Driving in Athens

Posted by Raj (McLean, VA, USA) on 02/21/26 10:35 PM

hi all- we'll be in athens next month and plan to spend a few days in the city, then a few days driving up to Delphi and then around the Peloponnese, and then a few more days in Athens.

My question concerns where best to hire the car The most time effective approach would be to have a car company drop off/pickup at the hotel, but I know we're in the center of athens and am wondering if the drive in and out of the city is a bad idea? I have driven in Greece before, but never in central Athens so am not sure if trying to save time/effort by picking up/dropping off at the hotel is short-sighted compared to taking a taxi (we'll have luggage) to/from the airport and rending there.

Thanks for your advice.

Posted by JoLui

France Southwest - Occitanie

02/21/26 11:16 PM

3569 posts

The vast majority of car rental agencies in Athens are located on Siggrou Avenue, a stone's throw from the Acropolis Museum. Therefore, you absolutely do not need to go to the airport to rent a car.

See the location of Siggrou Avenue below:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/yzqox24iZ4n6YfEN8

Some rental companies offer hotel pick-up and drop-off, but given Siggrou Avenue's proximity to the Plaka district, this isn't necessarily required if your hotel is in that area.

One might argue that driving in the center of Athens is a nightmare. Personally, I don't find it so. I've driven in Athens a few times, and it's just like any other big city traffic. In my opinion the streets of Athens are more dangerous for pedestrians :).

Posted by Tommmo..

02/21/26 11:17 PM

26 posts

Always found Athens Car Rentals the best. They are based near the airport but if you explain your situation they will offer choices to suit you...same with drop off. We now get an AirBNB near airport , rest up, eat and walk around and ACR will bring your car in the morning....

Posted by Raj OP

McLean, VA, USA

02/23/26 02:15 PM

15 posts

Thank you for the advice. I'm used to driving in large cities in the US, so probably getting from the hotel out to the highway should be manageable. I've seen the many positive recommendations for ACR on this forum, but their website said that they don't deliver into the city for rentals less than 5 days, and ours will be 4. I'll write them to enquire, however-- based on your responses, I'm thinking the best plan may be to see if they'll deliver to my hotel, and then I'll drop off at the airport at the end of our trip since we'll be less worried about time. That way I'll only have one drive through the city center, and it doesn't look far from the King George to Syngrou avenue, which most people seem to think is good way to exit the city. Appreciate the assistance.

Posted by salbeachbum

02/23/26 04:22 PM

245 posts

We were in Athens in September 2025 and rented from SiXT on Siggrou. While driving in Athens was not easy, with good navigation and an aware co-pilot, it was fine. We were traveling to the Peloponnese so we were not using the car for in-city purposes. Try to time your travel during off peak times. The worst part about driving in the city was the scooters/motorcylces—they will test your cardiac system and your patience. Also, before you leave whatever rental agency, ask the agency to set up the car for English. Fortunately for us, the gentleman renting the car to us remembered and did it for us.

We were staying in Athens before and after the car rental and if the same logistics applied we would again rent from SIXT on Siggrou and drive out of the city.