Hire a Car on the Mainland and Pair It with a Spetses Stay
Spetses itself is largely car-free — the only motor vehicles permitted are taxis, delivery trucks and a handful of municipal buses. The island moves by foot, bicycle and horse-drawn carriage, which is precisely part of its charm. But that does not mean you should skip the car entirely. Most visitors reach Spetses from the mainland, and hiring a vehicle in Kosta or Porto Heli lets you explore the surrounding Argolid coastline, ancient sites and coastal towns before crossing over for a slower-paced island break.
We compare operators in Kosta, the mainland port that faces Spetses across a narrow channel, as well as in nearby Porto Heli and Ermioni. A compact car picked up at the mainland gives you flexibility for the days before or after your island time, and the water taxi crossing to Spetses takes only a few minutes.
Saronic Gulf
Plan this first.
Kosta
Confirm before booking.
Argolid exploration before or after island stay
Confirm before booking.
Mainland coastal roads are generally good; inland routes can be winding
Confirm before booking.
Match collection to the actual itinerary
Include transfers, parking days, opening hours and return timing when comparing the two options.
Spetses: History, Beaches and Car-Free Living
Spetses Town is a harbour of neoclassical mansions, waterfront cafes and the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages. The Old Harbour at Baltiza is still home to wooden boatyards where traditional caiques are built and repaired. The Museum of Spetses covers the island’s maritime history and the War of Independence, while the mansion of Laskarina Bouboulina — one of the few female admirals in history — is open to visitors, complete with secret passages and personal weaponry.
The Mainland: Epidaurus, Ermioni and the Argolid Coast
With a hire car based on the mainland, you can reach the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, one of the best-preserved Greek amphitheatres and still used for summer performances. The coastal towns of Ermioni and Porto Heli have their own beaches, harbours and tavernas, and the road along the Argolid offers views across the Gulf to the islands beyond.
Plan the handover, price and first drive
Spetses has been a seafaring island since antiquity, its shipyards turning out wooden vessels that traded across the Mediterranean and fought in the Greek War of Independence. The island’s most famous resident, Laskarina Bouboulina, used her fortune to build and arm warships, becoming the first woman to hold the rank of admiral in the Greek navy. Her mansion is now a museum, and the island still celebrates her legacy each September with the Armata Festival.
The car-free policy is a modern decision that preserves the island’s character. Without the noise and congestion of motor traffic, Spetses retains a rhythm that feels closer to the Greece of decades past. The horse-drawn carriages that carry visitors along the waterfront are not a tourist gimmick but a practical response to a genuine restriction.
For the visitor, the combination works well: a few days of mainland exploration by car, taking in ancient sites and coastal towns, followed by a slower interlude on an island where the only traffic is the clatter of hooves and the passage of fishing boats in the harbour. It is a rare chance to experience two quite different Greek rhythms in one trip.
Check the conditions behind the price
The selected supplier’s terms and booking voucher control the rental. Review them before payment and again before collection.
Total payable price
Compare the full payable amount and inclusions rather than an unsupported daily-price promise.
Deposit and payment card
Confirm the deposit, accepted card type and whose name must appear on the card.
Excess and cover
Read the renter's liability, exclusions and what any optional protection actually changes.
Fuel policy
Know the collection level, return requirement and whether a refuelling charge can apply.
Mileage and territory
Check any distance limit and where the vehicle may be driven.
Extras and return
Price additional drivers, seats, after-hours service and one-way return before payment.
Choose for people, bags and roads
A category normally represents a group of similar cars, not a promise of one exact model.
- Compact: convenient for couples and tighter parking.
- Intermediate: more room for bags and longer journeys.
- Family or SUV category: useful only when the required capacity justifies it.
- Transmission: select automatic explicitly if manual is unsuitable.
Practical planning before departure
Getting to Spetses
The hydrofoil from Piraeus takes around two hours, while a regular ferry is slower but er. Most visitors who hire a car on the mainland drive to Kosta and take a water taxi or small ferry across to Spetses Town. The crossing is short but can be busy in summer, so allow extra time for queues at the dock.
Driving on the Mainland
Traffic drives on the right. The road from Athens to the Argolid is a modern highway, but the coastal roads around Porto Heli and Kosta are narrower and can be busy with local traffic in peak season. Parking in the small harbour towns is limited, particularly when ferry passengers are arriving and departing.
Island Transport
On Spetses itself, the main options are walking, cycling, horse-drawn carriage or the small local bus network. Taxis are available but cannot be hailed on the street — they must be booked by phone or picked up at ranks. The lack of cars makes the island genuinely peaceful, but plan your luggage and logistics around foot or bicycle transport.
Local access, road and operating conditions can change. Check current signs, your supplier instructions and the linked source before travelling: Visit Greece.
Build a realistic first journey
Kosta to Epidaurus
Drive north-west from Kosta along the coast road towards the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The route passes through small fishing villages and coastal landscapes. The theatre itself is remarkably intact, and summer performances are a highlight. Check the current schedule before planning your trip.
Porto Heli to Ermioni
A short coastal drive along the Argolid peninsula, passing beaches, olive groves and small harbours. Ermioni is a working fishing town with a relaxed atmosphere and good seafood tavernas. The road is scenic and generally well-maintained, though narrow in places.
Athens to Kosta (for Spetses)
The drive from Athens to Kosta takes you along the modern highway to Corinth and then south through the Argolid. It is a straightforward route with good road conditions, but traffic around Athens can be heavy, particularly on Friday evenings and summer weekends. Allow extra time and check live traffic before departing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hire a car on Spetses itself?
No. Private car hire is not permitted on Spetses. The only vehicles on the island are taxis, delivery vehicles and a limited bus service. Visitors get around on foot, by bicycle or in horse-drawn carriages.
Where is the best place to pick up a car for Spetses?
Kosta, directly opposite Spetses, is the closest mainland option. Porto Heli and Ermioni are also convenient and have a wider range of operators. If you are arriving from Athens, you can also hire at the airport or in the city centre and drive south.
Do I need a car if I am only visiting Spetses?
Not for the island itself, but a car is useful for exploring the mainland before or after your stay. Many visitors combine a few days of Argolid sightseeing with a longer relax on Spetses. If you are flying into Athens and heading straight to the island, a taxi or transfer to the port may be simpler.
What is the best way to get from the mainland to Spetses?
Water taxis and small ferries run regularly from Kosta to Spetses Town. The crossing takes only a few minutes. In summer, there are also direct hydrofoils from Piraeus to Spetses, but these do not carry vehicles.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
Most non-EU visitors will need an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence to drive in Greece. EU licence holders can generally use their national licence. Confirm requirements with your rental operator before travel.
Compare Spetses car hire
Enter dates above, then compare pickup method, vehicle category and complete supplier terms before booking.
Continue planning with all Greece car hire locations, Car Hire Thessaloniki Airport, Car Hire Neapoli Voion, Skopelos Car Hire.