Car Rental in Athens
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Travel Information
Language
Greek
Currency
EUR
Country code
30
Traffic direction
Right-hand
Speed limit out of town
90 km/h
56 mi/h
Speed limit within town
50 km/h
31 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Why rent a car in Athens?
Athens is a fascinating city to explore. Both ancient and modern, this sprawling city has countless landmarks, distinct neighborhoods, and beautiful nature areas. Many interesting places, from Hellenic monuments to small, charming villages, are also located nearby. Getting a rental car is the best way to see as much as you can.
One-Way Car Rentals in Athens
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Athens and drop off in another city include:
- From Athens to Thessaloniki - 340 offers from € 7.13 per day
- From Athens to Corfu - 135 offers from € 25.25 per day
- From Athens to Preveza - 67 offers from € 28.13 per day
- From Athens to Kalamata - 152 offers from € 22.11 per day
- From Athens to Zakynthos - 143 offers from € 32.56 per day
Top ways to enter Athens
- Athens Airport: By far the largest in Greece and among the 30 busiest in Europe, flying to Athens Airport is the best way to reach the Greek capital. The airport is about 30 km (18 mi) from the city center.
- Volos Airport: Only open during the summer months, and served by a few low-cost carriers, Volos Central Greece Airport is about a three hour ride north of Athens.
- Kalamata Airport: Like many others in Greece, this airport serving the large southern Peloponnese city is mainly active during the summer months. It is about three hours west of Athens.
- Thessaloniki Airport: The third busiest airport of Greece ,serving its second city, is about a five hour ride north of Athens. Arriving in one and leaving the other will give you a big opportunity to see a lot of mainland Greece.
Useful city facts
- Athens enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate. Summers are dry and extremely hot, with temperatures often reaching 35 °C (95 °F). Remaining properly hydrated is very important. Winters are more humid, but mild, with the average temperature around 10 °C (50 °F) in January and February.
- The birthplace of democracy and the leading city of politics and culture during early classical antiquity, Athens was inhabited long before. With a history of human settlement going back for 7000 years, Athens is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
- Although the population of Athens Municipality is only 660,000, nearly 4 million people, or more than every third inhabitant of Greece, live in its wider metropolitan area. It is one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the European Union (EU).
Top destinations and activities
- Acropolis. Once a fortified town of what was then Athens and dating back as early as the Bronze Age, the Acropolis is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the main symbols of the city. Visit landmarks such as the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and Theater of Dionysus. Then check out the Acropolis Museum or take a walk to the nearby Hill of the Muses and Hill of the Nymphs, two other ancient landmarks.
- Mount Lycabettus. According to a legend, the most important summit of Athens was created by the goddess Athena when she dropped a limestone that she was carrying. Nowadays you can ascend the mountain via a funicular. The view from the top reveals not only the rest of Athens, but also, on a clear day, the Peloponnese peninsula.
- Odeon of Herodes Atticus. This ancient outdoor theater, built by a Greek magnate and sophist that gave it his name, has been hosting plays for nearly 2,000 years and continues to do so to this day. Even if you’re not visiting on a day when there’s a performance, you can still appreciate the magnitude of the stone theater, have a nice walk around it, and appreciate the local flora and fauna that includes tortoises.
- National Archaeological Museum. Covering thousands of years from prehistory until late antiquity, this is one of the most comprehensive and interesting history museums in Europe. The museum has an impressive collection of Cycladic and Mycenaean art, as well as the art of cultures from the wider Mediterranean Basin which includes Egypt and the Middle East. The museum is located in central Athens and can be easily accessed from anywhere in the city. Visit the official website to learn more about the collection and admission.
Traffic and parking tips
- Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 90 km/h (55.9 mph) on roads outside populated areas and 50 km/h (31 mph) in populated and built-up areas.
- While the larger roads are in good shape, some of the smaller, rural roads might have poor surfacing and potholes. Be careful when driving on them, especially after dark.
- Many gas stations might be closed during weekends and public holidays.
- It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.
- The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers. Exceeding these limits can lead to high fines and a licence ban. Exceeding the limit of 0.08% is a criminal offence and can lead to up to two years of imprisonment.
