Cheap car hire in Athens, United States

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Choose from 13 pick-up spots

When's the cheapest time to hire a car in Athens?

Our data shows that August is the cheapest month to rent a car in Athens. It’s around 35 € per day in August, compared to the yearly average of 35 € per day.
Cheapest month avgAugust • 35 €
Yearly avg price35 €

Select your Athens pick-up location

There are 13 car hire providers in Athens. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

Driving in Athens: What to expect on the road

Documents you'll need
Bring your licence, passport and credit card.
To rent a car in Athens, you’ll need a full driving licence, passport and credit card. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended if your licence is not in English or issued outside the EU.
Navigating city driving
Expect congestion and confusing junctions.
Driving in Athens involves heavy traffic, lane-weaving scooters and mixed signage. Use a sat nav to avoid bus-only routes and to stay out of the central restriction zones.
Tolls, emissions zones and charges
Athens has traffic restrictions and toll roads.
Some central roads in Athens are restricted during peak hours based on number plates. Toll roads in Athens and beyond use cash or card at booths — check your hire car’s access in advance.
Parking your car in Athens
Parking is scarce in the city centre.
Street parking in Athens is limited and often requires a local app or ticket from kiosks. Use hotel garages or public car parks when possible — avoid tight backstreets where turning is difficult.
Finding fuel or charging points
Fuel is available — EV charging is limited.
Petrol stations are common in Athens. EV charging stations in Athens are still growing — use Electromaps or Blink to locate one near your accommodation or planned route.
Local driving style and tips
Driving is busy but manageable with care.
Local driving rules in Athens are generally followed, though the city has a fast pace and lots of scooters. Stay alert in traffic, give way when unsure, and plan ahead to avoid peak hours.
Find Athens car hire deals

The most popular car rental companies in Athens

What's the most popular car to hire in Athens?

Based on recent Skyscanner data, the Ford Explorer is the most popular car to hire in Athens, with prices starting from €38 per day. The Chrysler Pacifica and similar models are also popular drives in Athens.
Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer17% chose this
Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler Pacifica10% chose this
Mazda CX-50
Mazda CX-5010% chose this
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Sienna10% chose this
Most popular carFord Explorer
Why?Spacious, practical, good for families

Athens's cheapest car hire providers

Turo has the cheapest car hire in Athens right now, with prices from €38 per day. You'll save an average of €38 per day when you book with them.
Turofrom €38 per day
Budgetfrom €46 per day
Green Motionfrom €62 per day
Hertzfrom €120 per day
Cheapest providerTuro
Book with them to save around€38 per day

Hiring a car in Athens: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyBudget
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily price68 €
Best time to book4 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Athens

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Athens car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Athens

  • Travel at your own pace with a cheap rental car in Athens. With prices averaging 68 € a day, you get freedom without the high price tag. From fuel-savers to people movers, we'll help you pick the right wheels at a price that works.

  • 38 € is the cheapest daily price listed for a rental in Athens.

  • Staying a while and want to explore beyond the usual highlights? 263 € is the best rate for a weekly rental.

  • To land the best price on a Athens car hire, it's smart to book in advance. Rates tend to climb as your travel dates get closer, and leaving it too late could mean missing out.

  • Budget, Avis and Dollar are some of the most popular providers in the city. They're a great starting point for comparing offers.

  • The coverage Budget or another supplier includes with your Athens car hire can vary, so always go over the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra charge.

  • Choosing a one-way car hire can be your secret weapon for cheaper deals. Simply click 'Return car to a different location.' Providers often need to move vehicles between branches, which means you can score some awesome one-way prices on a car for rent in Athens.

  • Avoid any surprise charges by choosing a ride with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start your journey with a full tank and return it the same, and pay only for what you use.

  • Hit the road without tracking every mile and racking up additional charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and pick 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you roam without limits.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll find the best value with this company, with average prices at 80 € a day.

  • Next up is this provider, offering daily rates of around 124 €.

  • The third option won't cost a fortune either. You'll pay roughly 133 € a day with this supplier.

  • The Economy rental category is a reliable choice if you're not quite sure which wheels are right for you. It's also the vehicle type that's booked the most in Athens.

Compare car hire types in Athens

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Athens may be small in size, but they're big on practicality. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to manoeuvre, great on mileage, and a match made in heaven for city driving.

