Car rental in Thessaloniki is a convenient and pleasant way to see authentic Greece. Taxi expenses, especially for groups of 3-4 people, can be costly, while lengthy public transport journeys to beaches aren't always convenient.
If you plan to see beyond your hotel surroundings and want to explore Greece with pleasure, comfort, and without breaking the bank—renting a car through Localrent becomes the optimal solution.
Where to Rent a Car in Thessaloniki Without Problems
Car rental in Thessaloniki through Localrent is simple, profitable, and predictable. Here are 5 reasons to choose us:
- Extensive fleet selection — Over 120 vehicles available for Thessaloniki rental, from economy class to luxury options and convertibles. Approximately 50% of cars can be booked with model guarantee.
- Fixed pricing — No hidden commissions, taxes, or surcharges upon vehicle collection. General rental and insurance conditions clearly stated on the website.
- User-friendly website with intuitive interface. Filters by car class and brand, transmission type, insurance, deposit requirements, and other important parameters.
- Large selection of deposit-free vehicles
- Minimal advance payment — 15-20% of total rental cost when booking. Pay remaining amount after vehicle collection.
Rental Requirements and Documents
Age and driving experience requirements are listed on each vehicle's page. These may differ even for similar models. Use website filters to find cars matching your criteria.
Required Documents:
- Driver's license
- International passport
- Rental voucher — document received via email after booking payment
For hassle-free travel throughout Greece, we recommend carrying an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside national license. Some rental companies may refuse rental without these documents. Additionally, having this license combination facilitates interactions with local police.
Car hire prices in Thessaloniki
The average cost of a one-day car rental. The number is calculated based on the bookings of the previous three years. It takes into account the rental of cars across all classes.
27 €
JAN
29.5 €
FEB
30.21 €
MAR
32.8 €
APR
34 €
MAY
43 €
JUN
46 €
JUL
41.65 €
AUG
33 €
SEP
30.71 €
OKT
33.79 €
NOV
28.29 €
DEC
Car rental at the airport
Thessaloniki is not only one of the oldest cities in Greece, but also a country's “air gateway”.
Journey by bus from the airport to your hotel takes 45 minutes. But if you are travelling with suitcases and kids, you had better take a taxi for €30 to the bus terminal (taxi fare doubles at night).
Many tourists use a travel hack: they rent a car right at the airport or have it delivered to the local airport by the time of arrival.
How can you do it in the most convenient, safe, and economical way? We recommend that you do it right here, on our website.
The demand for car rental services in Thessaloniki
The occupancy rate of the car rental fleets by month. For example, most cars are being rented in August, which means that this month has the smallest amount of available vehicles. The higher the percentage of the car fleet workload, the earlier it is worth booking a car to choosing the best option at the best price.
Traffic Rules in Greece: Essential Navigation Intelligence
Understanding Thessaloniki traffic dynamics is crucial for smooth city navigation. Key congestion insights:
Peak traffic periods:
- Morning rush: 7:00 am to 9:00 am (especially around commercial districts and university areas)
- Evening peak: 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm (intensified by shopping and dining activity)
- Lunch hour congestion: 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (typical Mediterranean meal timing)
Critical timing recommendations:
- Avoid Old Town exploration during peak hours
- Plan coastal route travel during mid-morning (10:00 am to 12:00 pm)
- Consider alternative routes through side streets during rush periods
- Use navigation apps for real-time traffic updates
Fundamental Traffic Regulations
Greece follows right-hand traffic rules. Highway and major city signs include English translations, while local roads use Greek signage.
Speed limits:
- City areas: 50 km/h
- Outside cities: 90 km/h
- Highways: 130 km/h
Thessaloniki-Specific Driving Challenges
Old City navigation: Travelers often find Old Town movement difficult due to narrow, winding roads and numerous one-way streets. "Yield" and "Main road" signs are rare in the city.
Traffic light behavior: Tourist drivers must remain alert at traffic lights. Local drivers frequently rush through final seconds of green signals and may run recently turned red lights.
Local driving customs:
- Speed limit violations common
- Frequent honking
- Infrequent turn signal usage
- Illegal U-turns in prohibited areas
- Failure to stop at "STOP" signs
- Overtaking across double solid lines
- Illegal parking practices
Pedestrian behavior: Local pedestrians also disregard traffic rules and may appear unexpectedly.
Tourist adaptation strategy: Accept local driving culture specifics for comfortable vacation experiences. Police show leniency toward foreign drivers who follow basic rules.
Parking Navigation in Thessaloniki
Parking Types and Locations
- Municipal parking: Usually located in less busy areas, away from main tourist routes. Central Thessaloniki offers several government parking facilities near the Military Museum, New Railway Station, and Rotunda.
- Private parking: Comprises majority of city parking spaces. No unified parking rate exists—payment depends on location.
Before temporarily leaving your vehicle on streets, check marking colors:
- Blue markings — Paid short-term parking for 1-2 hours
- White markings — Free parking spaces (if no restrictive signs nearby)
- Yellow markings — Parking prohibited; only authorized loading/unloading vehicles for shops permitted
Gas Stations in Greece
Station availability: Greece features numerous gas stations. Use Google Maps or FuelGRS app to locate nearest stations.