- The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
- If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
- The general emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112. The police number is 100, the ambulance number is 166, and the fire brigade number is 199.
Toll roads
There are a number of toll roads, tunnels, and bridges on mainland Greece. Many travelers find them very hard to navigate and some choose to avoid using the toll roads altogether because of the very complex toll system that is in place. Different toll roads are administered by different private companies and so there is not a single, nationwide (or even region-wide) system in place.
For most toll roads, payment can be either made with cash at a toll gate, by a credit card, or with coins at an automatic toll machine. For some roads, an electronic transponder might be used to pay for using the toll road. Some rental cars may be equipped with such an electronic transponder. However, because of the aforementioned different toll systems that are in place, this payment method might work for some toll roads, but not for others. Determine out your route in advance and ask your car rental provider about the best way to pay for all the toll roads that you plan to use.
Ideas for a day-trip
- Parnitha National Park. About one hour’s drive from downtown Athens, this green area has many gorges, caves, springs, and dense forests that you can explore along its hiking paths. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some of the red deer that live in the park’s territory.
- Epidaurus. Once a ritual site for the worship of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, this place southwest of Athens is famous among locals both for its alleged healing properties and the incredible acoustics of its old theater. The theater is about a two-hour drive from the capital, with the road mostly hugging the Megara Gulf.
- Thebes. Mentioned both in Greek myths and written records of the many empires that ruled the area, Thebes is another world-famous historical location. Walk through the ruins of Cadmea Fortress or pay a visit to the stunning Archaeological Museum of Thebes. From Athens, it’s only a tad more than one hour’s drive north.
- Eleusis. Nowadays a small northwestern suburb of Athens, during the prehistoric period, Eleusis was the center of the Eleusinian Mystery religion. A cult of fertility goddesses Demeter and Persephone, it was largely secret, so not much information about it has survived until the present day, but fascinating bits and pieces can be found in the Eleusis Archaeological Museum. The city is also home to the ancient Christian church of Agios Zacharias and the factory of Kronos, a highly original industrial building that has been turned into an ecomuseum. Situated on the northern bank of the Gulf of Elefsina, the trip from Athens takes about 25 minutes by car.
Most popular rental types and cars
The most popular rental cars in Athens are the Renault Clio, the Fiat 500, and the Opel Corsa. The most popular rental car type is an economy, closely followed by mini and intermediate.
Further destinations
For more about traveling around Greece with a rental car, check out our complete guide.
- Thessaloniki. The second city of Greece is a fascinating place to explore thanks to its impressive architecture, long crescent-like beaches, and unique traditions. It also serves as a great base for the exploration of the rest of Northern Greece with its mountains and many wildlife areas.
- Nafplio. A small, but very interesting town, Nafplio is a mix of Hellenic, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences that you notice in its architecture and cuisine. After the hustle and bustle of the capital, from which it is about 140 km (85 mi) southwest, Nafplio is a great place to relax and explore.
- Peloponnese. Traditional, hospitable, and fiercely proud, the people of the Peloponnese peninsula make it a unique destination to explore. As characterized by the olive trees of Kalamata as it is by the sites of Sparta and Olympia, the region is also known for its untamed natural beauty. Ancient Corinth, itself one of the main attractions of the Peloponnese, is only an hour’s drive west of Athens; you can explore the rest from there.
- Crete. The largest of Greece’s countless islands, Crete has something for everyone. Many travelers tend to stick around Heraklion and Chania, its two largest cities, but do get in a car and go to see the rest of the island - its real beauty is in its rugged beaches outside tourist resorts, small mountain villages, and pristine wilderness. Keep in mind that while you can take a car on a ferry from Athens to Crete, ask your car rental provider first if they permit it. Alternatively, you can drop off your car in Athens and pick up another in Heraklion or Chania.
Car Rental Prices in Athens
How can I save money on my rental car?
These are some of the things to keep in mind when booking a rental car in Athens:
- Compare rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Athens is the cheapest in January when renting a car is about 58% cheaper than the yearly average and a whopping 80% cheaper than renting a car in August. Come visit in winter time when the city is just as fascinating, but far less crowded!
