ath.flights Athens Airport

Car hire at Athens Airport

Athens Airport is the largest car-rental location in Greece, and the one where booking a car is least necessary for the city itself. If your trip is Athens and a ferry, skip the car. If it is the Peloponnese, the Attica coast down to Sounion, Delphi or a road trip north, pick it up here: the airport sits right on the Attiki Odos motorway and you never have to drive through the city.

The desks of the international companies are in the arrivals hall, with their cars in the car park across the road. Local and budget companies operate from lots in Spata and Artemida and run shuttle buses from a meeting point outside arrivals; they are usually cheaper, and the transfer adds 15–20 minutes.

Rental companies at Athens Airport

Desks are staffed around the clock for the big brands, which matters for the many long-haul and late-night arrivals. Off-airport companies keep set hours, so confirm the shuttle time for a flight landing after midnight.

  • Avis / Budget
  • Hertz / Thrifty
  • Sixt
  • Europcar
  • Enterprise / Alamo / National
  • Greek and budget companies in Spata and Artemida, with shuttle pick-up outside arrivals

Booking tips

  • Attiki Odos tolls (€2.80 per passage) are paid in cash or card at the booths; rental cars have no transponder unless you ask
  • Ask whether ferry transport of the car is allowed; most contracts forbid taking it to the islands
  • A credit card in the driver’s name is required for the deposit; debit cards are widely refused
  • Automatics are common here, unlike the islands, but still book ahead for July and August
  • Licences issued outside the EU/EEA need an international driving permit

Driving from the airport

Leaving the airport you join the Attiki Odos: westbound for Athens, the Kifissos junction (for Piraeus, the Peloponnese via the Athens–Corinth motorway, and the north) and Elefsina; the Ymittos ring for the southern suburbs and the coast. For Rafina, Sounion and the east coast, take the Markopoulo or Lavrio exits instead of the motorway. Driving into central Athens is slow and parking is nearly impossible; leave the car at a metro station car park on the outskirts if you must.

Greek motorways are tolled at booths every 30–40 km; keep coins or a card handy. Fuel is available at the airport exit and along the Attiki Odos service areas.

Frequently asked questions

Which car rental companies are at Athens Airport?

Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty, Sixt, Europcar, Enterprise, Alamo and National have desks in the arrivals hall, with the cars in the car park across the road. Many Greek companies in Spata and Artemida collect customers by shuttle.

Do I need a car in Athens?

For the city, no: the metro is faster and parking is nearly impossible in the centre. Rent a car for the Peloponnese, Delphi, Sounion or a road trip north, and pick it up at the airport so you can join the motorway without crossing the city.

See also

Prices and timetables are indicative and change seasonally. Confirm before you travel.