Car Rental in Kos

✓ No Hidden Costs ✓ 24/7 Support ✓ Free Cancellation
Kos, Greece
Unable to find any location
Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30 - 65
  • 66
  • 67
  • 68
  • 69
  • 70
  • 71
  • 72
  • 73
  • 74
  • 75
  • 76
  • 77
  • 78
  • 79
  • 80+
500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Kos Airport Car Rental
Mini
Toyota Aygo or similar
Toyota Aygo
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
Keddy
$9.19 per day
Kos Airport Car Rental
Mini Elite
Skoda Citigo or similar
Skoda Citigo
  • 4
  • 1
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
EXER
$10.47 per day
Kos Airport Car Rental
Economy
Opel Corsa or similar
Opel Corsa
  • 4
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
SIXT
$13.54 per day
Kos Airport Car Rental
Compact
Hyundai i20 or similar
Hyundai i20
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Surprice
$14.56 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Kos Airport Car Rental
Economy Elite
Opel Corsa or similar
Opel Corsa
  • 4
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
ABBYCAR
$14.85 / per day
Kos Airport Car Rental
Intermediate
Skoda Octavia or similar
Skoda Octavia
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
Autounion
$43.13 / per day
Kos Airport Car Rental
Minivan
Dacia Jogger or similar
Dacia Jogger
  • 7
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Avance
$66.44 / per day
Kos Airport Car Rental
Minivan
Nissan NV200 or similar
Nissan NV200
  • 7
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
Alma Car Hire
$73.27 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 21:13 on 2023-03-17. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Why book with us?
Special offers
As a market leader (see SimilarWeb), we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Tech Awards (3 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 90k total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.

Travel Information

Language
Greek
Currency
EUR
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
30
Average car rental price
$30.68 / per day
Average car rental length
7 days
Speed limit within town
50 km/h
31 mph
Speed limit out of town
90 km/h
56 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Rating
9.2
Average gasoline price
$2.41 / 1 liter
Highest gasoline price
$2.55 / 1 liter
Lowest gasoline price
$2.29 / 1 liter

Why rent a car in Kos?

Kos is a great place to explore by car. It has a wealth of impressive architecture and ancient sites as well as beautiful beaches, quaint fishing villages, and many small restaurants that serve delicious local food. The island has no single center and many areas can only be accessed by car, so getting your own ride is the best way to see as much of it as you can.

Kos Car Rental

Top ways to enter Kos

  • Kos Airport: Also known as Hippocrates Airport after the Ancient Greek “Father of Medicine” who was born on the island, Kos Airport served 2.6 million travelers in 2018. The airport is growing at a rapid pace, having recorded a 14% increase from the previous year. The airport is especially active during the summer months when it has flights by more than 30 different airlines. The airport is located in the central part of the island, not far from its southwestern coast. With a car, it can be reached from any other point on the island in 45 minutes at most. 
  • By ferry: It is also possible to fly to another international airport on one of the nearby Greek islands and then take a ferry to Kos. Some airports near Kos include Rhodes Airport, Samos Airport, Santorini Airport, Karpathos Airport, and Naxos Airport. It might be possible to pick up a rental car at the airport and then take it to Kos by ferry, but you should first ask your rental car provider if they permit it. A lot of them won’t, so a better idea might be to take a ferry as a passenger and to pick up a rental car at Kos Ferry Port. It’s also important to check the ferry schedule in advance - the services are much more frequent during the spring and summer months.
  • During the summer months, there is also a ferry service between Kos and Bodrum in Turkey. It is possible to reach Kos by flying to Bodrum International Airport and then taking a ship to Kos. However, be sure to check if you need a visa to enter either Turkey or Greece - the two countries have quite different immigration laws (for example, Greece is a member of the Schengen Area while Turkey is not).

