Rental Car and Greek Islands: Which Ferries Allow It and Which Don't
Sailing the Greek islands with a rental car? Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways carry cars — but you need car deck booking, company permission, and a plan for islands where a car is impractical anyway.
Greece has over 200 inhabited islands served by ferries, and the main routes from Piraeus carry vehicles as a matter of course. Taking a rental car to the Greek islands is possible — but it requires planning, a car deck reservation, and confirmation from your rental company that the crossing is authorised.
Piraeus: the main hub
Most long-distance ferry routes to the Greek islands depart from Piraeus, the port of Athens. From Piraeus you can reach:
- Cyclades: Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Milos, Syros
- Dodecanese: Rhodes, Kos, Patmos, Leros
- Crete: Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno
- Ionian Islands: Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos (via Patras)
- Northeastern Aegean: Lesbos, Chios, Samos
Other ports — Rafina (northeast of Athens), Lavrio (south), Patras (western Greece) — also serve specific island groups.
Which ferry companies carry cars
Three main operators handle most of the Cyclades and Crete routes:
Blue Star Ferries — the largest car-carrying fleet in Greece. Serves Cyclades and Dodecanese from Piraeus. Large vessels with dedicated car decks. Car booking mandatory in advance.
Hellenic Seaways — serves Cyclades, Sporades (Skiathos, Skopelos), and some shorter routes. Mix of car ferries and high-speed catamarans (catamarans do not carry cars).
Minoan Lines — overnight routes between Piraeus and Heraklion (Crete). Large vessels, car deck standard.
ANEK Lines — Crete routes and Adriatic crossings. Car deck on all Crete departures.
Important: high-speed catamarans (Flying Dolphin, SeaJets Express) carry passengers only. No cars. Check vessel type when booking.
Booking a car deck space
A car space is a separate booking from your passenger ticket. Steps:
- Book your passenger tickets on the ferry company’s website
- Add a vehicle during the same booking (you’ll need the vehicle’s length)
- Arrive at port at least 45–60 minutes before departure for vehicle check-in
- Join the vehicle lane (separate from foot passengers)
Car deck spaces sell out faster than passenger cabins in summer. For July–August sailings to Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, book 4–6 weeks ahead.
Getting authorisation from your rental company
Greek rental companies vary on inter-island ferry policy:
- Local/independent agencies (common on islands like Crete, Corfu, Rhodes): usually no restrictions on ferry crossings between Greek islands
- International chains (Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, Avis in Greece): require advance written authorisation; some restrict crossings to certain islands
Ask at pickup (or before booking): “Can I take this car on a Blue Star ferry to [destination]?” Get the answer in writing on the contract.
If you’re renting on the mainland (Athens, Thessaloniki) and planning to island-hop, ask the rental company specifically which islands are permitted. Rhodes and Crete are generally allowed; some companies restrict Cyclades crossings.
Islands where a car is impractical
Santorini: The caldera rim road is narrow, parking in Fira is a nightmare in summer, and Oia gridlock makes driving more stressful than walking. A car is useful for reaching Akrotiri and Perissa on the south end — but the island is small enough that a quad/ATV or taxi covers most needs. Taking a car to Santorini by ferry adds cost and stress with limited benefit.
Mykonos: Extremely small island, one main road system, chaos in summer. Taxis and local buses cover all beaches. A rental car adds a parking problem without solving a transport problem. Most Cyclades rental companies will not authorise the crossing anyway.
Naxos, Paros, Milos: Larger islands where a car genuinely helps. Car ferries serve these routes regularly. Worth taking if you want to reach remote beaches or villages.
Rhodes, Kos, Crete: Large islands with proper road networks where a car adds real value. Rental cars are commonly taken to these destinations and most companies authorise the crossing.
Approximate costs (Piraeus departures, 2026)
Car deck pricing varies by vehicle length and season:
| Route | Car (up to 4m) | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Piraeus → Heraklion (Crete) | €50–90 | Overnight ~8h |
| Piraeus → Rhodes | €80–130 | Overnight ~14h |
| Piraeus → Santorini | €60–100 | Day crossing ~5–8h |
| Piraeus → Naxos | €50–80 | Day crossing ~5h |
Add passenger cabin or seat tickets on top. Overnight routes with a cabin save on accommodation costs.
Practical tips
Arrive early. Vehicles load before foot passengers. If you miss the vehicle check-in window (usually 45–60 min before departure), you may lose your car deck space even with a reservation.
Fuel up before the port. Fuel stations near Piraeus are not in convenient locations. Fill up on your way in.
Lock the car, take valuables. Car decks on Greek ferries are not staffed throughout the crossing. Leave nothing visible.
Vehicle measurement. Ferries charge by length bracket (under 4m, 4–5m, over 5m). Know your rental car’s length before booking — a compact is fine; a large SUV may fall into a higher bracket.
Planning a Greek island road trip? Compare rental prices across Athens, Crete, and the islands.
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