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Car Rental Athens (airport) - Rent From Locals

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How you pick up your car

Athens airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) is at Spata, 33 km east of Syntagma Square. The usual way into town is the Attiki Odos motorway and the Imittos ring road: about 35 minutes in free-flowing traffic, longer at rush hour. The toll is €2.55 for a car at the time of writing. You pay it once, when you join the motorway, however far you drive.

The supplier meets you on arrival, sends you directions to their office, or sends a shuttle to take you there, and confirms which after booking. Add your flight number when you book so the supplier can follow any delay.

Since July 2025 the short-term car park (Short Term 1) has been inside the long-term car park, near the pedestrian bridge to the terminal. The first 30 minutes are free, for up to two entries a day; from the third entry the normal tariff applies, and up to an hour costs €6. You pay at the machines by the bridge escalators or by card at the exit, so if the supplier meets you there, agree beforehand which of you pays.

From the airport, Piraeus is 48 km away, about 45 minutes via Attiki Odos.

Distances from the airport

  • Rafina port16 km, 25-35 min
  • Glyfada25 km, 35-45 min
  • Athens centre (Syntagma)33 km, 35-45 min
  • Lavrio port37 km, 40-55 min
  • Cape Sounion46 km, 55-75 min
  • Piraeus port50 km, 45-65 min
  • Corinth Canal109 km, 1.5-2 h
  • Nafplio170 km, 2.5-3 h
  • Delphi195 km, 3-4 h

By road, without stops. Allow more time in summer.

Practical tips

  • At the kerb: the Arrivals and Departures kerbs are behind barriers. A car gets 10 minutes free, twice a day, then 5 euros up to 20 minutes and 1 euro a minute after that, so be ready at the door before the supplier drives in.
  • Fuel before you return: two Shell stations in the airport's commercial area, on the approach road about 2 km before the terminal, are listed by Shell as open 24 hours.
  • Late flights: the airport is open around the clock, so a very early or very late hand-over is possible if the supplier agrees.

Driving rules in Greece

  • Speed limits: in towns the limit has been 30 km/h since 1 January 2026, and 50 km/h on roads with two or more lanes in each direction, on one-way roads with two or more lanes and on roads with a central divider. Outside towns it is 90 km/h, 110 km/h on expressways and 130 km/h on motorways. Signs can set other limits.
  • Alcohol: the limit is 0.5 g/l. It is 0.2 g/l for new drivers, and for motorcycle and moped riders.
  • Phones: hands-free only. Since the new traffic code of 2025, a first offence costs €350 and a 30-day licence suspension.
  • Helmets: compulsory on mopeds, motorcycles and quads, for the rider and the passenger.
  • In the car: a warning triangle, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher are compulsory. Check they're in the boot at pick-up.
  • Emergencies: call 112.

Places to visit by car

Distances from Athens.

  • Athenian Riviera

    Athenian Riviera

    Glyfada is 14 km down the coast (about 20 minutes) and Lake Vouliagmeni 20 km (about 30 minutes). Swimming in the lake is paid: €17 on weekdays and €19 at weekends in 2025.
  • Cape Sounion

    Cape Sounion

    the Temple of Poseidon is 64-67 km away. The coast road through Vouliagmeni, Varkiza and Anavyssos has no toll and takes about 1½ hours. The inland route via Attiki Odos and Markopoulo takes about 1¼ hours, with the Attiki Odos toll. Lavrio, on the way back up the east coast, has the ferries to Kea and Kythnos.
  • Marathon and Schinias

    Marathon and Schinias

    the burial mound of the Athenians at Marathon is 38 km, about 55 minutes. Schinias, a long beach backed by pine forest in a national park, is 44 km, about an hour. From Rafina port it's 20 km.
  • Corinth Canal

    Corinth Canal

    78 km, about 1¼ hours on the Olympia Odos motorway, with tolls at Elefsina and the Isthmus.
  • Mycenae

    Mycenae

    122 km, about 1¾ hours, via Corinth and the Moreas motorway.
  • Nafplio

    Nafplio

    141 km, about 2¼ hours. Mycenae (25 km) and Epidaurus (27 km) are both within 40 minutes of it, so a night in Nafplio covers all three.
  • Epidaurus

    Epidaurus

    137 km, about 2½ hours by the direct road through Sofiko. From late June to August the ancient theatre hosts festival performances on Friday and Saturday evenings: plan for the drive back in the dark, or stay in Nafplio.
  • Delphi

    Delphi

    177 km, 2½-3 hours, by the A1 motorway to Thiva, then through Livadeia and the mountain road past Arachova. A night in Delphi or Arachova makes it easier.

Questions and answers

Is Athens airport open all night?

Yes, it runs 24 hours a day. Agree very early or very late hand-overs with the supplier when you book.

How long can the supplier wait for me at the Arrivals kerb?

10 minutes free, up to twice a day. Then it costs 5 euros up to 20 minutes and 1 euro a minute after that, and cars left for over an hour can be towed.

Where is the nearest petrol station when I return the car?

Two Shell stations in the airport's commercial area, on the approach road about 2 km before the terminal, both open 24 hours according to Shell.

How far are Piraeus and Rafina from the airport?

Rafina is 16 km away, 25 to 35 minutes, and Piraeus 50 km, 45 to 65 minutes, longer at rush hour. For Andros, Tinos and Mykonos, Rafina is often the easier port.

Driving and parking in the city: Car Rental in Athens