Summary
For a car rental in Greece, start with where you land: Athens for the mainland, Heraklion or Chania for Crete, Thessaloniki for the north. Surprice Car Rentals lists all of them, plus Rhodes, Santorini, Kavala and Nafplio, among its Greek destinations. (Experience Greece with Surprice Car Rentals) Bring your U.S. driver’s license and get an International Driving Permit before you fly. (Greece Travel Advisory and Country Information)
Check car rental rates at Surprice
Rates depend on dates, car and pickup point, so we don’t list prices. We earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. (FTC's Endorsement Guides: What People Are Asking)
Greek summer trips are planned in winter. U.S. searches for “car rental chania” jump from about 320 a month in December to 4,400 in January, and “car rental crete” hits 4,400 from February, months before anyone lands. (Google search volume data for terms) July and August are the busiest weeks on the roads, too, so booking early is the simplest way to get the car class you want.
Our top picks
| Pick | Why | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for a road trip: Crete | Big island, sights far apart | Shown for your dates | Check price |
| Best for the mainland: Athens | Day trips, motorways | Shown for your dates | Check price |
| Best for northern Greece: Thessaloniki | Halkidiki and Kavala | Shown for your dates | Check price |
| Best island beyond Crete: Rhodes | Lindos and both coasts | Shown for your dates | Check price |
| Best short stay: Santorini | Whole island in a day | Shown for your dates | Check price |
How we chose
We started from what Americans search before a Greek trip: Crete, Chania and Athens lead U.S. car-rental searches for Greece, followed by Heraklion, Thessaloniki, Rhodes and Santorini. Then we kept only places Surprice lists as Greek destinations. We haven’t rented from Surprice ourselves; the details come from Surprice’s pages and official U.S. sources, checked on Nov. 14, 2026. Read more on how we pick.
1. Crete (Heraklion and Chania): best for a road trip
Verdict: the Greek destination where a car matters most.
Crete is the largest Greek island, and its highlights are far apart: the Minoan Palace near Heraklion, the Samaria Gorge, the pink-sand beach at Elafonissi and the Venetian harbor of Chania. Buses connect the towns, but not the beaches and gorges you came for. Our advice: pick up where you’ll sleep. Chania for the west, Heraklion for the center and east. Driving across the island takes a full day.
- Pros: reach beaches and villages buses don’t; two airport gateways.
- Cons: winding mountain roads; peak summer demand.
- Skip it if: you’re staying at one resort and only want the beach.
2. Athens: best for the mainland
Verdict: rent on the day you leave the city, not the day you arrive.
You don’t need a car to see the Acropolis: the metro serves the city and Athens International Airport. A car pays off for day trips. Nafplio, often called Greece’s prettiest town, and the coast are within reach on the motorways that link Athens with the rest of the mainland.
- Pros: most U.S. flights land here; easy motorway access.
- Cons: heavy city traffic and tight parking.
- Skip it if: your whole stay is inside Athens.
Check Athens rates at Surprice
3. Thessaloniki: best for northern Greece
Verdict: the quieter base for beaches and the “blue city.”
Thessaloniki is Greece’s Byzantine second city, with the White Tower on its waterfront. Surprice also lists Kavala, east along the coast, as a destination. With a car you can add the beaches of Halkidiki to a city stay.
- Pros: less crowded than the islands; good base for the north.
- Cons: fewer flights from the U.S.
- Skip it if: this is your first trip and you want the classic islands.
Check Thessaloniki rates at Surprice
4. Rhodes: best island beyond Crete
Verdict: worth a car for two or three days.
Rhodes mixes the walled Old Town and the Palace of the Grand Master with nature, like the Valley of the Butterflies. Park outside the Old Town and walk in.
- Pros: beaches on both coasts; easy day trips.
- Cons: no driving inside the Old Town.
- Skip it if: you’re on a cruise stop of a few hours.
Check Rhodes rates at Surprice
5. Santorini: best for a short island stay
Verdict: a small car, for a day or two.
