental brands. No credit card needed, just a deposit in cash. Will book again.

— Sophie L.

★★★★★

Local owner met us at the port, gave us a few tips on where to eat. The car was a small Fiat — perfect for the island roads.

— Lukas H.

★★★★☆

Booking was easy and clear. The car was older than I expected but everything worked and the price was fair.

— Elena P.

★★★★★

Better than any agency. The owner was friendly, the car was reliable, and we paid less than half what the big brands wanted.

— James W.

Renting a car in Athens

Best time to rent a car in Athens

Athens is a year-round destination but peak rental season runs from June through September, when prices for popular cars can be 30–50% higher than in winter. If you're flexible, May and October offer warm weather, lighter traffic on the motorways, and noticeably cheaper rates.

Book 2–3 weeks ahead for July and August — the most affordable economy and compact cars get reserved fast, and last-minute availability often skews to larger, more expensive vehicles. Outside summer you can usually book just a few days ahead.

Parking in Athens

Central Athens uses a paid blue-zone parking system on most streets (around €1–€2 per hour with 1–3 hour limits). White zones are residents-only. The easiest option for visitors is one of the public garages near Syntagma, Plaka or the Acropolis (€10–€15 per day). Many hotels offer paid valet parking (€20–€30 per night).

If you're staying in Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni or other coastal suburbs, street parking is usually free and easy. When you rent from a local owner, ask for their tips on the nearest free or cheap parking — they often know spots that online maps don't list.

Driving in Athens

Greeks drive on the right, and an EU or international driving permit is accepted. Traffic in central Athens can be heavy between 8–10am and 5–8pm; the Attiki Odos ring road is the fastest way around the city (toll: about €2.80 each direction).

Watch for two-wheelers filtering between lanes and assume pedestrians may cross unexpectedly in the historic centre. Outside Athens, the national motorways (A1 north to Thessaloniki, A8 west to the Peloponnese) are well-maintained and toll-based. Petrol stations are everywhere in the city; fill up before long mountainous stretches outside.

What's included with your rental

All cars on Rent From Locals come with standard third-party insurance, road tax, and the agreed daily mileage. Most local owners offer full insurance with €0 excess as a small optional add-on (typically €5–€10 per day).

Unlike the big rental brands, you don't need a credit card — a debit card or cash deposit of €100–€300 is the usual requirement. Pick-up and drop-off at the airport, port or your hotel is normally free; some owners charge a small fee for late-night arrivals after 22:00.

Day trips from Athens by car

With a car you can easily reach destinations that are awkward by public transport. Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon are 70 km south (1h15 drive). Delphi sits 180 km north-west (2h30) — a great full-day trip. The beaches of the Athens Riviera (Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Lake Vouliagmeni) are 15–25 km from the centre.

For a longer weekend, head to the Peloponnese: Nafplio is 140 km away (1h45), and the ancient sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus are nearby. Mount Parnitha National Park is 35 km north for hiking and cooler air in summer.

FAQ

Do I need a credit card to rent in Athens?
No. Most local owners accept a debit card or cash deposit. The amount and method are clearly listed on each vehicle page before you book.
What's included in the price?
Standard insurance, road tax, and the agreed mileage allowance are always included. Some owners also include extras like child seats, additional drivers, or airport pick-up — check each listing.
Is there a deposit?
Many owners offer zero deposit; others ask for a small refundable amount (typically €100–€300). You'll see the exact figure on the listing before you confirm.
Can I cancel if my plans change?
Yes. Free cancellation is the default. Specific cancellation windows depend on the owner — usually up to 24–48 hours before pick-up.
Where can I pick up the car?
Athens airport, the city centre, the port, or your hotel — depending on the owner. Delivery is often free; sometimes a small fee applies for late-night or out-of-area drop-off.
Are the cars insured?
Yes. Every vehicle on Rent From Locals carries valid insurance with third-party cover and damage protection. You can buy extra cover at the desk if you want full peace of mind.