Enterprise

Car & Van Hire - Athens

Co-Authored by Federica Brunini

When you’re in Athens and plan on exploring beyond the city centre, renting a car is often the smart choice. For many drivers, the main benefit of a car rental in Athens is the flexibility. It can make it easier to visit family, head to the coast, plan a longer stay, or set off on a mainland road trip.

One thing to note is that rental cars driven by visitors are exempt from Athens' 'Daktylios' traffic restrictions for the first 40 days of the rental. However, you must always keep your rental contract in the vehicle, as traffic police may do spot checks and need this for proof.

With both airport and city rental locations, it can be easy to choose a pick-up point that fits your plans. To help with your planning, esteemed travel writer and author Federica Brunini shares her insights on travelling to Athens.

Enterprise car hire locations - Athens

Finding a car rental in Athens

There are several ways to rent a car or van in Athens. You can choose between airport pick-up, city-centre branches, and neighbourhood locations. This gives you more choice depending on when you actually need the car.

If you are spending time in central Athens first, collecting from a city branch can be more convenient than picking up at the airport upon arrival. Enterprise has locations at Athens International Airport, Athens City Centre, and Akropolis Station.

For most travellers, booking online is the simplest approach. It gives you more time to compare vehicles, check what is included, and see whether any offers are available.

A reservation isn’t always necessary, but the choice may be more limited during busier periods. That’s especially true if you need an automatic car, a family-sized or a larger vehicle.
 

What to consider when choosing a car rental in Athens

Before booking, think about what you need from your rental car. The preferred vehicle type and size, luggage space needs, and travel plans will all affect which option suits you best.

A smaller car is often a good fit for Athens, where tighter streets and parking can make compact models easier to manage. It is also often the more affordable option, so if you are comparing prices, smaller categories may be the better value.

“I would recommend a small car because the road conditions can be very difficult. They can be narrow, and they can be very steep, so I would suggest a very compact car.” - Federica Brunini

Larger vehicles often make more sense for families. They’re also a better choice for longer journeys or trips that call for extra comfort and luggage space. Renting a van in Athens may also suit drivers heading beyond the city or planning to carry more people or cargo. SUVs and people carriers are also an option.

“Consider travelling to Delphi from Athens for natural beauty as well, for the history and culture. This route gradually transitions from urban Athens to olive groves, mountain scenery, traditional villages, and dramatic views on Mount Parnassus.” - Federica Brunini

Most rentals in Athens require a payment card and a pre-authorised deposit, so it’s worth having these ready when you book.
 

Car rental prices in Athens

Car rental prices in Athens can vary depending on the season, pick-up location, vehicle type, and how early you book. Larger vehicles, automatic models, and premium categories usually cost more.

Booking early can also help if you want access to a wider choice of vehicles. There are also often seasonal deals or promotions available at different times of the year. If you need a vehicle for longer, a monthly car rental in Athens may be better than a standard short-term booking.
 

Greece, Athens. The Parthenon, Theater Of Herodes Atticus, The Odeon of Herodes Atticus and The Erechtheum.

Where to go in Athens

“The real surprise of Athens is the contemporary city itself. Beyond the Acropolis, neighbourhoods such as Plaka, Anafiotika, Psiri, Koukaki; they reveal a creative, vibrant side of modern Greece that many travellers miss.” - Federica Brunini

Athens draws visitors for all kinds of reasons, from sightseeing and shopping to business trips, concerts, family outings, and onward travel. If you are staying mainly in the historic centre, you may not need a vehicle straight away.

“Athens has always been considered ‘just a gate’ or ‘just a passage through to go to other islands’. But we are forgetting that Athens is an amazing city, and it has been changing so much in the last few years that you really need to stop in Athens and spend some days in Athens.
“It's not just a place where you land, or you disembark, but it's a place to stay. It's really a European capital to stay and to visit.” - Federica Brunini

However, once your plans start to go beyond the city, renting a car becomes a smart choice.

Within the city, areas such as Plaka, Monastiraki, and Koukaki remain popular throughout the year. They are famous for their historic streets, local food, and easy access to major landmarks.

Syntagma and Kolonaki are also great bases for shopping, dining, and a more central city stay. For those looking for a quieter day out, the serenity of the National Garden is close to the centre.

When you move beyond central Athens, having your own car opens up more of the wider region. The Athens Riviera offers an easy coastal route with stops around Faliro, Glyfada, and Vouliagmeni. Beyond that, Cape Sounion combines sea views with the Temple of Poseidon at the southern edge of Attica.

