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Book your cheap car rental at Athens International Airport (ATH)
You can easily find affordable car rentals at Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) by comparing prices from multiple suppliers on a single platform like VIP Cars. This allows you to choose from the most affordable deals while selecting a vehicle that fits your travel needs and budget.
We have partnered with leading car rental companies in Greece to offer a wide range of vehicles, from economy cars for budget travel to luxury cars for a premium experience. Whether you need a car for a day, a week or longer, you can choose from flexible rental options including short-term, long-term, one-way and last-minute deals.
Car rental services are conveniently available at the airport terminal, making pick-up and drop-off quick and hassle-free.
Where and how to pick up the rental car at Athens International Airport (ATH)?
You can pick up your rental car at Athens International Airport either from desks located inside the terminal or via shuttle (off-airport rental desks)/meet-and-greet services, depending on your chosen supplier.
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On-airport rental counters in terminal
Most on-airport rental desks are situated in the Arrivals Hall of the main terminal between Gate 3 and Gate 4.
For on-site suppliers (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Alamo, National, Sixt, Europcar and Avance), once you complete the paperwork at the desk, you will be directed to the rental car parking area located approx. 500 meters from the terminal.
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Off-airport rental counters (Shuttle service)
Some companies operate from nearby airport premises and provide a free shuttle service from designated pick-up points to their branch locations.
If you have booked with an off-airport supplier like Centauro, Carwiz, Record Go, SurPrice, Green Motion, Abbycar, CarQ Rent A Car, AutoUnion, Cargini Rent A Car, addCar, OtoQ, Exer Rent A Car and OptimoRent, head to the shuttle pick-up area outside your specific arrival exit door (arrival exit door no. 5 is the key location for some suppliers), where transfer services will take you to the rental office.
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Meet-and-greet service
Alternatively, a few providers like Finalrentals and Progress Car Rental offer a meet-and-greet service, where a representative will meet you at a pre-arranged location and escort you to your vehicle.
How to return the rental car at Athens International Airport (ATH)?
For returning your rental car at ATH Airport, follow the signs for “Car Rental Return” as you approach the airport. Most suppliers require you to drop the vehicle in the designated rental car parking area near the terminal, after which you can complete the return formalities at the counter or with a staff representative.
The exact return address, parking instructions and fuel policy will be clearly mentioned in your Rental Confirmation Voucher.
If your return is scheduled outside business hours, many suppliers provide after-hours drop-off options, where you can park the car in the assigned area and return the keys in a secure drop box.
For off-airport rentals, you may need to return the vehicle to the supplier’s branch location and a shuttle service will transfer you to the terminal.
All exact pick-up/drop-off instructions, including location details, timings and return information, will be clearly mentioned in your Rental Confirmation Voucher, so it’s important to review it before arrival.
The best rental car categories at Athens Airport Eleftherios Venizelos
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Budget-friendly car rentals in Athens Airport
Economy and compact cars like Toyota Yaris and Fiat Panda are the most practical choice for driving through central Athens and for short scenic trips like the Athens Riviera or Cape Sounion.
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Luxury car rental in Athens Airport
You can compare a bevy of premium and exotic cars for hire in Athens toward Vouliagmeni and Cape Sounion. Porsche, BMW, Bentley, Audi and Corvette are some of the most sought-after cars in Greece.
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Van rental in Athens Airport
For larger groups visiting destinations such as Meteora, Delphi or the Peloponnese, passenger vans and minivans provide extra comfort and luggage space.
Common rental choices include: Peugeot Traveller & Citroen SpaceTourer. These are especially useful for airport pickups and multi-city road trips with 7 to 12 seaters.
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SUV rental
Equipped with 4WD for more power and control, such SUVs are ideal for mountain routes and longer drives across mainland Greece, including trips to Mount Parnassus, Meteora and remote beaches around Mani Peninsula.
Popular SUV rentals include: Nissan Qashqai and Dacia Duster. Their higher driving position and added luggage capacity make them popular for couples and families exploring rural Greece.
Overview: Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos’
| Address: | Athens International Airport, Attiki Odos, Spata Artemida 190 04, Greece |
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| IATA Code: | ATH |
Athens Airport, aka Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos’, is Athens’ primary airport. ATH has two terminals: The Main Terminal and the Satellite Terminal linked via an underground walkway. Greece’s busiest airport, Athens Airport provides flights to numerous destinations – both domestic and international. It acts as a base for Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air and is the focus city of Astra Airlines, Ellinair, Ryanair, and Volotea Airlines. For ground transportation, the airport offers a range of options in the form of buses, metro trains, and taxis with regular routes from Athens Airport to the city center, Piraeus ferry port, and more. For passengers looking for accommodation options, Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel is the only luxury hotel on the airport premises situated just a few steps from the main Terminal. Passengers can also find 24-hour Airport Information Desks at departures and arrivals.