City facts

  • Like the surrounding Greek islands, Kos enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate. The average high temperature is 30°C  (86°F) in July and August, the warmest months, and 13°C  (56°F) in January, the coldest. Kos’ summers are extremely dry with practically no precipitation from June to August; on the other hand, it’s quite rainy from November to February.
  • Like many other places in Greece, Kos has had a turbulent and fascinating history. First inhabited by ancient Carian tribes, it was invaded by the Dorians and Persians; later, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and Italians ruled it, all leaving their print on the island’s architecture, customs, and cuisine.
  • Although part of Greece, Kos is located very near mainland Turkey and has historically had a high Turkish population. Even though its proportion has slightly decreased over the last 100 years, there are still about 2,000 ethnic Turks living on Kos today. Gazi Hassan Pasha Mosque, their main historic place of worship, is one of the island’s landmarks. Kos is known in Turkish as İstanköy.

Top destinations and activities

  • Nerantzia Fortress. First built in the 14th by the Knights Hospitaller, the fortress is one of the most impressive buildings on the island. If you arrive to Kos by ship, the fortress will be the first thing you will see upon entering the island’s main harbor. Open to visitors, the architectural complex is as interesting from the inside as it is from outside.
  • Tree of Hippocrates. “Only” 500 years old, the most famous tree on Kos is much too young to have seen Hippocrates. However, according to legend, it is a descendant of a similar tree under which the father of medicine indeed sat while teaching his students. According to another story, so did Apostle Paul at a slightly more recent date. Combine seeing the tree with visiting the nearby Hippocratic Museum where you can learn more about the Ancient Greek medicine and science.
  • Ancient Agora. Built in the 4th century B.C. to replace an even earlier building that was destroyed by an earthquake, the marketplace of ancient Kos was one of the largest and most famous of the ancient world. Although nowadays only ruins remain of its former glory, it is still a fascinating place to visit. Located near Kos’ harbor, it’s also very accessible.

Traffic and parking

  • There are no highways on Kos (nor on any other Greek island).
  • Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 90km/h (56 mph) on roads outside populated areas and 50km/h (31 mph) in populated and built-up areas.
  • Many gas stations might be closed during the 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 steep fines and a license ban. Exceeding the limit of 0.08% is a criminal offense and can lead to up to two years of imprisonment.
  • Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation need to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
  • When driving, 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 no toll roads on Kos. 

There are a number of toll roads, tunnels, and bridges on the mainland of 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 road 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) toll road system in place.

For most toll roads, payment can be either made with cash at a toll gate, by 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 might be equipped with such an electronic transponder. However, because of the aforementioned different toll road systems that are in place, this payment method might work for some toll roads but not for others. Determine your route in advance and ask your car rental provider about the best way to pay for the toll roads that you plan to use.  

Ideas for day trips

  • Beaches. Kos is a great beach destination, its long and beautiful shoreline being the number one reason why tourists visit the island. Lakkos Beach is tranquil and relaxed, Agios Fokas Beach has impressive black sands, and Psilos Gremos Beach, only comfortably accessed by car, has a truly remote and private atmosphere.
  • Asclepieion. In the 4th century B.C., Asklepieion was both a healing center where physicians practiced and a sanctuary where local people celebrated important festivals and worshipped Asclepius, an Ancient Greek hero and god of medicine. The ruins of the Asclepieion are in the inland part of the island, but at the same time are near enough to the coast to provide great views of the sea.
  • Water Sports. If you’re looking for something more exciting than just lying on the beach and enjoying the sun, there are many water sports you can try. Kos is one of the Mediterranean hotspots for yachting, so it’s a perfect place to try your hand at sailing (or even just enjoy the view of spectacular yachts at Kos’ marina). There are also great surfing opportunities at Mastichari Beach while Marmari Beach is the island’s top kitesurfing spot.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Kos is the Opel Corsa, although many travelers also go for the Fiat Panda and the Toyota Aygo. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.