“I love going to the Piraeus, that's the main port in Athens, because it's like really living the Greek experience. If you don't go to the Piraeus once in your lifetime, and you don't embark, you can't tell that you've been to Greece.” - Federica Brunini

For a longer day trip, Delphi remains one of the most compelling routes from Athens. There you’ll find its renowned archaeological site, mountain vistas, and a fascinating look into ancient Greek history.

“Delphi is one of the most important sites in the ancient Greek world because of the Oracle of Delphi. So, if you are familiar with the mythology and history of Greece, you can easily relate to Delphi. It's like going into the past.
“It's a different perspective you can have on Greece. When someone travels to Greece, they always focus on the seaside, but there is mountain scenery and historical scenery that's quite compelling.” - Federica Brunini

There are other destinations further out from Athens, but still worth the drive.

“You can drive to Aegina; that's another historical place and landmark in the Greek culture. From there, you can take a boat to Moni; that's the smallest island in Greece, and you can stay overnight there.
“It's really small, but it's a real gem for nature. You can really meet animals on the beach, so it's really romantic and really surprising to be in Moni.” - Federica Brunini
 

When’s best to travel to Athens

Athens is enjoyable year-round, but your best time will depend on the type of trip you're planning.

Spring is a wise choice for sightseeing, with milder weather and fewer crowds. Autumn also suits many travellers, as it has warm days and an active city atmosphere. Summer brings longer days and larger crowds, while winter can be a good fit for a mellower city break.

“The best time to visit Athens is, I would say, May-June, and then again September, October, and November. It's cooler and less crowded. That means that you can easily move around the city, and even go to some islands that are very close to Athens. They are often underestimated, but they are very beautiful to visit.” - Federica Brunini
 

What to remember when travelling to Athens

As well as considering essential information such as that above, including what you’ll need to rent a car in Athens, there’s more to plan for when thinking about your trip.

1. Ongoing modernisation

Developments to infrastructure are to be expected in a city like Athens, but it’s still worth planning around them to prevent any unforeseen issues.

“In Athens, there are many ongoing expansions or modernisation of the infrastructure. You need to expect changing traffic patterns and allow for extra travel time.
“If you need to take a ferry, if you need to board a plane, you need to leave earlier than usual, and you need to have extra travel time ahead of you.” - Federica Brunini
 

2. Remember the Daktylios

Even native drivers need to remember Athens’ traffic restriction scheme of ‘Daktylios’. Remember to plan your trip around these plate requirements, especially if you’re driving in the inner city.

“Athens is known to strictly enforce the odd-even license plate rule that it's called ‘Daktylios’ in the city centre for most of the year. There are some numbers they can drive on certain days of the week, and other plates that can drive on other days.
“Of course the rental can help you, but it can be a stressful thing.” - Federica Brunini
 

3. Finding parking in Athens

Like many big cities, parking can be a challenging notion for those renting a car. There are spots that are more accommodating than others, but these can be far and few between.

“If you rent a car, then you have to be sure you can park it, and it is a big challenge. My advice: choose accommodation with dedicated parking whenever possible. Use public car parks rather than hunting endlessly for street spaces. Avoid bringing a vehicle into the historic core of Athens.” - Federica Brunini
 

4. Exploring the city at all times

Athens is a city that is beautiful during the day and comes alive at night, with many different areas to explore.

“I would recommend going to this new area called Kypseli, which is in the north of Athens, and follow the steps and the atmosphere around Fokionos Negri. Nowadays, it has been reconverted into a multicultural area with a lot of cafes, bookstores, record stores, you know, places where you can really encounter art and artists.
“And then, of course, Technopolis, that is the former gasworks area, that becomes very lively from the sunset onwards with live music, exhibitions, and ‘Athens after dark’ to be discovered. So, you can dance there, you can have parties there, you have a lot of locals and bars. It has become a very interesting and lively hub where people gather.” - Federica Brunini
 

5. Keeping aware of the heat

Even if you’re accustomed to warmer climates, the weather in Athens can be taxing during the day.

“Never underestimate Athens during summer, because shade can be limited, temperatures are often extreme, and walking long distances during the middle of the day can be exhausting.
“The best strategy is to visit archaeological sites early in the morning or late in the afternoon, even because the light in the afternoon is better. Of course, seeing the Acropolis at sunset is better than seeing it in the morning or under the sun of the midday.” - Federica Brunini
 

Car rentals with Enterprise

Enterprise offers a range of flexible options for car rentals in Athens, with airport and city locations, a wide choice of vehicles, and options for both short and longer stays.

Whether you need a compact car for a few days or a larger family vehicle for several months, booking ahead can make it easier to find the right fit for your plans.