  • Medium: A top choice when you want something that's easy to drive but with some added perks. This category covers compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra room compared to smaller options.

  • Large: Long drives are effortless in this Athens car hire category. Also known as full-size, they're built with bigger engines for better driving. The extra legroom and comfort make them an excellent choice for groups of friends and families.

  • SUV: SUVs are your four-wheel fix for wanderlust. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for urban streets and country routes alike.

  • Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Athens big enough for a small crowd (and their suitcases), a van has space to spare. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're just the thing for group trips, moving or business use.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Adding excess insurance to your Athens car hire gives you peace of mind. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of theft or an accident. Insurance policies can vary between rental providers, so compare before you book.

  • Level up your ride with extras like a reverse camera and GPS unit. They can make your trip easier and more enjoyable when you rent a car in Athens.

Good to know

  • The minimum age to rent a vehicle in the United States is generally 21 years old. However individual providers may do things differently, so always go over your rental company's terms to be sure you satisfy the requirements.

  • If you're bringing the kids along, check if you should add a car seat to your Athens car hire booking. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to travel.

  • Bring the right documents to avoid delays at pick-up. You'll typically need your physical driver's licence (no copies) and a second photo ID. Also bring along a credit card with room for the security hold. If anything else is expected, it'll be listed in your booking.

  • Get familiar with your rental. Check your seat and mirrors, test the lights and blinkers, and get comfortable with its handling before you set off. And remember to stick to the right side of the road in the United States.

  • Local speed limits are usually about 40kph in urban areas and around 110kph on highways. Road signs will indicate if the limit is different.

  • A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08% applies in the United States. The safest way to stay legal to drive is to avoid drinking altogether.

  • One of the busiest times to be out on the roads in this destination is around 5pm. Make life easier by steering clear of rush hours in general.

  • You'll be using the United States dollar (USD) here. Along with your credit and debit cards, consider having some cash handy for minor purchases.

Best hotels in Athens for drivers

  • Pull in and get ready to relax at The Bell Athens By Kasa Living. Offering parking as well as express check-in and a lobby bar, this hotel is around 0.32 kilometres from central Athens.

  • Fairfield Inn & Suites Athens-University Area keeps guests happy with parking and features like express check-in and Wi-Fi. It's roughly 3 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse the full range of hotels in Athens for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to find the right fit. You can also apply the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to bring up places with on-site charging.

  • You're ready to start exploring now you've locked in a car hire deal in Athens and your hotel. From The State Botanical Garden of Georgia to The Georgia Theatre and North Oconee River Greenway and Heritage Trail, there's loads to keep you busy here.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Athens

  • Buckle up and make tracks to Atlanta. Around 97 kilometres west of central Athens, it's home to must-sees like Georgia Aquarium and Birth Home of Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • Hilton Atlanta and Atlanta Marriott Marquis are popular accommodation options with parking in Atlanta.

  • Add Sandy Springs to your journey too. Pick up your cheap car hire in Athens and drive around 88 kilometres west to discover hot spots like Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Big Trees Forest Preserve.

  • Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta-Buckhead and Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead are comfy places to stay in Sandy Springs if you're planning to stick around. Choose one of these and take the hassle out of finding a spot for your ride.

  • Want to stretch this drive a little longer? Knoxville is a popular road trip destination that's about 225 kilometres north of Athens. Make a few pit stops at Ijams Nature Centre and McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture.

  • Drift off to sleep in Knoxville at either Marriott Knoxville Downtown or Hilton Knoxville. They have a room waiting for you and space for your wheels too.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Athens will set you back around 68 € per day or 351 € per week. 

The cheapest car to rent in Athens is a mini passenger van. The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.

The cheapest car hire companies in Athens are currently Green Motion and Turo.

Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Athens is currently August.

On average, around 351 €. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Athens is 263 €.

Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Athens for a whole month is 1.036 €. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!

If you're looking for freedom to explore Athens, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Athens that have free cancellation

Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.

Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Athens.

Most places – Athens included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 

The cheapest price we found for an economy car is 65 € per day. The average price per day is around 68 €.

Of course. Most major car hire companies like Budget, Turo and Green Motion offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.

Other travellers rated Budget as the best overall in terms of experience.

We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Athens.