Car Rental in Athens for Peloponnese Road Trip

Look at the map and evaluate the route—if it’s something of a straight shot, then I would have no qualms about a drive out of Athens.
Driving away from the port is reported to be fine if that’s something of use to you.
I think only an especially nervous driver would need the airport departure point. Though getting to the airport by taxi was fairly painless if it works out better.

Thanks for your reply! It looks like a pretty straight shot to the highway. You’ve given me some confidence.

If you're accustomed to navigating big cities, you'll have no trouble picking up a rental car from the Avis office on Syggrou Avenue.

Having driven in Athens a few times, I've always wondered why some people are so afraid of driving there. There’s quite a bit of traffic in certain areas, bus lanes, traffic lights, a few anxious drivers, pretty much like any big city around the globe. To me it's just the usual hustle and bustle.

Also note that from Athens, if you go to the airport to pick up a car you go to the South East while Delphi is to the North West

I’ve also driven in Italy and Sicily, and I can say it’s a whole different story, definitely more challenging! LOL

I really appreciate your reply. Did you mean that you felt driving in Italy and Sicily was more challenging or in Athens and Greece?

I meant, IMO it's more challenging in Italy compared to Greece, both in urban areas and rural settings.

If you're planning to stay in Athens on your way back, you can return the car at the same office on Syggrou Avenue. Just keep in mind that getting there might involve a small detour. Syggrou Av is a kind of six-lane highway with a central median, U-turns aren't allowed at the intersections. However, any GPS should guide you easily on the right route.

Thank you for the advice. I really appreciate it.

Last fall, we picked up and returned our car at SIXT on Syggrou. While it was not the easiest route it made the most sense to us for our travels and we would likely do it again. As you and others stated, it’s just a big city with a lot of traffic congestion - quite different from our super Mario cart experience in Naples.
While we would do it again, I would offer these suggestions:
Be sure to have the rental agency set the navigation to English - thankfully our agent thought to do it.
Request an automatic transmission when you reserve the vehicle. Hubby and I both know how to drive a standard transmission (and currently own one) but when navigating unfamiliar areas, it makes it a little bit easier.
Be prepared for the scooter / motorcycle drivers. They are nerve racking.
Safe travels and hope this helps.

Sounds like great advice. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

We are considering the same choice, based on feedback from this forum. We will be leaving for the Peloponnese from Athens, but on the day we return the car, our next destination is Piraeus to catch a ferry. Would it make sense to rent the car in Piraeus--pick it up there, drive to Peloponnese, and return it to Piraeus? Or would folks recommend picking up in Athens (downtown or airport) and then returning it to Piraeus?

Thank you!

We are doing the same 2 weeks, picking up car in Athens and driving to Nafplio, then returning the car in Piraeus before our ferry to Agistri. We decided on renting from Europcar as they have a location in both places. Hoping it works out well.

I already gave my recommendation for picking up a rental car in Athens.

As for dropping it off right before catching a ferry, if you found a rental office at the Port of Piraeus, why return it anywhere else?

Coming from the Peloponnese, the Port of Piraeus is closer than the airport. Going to the airport means driving an extra 30 kilometers, and then it takes another hour to get from the airport to the port by taxi, metro or bus.

Ferries to Agistri, as well as all the Saronic Gulf islands, depart from Gate E8 at the Port of Piraeus.
Here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sARaGrtTYuytaMqo8

Note that the port of Piraeus extends over approximately 4 km of docks. Looking at Google Maps for Europcar Piraeus, it seems the office is located about a 20-minute walk from Gate E8.

Same deliema. I decided against renting in Athens. I rented from ACR, pick you up at Kropi stop, one stop before airport. Easy metro ride from city.

After walking around Athens, good choice for me. Driving is very crazy. Not worth the hassle in my opinion.

Hi, All -

We considered all of this information and decided to rent our car in Nafplio. We will take some form of public transport from downtown Athens - Nafplio, then return to Port of Piraeus for an afternoon ferry to Paros.

Given that, what would be preferable? There is a bus from Athens to Nafplio (roughly 2-hr ride, per Rome2Rio), or we can do train to Corinth and bus to Nafplio. Normally I'd go for the train, but it looks like a longer journey than just the bus.

For the return, bus+train to Port of Piraeus? Bus? Taxi ($$€€!)?

And how long before our ferry departure do we want to arrive at the huge Port of Piraeus? (Ferry tix already purchased.)

Thank you so much!

Take the bus from Athens that will go directly to Nafplio Bus Station just outside the Old Town.

Buses are clean and safe and takes the hassle out of driving from Athens.

You can book online to reserve a ticket.

https://www.ktelargolida.gr/en/homepage-en/

I use Staikos Car Rental in Nafplio. They constantly give me the best rates. They may even give a discount if you pay in cash.

Contact them or any other car rental agency in Nafplio via a email rather than trying to book on line. Tell them what you need and the days you want the car.

Staikos email:
[email protected]

I don't believe there is a bus direct from Nafplio to Piraeus.

Your best option is to book a transfer. It will be costly but if there is two or more of you then it may be more cost effective and less stressful trying to get to Piraeus from Nafplio.

I used this transfer service once and was very happy with it:

https://www.greek-taxi.gr/en/home/

One additional helpful hint is to go to the best website for Nafplio and email the person who runs it.

She'll give you all the advice you need about Nafplio and getting there and back. There's a section telling you how to get to Nafplio also under "Travel Directions: link.

https://visitnafplio.com/index.html

I agree that the editor of VISIT NAFPLIO can give excellent practical transport advice... she also does use taxi/car services at times.

I have done the bus - Port thing in reverse; arrived via ferry at Piraeus, took taxi to KTEL Kifissou Bus Terminal ... it could be, these days, something like €15??? to that add the €30 one-way Bus fare for 2 = €45 total. I've done that twice, in both directions. When u arrive at KTLE Terminal, in my experience, there has always been a taxi line-up. You can ask driver esitnated price as you enter, and show him an estimate from your phone, just to be prudent.

Compare this to the car-service estimates from $180-$220 (internet AI) for a Nafplio-Piraeus transfer. Be aware that the car-service & taxi prices may not reflect latest increases due to (Hormuz-related) huge increases in gas/petrol prices.