Car Rental in Greece: IDP, Islands, Ferries and What to Know
Renting a car in Greece? Here's what to know: IDP requirement for non-EU drivers, minimum age 21, Attiki Odos toll, island dirt tracks that void insurance, and which ferry companies allow rental cars.
Greece is one of the most rewarding countries in Europe to drive. The mainland has good motorways, the islands have roads that go places no bus reaches, and the landscapes — mountain gorges, coastal cliffs, olive groves — reward slower travel. But Greece has specific rules around licences, dirt tracks, and island logistics that catch visitors off guard. Here’s what you need before you pick up.
Minimum age to rent a car in Greece
The standard minimum age in Greece is 21 at most companies. Some accept younger drivers with surcharges.
| Age | Situation |
|---|---|
| 18–20 | Accepted at select companies with significant surcharge (€20–35/day) |
| 21–24 | Young driver surcharge at most companies (€10–20/day) |
| 25+ | Standard rate |
If travelling under 21, check availability before booking — category options are limited.
IDP requirement
Non-EU licence holders must carry an IDP. This includes US, Canadian, Australian, and all other non-EU drivers. An International Driving Permit must be carried alongside your national licence at all times.
EU licence holders do not need an IDP.
Greek traffic police enforce this. Driving without an IDP as a non-EU national is a fineable offence.
Right-hand traffic
Greece drives on the right. Steering wheel on the left. Same as most of continental Europe — relevant only for visitors from the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, or other left-hand traffic countries.
Attiki Odos and toll roads on the mainland
Attiki Odos (E94) is the main ring road around Athens and connects the airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) to the city. It’s fully tolled — approximately €3.80 from the airport to the city, payable by cash or card at the booths.
The Egnatia Odos (E90) crosses northern Greece from the Albanian border to Turkey — one of the longest motorways in Europe. Large sections are now free; some tunnels remain tolled. The Egnatia is the primary route for anyone driving across northern Greece.
Other main motorways (A1 Athens–Thessaloniki, A2 Egnatia, A7 Peloponnese) are tolled at intervals. Cash and card accepted at all booths.
Island dirt tracks: the insurance trap
This is the most common and expensive mistake in Greek island rental. Standard CDW insurance from rental companies — including the excess waiver — explicitly excludes damage caused on unpaved roads.
Many roads on Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Kefalonia and other islands are unpaved tracks leading to remote beaches. Driving a standard rental car on these tracks voids your CDW, meaning you pay for any damage out of pocket regardless of what insurance you have.
Solutions:
- Rent a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle if you plan off-road access
- Check that your rental contract explicitly covers unpaved roads (few standard contracts do)
- Use a third-party product like iCarhireinsurance — but read the unpaved road clause carefully
Ferry travel with rental cars
Most Greek ferry companies allow rental cars on board. This is unlike some other countries — and it’s one of the great advantages of renting in Greece, because the same car can go from Athens to Crete to Rhodes across ferry routes.
Requirements:
- Confirm with the rental company at booking that island-to-island and mainland-to-island ferry travel is permitted under the contract
- Some companies restrict which islands they allow travel to — check explicitly
- Present the rental contract at the ferry terminal check-in
Popular mainland-to-island routes: Piraeus (Athens port) to Heraklion (Crete, 8-9h overnight), Piraeus to Mykonos (5h fast ferry), Piraeus to Rhodes (overnight).
Average car rental prices in Greece (2026)
Greece has high seasonal variation. Summer (July–August) demand on islands drives prices significantly above mainland levels.
| Category | Low season | High season |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | €18–28/day | €40–65/day |
| Compact | €24–38/day | €50–80/day |
| Midsize SUV / 4x4 | €45–70/day | €80–130/day |
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Practical tips
Airport pickups. Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) is the main hub. Heraklion (HER) and Chania (CHQ) on Crete are the busiest island airports. Rhodes (RHO), Corfu (CFU), Mykonos (JMK) and Santorini (JTR) have rental desks but limited inventory in peak season — book early.
Fuel. Greece has good fuel availability on the mainland and on major islands. Remote island areas and mountain villages can have limited hours — fill up when passing through a town.
Parking in Athens. Don’t attempt to drive into central Athens for sightseeing. Use metro from airport or park at edge-of-city facilities. Traffic and parking in Syntagma or Plaka are genuinely difficult.
Speed limits. Urban: 50 km/h. Secondary roads: 90 km/h. Motorways: 130 km/h. Speed cameras are present but less dense than in France or Spain.
Blood alcohol limit: 0.5 g/L (0.2 g/L for drivers under 2 years’ experience).
Greece rewards car travellers who do their research on insurance and ferry logistics. Sort those two things, and the road network — mainland and islands — is excellent.
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