Top 20 Cities near Athens
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Heraklion Car Rentals from $8.03 per day318.4 km / 197.8 miles away
-
Corfu Car Rentals from $12.94 per day378.9 km / 235.5 miles away
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Chania Car Rentals from $8.11 per day274.8 km / 170.8 miles away
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Rhodes Car Rentals from $12.91 per day427.1 km / 265.4 miles away
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303.8 km / 188.8 miles away
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Zakynthos Car Rentals from $7.58 per day252.8 km / 157.1 miles away
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Mykonos Car Rentals from $10.21 per day152.9 km / 95.0 miles away
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Santorini Car Rentals from $17.26 per day231.7 km / 144.0 miles away
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Kos Car Rentals from $12.66 per day334.0 km / 207.6 miles away
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174.0 km / 108.1 miles away
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Paros Car Rentals from $22.73 per day158.2 km / 98.3 miles away
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Preveza Car Rentals from $6.39 per day280.5 km / 174.3 miles away
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Faliraki Car Rentals from $8.93 per day432.0 km / 268.4 miles away
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Kefalonia Car Rentals from $12.66 per day285.0 km / 177.1 miles away
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Skiathos Car Rentals from $18.32 per day135.2 km / 84.0 miles away
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Kalamata Car Rentals from $9.76 per day182.6 km / 113.4 miles away
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Kavala Car Rentals from $9.78 per day334.0 km / 207.5 miles away
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Agios Nikolaos Car Rentals from $19.54 per day350.7 km / 217.9 miles away
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297.2 km / 184.7 miles away
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Piraeus Car Rentals from $13.18 per day10.2 km / 6.3 miles away
Top 16 Locations near Athens
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Agios Panteleimonas Car Rentals from $7.66 per day3.2 km / 2.0 miles away
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Piraeus Port Car Rentals from $13.18 per day10.2 km / 6.3 miles away
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Athens Port Car Rentals from $17.91 per day11.0 km / 6.8 miles away
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Athens Airport Car Rentals from $4.18 per day17.6 km / 10.9 miles away
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Kea Port Car Rentals from $48.51 per day60.6 km / 37.6 miles away
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Syros Airport Car Rentals from $14.63 per day122.3 km / 76.0 miles away
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Skyros Island National Airport Car Rentals from $20.51 per day127.2 km / 79.1 miles away
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Skiathos Port Car Rentals from $54.73 per day133.9 km / 83.2 miles away
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Skiathos Hotel delivery Car Rentals from $11.74 per day133.9 km / 83.2 miles away
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Skiathos Airport Car Rentals from $18.32 per day135.2 km / 84.0 miles away
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Mykonos Port Car Rentals from $20.66 per day150.6 km / 93.6 miles away
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Mykonos Airport Car Rentals from $10.21 per day152.9 km / 95.0 miles away
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Milos Airport Car Rentals from $16.39 per day156.2 km / 97.1 miles away
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Paros Port Car Rentals from $22.73 per day158.2 km / 98.3 miles away
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Volos Airport Car Rentals from $18.32 per day161.3 km / 100.2 miles away
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Paros Airport Car Rentals from $12.66 per day162.2 km / 100.8 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Athens?
Car rental prices in Athens vary a lot according to the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in Athens
The best month to rent a car in Athens is January (when prices for an Economy class start from $18.14). This is 56% cheaper than the yearly average and 81% cheaper than renting in August (when rental prices start at $95.17 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price.
What’s the usual rental length in Athens?
Travel lengths vary from month to month: in September, travelers rent a car for an average of 14 days in July, the average rental period is 6 days.
Average Rental Length in Athens
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Athens?
While travelers visit Athens year-round, the most popular month for renting a car is March, and the least popular is April.
Popularity of Car Rental in Athens by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Rent a Car | Hyundai i10 | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Goldcar | Citroen C1 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Centauro | Peugeot 208 | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Carwiz | Suzuki Celerio | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Centauro | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| ABBYCAR | Ford Fiesta | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Goldcar | Peugeot 208 | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Carwiz | Fiat Panda | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Autounion | Citroen C1 | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| ABBYCAR | Suzuki Celerio | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
Our Customers Reviews
ES
United Kingdom
Citroen C1
July 15, 2021
Athens is a very historical place.Has many beautiful beaches to visit west and east coast.Beautiful mountains with amazing views of Athens.Ymitos is the best.Vouliagmeni lake is a must see.
