Planning to Rent a Car in Athens? Below is all the information you need:
The name is associated with the name of the warrior goddess Athena, the patroness of the city since ancient times. The city arose in the VI century BC. and since then it has been one of the iconic centers of European civilization. The settlement of the city began with the Acropolis - a fortified hill surrounded by defensive structures in order to defend the city. Now the Acropolis is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Athenian philosophical school, represented by Aristotle, Socrates, Plato and their followers, made a huge contribution to science. Theatrical art largely owes its development to the Athenian playwrights Aeschylus, Euripides and Sophocles.
In the 1st century BC, Athens became part of the Roman Empire after the siege. Nevertheless, even in Roman times, the city remained a major metropolis for a long time. Its decline in importance occurred after the sack by the Germans in the 3rd century and the closure of the Athenian schools in the 6th century AD. The city becomes smaller and becomes quite peripheral.
In the XIII - XV centuries, Athens was repeatedly attacked by the Crusaders. In the middle of the 15th century they were conquered by the Turks. Periodically, the Venetians tried to recapture the city, as a result of their attacks, some ancient monuments were seriously damaged.
As a result of the national struggle in the 19th century, Greece was freed from Turkish rule and Athens became its capital. The city began to actively grow, rebuild and restore.
Now it is a major economic and cultural center with a population of about three million people, which is more than a third of the entire country. The official website of Athens is www.accgov.com. Southeast of the city is International Airport.
What to see in Athens?
Athens is a dynamic city with ancient history and vibrant modern life. There are a lot of nightclubs, branded stores, entertainment and tourist places. But the ancient Acropolis, which is still the heart of the city, still dominates modern buildings.
Acropolis
Modern Athenian The Acropolis is an architectural composition on top of a hill 156 meters high. It occupies an area of just under three hectares and is interesting due to the combination of ancient buildings with a rocky landscape. Historically, this is a walled fortress designed to protect the royal palace and temple complexes. Here are the landmark buildings for Athens - the ancient Greek temple of the Parthenon, the Odeon theater of Herodes Atticus, where concerts are still held. Also here is the Acropolis Museum with a collection of artifacts that were found during excavations. Museum website - www.theacropolismuseum.gr.
Agora
Agora is an ancient market place. Such places used to be located near the centers of deity worship. Athens Agora is located at the foot of the Acropolis, northwest of it. Now the streets of the Monastiraki district serve as a trading square, where a Sunday market is held weekly. The atmosphere of the oriental market is mixed with Greek flavor there. The Agora also has a museum with a collection of artifacts.
Constitution Square
This is the square in front of the Parliament building. Every hour there is a changing of the guard of honor. The costumes of the guards, who are called Evzones, are among the most exotic in the world.
Where to go near Athens?
Public transport timetables in Greece are quite inconsistent and unreliable, so For trips out of town it is better to rent a car.
Lake Vouliagmeni
The lake is located 25 km from Athens. It is surrounded by rocks and is very picturesque. The water in the lake is salty and rich in minerals. It has healing and healing properties, thanks to which the lake has the status of a protected natural landmark. The beach is equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas, and taverns operate around it.
Nafplio
139 kilometers from Athens. Located in a sheltered bay, in a picturesque and romantic area. According to legend, its founders were the son of the sea god Poseidon and the daughter of King Danae. The city is filled with historical monuments from different eras - these are medieval castles, Venetian palaces and Turkish fountains.
Mycenae
This is a legendary city located 120 kilometers from Athens. It is the cradle of Greek civilization and is richly represented in mythology. The excavations show archaeological fragments dating back to the seventh millennium BC. Now here you can see the ruins of ancient palaces, ramparts and the treasury-tomb of Atreus, built around 1250 BC. e.
Food: the best restaurants in Athens
Greek cuisine is quite simple and yet healthy. Its basis is cheese, olives and various vegetables. Cheeses are used both cow and goat. Olive oil is present in almost all dishes.
There are many local fish and seafood recipes. Mostly they are baked in the oven or grilled.
Let's list the popular restaurants of the city:
Symposio Resto Bar
Address: Apollonos 22, tel. +302114184898
Mediterranean cuisine is presented here, mainly from seasonal products. Direct deliveries from local farmers and fishermen. Traditional recipes combined with fusion.
Thes "Greek Creative Cuisine"
Address: Taki 16, tel. +302103212858
Romantic atmosphere, homemade Greek cuisine.
BiteBox
Address: Veikou 84, tel. +302109237817
A cozy cafe with pleasant music. Coffee with desserts and fresh pastries.
Where to park in Athens
There are plenty of places in Athens where you can rent a car. For example, this is the international company Bookingautos. But it is advisable to use the car only for country trips. There is heavy traffic in the city itself with frequent traffic jams.
Parking is also not so much, and the prices for them vary greatly. You should also pay attention to discounts and promotions.
Trovas Parking 24h
Address: Xenofontos 4. Price: 11 euros per hour
Cityzen Pangrati
Address: 15-17 Tideos. Price: €5 per hour
Cityzen Parking & Services
This parking network has evening discounts from 20:00 to 03:00, with a price 2 euros per hour. Participating car parks:
Monthly price chart: Average price per week of rent
January
€188
February
€121
March
€132
April
€139
May
€170
June
€227
July
€233
August
€250
September
€162
October
€127
November
€111
December
€142
* The average cost of renting a car in Athens for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
The best month to rent a car in Athens is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €16. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Athens is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €16, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
During the summer months in Athens there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental Audi A5 Cabrio will cost you €180.
Average prices for 1 day rental for different car classes:
4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day
We offer a wide range of vehicles to suit every budget:
Economy cars - a great solution for everyday trips;
Premium segment - for those who love quality and comfort;
Business class is ideal for people who are used to being first.
Convertibles, SUVs and station wagons, as well as minivans and sedans are in demand among customers. The choice of car depends not only on personal tastes, preferences and its cost. Rental conditions are important, which in some cases should be taken into account in the first place.
What affects the cost of renting a car in Athens? These are three indicators: car class, time of year and rental period. The highest prices are in summer, and the lowest are in autumn and winter. The tariff is reduced if you order the service for a long time. Some specific examples: a compact model Opel Corsa in March-April costs about€16 per day. But book a car right away for a week - and the price will drop to €13 per day. These are standard prices for budget cars. The middle class will cost an average of €43-€48 per 24 hours. This can be Audi A4,Peugeot 308 Estate or Toyota Rav-4. In Athens convertibles can be rented for a minimum of €72. Luxury models raise the bar to €180 per day. Some exclusive cars are valued at more than 400€ per day.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Mercedes EQC when ordering in Athens will cost quite a modest amount.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Essential Tips for Hassle-Free Car Rental
Download Google maps offline
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Athens is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Athens. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose for rent
The compact model is relevant for city trips in Athens. It can be Toyota Aygo or Opel Corsa. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Peugeot 308 Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €45 per day;
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Check out the fuel policy
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Athens for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Unlimited mileage
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Athens, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Athens - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Car pick-up procedure
Getting a rented car in Athens is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
Our advantages
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Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
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Car rental reviews: Athens
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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