To make the most of the beautiful island of Crete, it’s best to set off on an adventure in your own vehicle: to explore the traditional villages, see the most beautiful gorges and admire the spectacular mountain scenery!
Here’s our practical guide to stress-free car hire in Crete.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
1 – Where to rent a car in Crete: best agencies
Our preferred rental company
Our preferred agency in Crete is Rental Center Crete
Everything is included in the price and the service is excellent. It takes all the stress away!
See available cars.
Our preferred platform
If you prefer a platform for comparing offers, our favorite is DiscoverCars.
This platform allows us to easily compare offers from different rental companies: prices and conditions. And every time, we find good deals.
Where to take your car?
If you’re arriving by plane and heading straight off on your road trip, pick up your car at the airport. It’s easier to take control of a vehicle on wide main roads than in the back alleys of a big city.
The biggest car rental hubs in Crete are
- Heraklion airport
- The port of Heraklion
- The city of Heraklion
- The town of Chania
At Heraklion airport, we find it impressive to see the parking lot with all the kiosks of the various agencies. Most of the major international brands are available. There are also plenty of local brands.
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
When to rent a car
Crete is a very popular destination, especially in summer. We therefore advise you to book as soon as you have your travel dates, to have a choice of cars and better prices!
You will not find any last minute offers in summer. As soon as you have chosen your dates, book the car!
Which are the best rental agencies in Crete?
There are some very good local companies as well as the big international brands.
If you’re looking for local experts, our recommendation is Rental Center Crete. They have an excellent reputation and include an insurance policy with no excess.
If you want to compare the major international brands
- Sixt
- National
- …
So far, we’ve had nothing but positive experiences with no problems. When you read the comments, remember that the millions of people who haven’t had any problems don’t take the time to leave comments…
2 – Which rental car for Crete?
Our top 3 tips for choosing your car are:
- A good engine
- Automatic if possible, but in Europe you’ll find more manual cars.
What size car?
We know it depends on how many people are traveling and how much luggage you’re taking.
Regarding size, we have no particular recommendations. A narrower car might be easier for some to pass other vehicles on narrower roads. Also, in some villages, the streets are narrow and you might feel more comfortable. However, we have seen other destinations where a narrow car is essential. This is not the case here. The mini, economy and compact categories are ideal.
Which engine?
The island has many mountains. There are many winding roads that go up and down. None of them are very steep.
However, for a more comfortable driving experience, we recommend avoiding the smaller engine. That way, you won’t have to change gear all the time.
Automatic or manual?
As in many European countries, most cars are manual.
Rental agencies offer automatic cars, but these are often more expensive. And there are fewer of them. Then book early.
On Discovercars.com, you can use the “Automatic transmission” filter on the left, if this is a must-have for you.
WHERE TO STAY IN Crete
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Crete
- The most beautiful hotels
- 5-star hotels
- Boutique hotels
- Hotels for families
- Adults-Only Hotels
Select by city:
- Best hotels in Heraklion
- Best hotels in Chania
- Best hotels in Rethymnon
- Best Hotels in Malia
3 – Permits, rules and credit cards
Minimum age
The official driving age in Greece is 18.
However, most car rental companies in Crete require this:
- be over 21 years of age
- have held a driving licence for one year or more
- additional charges apply if you are under 25 years of age
- additional charges may apply if you are over a certain age
Do I need an international permit?
It is always best to have your international driver’s license when traveling outside the country. That way, you’ll never have to wonder.
However, to be authorized to drive in Crete (for a short stay):
- EU citizens can use their EU license
- Visitors from outside the EU must have an International Driving Permit in addition to a valid driver’s license in their own country.
Do I need a credit card?
The answer is “maybe”.
If you rent a carwithout taking the 0 deductible from the rental company, they systematically take a deposit with your credit card. A sum is blocked on your account via your credit card until you return the car undamaged.
If you take out deductible insurance directly with the rental company, you don’t need a credit card.
With Rental Center Crete, everything is already included in the rental price, no deductibles, no worries!
OUR GUIDE TO Crete
To plan your road trip:
- 5 Maps to Help You Find Your Way
- 76 selected locations
- 150 photos to help you decide
- Lots of practical tips
Read more >>>
4 – Taking out insurance
Compulsory insurance
Civil liability insurance is compulsory in Greece. It is included in the price of the rental car.
This insurance covers personal and material damage to cars and other people’s property, as well as medical expenses.
Supplements
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive insurance to cover damage to the exterior or windscreens caused by gravel. You’ll be riding on mountain roads with dry landscapes and falling rocks. We saw a lot of stones on the roadside because they don’t use much netting to keep them from falling onto the road.
4 main options:
Option 1
Your personal car or home insurance covers car rentals (but read the fine print, it’s rare). Many credit cards also offer some kind of rental car cover. You must read all the fine print to understand what is and is not covered.
Option 2
Take out the rental platform’s insurance when you book your car.