Station types:
- Major chains: BP, Shell, Avin, EKO, ElinOil, RevOil
- Independent stations
- Rural mini-stations
Fuel quality: Greece maintains decent fuel standards with virtually no counterfeit products. Stations typically offer three gasoline types plus diesel fuel.
Service approach: Many stations employ attendants who fill tanks without customer involvement. Card payments require visiting cashier. Recommend carrying cash reserves as not all stations accept electronic payments.
Operating hours: Most stations close by 10:00 pm—don't postpone refueling until late evening. Major branded stations switch to automatic terminal-payment mode overnight.
Thessaloniki Car Booking Through Localrent
Book your Thessaloniki car from home comfort in minimal time:
- Location and date selection — Enter desired pickup/return locations and rental dates.
- Filter utilization — Choose car class and narrow search parameters. Approximately 40 filters available for precise rental matching, including:
- Year of manufacture
- Deposit requirements
- Rental cost
- Engine size, etc.
- Offer comparison — Compare options by characteristics, prices, and additional services.
- Vehicle details — Click suitable car photos for detailed information.
- Service customization — Study vehicle characteristics and add necessary services. If satisfied, click "Continue."
- Personal information — Complete required registration details and verify rental cost.
- Payment — Pay 15-20% of calculated rental amount immediately. Pay returnable deposit (if applicable) and remaining balance upon vehicle collection.
You're now ready for your Thessaloniki adventure in your perfect rental car!
Top 5 Destinations for Rental Car Trips
Car rental in Thessaloniki opens access to Northern Greece's scenic locations. Here are 5 top destinations easily accessible via paved roads:
| Location | Description | Distance | Travel Time | Recommended Vehicle | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meteora | 14th-century monasteries built on rock peaks | 230 km | 3 hours | Sedan, but crossover preferred for comfort due to serpentines | |
| Mount Olympus | Mythical home of the gods | 170 km | 3 hours | Crossover or powerful engine vehicle | |
| Halkidiki Peninsula | Azure bays and pine forests | 50-100 km | 1-1.5 hours | Any vehicle—excellent roads | |
| Edessa Waterfalls | Greece's highest waterfalls | 90 km | 1.5 hours | Compact crossover or mid-class car | |
| Ancient Pella | Macedonia's capital during Alexander's era | 40 km | 40 minutes | Any vehicle | |
Important insurance note: Rental car insurance applies only to paved road travel—dirt road driving prohibited. Vehicle damage from unequipped route travel isn't covered by insurance.
Thessaloniki Vehicle Pickup Locations
When booking through Localrent, choose convenient pickup/return locations from those available for specific vehicles.
Most vehicles offer these locations:
- Airport
- Rental office
Some vehicles provide delivery to:
- Hotels
- Railway station
Specified Thessaloniki addresses
Safe Car Rental Tips for Thessaloniki
While Thessaloniki rental offers movement freedom, local specifics exist. These practical tips help avoid surprises and save money:
Fuel Type Verification
Diesel is popular in Greece—confirm fuel type with rental company. Gas tank caps often lack fuel type indicators.
Damage Documentation
During contract completion, record all vehicle damage in inspection report. Take video or photos during pickup—this takes minutes but saves stress if something was missed.
Toll Road Information
Thessaloniki features toll highway E 75—ask rental company about passage procedures and payment methods.
Rental FAQ
Which models are most frequently rented?
For city trips: compact cars like Hyundai i20, Toyota Yaris. They're economical and convenient for narrow streets.
Can I rent without a credit card?
Yes. The website features a "no credit card" filter. Simply apply this filter and choose from available options.
Can I rent cheaply in Thessaloniki?
Yes, Localrent offers three Thessaloniki vehicles with rental rates up to €10 per day.
Can I rent at Thessaloniki airport using a debit card?
Yes, most vehicles accept debit card payment. Available payment methods are listed in each car's details.
What age restrictions apply for car rental in Greece?
This depends on the specific vehicle. Recommend entering your details in filters to check available cars for your age group.
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Hi! Can I rent a car with 1.5 years of driving experience?
Good afternoon! Unfortunately, you can’t rent a car with such driving experience. The minimum driver’s age is 25 years and the maximum age is 70 years. The minimum driving experience is 3 years.
Good afternoon! Can I pay the full rental cost in advance?
Good afternoon! Unfortunately, no. On our website, you only make a small advance payment with any card. And you pay the remaining amount and the deposit when you pick up your rental car.
Good afternoon! What is the correct way to transport children according to the traffic regulations?
Good afternoon! Children under 3 years of age may only travel in a suitable child restraint system appropriate for the child’s weight. Children under 12 years of age and less than 135 cm tall may only ride in the rear in special child safety seats or booster seats that allow to fasten the child with seat belts.
Hello! Is CDW included in the final price or you need to pay an extra fee for it?
Hello! It depends on the chosen car, because different car rental companies offer different insurance packages. Insurances that are included and those, which can be added at extra fee, are specified in each car booking form individually. Included insurances are marked by ticker in the checkbox by default, and for insurances that are available at extra fee you will see the total cost calculated for your chosen period of rent (if you want to add this insurance, you need to put the ticker and system will add it to the order automatically).