Further destinations

  • Rhodes. Larger and busier than Kos, the famous Rhodes attracts visitors with its fortresses and castles, impressive historic sites and dramatic natural beauty. The town of Rhodes, the island’s largest settlement, will feel like a large city after coming from Kos but is just the tip of what this beautiful place has to offer.
  • Patmos. The opposite of Rhodes, Patmos is the perfect place to go to if you’re looking for even more calm and quiet than Kos has. Made up of picturesque tiny villages where locals make and sell delicious food in small restaurants and tavernas, serene beaches, as well as old Christian sites like the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse, Patmos is best enjoyed at a slow pace.
  • Kalymnos. The neighboring island of Kalymnos is smaller and also gets relatively fewer tourists - but its beaches are arguably just as attractive. On top of that, Kalymnos is also known for its coastal cliffs, which attract plenty of climbers, as well as the Monastery of Saint Sava near the island’s southeastern coast.
  • Bodrum. Located just across the Gulf of Gökova from Kos, Bodrum is a name not only for the ancient port city, but for the larger Bodrum Peninsula that surrounds it. The beaches here are just as stunning as on the Greek Islands, but what sets Bodrum apart is its special atmosphere you can best enjoy at its old religious sites, hammams (or Turkish bathhouses), and the many fishing villages that dot the shoreline. Just make sure that you don’t need a visa to enter Turkey (unlike Greece, it is not a part of the Schengen Area).

 

Note: While it is possible to go from Kos to Rhodes, Patmos, and other places in Greece by ferry, most rental car providers will not permit bringing a car on one, even if you would later return the car in Kos. A better idea is to go as a passenger and to pick up a new rental car after arriving at your destination.

Most rental car providers won’t permit bringing a rental car on the ferry to Bodrum as it is in Turkey. You can pick up a new rental car after arriving in Bodrum or just go on a day-trip without a car and later return to Kos.

Car Rental Prices in Kos

  • Large cars - from $47 per day
  • Medium cars - from $28 per day
  • Vans - from $78 per day
  • Premium cars - from $143 per day
  • Small cars - from $22 per day

Money-saving tips

Follow this advice to get a great rental car in Kos:

  • Compare the 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 Kos is the cheapest in March when renting a car is about 73% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 82% than renting a car in July. Come visit the Dodecanese islands in early spring!
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators. Learn more about our Editorial Policy.

What travel writers say

From May to September, several international flights and charter flights reach Kos from Europe in summer. Since the airport is about 25 km from the main town, booking a rental car in advance or even a taxi for transfer services is always a good idea.
SB
SJ Begonja
Hey, I am SJ Begonja. This is my family. We travel & write about food, accomm & the best things to do in the Balkans.
Make your way up to the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani with views to rival that of Santorini. From here you can really experience the islands’ wild beauty as it was formed by volcanic eruptions 24,000 years ago. Ruggedly stunning landscape contrasted with quaint traditional Greek buildings and furry friends – what more could you want from a day trip?
BVD&VR
Becky van Dijk & Vanessa Rivers
Becky and Vanessa are two friends who met in London in 2015. They immediately bonded over a mutual love for travel and decided to come together to create a community to inspire women to get out of their comfort zone and see the world!
The Asklepieion is an ancient centre of medicine close to Platani to the south of Kos Town and easily one of the best things to do in Kos if you want to explore the island’s long history. Now, the centre has been in existence since the 3rd century BC and is easily one of the island’s most important and iconic sights.
YO&LG
Yaya Onalaja-Aliu & Lloyd Griffiths
Hand Luggage Only was born back in April 2014 on a surprisingly warm afternoon in Yaya’s college room at University of Cambridge. In what seemed like an oasis of calm between assignments, Yaya and Lloyd (that’s us!) were talking about sharing our travel stories and photos with others like-minded travellers on the internet.

