Athens Airport car hire, without the desk surprises
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos sits at Spata, east of the city, on the Attiki Odos motorway. This page walks you through the collection in four stops. Then you compare prices with the terms in mind.
Compare Athens Airport car hire
- Set Athens Airport (ATH) as the pick-up point.
- Open each offer's rental conditions before you choose.
- Compare deposit, excess and fuel terms, not just the price.
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Have ready before you land
Everything you want in your hand when you reach the counter or the meeting point.
Where your car is collected
Your voucher is the only reliable guide. It names the supplier and the exact collection point, whether that is a desk inside the terminal, a counter in the car park or a representative waiting for you.
Athens International Airport lists car hire companies as part of its passenger services, but the desk, floor or parking bay for your specific booking is set by the supplier on the day. That is why we do not print a table of companies: your voucher already knows. If the voucher is unclear, call the supplier's number on the voucher before you leave the baggage hall.
- The pick-up time on your voucher is the time the supplier holds the car for you. Arrive early.
- If your flight is delayed, call the number on the voucher as soon as you know.
- Shuttle and meet-and-greet suppliers do not keep a desk in the terminal. The voucher gives the meeting point.
Deposit and excess checker
Greece is a euro country, so the numbers on a desk voucher will be in euros. Enter the euro figures from your voucher here and see the cost in pounds for budgeting. Maths only, from your own figures.
Your numbers stay in this browser. Deposit, excess and cover terms are set by your rental agreement; read the exclusions before you decide. When you pay with a UK card on a Greek desk, your bank may apply a currency conversion fee on the euro amount; check your card terms.
Road out
Greece drives on the right, so your hire car is left-hand drive. Mainland driving takes you onto the Attiki Odos motorway, which links the airport to the city and the wider road network.
The airport is east of Athens at Spata and connects to the city by the Attiki Odos motorway. Journey time to central Athens depends on traffic; allow extra for rush hour and weekend returns. Signposts at the terminal direct you onto the motorway; from there, follow the exits for the city centre, Piraeus and the coast road.
- Fuel type is on the filler cap and on your voucher. Greek petrol stations are full-service on many forecourts.
- Motorways around Athens have tolls. Check whether your rental agreement covers them or whether you pay at the booth.
- Parking in central Athens is tight in the evening. Confirm your hotel has a bay before turning up.
Questions about Athens Airport car hire
Where do I pick up the car at Athens Airport?
The voucher names the supplier and the exact collection point, whether that is a desk inside the terminal, a counter in the car park or a representative meeting you. Athens International Airport lists car hire companies among its passenger services, but the specific desk for your booking is set by the supplier. If the voucher is unclear, call the number on it before leaving the baggage hall.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Greece?
A UK photocard driving licence is accepted in Greece. The UK government's guidance says an International Driving Permit is not usually required for Greece, but your supplier's terms override that; check the rental conditions before you book.
How far is Athens Airport from the city centre?
The airport is east of the city at Spata and connects by the Attiki Odos motorway. The exact distance and drive time depend on your route and traffic, so check them on the map app of your choice when you land. The Attiki Odos is the only motorway out of the airport towards the city.
What should I check before leaving the car park?
Check the recorded damage, fuel level, mileage and return instructions. Photograph every side of the car, the wheels, windscreen, dashboard and fuel gauge before driving away, and keep the photos until the deposit is released.
Is an off-airport offer the same as terminal pick-up?
No. An off-airport supplier may use a shuttle or a representative meeting point. Read the collection instructions on the voucher before travelling and see whether a shuttle bus is included.