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The Complete Guide to Renting a Car in Greece: From Booking to Driving Tips

Renting a car is not an option, it's a must when traveling to Greece!
If you plan to travel to different parts of Greece, renting a car is almost essential.
Public transportation in the provinces and islands outside of Athens is poor, making travel difficult. If you have a driver's license, I highly recommend renting a car to explore Greece freely.

Rental Car Reservations & Precautions

Reserving a rental car in Greece isn't much different from booking one in other European countries. There are numerous companies at the airport, downtown, and around tourist destinations, so you can book directly on site. Alternatively, you can also book in advance on the websites of well-known companies like Hertz and Avis, or through comparison sites. Most staff are fluent in English, so you won't have to worry about communication.
However, when renting a car locally, there are often cases where a large deposit is required in advance .
This is because theft and damage are common in the area, but don't panic. While it may take some time to get your deposit back due to slow processing, it's definitely yours. If you're still worried, I recommend using a major company like Hertz or Avis rather than a smaller one.

International Driving Permits: English License vs. Short-Term International Permit

Driving in Greece requires an international driving permit. Since Korea and Greece have an official agreement on the use of English-language driver's licenses, theoretically, you can drive with just an English-language license.
However , depending on the size of the local rental car company, English driver's licenses are often not accepted or a one-year short-term international driving permit is often required. Therefore, I strongly recommend obtaining and carrying a one-year short-term international driving permit in addition to your English driver's license just in case.

Safety rules to follow when using a rental car

When renting a car in Greece, theft and damage are rare.
It's especially important to be careful not to leave valuables in plain sight in your car, as this can be dangerous. A Greek friend of mine had an experience where he left his laptop in his car, only to have the window broken and his belongings stolen.
When getting out of a rental car, never leave any expensive items or valuables in the car and always take good care of them.

Traveling to Greece, are there any other transportation options besides renting a car?

I'm only going to Athens! Any information on public transportation?
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