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Car Hire in Rhodes, Greece: Competitive Prices and a Practical Local Guide

Pick up at Rhodes Airport or in town and explore beaches, hill villages and viewpoints at your own pace—use this UK-focused guide to compare options, avoid surprises, and secure great-value car hire.

UK Traveller Guide
Rhodes Car Hire Guide for UK Travellers
Hiring a car in Rhodes is one of the easiest ways to see more than the Old Town and the main resort strip. Public transport links the bigger towns, but a car makes it far simpler to reach quieter coves, inland villages, and early-morning sights without waiting for timetables. For travellers from the United Kingdom, the practicalities are straightforward: Greece drives on the right, road signs are largely familiar, and most major rental firms accept UK licences. The main trade-offs are busy summer traffic around resort areas, tighter parking in Rhodes Town, and the need to understand insurance excess, fuel rules and deposit holds before you collect the keys.
Alamo
Avis
National
Dollar
Thrifty
Budget
+ more
Rhodes International Airport (RHO) – Diagoras
The island’s main arrival point and the most convenient place to collect a car, especially for UK flights. Most suppliers have desks in/near Arrivals and cars parked in dedicated airport areas or nearby lots. Best for widest choice of vehicle types, longer opening hours and quick start to your trip, but it can be busier at peak times and prices can be higher than off-airport locations.
Rhodes Town (Mandraki Harbour & New Town Area)
Popular for travellers staying in Rhodes Town who do not want to drive immediately after landing. Pros: easy to reach from hotels, good for short hires and flexible drop-offs, and you can avoid airport queues. Cons: limited parking, one-way systems, and slower pick-up during high season due to town traffic.
Rhodes Old Town (Near the City Walls)
Handy if your accommodation is inside or near the historic centre. Pros: minimal transfers, ideal if you plan to collect the car later in your stay. Cons: vehicle access can be restricted in parts of the Old Town, loading zones are limited, and you may need to walk from your accommodation to the office or pick-up point.
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Best Car Hire in Rhodes for Every Journey

Discover our top-rated vehicles tailored for Rhodes roads, from coastal cruises to mountain escapes. Book now and explore with confidence.

By Trip Type
Popular Makes

Summer Coastal Touring

Convertible

Perfect for Mediterranean Sunshine
4
2
Auto

Rhodes boasts over 300 days of sunshine annually, making a convertible ideal for coastal drives along Anthony Quinn Bay and Lindos. The warm summer temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C make open-top motoring a pleasure rather than a necessity. Cruise along the stunning Aegean coastline with the roof down, enjoying panoramic sea views and the gentle island breeze. Parking is straightforward at the numerous coastal beach bars and tavernas that line the shore.

Historic Town Exploration

Small

Navigate Medieval Streets with Ease
5
2
Auto

Rhodes Old Town presents charming but notoriously narrow cobbled streets that challenge larger vehicles. A small car effortlessly weaves through the Knights' Quarter and Marco Polo Boulevard where medieval architecture creates beautiful but tight passages. Parking in the historic centre becomes stress-free with a compact vehicle that fits into traditional spots. The UNESCO World Heritage Site rewards those who explore on foot, but a small car handles necessary transits between districts perfectly.

Mountain & Countryside Adventure

SUV

Conquer Rhodes Inland Roads
5
3
Auto

The island's interior reveals dramatic mountain landscapes around Profitis Ilias and the traditional villages of Embona and Siana. These winding country roads feature sharp hairpin bends and occasional unpaved sections that demand a higher driving position. An SUV provides the stability and ground clearance needed for confident handling on terrain that smaller cars find demanding. Weekend excursions into the verdant valleys and pine-covered hillsides become effortless adventures in a capable SUV.

Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Airport Pick-up
Town Pick-up

Fastest Start From Rhodes Airport (RHO)

Airport pick-up is ideal for UK arrivals who want to head straight to their resort or start a road trip immediately. You typically get the widest choice of cars (including family sizes), longer opening hours, and simpler logistics if your flight lands late. It can be busier in summer and sometimes pricier, so booking in advance and allowing time for paperwork helps.

