Car Rental Services

Day trips to Delphi or the Peloponnese are easiest with a car

Rental desks sit in the Main terminal arrivals hall at Athens International Airport (ATH), with big brands keeping cars in lots on the airport grounds and several low-cost outfits running 10–15 minute shuttles to off-airport yards. This setup works best if you’re planning a multi-day loop around mainland Greece and don’t want to be tied to bus timetables.

Most airport-based agencies run in sync with flight schedules, effectively 24/7, while some smaller Greek firms cap hours around 23:00, so check your exact company’s timetable if you land on a 02:30 arrival. Off-airport shuttles usually wait outside arrivals at set poles; in summer, expect queues and 15–30 minute waits on Saturdays when multiple Aegean and Ryanair flights land back-to-back.

Getting out of ATH means joining Attiki Odos (toll road 6) within a few minutes of leaving the terminal area, then driving 30–60+ minutes to central Athens depending on traffic around Kifisias and Katechaki. Tolls on Attiki Odos currently add roughly a few euros each way and are not included in most base rental quotes, so you either pay cash at booths or use a tag if your rental has one.

Prices vary a lot: a compact from an on-airport multinational can run €40–€70 per day in July, while local agencies via shuttle sometimes quote closer to €25–€40. One Reddit poster mentioned saving a noticeable chunk by taking a 10 minute shuttle to a local company instead of booking inside the terminal, trading a bit of hassle for lower rates.

Parking in central Athens is the real headache, not the airport drive: many visitors report circling densely packed streets around Syntagma and Monastiraki, then paying €10–€20 per night in a private garage. Regulars often keep the car for the Peloponnese, Delphi, or Meteora, then return it at ATH and switch to metro line 3 or a taxi for their final nights in the city.

How to rent a car at ATH: step by step

• 1. On arrival in Main terminal: After baggage claim on the arrivals level, walk to the car rental counters near doors 3–5; confirm your reservation, driver’s license, credit card, and any international permit if required.
• 2. Reach the car lot or shuttle: For on-airport brands, an agent directs you to the parking area within the airport complex; for off-airport firms, follow signs outside arrivals to their marked shuttle stop and expect a 10–15 minute ride.
• 3. Inspect and document the vehicle: Walk around the car, check for every scratch or scuff, compare it to the paper diagram, and take timestamped photos or a short video, including wheels, bumper corners, odometer, and fuel gauge.
• 4. Plan your route and tolls: Set your GPS for Attiki Odos (A6) or your first overnight stop, note toll locations, and ask the agent if your contract uses a transponder or requires cash at each booth.
• 5. Avoid central Athens driving when possible: If you’re staying near Syntagma, consider parking at a metro-accessible suburb or returning the car before moving to a city hotel, then using metro, tram, or taxis for inner-city trips.
• 6. Time your return: On the last day, aim to reach the airport 30–60 minutes earlier than normal to allow for unclear rental-return signs and possible extra loops around the access roads before you find your specific company’s lane.
• 7. Close out the contract: At the return lot, take final photos, confirm the fuel level matches your agreement, get a printed check-in slip if offered, and keep it until your credit card statement posts.

Practical tip: Before booking, check one-way drop fees between ATH and cities like Thessaloniki or Patras—these surcharges often add €100+ and can flip the math in favor of buses or trains for part of your route.