Car Rental at Athens Airport

Athens International Airport is located approximately 20 km, or 12 miles east of central Athens, the capital city of the country Greece. It is quite a busy airport, handing just over 24 million passengers per annum, and is recognised by its IATA code of ATH. The airport is also commonly referred to as the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, in honour of a Greek Statesman. Travelling from the airport is best in a rented car from one of the Athens International Airport car hire companies, as a private vehicle allows much more freedom to explore the wonderful towns and cities nearby to Athens. The car rental companies at the airport offer many special services for arriving passengers, and competitive rental rates are available.

This airport is a relatively new construction, as it was built to replace the older Athens Ellinikon International Airport, which is now closed. It consists of several buildings, but the main terminal holds the majority of passenger facilities. The satellite terminals are linked to the main building by an underground tunnel and an above-ground walkway. The above-ground link is one of the latest airport developments, and enables a connection to the terminal area from where all Schengen flights are handled. Many improvements are scheduled for the airport in future as well, to increase its overall capacity. Arriving passengers can travel by bus, taxi or train from the airport, however, many choose to rather rent a car. The airport’s car hire companies are easily accessed on the arrival level of the main terminal building, and most of them are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Car Rental Companies at Athens Airport:

• Abbycar: +30 212 213 5282
• Addcar: +30 210 662 4372
• Alamo: +30 210 353 3325
• Auto-Union: +30 210 602 0162
• Avis: +30 210 353 0578
• Budget: +30 210 353 0553
• Cargini Rent A Car: +30 210 662 0002
• Carwiz: +30 210 602 2213
• Centauro: +30 211 198 4799
• Dollar: +30 210 663 4211
• Drive S.A.: +30 210 661 6617
• Enterprise: +30 210 353 3325
• Europcar: +30 210 921 1444
• Firefly: +30 211 103 0660
• Global Rent A Car: +30 211 187 5500
• Goldcar: +30 211 411 4461
• Green Motion: +30 210 602 2300
• Grentals: +30 210 661 6617
• Hertz: +30 210 353 4900
• Idea Mobility: +30 211 187 5500
• National: +30 210 353 3325
• Payless: +30 210 353 0553
• Record: +30 693 676 9762
• Rhodium: +30 211 411 4461
• Sixt: +30 210 353 0556
• Surprice: +30 210 664 0662
• Thrifty: +30 211 103 0650
• Vips Cars: +30 22990 63211
• Wheego: +30 2114063204 /+30 6936576883
• Yours Car Rental: +30 2111875500

Although some car rental companies may be located at more remote sites just outside the airport, and passengers will need a shuttle bus for their access. Many, however, are found within the airport’s main terminal building, and have their vehicles parked just outside the building, on the airport grounds and within walking distance of the baggage claim area. Car hire from Athens International Airport is therefore very convenient, as no further form of transport is required upon arriving at the airport. Simply go to the rental counters, collect your vehicle and be on your way.

The available car rental companies are all well known around the world for their excellent customer services and wide range of quality vehicles. Hertz has even been providing vehicles for their customers for over ninety years, and their customers can join the Hertz #1 Club for special services and discounts. Avis and Budget are perhaps best known for their very competitive and low car rental rates, as well as for their vehicles that are ideal for business or leisure travel. National’s services mainly benefit corporate travelers, but Alamo is an excellent choice for those on holiday in Greece, and who would like to hire a car at a reasonable rate. Alamo offers many other extra services as well, such as information regarding the weather and activities for children.

Thrifty and Dollar will allow a customer with a corporate account to hire a vehicle for up to eleven months, and have frequent renter programs as well, while Easycar is popular for their all-inclusive car rental rates that cover all insurances necessary. Auto Europa has been around for many years as well (about fifty) and from Sixt and Europcar passengers will certainly find their ideal car for all travelling circumstances.

The Athens International Airport car rental companies all provide additional items of equipment for hire, such as child seats, satellite navigation systems and luggage racks, and may even provide hand controls for disabled drivers. From Athens Airport, hand controls are free of charge, however, all other items will cost a few extra Euro. To rent a car, the primary renter will need to be at least 21 years of age, or even 25 years of age for certain vehicle categories. Younger drivers (persons under the age of 25) may need to pay an additional fee for young drivers insurance, which could amount to between 10 and 30 Euro per day of car hire, and per underage driver listed on the rental contract. Keep in mind as well that a valid drivers license may need to have been held in your country of residence for at least a year or two prior to the rental date. Licenses issued in the European Union are accepted, but others may need to be accompanied by an International Driving Permit.

Since that debit cards are not accepted at this rental location, drivers will need to have a major credit card in their own names to rent a vehicle. Cards that are generally accepted include American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard/Access/Eurocard. Contact the car hire company of your choice to confirm all documents required for the rental, for example, a return airline ticket and proof of address may also need to be shown.

Vehicles hired at Athens International Airport are arranged into various categories, and are therefore hired accordingly, rather than by specific make and model. Categories with the lower rental rates are usually Mini, Economy and Compact, while those containing larger vehicles (Midsize, Full-size, Luxury, SUV and Passenger Van) will have higher rental rates. Smaller vehicles for hire may include the Kia Picanto, Opel Corsa, Suzuki Splash, Ford Focus, Citroen C1 and Citroen C2, while those with a little more room for luggage items may be similar to the BMW 116i, Mercedes E200, Audi A4 Turbo and Toyota Corolla. If space for more than five passengers is required, the Passenger Van category is recommended, containing vehicles similar to the Fiat Doblo, Opel Vivaro and Renault Trafic. From Athens International Airport, one way hires may also be available, which allow the customer to return their vehicle to a different rental location. Cross-border rentals, however, are seldom permitted.

Although driving in central Athens can be chaotic, a rented car is ideal for travelling to nearby towns and cities, and for reaching many of the major attractions in the area. Always drive carefully, following all road rules and remaining within the speed limits, which are 50 km/h in urban areas, 110 km/h on open roads and 120 km/h on motorways and highways.

Before departure, contact your favourite Athens International Airport car rental company for all further car hire details required.