Cheap Car Rental in Kos $9+/day - FREE Cancellation

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.

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!

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

Athens Car Rentals from $5.40 per day

305.8 km / 190.0 miles away
Corfu Car Rentals from $7.70 per day

700.6 km / 435.3 miles away
Rhodes Car Rentals from $8.53 per day

98.7 km / 61.3 miles away
Thessaloniki Car Rentals from $8.68 per day

547.3 km / 340.1 miles away
Santorini Car Rentals from $10.33 per day

150.5 km / 93.5 miles away
Piraeus Car Rentals from $15.61 per day

330.1 km / 205.1 miles away
Zakynthos Car Rentals from $8.08 per day

559.4 km / 347.6 miles away
Kefalonia Car Rentals from $3.59 per day

600.1 km / 372.9 miles away
Mykonos Car Rentals from $10.93 per day

170.3 km / 105.8 miles away
Naxos Car Rentals from $15.44 per day

156.5 km / 97.2 miles away
Preveza Car Rentals from $11.01 per day

606.0 km / 376.6 miles away
Kalamata Car Rentals from $11.96 per day

451.3 km / 280.4 miles away
Paros Car Rentals from $8.99 per day

176.3 km / 109.5 miles away
Katerini Car Rentals from $26.76 per day

554.7 km / 344.7 miles away
Skiathos Car Rentals from $18.08 per day

411.2 km / 255.5 miles away
Milos Car Rentals from $48.10 per day

235.8 km / 146.5 miles away
Samos Car Rentals from $11.27 per day

101.0 km / 62.7 miles away
Lesvos Car Rentals from $15.48 per day

255.4 km / 158.7 miles away
Volos Car Rentals from $20.40 per day

463.1 km / 287.8 miles away
Lefkada Car Rentals from $15.23 per day

604.6 km / 375.7 miles away

Top 20 Locations near Kos

Kos Airport Car Rentals from $10.64 per day

20.8 km / 12.9 miles away
Rhodes Airport Car Rentals from $8.53 per day

90.4 km / 56.2 miles away
Samos Airport Car Rentals from $11.27 per day

93.7 km / 58.2 miles away
Faliraki Car Rentals from $11.71 per day

100.1 km / 62.2 miles away
Holiday Village Rhodes Car Rentals from $22.13 per day

106.9 km / 66.4 miles away
Rhodes Lardos Car Rentals from $24.00 per day

111.1 km / 69.0 miles away
Lindos Mare Hotel Car Rentals from $22.13 per day

113.3 km / 70.4 miles away
Lindos Blu Hotel Car Rentals from $22.13 per day

113.5 km / 70.5 miles away
Rhodes Gennadi Car Rentals from $13.38 per day

113.7 km / 70.7 miles away
Rhodes Pefkos Car Rentals from $13.38 per day

115.2 km / 71.6 miles away
Santorini Airport Car Rentals from $10.33 per day

170.3 km / 105.8 miles away
Naxos Airport Car Rentals from $15.44 per day

171.2 km / 106.4 miles away
Santorini Port Car Rentals from $20.40 per day

173.5 km / 107.8 miles away
Mykonos Airport Car Rentals from $10.93 per day

181.5 km / 112.7 miles away
Mykonos Port Car Rentals from $10.93 per day

183.7 km / 114.1 miles away
Chios Airport Car Rentals from $14.43 per day

189.3 km / 117.6 miles away
Paros Port Car Rentals from $11.61 per day

190.6 km / 118.4 miles away
Paros Airport Car Rentals from $8.99 per day

191.9 km / 119.2 miles away
Syros Airport Car Rentals from $18.86 per day

214.7 km / 133.4 miles away
Airport Mytilene (Lesbos) Car Rentals from $15.48 per day

247.1 km / 153.6 miles away

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.

TC

United Kingdom

Kia Picanto

October 12, 2018

Very hilly so car is good idea.

AR

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.

MB

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

Exceptional 9.3 / 53 reviews

1 location

$13 - $14

SIXT

Exceptional 9.2 / 15 reviews

2 locations

$11 - $14

Alma Car Hire

Exceptional 9.2 / 131 reviews

1 location

$16 - $79

EXER

Exceptional 9.1 / 79 reviews

1 location

$10 - $16

Avance

Exceptional 9.1 / 69 reviews

2 locations

$17 - $74

Alamo

Excellent 8.9 / 7 reviews

2 locations

$12 - $19

Autounion

Excellent 8.8 / 8 reviews

3 locations

$16 - $112

Thrifty

Excellent 8.8 / 3 reviews

2 locations

$15 - $56

Surprice

Excellent 8.8 / 44 reviews

2 locations

$14 - $19

RightCars

Excellent 8.7 / 13 reviews

1 location

$21 - $34

Centauro

Excellent 8.7

1 location

Budget

Excellent 8.7 / 3 reviews

2 locations

$16 - $41

ABBYCAR

Excellent 8.7 / 79 reviews

1 location

$14 - $19

Enterprise

Excellent 8.6 / 1 reviews

2 locations

$14 - $20

National

Excellent 8.6 / 1 reviews

2 locations

$17 - $25

Hertz

Excellent 8.6 / 1 reviews

2 locations

$19 - $69

Viaggiare

Excellent 8.5

1 location

Keddy

Excellent 8.5

1 location

$9 - $57

Global Rent a Car

Excellent 8.5 / 3 reviews

1 location

Avis

Excellent 8.4

2 locations

$13 - $53

Drive Rent a Car

Excellent 8.4

1 location

Firefly

Excellent 8.4 / 1 reviews

1 location

Goldcar

Very good 7.8 / 5 reviews

1 location

GreenMotion

Very good 7.8 / 25 reviews

1 location

$17 - $21

Car Rental in Kos

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Travel Information

Why rent a car in Kos?

Top ways to enter Kos

City facts

Top destinations and activities

Traffic and parking

Toll roads

Ideas for day trips

Most popular cars

Further destinations

Car Rental Prices in Kos

Money-saving tips

What travel writers say

Top 20 Cities near Kos

Top 20 Locations near Kos

Map of Car Rental Locations

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

What’s the usual rental length in Kos?

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

Car Rental Information

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Our Customers' Reviews

Car Rental Statistics

Top 24 Suppliers in Kos in 2023

Highly recommended by our customers

Car Rental in Kos

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Travel Information

Why rent a car in Kos?

Top ways to enter Kos

City facts

Top destinations and activities

Traffic and parking

Toll roads

Ideas for day trips

Most popular cars

Further destinations

Car Rental Prices in Kos

Money-saving tips

What travel writers say

Top 20 Cities near Kos

Top 20 Locations near Kos

Map of Car Rental Locations

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

What’s the usual rental length in Kos?

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

Car Rental Information

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Our Customers' Reviews

Car Rental Statistics

Top 24 Suppliers in Kos in 2023

Highly recommended by our customers

Kos, Greece