Live your myth in Greece!
JS
Poland
Ford Fiesta
June 30, 2021
Delphi, Mykenes, Nafplio, and mamy more
GB
United Kingdom
Toyota Aygo
November 21, 2020
Just drove into Athens for one day as the city is one of the most Dense cities in the world with narrow, busy and congested streets. Spent most of my time in Porto Rafti (40mins drive from Athens city centre) and the southern tip of Greece which is much more open and easy to drive around
GV
Ireland
Fiat Panda
October 31, 2020
Loved it ❤
PC
United Kingdom
Nissan Pixo
October 2, 2020
Best price clean cars friendly staff
BB
United Kingdom
Fiat Tipo
September 2, 2020
Take a trip to Sounio, lovely beaches
MB
Belgium
Ford Focus
August 22, 2020
For the city itself, not sure a car is needed. We used it to venture to Mani, but previously also to other areas in closer proximity to Athens. There are plenty of things to see just outside Athens, both in the mountains & on the coast.
TD
Canada
Citroen C3
August 17, 2020
Thank you!
CL
United Arab Emirates
Nissan Micra
August 14, 2020
Car is essential if you are moving out of Athens
DZ
Greece
VW Up
February 11, 2020
Transportation inside Athens is easy, but if you want to explore the sorroundings and see more sites- it is super easy to rent a car just at the city center and drive off!
DK
Greece
Citroen C1
February 1, 2020
Take your car and go everywhere in Greece ...its fantastic
RS
Israel
Nissan Note
October 14, 2019
If you plan a long trip having a disel saves you a lot of money
PH
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
October 1, 2019
Excellent place to see and visit
CT
Canada
Suzuki Baleno
July 28, 2019
I Visited Corinth Loutraki old Corinth the isthmus of Corinth it was great experience.!
DS
Canada
Citroen C1
July 27, 2019
Athens is a hectic city, but if you can stomach that or if you are travelling else where in Greece, renting is s good idea.
IH
United Kingdom
Suzuki Baleno
July 22, 2019
Not for staying in Athens but travelling from Athens.
Athens as a location was veery interesting and not just for the 'sites'. We found the culture of the place great too. We went on a free walking tour and tghis was a great introductiuon.
JS
United Kingdom
Fiat Panda
July 14, 2019
Picking up the car was easy with a minibus to the office. The staff were friendly and very helpful. I didnt stay in Athens very long and drove to stay with in Evia which was simpler to drive as the roads are quieter. Athens is a crazy city to drive but then so are most cities. The car was perfect, it was small but just right for our needs.
KA
Canada
Toyota Aygo
June 2, 2019
Driving in Athens is not for the faint of heart. The streets are narrow and convoluted. Driving in Athens is a “GPS is mandatory” environment. Further, native drivers tend to see traffic rules as guidelines rather than law. Motor cycles dodge and weave through tight spaces and car drivers are aggressive and impatient. Most importantly finding parking is extremely difficult in the city. Space is at a premium. Places like The Acropolis offer very limited parking. I only recommend driving a car in this city if your accommodations include parking and even then be prepared to make use of public transportation.
Once on their highway system be ready for toll booths. However they are very modern and efficient and not overly expensive. The highways are new modern and in good condition. If you are a skilled driver who does not get rattled easily, Athenian driving can even be fun. But don’t take your new found habits home with you.
NT
Austria
Suzuki Swift
May 10, 2019
Go for it if public transport doesn't cover you and you're used to how locals drive.
PD
United Arab Emirates
Toyota Aygo
March 13, 2019
Roads are busy during rush-hour and motorbikes dodge between cars. No damage this time but I'd take full insurance next time as fair chance that something may happen to the car that's totally out of your control. Good roads and signage.