Facilities at ATH
- Baggage Storage
- Premium Lounges
- Short/Long Term Parking
- Duty Free Shops
- Currency Exchange
- First Aid Station
- Free Wifi & Internet Kiosks
- Cafes & Restaurants
VIP Cars’ tips for car rentals at Athens Airport (ATH)
- Book your car hire at Athens International Airport in advance (2-3 weeks), especially for May to September, when tourism peaks in the capital city and prices tend to rise due to high demand.
- Driving in central Athens (especially areas like Plaka) can be challenging due to narrow streets, so choose a compact or economy car if you plan to drive within the city.
- Be aware of Athens’ restricted traffic zone (Daktylios) in the city center, where entry is regulated on certain days based on your license plate. Check the rules in advance if you plan to drive downtown.
- When choosing a luxury long term car rental at Athens Airport, compare extended-stay packages instead of standard daily rates.
- If you are planning island trips, for example, a one-way rental from Athens to Crete, it involves taking a ferry and a few suppliers may allow cars on ferries. Therefore, always confirm this with your preferred provider beforehand.
- For popular road trips from Athens, consider destinations like Delphi, Meteora or Cape Sounion. Always opt for a comfortable and fuel-efficient car like Toyota Yaris, Fiat Panda and Toyota Corolla for these routes.
- If arriving late at night, check whether your supplier offers after-hours pick-up or shuttle service, as some off-airport providers operate for limited hours.
- When booking a 7 seater car rental at Athens Airport, reserve your vehicle as early as possible because larger vehicles such as minivans and 7-seat SUVs are more limited in availability compared to compact cars.
Tourist attractions worth a visit in Athens, Greece
There are numerous things to see in Athens, Greece, but the followings fall in the 'must-not-miss’ domain!!
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Acropolis of Athens
It is a 5th-century hilltop temple monument which is best known for its historically significant ancient buildings like the Parthenon.
Located 36.6 Km from Athens Airport.
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Acropolis Museum
This Museum features Ancient treasures unearthed from the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens in a contemporary setting.
Located 35.5 Km from Athens Airport.
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Temple of Olympian Zeus
It is a vast temple which dates back to the 6th century B.C. and was built on a former site of an ancient outdoor sanctuary dedicated to Zeus.
Located 36.2 Km from Athens Airport.
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Plaka
Plaka is one of the many gems of Athens Downtown which is known for its shopping opportunities, churches, museums, and a happening nightlife.
Located 42.1 Km from Athens Airport.
Types of car rental deals at Athens Airport (ATH)
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Long term car rental at Athens Airport
A long term car rental is ideal for digital nomads, business travelers, students or visitors planning to explore Greece beyond Athens. These rentals usually offer lower daily rates compared to standard bookings and are commonly available for 60-90 day contracts or more.
Few suppliers even include maintenance and roadside assistance in the deal. Expats relocating temporarily to Greece often choose long term rentals instead of buying a car.
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Monthly car rental at Athens Airport
A monthly car rental gives travelers more flexibility than leasing while keeping costs predictable. 30-day rental packages are popular among remote workers and families spending several weeks in Greece.
Typical examples include: renting an SUV for a month-long Peloponnese road trip, booking an economy car for an extended island-hopping journey starting from Athens or using a monthly rental while attending conferences or university programs in Athens.
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Short-term car rental at Athens Airport
A short term car rental at Athens Airport covers anything from a few hours, 24 hours to several days. This option is ideal for travellers who only need transportation temporarily without committing to a weekly or monthly package.
Examples include: weekend rentals for visiting nearby islands via Piraeus Port, short city breaks in Athens and temporary transportation before catching a ferry or domestic flight.
One-way and cross-border car rentals from Athens Airport (ATH)
You can book one-way car rentals from Athens Airport and drop off your vehicle at another location within Greece or in select neighboring countries, depending on the supplier’s policy. Cross-border travel is allowed by some suppliers, but you must get prior approval and check for any restrictions or additional fees.
One-way rental car within the country
With VIP Cars, you can arrange one-way rentals from ATH Airport to popular Greek destinations such as Thessaloniki, Patras or Heraklion Airport (via ferry connections). This is a convenient option if you are planning a multi-city itinerary across mainland Greece.
Also, note that transportation of the vehicle by ferry requires written authorisation and prior approval from your preferred supplier and additional charges may apply.
One-way rental car for cross-border travel
For cross-border travel, some suppliers allow driving from Greece into nearby countries like Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Albania. However, cross-border rentals often require additional documentation, insurance coverage and include extra charges.
Always confirm cross-border permissions, ferry rules (for island travel) and drop-off conditions with your supplier at the time of booking.
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Car Rental Athens to Crete
Distance: 396.6 km via Epar. Od. Tylisos - Anogion -
Car Rental Athens to Santorini
Distance: 300.0 km via Folegandros - Sifnos -
Car Rental Athens to Zakynthos
Distance: 322.7 km via Olympia Odos/A8 -
Car Rental Athens to Mykonos
Distance: 322.7 km via Olympia Odos/A8 -
Car Rental Athens to Sarande
Distance: 493.6 km via Olympia Odos/A8 -
Car Rental Athens to Thessaloniki
Distance: 502.0 km via A1