Car Rental tips while in Greece?
 

I'm looking for advice on renting a car in Greece. Four adults will be spending two weeks in Greece beginning the middle of June this year. I've looked at a number of rental agencies and see that most cars don't seem to have much in the way of luggage space. Do we have to plan to rent something like a van to find a vehicle with enough space for the luggage of four adults or am I just looking at the wrong car rental agencies?
I would also appreciate any tips about car trips in Greece, traffic, road to avoid, fuel prices, etc?
Thanks in advance!

Usually there is a "Contact" place on websites and you can ask them about which car is suitable etc.
Try www.economycarrentals.com

There is no car of the lower categories that has enough space for the luggage of 4 adults...

OP will have to rent a car of the higher categories after contacting the company.
Taking a look at the websites of Avis or Hertz Greece will also give you an idea of what car types are available.....

Contacting one of the brokers, as Tommmo suggested, is a good way to start.

Thank you both for our responses.

Another rental agency is www.carrentals.com Are you from the US? If so, you will need a IDP [International Drivers Permit] as it is required in Greece.

Any AAA office can issue you this IDP for $22 dollars, that includes a photo.

Thanks again!

Resurrecting this thread to see if anyone has additional suggestions; we've always rented from AutoEurope or its counterpart (EuropeCar?) but wondered about just using an affiliate from here (like National) -- thanks!

Brokers like Autoeurope do not show all categories. If you use avis.com you will find the category "intermediate van" that will be perfect for you. Europcar (which has nothing to do with Autoeurope) offers a Fiat Doblo which will be okay. Hertz starts with a full-sized van which might be too large (read: too expensive) for you. A 7-seater will be perfect for you.

I am afraid you have to click through the websites of all rental companies to find a good offer.

Driving is easy in Greece. Roads are in excellent condition, very low traffic, relaxed drivers.

Just see that you revived an old thread.

First option: You use a broker like Autoeurope or http://www.holidaycars.com

Second option: You book directly with the car rental agency, maybe using a discount code.

Try both and compare the rates and the conditions (esp. which insurances are included). Some people prefer a broker because this will be your partner if something goes wrong, others prefer to book directly to have direct communication wit the car rental office.

I've shared in rental of cars about 5-6 times, both in islands & from Athens. In Ath have used budget-athens http://www.budget-athens.gr/?gclid=C...Fdx05QodUkGLfw (mind the hyphen! It is Greek-owned & managed), good reviews, very flexible, good to deal with, prices beat the "biggies (Avis, hertz etc). If u want automatic shift there is less choice but you certainly can get it by advance reservation.

One thing I like is that you can see their FULL fleet pictured on line, with details of cost, (how many sq inches in trunk etc) & their est. of luggage space. Sometimes their 4-door cars say only room for 3 bags + a few daypacks. But we found for 4 people a 20 or 22" rollaboard apiece plus small daybag, it would work; u can wedge the 4 major bags into trunk of a Hyundai accent or Honda Accord, & back seat will accom the 4 daybags. Unless of course all 4 of you are 6' tall 200 pounds. for 2 men in front, 2 women in rear works fine. We've even worked it with 5 women, for short trips. Only time we did a 7-8-psgr van was for 6 people.

Many thanks for these additions -- I re-upped an old thread and it's just DH and me for the rental -- good suggestions, thanks again.

I'll tag along, any suggestions for Crete and Naxos? We used Autoeurope in Portugal, but I get the impression that we might do better with a local company on the islands. and will we have a hard time with automatic transmission - afraid neither of us can handle a stick shift!

Laura, in Crete I have used Autoway 3x with satisfaction ... they deliver right to your hotel, guy is always on time (the owner trained in Germany he he he, promptness is a rule), he meets or beats the biggies' rates. You can get automatic IF you reserve ahead. Also in Crete unlike some other places in greece u can get delivery in one place & drop-off in another, no added fee. So if u fly in to Chania, u can get car at airport OR at hotel in Old Town, then if you leave from Iraklion, can drop car at ferry or at airport ... one time they just had us park the car near the hotel, leave keys at hotel desk.

In Naxos, most of the car rentals are right around the Square (it's really kind of a Circle ... a non-operating fountain in the middle, street circles around. Trip Advisor forum on Naxos category has reviews. Fun Car is one I remember using. Since I've always gone in May, easier to snag an automatic on shorter notice, but in June a good idea to google "Naxos car hire" and contact 2-3 firms in advance & reserve. One tip: friends & I often just rented a car for 1 day, not for whole stay, and wanted to start Early in AM, i.e., 8:30 or so, to swoop all around the island, and return it in at dinnertime. In Greece, places are open late in PM, so get underway slowly in AM. If your plan is to start early, good idea to arrange to pick it up previous Evening, park by your hotel & get a start right after brekkie. Once we specified car pick-up at 9:30 am, but didn't really get out of town til 11. A word to the wise...

Thanks Jan, as always you are so helpful. I'm going to take care of it in the next week or so!