Top 23 Suppliers in Athens in 2021
Carwiz
+302106022213
Leof. Koropiou Markopoulou 167-173, Koropi 194 00, Athens
Working hours
Mon:08:00-22:00
Tue:08:00-22:00
Wed:08:00-22:00
Thu:08:00-22:00
Fri:08:00-22:00
Sat:08:00-22:00
Sun:08:00-22:00
National
+302103533325
Athens International Airport, Attiki Odos, Spata 190 04
Global Rent a Car
+302111875501
Leof. Markopoulou, Koropi 194 00
Working hours
Mon:08:00-21:00
Tue:08:00-21:00
Wed:08:00-21:00
Thu:08:00-21:00
Fri:08:00-21:00
Sat:08:00-21:00
Sun:08:00-21:00
RightCars
+302111985283
10 Akti Miaouli
Enterprise
+302103533325
Attiki Odos, Spata Artemida 190 04
Optimo Rent
+302102010066
Attiki Odos, Spata Artemida 190 04
Working hours
Mon:08:00-22:00
Tue:08:00-22:00
Wed:08:00-22:00
Thu:08:00-22:00
Fri:08:00-22:00
Sat:08:00-22:00
Sun:08:00-22:00
SIXT
+302109220171
Xaveris Coast
Alamo
+302103533325
Athens International Airport, Attiki Odos, Spata 19004
AddCar
+302106624372 / +306937422016
Agion Anargyron 74, (on Koropi exit to Athens Airport), Koropi 194 00
Working hours
Mon:08:00-21:00
Tue:08:00-21:00
Wed:08:00-21:00
Thu:08:00-21:00
Fri:08:00-21:00
Sat:08:00-21:00
Sun:08:00-21:00
Keddy
+302109211444
49 Sygrou Avenue
Working hours
Mon:08:30-21:00
Tue:08:30-21:00
Wed:08:30-21:00
Thu:08:30-21:00
Fri:08:30-21:00
Sat:08:30-21:00
Sun:08:30-21:00
Autounion
+302106020162
7 KM Paianias Markopoulou 19400
Working hours
Mon:00:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-23:59
Avis
+302103530578
Airport 5th Klm Spaton-loutsas Av.
Working hours
Mon:00:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-23:59
Alamo
2103533325
Athens International Airport
Working hours
Mon:07:00-23:45
Tue:07:00-23:45
Wed:07:00-23:45
Thu:07:00-23:45
Fri:07:00-23:45
Sat:07:00-23:45
Sun:07:00-23:45
Budget
+302103530553
Airport Eleftherios Venizelos Athens International Airport
Working hours
Mon:00:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-23:59
Centauro
+302111984799
Athens Airport Area, Leof. Markopoulou, Markopoulo Mesogeas 190 03
NUCarrentals
+306936907786
3RD KM AVE PEANIAS-MARKOPOULOU
Ace Rent a car
+302114114461 / +18778223872
Ag. Anargiron 82, Athens 194 00
GreenMotion
+302106022300
Varis, 114 Varis Koropiou Avenue, Athens 1185
Working hours
Mon:08:00-21:00
Tue:08:00-21:00
Wed:08:00-21:00
Thu:08:00-21:00
Fri:08:00-21:00
Sat:08:00-21:00
Sun:08:00-21:00
Goldcar
+342114114461
Agion Anargiron Street 82
Working hours
Mon:08:00-22:00
Tue:08:00-22:00
Wed:08:00-22:00
Thu:08:00-22:00
Fri:08:00-22:00
Sat:08:00-22:00
Sun:08:00-22:00
Surprice
Rhodium
+342114114461
Agion Anargiron Street 82
Working hours
Mon:08:00-22:00
Tue:08:00-22:00
Wed:08:00-22:00
Thu:08:00-22:00
Fri:08:00-22:00
Sat:08:00-22:00
Sun:08:00-22:00
Europcar
+302109211444
Athens El. Venizelos Apt
Working hours
Mon:07:30-20:59
Tue:07:30-20:59
Wed:07:30-20:59
Thu:07:30-20:59
Fri:07:30-20:59
Sat:07:30-20:59
Sun:07:30-20:59
MEX RENT A CAR
+302114111400
Leof. Markopoulou, Koropi 194 00
Working hours
Mon:08:00-21:00
Tue:08:00-21:00
Wed:08:00-21:00
Thu:08:00-21:00
Fri:08:00-21:00
Sat:08:00-21:00
Sun:08:00-21:00