Advantage: better price than the rental company’s, and offers are usually better than those available at the counter
Disadvantage: you’ll have to leave a deposit when you pick up your car, and advance the amount in the event of damage. Since we’ve been using Discovercars, we’ve always taken their insurance. We called on them following three incidents of damage. And in all cases, refunds were made within 7 days.
Option 3
Choose a company that includes a no-deductible policy as standard, such as Rental Center Crete.
Option 4
Take the car rental company’s complementary service. It’s more expensive, but you won’t have to pay anything up front and you won’t have to do any paperwork in the event of damage.
HAVE FUN in: Crete
5 – Access to rental cars
Car rentals are generally easy to find at Cretan airports. Agencies are well signposted and accessible.
If you pick up your car at the airport, the companies are normally open as long as flights are arriving.
However, if you rent a car in a city, especially a small one, opening hours will be shorter, especially at weekends. This may mean that you will have to rent for an extra day if you cannot drop off the car.
6 – Check your vehicle on pick-up
Checking the car
If you’ve taken the rental company’s complementary service to set the excess to zero, there’s no need to check the condition of the car, but make sure you’ve got the essentials.
Otherwise, we recommend (just for peace of mind) that you walk around the car, take photos of any damage and inform the agency if it’s not noted in the car pick-up document.
Sometimes this is done with an agent. Sometimes they simply give you a form with the condition of the car before the rental. Sometimes they don’t tell you anything… Make sure all dents and scratches are noted, if not, make sure they add them.
Pay attention:
- fuel level and mileage, that they correspond to the file
- the entire exterior of the car to detect dents and scratches
- on the roof – It’s often forgotten, but we may check it when you get back.
- below the bumpers
- rearview mirrors
- inside
- tire condition
- the condition of the wing (mud wing above the wheels)
- spare wheel (if applicable, as fewer and fewer cars have a spare wheel)
Mandatory in-car equipment
In Greece, the following equipment must be available:
- Warning triangle (mandatory)
- First-aid kit (mandatory)
- Non-expired fire extinguisher (mandatory)
Find out more about toll management
There are no toll booths in Crete.
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7 – Getting ready to drive in Crete
Driving in Crete is not difficult. There are mountain roads with lots of bends, but they’re generally in good condition. So it’s not “easy”, but nothing dangerous. Just take your time, watch out for animals and enjoy the scenery.
General rules
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Respect speed limits
- BAC limit: 0.05%.
- Seatbelts compulsory for all
- Most importantly – local rule: when you’re on a fast road, you’re supposed to drive halfway on the hard shoulder (which is quite wide) to let other cars pass you. If you’re getting flashing lights, they want you to do exactly that.
In general, we found the roads to be in good condition, even off the beaten track. Only a few were narrow, with no guard rails or lines.
Given the summer crowds, this becomes more difficult in July and August, especially when you come across large coaches.
See our full article on driving in Crete (with video).
Main hazards
The 2 main hazards on Crete’s roads are:
- Stray animals on the loose
- Falling rocks
And sometimes both combined…
And yes, Crete is a generally warm country. However, because of the mountains, there can be snow and ice on the plateaus in winter.
Don’t forget that the hundreds of thousands of people who haven’t had any problems driving in Crete don’t take the time to write about it on the Internet!
What to do in the event of an accident
If people are injured or there is a conflict, the emergency number in Crete is 112. The best order of action is as follows:
- contact the emergency services
- contact the police
- contact your rental provider
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to rent a car in Crete?
It depends on the type of vacation you want. But if you want to be able to enjoy some of the hidden gems like Xerokampos, Zakros or Triopetra beach, visit somewhere early before the crowds like the pink beach of Elafonisi, be flexible to adapt to the weather, then renting a car is the best option.
Is it worth having a 4×4?
No. Most points of interest in Crete are accessible by tarmac roads. A few isolated gorges and beaches are only accessible by dirt roads. You can rent a 4WD, but be aware that rental companies’ insurance policies do not usually cover off-road driving.
What to do if you are fined
You are responsible for any traffic tickets or fines you receive during the rental period. If you are notified immediately, you may pay at the police station or online as indicated.
But it can take up to 3 months before a fine is reported to the rental company. In this case, they will send you a proof and charge you for it, possibly adding an administrative fee.
What to do if there’s a problem with the car?
Don’t lose your rental agreement. On this page, you’ll find the steps to take if you have a problem with your car.
Most of them use a breakdown assistance service, and the number will be indicated on the contract. You can then contact the rental company to see how to replace the car.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Crete
- Best of
What to do in Crete
Most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful cities
Most beautiful beaches in Crete
Best archaeological sites
Best museums
- Practical advice
When to go?
How to rent a car in Crete
Driving tips
- The must-dos
Attractions in Chania
Attractions in Rethymnon
Attractions in Heraklion
Matala
Balos Lagoon
Spinalonga Elafonissi