Top 20 Cities near Kos

  1. Athens Car Rentals from $5.40 per day
    305.8 km / 190.0 miles away
  2. Corfu Car Rentals from $7.70 per day
    700.6 km / 435.3 miles away
  3. Rhodes Car Rentals from $8.53 per day
    98.7 km / 61.3 miles away
  4. Thessaloniki Car Rentals from $8.68 per day
    547.3 km / 340.1 miles away
  5. Santorini Car Rentals from $10.33 per day
    150.5 km / 93.5 miles away
  6. Piraeus Car Rentals from $15.61 per day
    330.1 km / 205.1 miles away
  7. Zakynthos Car Rentals from $8.08 per day
    559.4 km / 347.6 miles away
  8. Kefalonia Car Rentals from $3.59 per day
    600.1 km / 372.9 miles away
  9. Mykonos Car Rentals from $10.93 per day
    170.3 km / 105.8 miles away
  10. Naxos Car Rentals from $15.44 per day
    156.5 km / 97.2 miles away
  11. Preveza Car Rentals from $11.01 per day
    606.0 km / 376.6 miles away
  12. Kalamata Car Rentals from $11.96 per day
    451.3 km / 280.4 miles away
  13. Paros Car Rentals from $8.99 per day
    176.3 km / 109.5 miles away
  14. Katerini Car Rentals from $26.76 per day
    554.7 km / 344.7 miles away
  15. Skiathos Car Rentals from $18.08 per day
    411.2 km / 255.5 miles away
  16. Milos Car Rentals from $48.10 per day
    235.8 km / 146.5 miles away
  17. Samos Car Rentals from $11.27 per day
    101.0 km / 62.7 miles away
  18. Lesvos Car Rentals from $15.48 per day
    255.4 km / 158.7 miles away
  19. Volos Car Rentals from $20.40 per day
    463.1 km / 287.8 miles away
  20. Lefkada Car Rentals from $15.23 per day
    604.6 km / 375.7 miles away

Top 20 Locations near Kos

  1. Kos Airport Car Rentals from $10.64 per day
    20.8 km / 12.9 miles away
  2. Rhodes Airport Car Rentals from $8.53 per day
    90.4 km / 56.2 miles away
  3. Samos Airport Car Rentals from $11.27 per day
    93.7 km / 58.2 miles away
  4. Faliraki Car Rentals from $11.71 per day
    100.1 km / 62.2 miles away
  5. 106.9 km / 66.4 miles away
  6. Rhodes Lardos Car Rentals from $24.00 per day
    111.1 km / 69.0 miles away
  7. 113.3 km / 70.4 miles away
  8. Lindos Blu Hotel Car Rentals from $22.13 per day
    113.5 km / 70.5 miles away
  9. Rhodes Gennadi Car Rentals from $13.38 per day
    113.7 km / 70.7 miles away
  10. Rhodes Pefkos Car Rentals from $13.38 per day
    115.2 km / 71.6 miles away
  11. 170.3 km / 105.8 miles away
  12. Naxos Airport Car Rentals from $15.44 per day
    171.2 km / 106.4 miles away
  13. Santorini Port Car Rentals from $20.40 per day
    173.5 km / 107.8 miles away
  14. Mykonos Airport Car Rentals from $10.93 per day
    181.5 km / 112.7 miles away
  15. Mykonos Port Car Rentals from $10.93 per day
    183.7 km / 114.1 miles away
  16. Chios Airport Car Rentals from $14.43 per day
    189.3 km / 117.6 miles away
  17. Paros Port Car Rentals from $11.61 per day
    190.6 km / 118.4 miles away
  18. Paros Airport Car Rentals from $8.99 per day
    191.9 km / 119.2 miles away
  19. Syros Airport Car Rentals from $18.86 per day
    214.7 km / 133.4 miles away
  20. 247.1 km / 153.6 miles away

Map of Car Rental Locations

Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Kos?

Car rental prices in Kos 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 Kos
January
$18.85
February
$30.65
March
$17.38
April
$25.44
May
$32.66
June
$45.13
July
$50.14
August
$33.25
September
$23.93
October
$12.43
November
$14.51
December
The best month to rent a car in Kos is November (when prices for an Economy class start from $12.43). This is 55% cheaper than the yearly average and 75% cheaper than renting in August (when rental prices start at $50.14 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price.

What’s the usual rental length in Kos?

Travel lengths vary from month to month: in July, travelers rent a car for an average of 8 days in February, the average rental period is 5 days.
Average Rental Length in Kos
January
5
February
5
March
7
April
7
May
7
June
8
July
7
August
8
September
7
October
5
November
5
December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Kos?

