Renting a Car at Athens Airport
Last updated: April 2026
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) is Greece's main hub, located 33 km east of the city center in Spata. The car rental center occupies a dedicated building at the south end of the arrivals level — exit the terminal, cross the pedestrian walkway, and you'll find all major brands: Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Enterprise, plus strong Greek operators like Autohellas and Avance.
🎯 Quick Tip
If you plan to visit Greek islands by car (Crete, Rhodes), rent separately on each island — driving a mainland rental onto ferries adds complex insurance complications and is often prohibited by the rental contract.
Compare Prices at ATH
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Airport Pickup Tips
Exit ATH arrivals and follow the covered walkway south to the Car Rental Centre — a separate building about 200 meters from the terminal. Greek operators are generally relaxed about documentation but strict about the credit card — it must be in the driver's name with enough available credit for the deposit (typically €500–1,500). Pickup takes 15–20 minutes.
Greek rental cars frequently have undocumented minor scrapes from Athens' tight streets. Insist on a detailed damage report and photograph every blemish in natural daylight — the ATH car park has good overhead lighting but shadows can hide scratches on white cars (Greece's most common rental color).
For detailed guidance, see our pre-drive checklist.
Explore Athens by Car
Athens airport rental cars open up mainland Greece's hidden gems. Drive south to the temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, or make a multi-day trip to the Peloponnese's ancient sites — Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Nafplio.
Top drive from Athens: Cape Sounion coastal road at sunset
Getting from Athens Airport to the City
The Attiki Odos ring road connects ATH to central Athens (40 min, toll €2.80), Piraeus ferry port (45 min), and the Athens-Corinth motorway heading to the Peloponnese. The toll road is fast and well-maintained. To avoid tolls entirely, take the old Mesogeia Road through Pallini — it adds 15 minutes but is scenic.
AutoUnion and Morphis Rent-a-Car operate from offices on the Attiki Odos service road, 3 km south of ATH. Free shuttles run every 15 minutes from the arrivals bus stop. Rates at these smaller operators can be 25–30% below the Car Rental Centre desks.
What to Know Before Driving from ATH
Greece drives on the right. Highway speed limits are 130 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 50 km/h in towns. The Attiki Odos and Olympia Odos motorways are tolled (electronic or cash). Outside Athens, roads narrow dramatically — the routes through the Peloponnese and to Delphi are scenic but demand careful driving.
Greek traffic patterns differ from Northern Europe — lane discipline is loose, scooters weave freely, and the horn is used as a greeting. Program your GPS before leaving, as the Attiki Odos motorway interchange near ATH is complex. Note: Greece requires a fire extinguisher and warning triangle in every vehicle — check these are present.
Fuel Stations Near ATH
Shell and BP stations line the Attiki Odos near ATH. Average fuel price: €1.85/L for unleaded, €1.70/L for diesel. Fill up before heading to the islands (if using a ferry-approved rental) — island fuel prices are 10–15% higher than the mainland. The closest 24-hour station to ATH is the Shell on the airport access road.
Local Driving Tip
The Attiki Odos ring road around Athens charges €3.10 per entry and is by far the fastest way to reach Piraeus port or the northern suburbs. Avoid Kifissos Avenue during rush hour — it becomes a parking lot from 4–8 PM.