Car hires in Athens: practical information
Where to rent a car in Athens
Athens is an ancient city that will never lose its charms. Built of stone, built to last. It is the birthplace of Western civilization and should be on everyone's travel bucket list. Have you booked your tickets from London to Athens yet? Well, get on it! Once you've done that, it's time to browse the car hire prices in Athens and search for a good deal. You won't need car rentals in Athens to get around the city, but they certainly come handy if you want to escape the chaos of the capital and explore the rest of Greece. At Athens International Airport there are five car hire companies located in the Arrivals terminal: Avis, Budget, Hertz, National and Sixt.
While the airport is the most idea place to rent a car in Athens, you can also pick one up in the city. There are a number of places along Leoforos Vasilissis Amalias including Avis, Ada Rent, Astra Tours, and more. These are all located near the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Parking in Athens: what you should know
Athens is notorious for having a poor road structure, mostly due to the fact that the city was laid out far before cars were even thought of. Add that to bad-tempered Greek drivers and you can spell catastrophe. Parking is rare and if you do find a spot, likely it is reserved for residents. Illegal parking is very popular in central Athens, but not recommended wit ha rental. There are colour-coded parking bays, Blue for residents only and White for visitors… you know which one to avoid and which one is okay.
You can buy parking time by mobile phone or from an attendant. You must pay for parking from 9:00am until 9:00pm, Monday to Friday as well as 9:00am until 4:00pm on Saturdays. Parking costs anywhere from €0.05/30 minutes to €6/3 hours. It is very rare for hotels in Athens to provide parking, unless you stay in a place far out of the city. There are less than a dozen in total with parking available.
Road trips from Athens: what to do, what to see
- A stone's throw away: If you're heading to a Greek island by boat, Piraeus will be your port. It is the harbour of Athens. There are some great street markets in this area as well as an impressive (albeit small) archaeological museum. This is where all the yachts moor and it's nice at sun down to watch the boats leave port for sea.
- A little further: From Piraeus you can sail to Hydra, Aegina, Poros, Spetses and Salamina for a day. They take around an hour to reach and can be easily explore for an afternoon or entire day-out. These are the closest islands to Athens.
- A proper day-trip: Want to take a road trip with your rent car in Athens? Head to the Corinth Channel or the ancient theatre in Epidaurus. Olympia and Delphi are also nearby.
For more things to do in Athens, check out Mini-guide: Athens.