The most popular month for renting a car in Kos is July, and the least popular is November.
Popularity of Car Rental in Kos by Monthly Searches
January
6%
February
4%
March
43%
April
79%
May
225%
June
270%
July
232%
August
157%
September
81%
October
1%
November
1%
December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations 3
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers Alma Car Hire, EXER, ABBYCAR, Avance, Autocandia
Popular car categories Small cars, Medium cars, Vans, SUVs
Lowest price $9 per day
Cheapest supplier Keddy

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Alma Car Hire Toyota Aygo 5 2 Small cars
ABBYCAR Toyota Aygo 4 1 Small cars
EXER Toyota Aygo 3 1 Small cars
ABBYCAR Peugeot 208 4 2 Small cars
Avance Skoda Citigo 5 1 Small cars
EXER Toyota Aygo 5 1 Small cars
Alma Car Hire Suzuki Celerio 5 1 Small cars
Alma Car Hire Fiat Panda 5 1 Small cars
EXER Suzuki Celerio 4 2 Small cars
Autocandia Peugeot 108 5 2 Small cars

Our Customers' Reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.

United Kingdom
Kia Picanto
October 12, 2018
Very hilly so car is good idea.
Germany
Nissan Pixo
July 2, 2018
Renting a car lets you explore the island and visit many of the nice beaches. Some of the beaches are inaccessible without a car.
United Kingdom
VW Polo
June 23, 2018
A beautiful island. Kefelos is so very peaceful. The beaches on the west of the island are quiet with lovely sand. Food is reasonably cheap. Petrol is very expensive. Will be going back there.

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
Autocandia
9.35 / 10
Lowest rated company
GreenMotion
7.76 / 10
Total number of reviews
30
Total rental companies
24
Average daily price
$30.68
Lowest daily price
$9.19
Total cars available
247

Top 24 Suppliers in Kos in 2023

Autocandia
Autocandia
Exceptional 9.3 / 53 reviews
1 location
$13 - $14
SIXT
SIXT
Exceptional 9.2 / 15 reviews
2 locations
$11 - $14
Alma Car Hire
Alma Car Hire
Exceptional 9.2 / 131 reviews
1 location
$16 - $79
EXER
EXER
Exceptional 9.1 / 79 reviews
1 location
$10 - $16
Avance
Avance
Exceptional 9.1 / 69 reviews
2 locations
$17 - $74
Alamo
Alamo
Excellent 8.9 / 7 reviews
2 locations
$12 - $19
Autounion
Autounion
Excellent 8.8 / 8 reviews
3 locations
$16 - $112
Thrifty
Thrifty
Excellent 8.8 / 3 reviews
2 locations
$15 - $56
Surprice
Surprice
Excellent 8.8 / 44 reviews
2 locations
$14 - $19
RightCars
RightCars
Excellent 8.7 / 13 reviews
1 location
$21 - $34
Centauro
Centauro
Excellent 8.7
1 location
Budget
Budget
Excellent 8.7 / 3 reviews
2 locations
$16 - $41
ABBYCAR
ABBYCAR
Excellent 8.7 / 79 reviews
1 location
$14 - $19
Enterprise
Enterprise
Excellent 8.6 / 1 reviews
2 locations
$14 - $20
National
National
Excellent 8.6 / 1 reviews
2 locations
$17 - $25
Hertz
Hertz
Excellent 8.6 / 1 reviews
2 locations
$19 - $69
Viaggiare
Viaggiare
Excellent 8.5
1 location
Keddy
Keddy
Excellent 8.5
1 location
$9 - $57
Global Rent a Car
Global Rent a Car
Excellent 8.5 / 3 reviews
1 location
Avis
Avis
Excellent 8.4
2 locations
$13 - $53
Drive Rent a Car
Drive Rent a Car
Excellent 8.4
1 location
Firefly
Firefly
Excellent 8.4 / 1 reviews
1 location
Goldcar
Goldcar
Very good 7.8 / 5 reviews
1 location
GreenMotion
GreenMotion
Very good 7.8 / 25 reviews
1 location
$17 - $21
Download App
Book and manage your booking on the go
Log in or create an account
Get access to all your bookings in one place
By selecting "Agree and continue", you agree to Discover Cars'
and
Please select a pick-up location and dates