Greece in Sept. Renting car question

We’ve only rented on Crete, and this was in 2019. We booked the car in advance before we left for Greece (picked up in Iraklio, aka Heraklion) and returned it in Hania (aka Chania). Iraklio was a pain to drive in, and Hania was a real pain. Other, smaller towns were easy and pleasant, except for one with a really narrow road through it and a really tight 90 degree curve to squeeze around. No restricted parking except close to the Old Harbor in Hania. There were also confusing one-way streets in Hania that made navigating through the “modern” city very difficult.

If you’re in any mountainous part of Crete, be aware that drivers often take their half of the road out of the middle; on blind curves, we usually had a car coming the opposite direction driving on the center line as it appeared around the curve. All eventually got over on their side of the road before they got to our car, but it was always unnerving.

We rented a car in Athens and drove around the Peloponnese last year which I know is not an answer to your questions, BUT the one suggestion I would make based on our observation in the car rental office, is to make your reservations ahead of time; especially if you require a vehicle with an automatic transmission. We observed several couples entering and leaving the office without a car because they had not made a reservation and did not know how to drive a manual transmission vehicle. While my husband and I both know how to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, we always ask for an automatic - when driving an unfamiliar vehicle in an unfamiliar area with hills and narrow streets; an automatic transmission reduces the stress of driving.

Mid-September is still peak season in Greece and on most of the islands. Because of that, pre-booking a car is recommended, especially if you want an automatic, which isn't very common.

My method to find a rental company when visiting an island for the first time is pretty simple: I don't search the web. Instead, I use Google Maps, center the view on the port, and search for "Rent a car." From there I check out the websites of the listed local rental companies to compare their terms and prices. I also take a look at the reviews (though I always take those with a grain of salt).

My Golden Rule: I only choose local rental companies, and preferably ones that do not require prepayment, deposit, or a credit card number upfront. I look for companies where I can book via email or a contact form on their website, and then pay when I pick up the car, either by credit card or in cash (sometimes paying in cash gets you a discount).

When it comes to insurance, basic coverage is enough for me. Most of the time, they will offer add-on insurance options. To each their own on. Just keep in mind that even if you buy extra insurance, it usually still doesn't cover all damages, so make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully.

This approach always works for us. That said, I'm sure some people prefer a more by-the-book method with all kinds of official guarantees. That works too.

We usually only rent economy cars (Category A or B), meaning small or compact models. There's really no need for a high-end convertible, though that can be fun on the islands if you're into it.

Regarding parking, the only spots where driving or parking can be tricky are around the ports and the main towns (capitals). In Naxos, for example, Naxos Town is notoriously difficult to navigate and park in from June to September. It actually gets pretty chaotic around ferry arrivals and departures.

Everywhere Else, villages, beaches, or along the waterfront, you don't need to worry. You can park pretty much anywhere you want as long as it isn't explicitly prohibited. Just look at what everyone else is doing.
Driving on the islands is very straightforward with no major difficulties, provided you know more or less how to drive in rural areas. The most dangerous drivers on the road are usually other tourists :-)
Most road signs are written in both English and Greek.

Don't be surprised if a paved road suddenly turns into a dirt road. Other specialties in the islands:

The wind. Be careful when you open your car door, watch out for the wind gusts. A sudden gust can make you lose control of the door, and it could slam into something and cause some damage.

Goats: They wander on the roads and do not respect traffic rules :-)

I can't really speak for Crete—the island is just too big to generalize, and the last time I was there was over 30 years ago (plus, we rented scooters).

There are no ZTLs or other types of restricted zones in Greece.

Quick add on to what JoLui said above—unless you have a lot of people and a lot of luggage, a smaller car is better; more maneuverable, easier to park, pass other (oncoming) cars on narrow roads, etc. And likely better fuel economy…

We always prebook a car when traveling to Greece, as it's cheaper. We only use local companies, and avoid those that require a deposit. We prefer those that don't have prices that include full insurance with no excess, as our travel insurance covers rental cars abroad. In addition, we always rent a class B car, as a class A just doesn't have enough "horse power" to climb mountainous roads.
For many years now we've found great rental car companies by searching the island and destination forums on Tripadvisor. We've always found good recommendations here and been very happy with the companies we've chosen.
We've been to Crete many times, most recently last year, and the parking and driving conditions are as described in reply #1. And do watch out for goats on mountain roads!

Regardless of your car rentals.... 3-4 islands ( plus Athens) is ALOT of moving around for an approx. 10 day trip. I would pick 2 islands and slow down a bit.

I pretty much agree with JoLui.

It's much better to book with a local company rather than through a large agency.

Email them directly and tell them what you are looking for and what they can offer you. Some will give you a discount if you pay in cash.

Depending on how many people a small car is more than adequate for driving whether an island or the mainland.

I would highly recommend some type of Navigation System. I use Google Maps and for the most part works fine.

Roads are in good condition and are safe. Driving can be slow going depending on terrain like mountains or curving coastlines.

Once away from urban areas you'll find less traffic but that depends on time of year you are there.

If there is parking just outside a village park there because you don't want to drive into a village as some of them could be like driving in a maze with very narrow streets or end up in a dead end where it will be difficult to turn around and you'll have to back out!

Other than that the only danger is if you drive dangerously. Take your time and you'll be fine.

I agree with Lewis. If your 14-day maximum includes your arrival and departure days, you need to subtract them from your trip, meaning you really only have 12 days.

Travel days from one place to another, or between islands, shouldn't be counted as full vacation days. Traveling between two islands takes up a big part of the day ( packing your bags and checking out, getting to the port and waiting for the ferry, the ferry ride itself, getting from the arrival port to your hotel, checking in, unpacking, and getting your bearings)

Most of the time, you have to check out of your lodging by 10:00 or 11:00 AM, and check-in at the new one isn't until 2:00 or 3:00 PM.

Assuming you spend a relatively short amount of time in Athens, let's say just 3 days (4 nights), with 14 days you'll barely have enough time left to visit 2 islands. And I assume that since you want to rent a car, your goal is to actually explore them, rather than just spending 2 or 3 days sitting by the port or lounging on a beach all day.

Agree with salbeachbum on requesting a compact car, unless you really need a large one. The first time I rented, I reserved a compact car, but ended up getting an SUV. It was a pain to park and drive on narrow roads. The second time, I reserved a compact car and specifically emailed the rental company emphasizing I wanted a compact one. I got it and it was much easier to deal with. I also emphasize I want an automatic transmission and make it clear I cannot drive a manual.