Hello - we will have a party of 8 flying to Naxos from October 1-6. Do I need to rent a car now or can I wail until we arrive?
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3434 posts
You will need 2 cars. There would be very few vehicles seating 8. Also, vehicles with automatic shift are limited. I advise looking up local car agencies & booking ahead in that case.
It always helps in getting good advice from volunteers if you supply key facts. Are you staying in NAxos Town, or the adjacent beach (St George/Ag Giorgios)? Or are you staying at an outer beach, or at some inland villa.
In the first instance, you may not need a car for your first day's stay... because you may want to spend that time exploring the fascinating port town & relaxing. Ag Giorgios is an easy 15 mnute walk by seaside to attractions. Some of your party may decide to take one of the excellent all-day (small) bus tours to all the island highlights, in which case a car would sit unused.
If you're staying at a farther out beach, or an inland site, you'll need a car from the get-go.
When you share more info, people can help b etter.
Posted by
France Southwest
2506 posts
Just like Janet mentioned, before renting 1 (or 2) car, the first question is: Where are you going to stay in Naxos and what do you want to do there?
There are people who come to Naxos and spend their entire stay in Naxos Town or near Naxos Town and nearby beaches, they do not need a car. At worst they use buses to get out of town for a day.
Naxos being the largest island of the Cyclades where you can easily spend 6 days to explore it, other visitors get away from the crowds of Naxos Town and its organized beaches, like Agios Prokopios, Agios Georgios, Plaka (with paid sunbeds).
Over the ten cumulative days I stayed in Naxos I only spent a few hours in Naxos Town, mostly on the days of arrival and departure and drive hundreds of kilometers to explore the island.
So two different approaches.
As Janet suggests, if you stay in Naxos Town, and even if you want to explore the island, you probably won't need a car(s) on your first day. Anyway, I suggest you rent 2 cars, because among the 8 people, not everyone will necessarily want to do and see the same thing at the same time. (I experienced this with 6 people)
Search now for a local rental company in Naxos. You will find plenty of them that have a website and an online reservation system.
Use Google Maps, center the view on Naxos Town, and search for "Rent a Car".
You will see at least 30 rental companies in the search results, and you will see websites and reviews from other travelers.
If it helps, I made this map about Naxos and what you can do and see there:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1d7GZMjFODUlB8lf7EPSXQRwu-YXaKxw&usp=sharing
You can also check the Naxos public buses website here: