Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (ATH) is one of Europe’s busiest international gateways, and collecting a hire car here is one of the smartest travel decisions you can make. Greece’s road network stretches from the Attica peninsula around Athens all the way to the Peloponnese, Thessaly, and beyond — and while Athens itself is well-served by metro and buses, the wider region is best explored on your own four wheels.
365 Car Hire compares deals from all major suppliers at Athens Airport — international brands like Hertz, Europcar, and Sixt alongside trusted Greek operators — so you can see the full picture of what’s available for your dates. With free cancellation on most bookings, no credit card surcharges, and a straightforward booking process, we make it easy to secure the right car at the right price before you travel.
The airport is located at Spata, approximately 33 kilometres east of central Athens. From there, the E94 motorway connects directly to the city centre (about 40 minutes without traffic). But the real advantage of a hire car from Athens Airport is the freedom to head in any direction — south toward the temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, west toward the ancient sites of the Peloponnese, or north toward Delphi and Central Greece.
Why Hire a Car at Athens Airport?
Athens is a city that deserves more than a rushed two-day visit, and the wider Attica region is full of day-trip destinations that are simply not practical by public transport. The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, the Marathon battlefield, the ancient city of Eleusis, the thermal springs of Loutraki — all are within 1–2 hours by car but awkward to reach independently by bus or train.
For travellers combining Athens with the Peloponnese (Mycenae, Epidaurus, ancient Corinth, the Mani peninsula), a hire car is essential. The road south from Athens crosses the Isthmus of Corinth and opens up one of Europe’s most historically rich landscapes — all at your own pace, on your own schedule.
Greece is also a superb destination for multi-country road trips. From Athens, the drive north to Thessaloniki takes around 5 hours, and the Albanian border is reachable in about 6 hours via the Egnatia Odos motorway. For travellers arriving on ferries from the Croatian islands, check out our car hire Split Airport Croatia guide for details on the Adriatic ferry and road connection routes.
Top 5 Things to See and Do from Athens Airport
- The Acropolis & Parthenon — Athens’ defining landmark. From the airport, it’s 40–50 minutes by car (or metro). Drive to Athens, park near the base of the hill, and explore on foot.
- Cape Sounion — Temple of Poseidon — One of Greece’s most dramatic ancient sites, perched on a clifftop above the Aegean Sea. 70 km south of the airport, about 50 minutes by car.
- Ancient Corinth & Corinth Canal — The ruins of ancient Corinth and the stunning canal cutting through the Isthmus. Around 90 minutes west of Athens Airport.
- Delphi — The navel of the ancient world — spectacular mountain setting, Apollo’s temple, and an incredible archaeological museum. 2.5 hours northwest of Athens Airport.
- Nafplio & Mycenae — Greece’s first modern capital and the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae. Drive south through the Peloponnese, approximately 2 hours from the airport.
Driving in Greece — What You Need to Know
Greece has an excellent motorway network (Attiki Odos around Athens, Egnatia Odos in the north), and most major roads are in good condition. Mountain roads in the Peloponnese and northern Greece can be winding and narrow.
- Driving licence: EU licences are fully valid in Greece. Non-EU drivers (UK, US, Australian, etc.) should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, though this is rarely checked in practice.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on rural roads, 110–130 km/h on motorways.
- Tolls: Greece has an extensive toll system. The Attiki Odos ring road around Athens costs €3.00–€3.50 for most trips. The E65 toward Thessaloniki has multiple toll plazas. Budget around €5–€15 for longer inter-city drives. Tolls are paid in cash or by card at booths.
- Parking in Athens: Central Athens has pay-and-display parking and some paid car parks. Avoid driving in the very centre during rush hours if possible — use the metro to access the city centre and park in an outer zone.
- Ferry terminals: If taking your hire car on a ferry to the Greek islands, confirm this is permitted with your supplier. Some restrictions apply for island transfers.
Best Car Types for Athens and Attica
- Compact cars: Ideal for city driving and short regional day trips. Easy to park in Athens’ congested streets and perfect for coastal drives to Cape Sounion.
- Estate / family cars: Best for families or couples on multi-day Peloponnese or Central Greece road trips. Comfortable on longer motorway stretches.
- SUVs: Recommended for mountain driving in the Peloponnese, Epirus, or northern Greece where roads can be steep and winding. Also practical for groups of four or more.
- Economy / mini cars: Good choice if you’re staying mostly in Athens and making one or two short day trips. Cheapest option and easiest to manoeuvre in city traffic.
Athens Airport to City Centre — Driving Tips
From the airport, take the Attiki Odos (A6) ring road west toward central Athens. Exit at Katehaki for the Hilton area, or continue to Piraeus for the port. The Attiki Odos toll is approximately €3. In heavy traffic (rush hours: 7:30–9:30am and 5–8pm weekdays), the drive can take 60–90 minutes instead of the usual 40.
Google Maps and Waze both work well in Greece. Download offline maps before travel in case of poor signal in mountain areas. Petrol stations are plentiful along motorways and in all towns.
If your Greek island adventure includes a Adriatic leg, travellers often combine Greece with Croatia by ferry from Patras to Ancona or Bari, then driving up the Adriatic. Our car hire Dubrovnik Croatia guide covers the Croatian side of that journey.
Frequently Asked Questions — Car Hire Athens Airport
Where do I collect my hire car at Athens Airport?
Rental car desks at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport are located in the arrivals hall on the ground floor. All major international suppliers and several local Greek companies have counters here. Some off-airport suppliers operate with shuttle buses — check your booking confirmation for precise pickup instructions.
How far is Athens Airport from the city centre?
Athens Airport is approximately 33 km east of the city centre, connected by the Attiki Odos motorway. The drive takes 35–50 minutes in normal traffic, longer during rush hour. The airport is also served by the metro (Line 3, about 40 minutes to Syntagma Square) and express buses.
Are Greek motorways expensive in tolls?
Greek motorway tolls are moderate by European standards. The Attiki Odos ring road around Athens costs €3.00–€3.50. A drive from Athens to Thessaloniki (520 km) costs around €25–€30 in total tolls. Budget €5–€15 for most regional day trips from Athens.
Can I take my hire car to the Greek islands?
Taking a hire car on a ferry to Greek islands is sometimes permitted but must be confirmed with your supplier before booking. Many suppliers restrict island transfers due to liability. If your itinerary includes an island, it’s often better to hire separately on the island rather than taking the mainland car across.
What is the minimum age to rent a car at Athens Airport?
The minimum age is typically 21, though some suppliers require 23 or 25 for certain vehicle categories. Young driver surcharges (ages 21–24) are common. Check individual supplier policies during the booking process on 365 Car Hire.
Is it worth hiring a car just for day trips from Athens?
Definitely, especially for Cape Sounion, Delphi, and Corinth — all of which are impractical by public transport. A day hire (or 2–3 day hire) from Athens Airport pays for itself quickly when split between two or more people, and gives you full flexibility over timing.
Do I need to pay tolls in cash in Greece?
Most Greek toll booths accept both cash (euros) and credit/debit cards. It’s worth carrying some cash as a backup, particularly on older rural routes. The Attiki Odos has electronic toll lanes (e-pass) but standard booths with cash/card payment are always available.