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Narrow-Lane ReadySmall
Toyota Aygo

Toyota Aygo

GrentalFree shuttle bus
4
1
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$1,104.27
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
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Narrow-Lane ReadySmall
Toyota Aygo

Toyota Aygo

Drive saFree shuttle bus
4
1
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$1,104.27
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
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Toyota Aygo

Toyota Aygo

Let's driveShuttle bus
4
1
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$949.91
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
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Beach ExplorerSUV
Citroen C3 AIRCROSS

Citroen C3 AIRCROSS

GrentalFree shuttle bus
5
2
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$1,104.27 - $4,749.55
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
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Beach ExplorerSUV
Citroen C3 AIRCROSS

Citroen C3 AIRCROSS

Drive saFree shuttle bus
5
2
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$1,104.27 - $2,208.54
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
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Beach ExplorerSUV
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

GrentalFree shuttle bus
5
2
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$1,545.98
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
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Narrow-Lane ReadySmall
Toyota Aygo

Toyota Aygo

Carwiz1.5 mi
4
1
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$949.91
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
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Narrow-Lane ReadySmall
Toyota Aygo

Toyota Aygo

AbbycarShuttle bus
4
1
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$1,068.65
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
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Narrow-Lane ReadySmall
Toyota Aygo

Toyota Aygo

NationalIn terminal, Walk to counter
4
1
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$344.34 - $1,187.38
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
Essential Rental Hub
Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.
A Brit's Guide to Fuelling a Rental Car in Greece
This guide offers essential tips for fuelling a rental car in Greece, covering the differences between full-service and self-service stations, communication tips, payment methods, and important fuel types to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.
View details
Rhodes Car Rental Insurance 2024 Ultimate Guide to Zero Excess and Savings
Comprehensive 2024 guide to car hire insurance in Rhodes. Demystifies CDW, SCDW, TP and PAI, exposes common exclusions such as tyres, wheels, glass, keys and undercarriage, and compares rental company zero excess packages with third party excess reimbursement policies. Includes a pre rental and pick up checklist, island specific driving risks and five real world case studies to help travellers choose the best protection and avoid costly surprises.
View details

Drive Rhodes: Essential Greek Island Motoring Guide

Your comprehensive guide to driving in Rhodes, Greece - from local traffic rules to fuel costs and car hire tips for an unforgettable island adventure.

LANGUAGES

Greek

CURRENCY

EUR

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+30

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

30-50 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

90-130 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.05%

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$1.85/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$1.44/L - $2.64/L

Rhodes Self-Drive Essentials

Everything British travellers need to know about renting a car and driving around Rhodes

Can I drive in Rhodes with my UK licence, or do I need an International Driving Permit?
UK licence holders can drive in Greece legally without an IDP, but many Rhodes rental companies will ask for one during busy summer months. It's strongly recommended to obtain an IDP from the AA or RAC before travel (around £5.50) – it removes any ambiguity and speeds up the rental process. You must be at least 21 years old, though most companies require drivers to be 23 or 25 for certain vehicle categories. Always carry your passport alongside your licence.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Rhodes? Does it take getting used to?
Rhodes, like the rest of Greece, drives on the RIGHT – the opposite of Britain. This catches many British tourists off guard, especially at roundabouts where you give way to traffic already circulating (anti-clockwise instead of clockwise). Take particular care when emerging from junctions, car parks and petrol stations. Mountain roads leading to villages like Lindos have sharp bends with limited visibility – always stick to your side of the road and use the horn on blind bends.
Are there any toll roads on Rhodes, and what's the summer traffic really like?
Rhodes has no toll roads – unlike the Greek mainland, you won't need an e-tag or pay any road user charges. However, summer traffic (particularly June-August) can be genuinely brutal. The road to Lindos backs up severely between 10:00 and 14:00, sometimes taking 45 minutes for a journey that should take 15 minutes. A modern bypass now diverts some traffic around Rhodes Town, but expect significant congestion on any coastal road to popular beaches. Leave early morning or late afternoon to avoid the worst.
What fuel do rental cars use, and what's the refuelling policy?
Almost all rental cars on Rhodes run on unleaded petrol (95 octane, labelled 'Αμόλυβδη 95' or 'Super'). Diesel is also widely available. Most companies operate a 'full-to-full' policy: collect with a full tank, return with a full tank. If you return empty without agreeing a fuel plan upfront, expect to pay 1.5-2 times the local pump price. Self-service petrol stations are plentiful; look for signs saying 'ΠΕΤΡΕΛΑΙΑ' for diesel or 'ΒΕΝΖΙΝΗ' for petrol. Stations generally close around 21:00-22:00.
What seasonal driving hazards should I prepare for?
Summer brings extreme heat (often 35-40°C on Rhodes) that melts road surfaces and puts strain on hire cars – check coolant levels and never ignore engine temperature warnings. The summer meltemi wind can be strong enough to destabilise smaller vehicles on exposed roads. Winter (December-February) sees heavy rainfall that turns mountain roads into rivers; Landslides are a genuine risk on routes to villages like Seven Springs (Epta Piges). Flash flooding can close roads with little warning – always check conditions and avoid wadi-style river beds, even if they look passable.

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