Santorini is small enough to drive end to end in a day: the ruins of Akrotiri, the black-sand beaches and the sunset at Oia. Our advice: choose the smallest car that fits your group; parking near Fira and Oia fills up in summer.
- Pros: see the whole island on your own schedule.
- Cons: tight parking; short rental is enough.
- Skip it if: you’re staying in Oia or Fira and plan to walk.
Check Santorini rates at Surprice
What U.S. drivers need in Greece
- Your U.S. driver’s license. Greek law requires visitors to carry a valid one.
- An International Driving Permit. Insurance companies may require both your license and an IDP, and it must be issued in the U.S. AAA issues it for $20 with two passport photos, no more than six months before your trip. (International Driving Permit) AAA also notes that rental companies may require an IDP even where the law doesn’t.
- Our advice: keep your passport and a credit card in the driver’s name handy at the rental desk.
Driving rules in Greece
Greece drives on the right. Turning right on red is prohibited unless an arrow allows it, headlights are required at night, and phones are hands-free only. Motorway limits are typically 130 km/h (81 mph), and most motorways have tolls. The State Department warns that Greece has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the European Union: drive defensively, watch for motorbikes between lanes, and take extra care on mountain roads at night. It also says small ATV and motorbike rental firms often carry no insurance, one more reason to rent a car from an established company.
Beyond Greece
Surprice also lists destinations in Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and other European countries, so the same booking site works if your trip continues. (Surprice Car Rentals Destinations) Packing for the flight? See our guides to carry-on size, power banks on planes and gifts for travelers.
The verdict
If you’re going to Crete, book the car with the flight and pick it up in Chania or Heraklion, depending on where you’ll stay. For the mainland, rent in Athens on the day you leave the city. Either way, get your IDP from AAA first.
Compare rental cars in Greece at Surprice
- Best for a road tripSurprice Car Rental in Crete (Heraklion and Chania) —See pick ↓
- Best for the mainlandSurprice Car Rental in Athens —See pick ↓
- Best for northern GreeceSurprice Car Rental in Thessaloniki —See pick ↓
- Best island beyond CreteSurprice Car Rental in Rhodes —See pick ↓
- Best for a short island staySurprice Car Rental in Santorini —See pick ↓
Price ranges as last checked; “—” means we couldn’t confirm a current price. Details and sources in each pick.
Why now
U.S. searches for 'car rental chania' go from about 320 a month in December to 4,400 in January, and 'car rental crete' reaches 4,400 from February, according to Google Keyword Planner (November 2026). People book Greek summer cars in winter.
Surprice lists Crete, Athens, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Kavala, Nafplio and Santorini among its Greek destinations. The U.S. State Department says Greek law requires visitors to carry a valid U.S. driver's license, and insurers may also ask for an International Driving Permit.
Get your IDP from AAA before you fly, then book the car when you book the flight, especially for Crete in July and August.
Each guide separates what the sources show from what we infer. We don’t use countdowns or “selling fast” claims.
Products
- Product photo
Surprice Car Rental in Crete (Heraklion and Chania)
Best for: Exploring Crete's beaches, gorges and villages at your own pace
Why we like it
- Crete is the largest Greek island and its best sights are spread out
- Two gateways: Heraklion in the center-east and Chania in the west
- Surprice lists Crete as one of its main Greek destinations
Limitations
- Mountain roads are slow and winding
- Summer demand is the highest of any Greek destination here
Prices change often: check today’s price at Surprice.Check price at Surprice - Product photo
Surprice Car Rental in Athens
Best for: Day trips from Athens to Nafplio, Delphi or Cape Sounion
Why we like it
- Athens is where most U.S. flights to Greece land
- Motorways connect Athens with the rest of the mainland
Limitations
- You don't need a car inside Athens: traffic is heavy and the metro reaches the airport
Prices change often: check today’s price at Surprice.Check price at Surprice - Product photo
Surprice Car Rental in Thessaloniki
Best for: Halkidiki beaches, Kavala and a slower trip through the north
Why we like it
- Gateway to Halkidiki and the coast toward Kavala
- Lower U.S. search demand than Athens or Crete
Limitations
- Fewer direct flights from the U.S. than Athens
Prices change often: check today’s price at Surprice.Check price at Surprice - Product photo
Surprice Car Rental in Rhodes
Best for: Beaches on both coasts plus the medieval Old Town
Why we like it
- Lets you reach Lindos, the Valley of the Butterflies and quieter beaches
Limitations
- The Old Town itself is for walking, not driving
Prices change often: check today’s price at Surprice.Check price at Surprice - Product photo
Surprice Car Rental in Santorini
Best for: One or two days to see Oia, Akrotiri and the black-sand beaches
Why we like it
- A small car covers the whole island in a day
Limitations
- Parking in Fira and Oia is tight in summer
- For a short stay, a day or two of rental is enough
Prices change often: check today’s price at Surprice.Check price at Surprice
Why only five picks? We list a product only when we can explain why it helps and where it falls short. We don’t add picks to reach a number.
FAQ
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Greece?
Greek law requires visitors to carry a valid U.S. driver's license, and insurance companies may also require an International Driving Permit. Get one in the U.S. before you go: AAA issues it for $20, and the U.S. Embassy can't.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Greece?
The right, as in the U.S. Turning right on a red light is not allowed unless a green arrow permits it, and using a phone without hands-free is prohibited.
What is the speed limit on Greek motorways?
Typically 130 km/h (81 mph), lower in some areas and in bad weather. Most motorways have tolls.
Is it better to rent a car in Heraklion or Chania?
Pick the airport closest to where you'll stay: Chania for western Crete (Balos, Elafonissi, Chania Old Town), Heraklion for the center and east (the Minoan Palace of Knossos). Both are among Surprice's Crete locations.
Questions come from real search data (state-gr; surprice-gr). We don’t invent questions.
Sources & method
Who this guide is for
This guide is for U.S. travelers planning a spring or summer trip to Greece who want to drive themselves, whether that's a road trip around Crete or a few days on the mainland from Athens.
How we picked
- We list a product only when we can explain why it helps and where it falls short.
- We list limitations for every pick, based on product specs and buyer reviews.
- We haven’t tested these products ourselves. When we do, we’ll say so.
- Prices appear only when checked in the last 7 days, with the store and the date shown. Otherwise we leave them out.
Sources
- Surprice Car Rentals — Experience Greece with Surprice Car Rentals (accessed Nov 14, 2026). Greek destinations (Crete, Athens, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Kavala, Nafplio, Santorini); right-hand traffic; no right turn on red without an arrow; hands-free only; motorway limit typically 130 km/h with tolls and e-PASS.
- Surprice Car Rentals — Surprice Car Rentals Destinations (accessed Nov 14, 2026). Countries listed in Europe, including Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Montenegro and Albania.
- U.S. Department of State — Greece Travel Advisory and Country Information (accessed Nov 14, 2026). Level 1, exercise normal precautions; Greek law requires visitors to carry a valid U.S. driver's license; insurers may require an IDP, which must be obtained in the U.S.; one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the EU; ATV and motorbike rentals often carry no insurance.
- AAA — International Driving Permit (accessed Nov 14, 2026). AAA is one of two organizations authorized by the State Department to issue IDPs; $20 fee, two passport photos and a valid U.S. license; can't be issued more than six months in advance; rental companies may require an IDP even where the law doesn't.
- Federal Trade Commission — FTC's Endorsement Guides: What People Are Asking (accessed Nov 14, 2026). Why we disclose affiliate links.
- Google Keyword Planner — Google search volume data for terms: “car rental crete”, “car rental chania”, “car rental athens”, “car rental greece”, “car rental athens airport”, “car rental heraklion”, “car rental thessaloniki”, “car rental rhodes” (U.S., accessed Nov 14, 2026).
Review history
- Published Nov 14, 2026.
