Car rental in Crete is the best way to explore one of Greece's most picturesque islands without being restricted by public transport schedules or guided tour itineraries.
This travel method allows you to independently plan your route, stop at any location that catches your interest, explore secluded beaches, ancient monasteries, mountain villages, and quiet bays. It's precisely through car rental that tourists can experience authentic Crete — wild, hospitable, and incredibly diverse.
Crete is Greece's largest island, stretching over 250 km in length. Here you'll find major cities with modern infrastructure (Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno) as well as sparsely populated areas with challenging natural landscapes. Public transport only connects main destinations, while some beaches, gorges, and caves are not served by buses at all. Therefore, car rental becomes not a luxury but a necessity.
Localrent is a platform collaborating with local car rental companies in Crete.
Rental advantages through our website:
To rent a car in Crete, you'll need the following documents:
Age restrictions and minimum driving experience depend on the specific vehicle and are indicated on each car's page. The minimum age is 19 years, though such offers are very limited. Use filters to search for vehicles matching your criteria.
The average cost of a one-day car rental. The number is calculated based on the bookings of the previous three years. It takes into account the rental of cars across all classes.
The occupancy rate of the car rental fleets by month. For example, most cars are being rented in August, which means that this month has the smallest amount of available vehicles. The higher the percentage of the car fleet workload, the earlier it is worth booking a car to choosing the best option at the best price.
Traveling around Crete by car is convenient and straightforward. The key is following local regulations. Traffic flows on the right side, and at roundabouts, priority goes to vehicles already in the circle.
Speed limits and navigation tips:
Stay vigilant for pedestrians and animals on roads. Road surfaces can be slippery, particularly in mountainous areas or after rain.
In Greece, parking violations carry serious consequences. Fines can be substantial, and local authorities closely monitor infractions, especially in tourist areas.
Parking zones are marked with "P" signs and color-coded road markings:
Free parking is permitted where no markings or signs are present. Avoid blocking exits, don't occupy disabled spaces, and ensure you don't obstruct traffic flow. This approach saves time, money, and stress.
On Greek islands, fuel prices may be 10-20% higher than on the mainland, with fewer stations available. This is particularly noticeable in remote and mountainous regions.
Operating hours and payment:
The booking process through Localrent is simple and intuitive:
Your rental car on Crete provides access to numerous fascinating locations:
Car rental in Crete is an excellent way to make your vacation more enriching and comfortable. By following local rules and considering driving peculiarities, you'll enjoy traveling around this beautiful island.
You can select your vehicle pickup location during booking. Many rental companies offer various pickup options, including directly at airports, rental offices, or delivery to city centers.
If you want to collect your car at a specific city location or airport, use the "specify location" filter. This sorts vehicles available for pickup at your preferred location, allowing optimal trip planning and immediate start without time waste, without checking individual vehicle conditions separately.
Car rental requires special attention to detail. To avoid unpleasant surprises and maintain pleasant vacation mood, consider several important factors.
Insurance coverage doesn't extend to dirt roads. Even if a road appears passable and GPS indicates a shorter route — avoid such paths. Better to spend slightly more time traveling on asphalt highways.
Photograph the vehicle from all angles, including wheels, bumper, glass, and interior. This prevents misunderstandings during return. Most Crete companies operate honestly and professionally, but photos are never excessive.
In most cases, passport and valid driving license suffice. However, in Greece it's better to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside national license. This facilitates interactions with local police. Some rental companies may refuse service without these documents.
Account for local terrain characteristics: compact cars suit narrow city streets, while more powerful models work better for mountain travel.
Upon pickup, learn what fuel type your selected vehicle uses. Monitor fuel levels, especially before trips to remote areas.
Most rental companies accept debit cards or cash deposits. Use the "no credit card" filter to find suitable vehicles.
Age restrictions and minimum driving experience depend on specific vehicles and are shown on each car's page. Minimum age is 19 years, though such offers are very limited. Use filters to find vehicles matching your criteria.
Compact cars are frequently chosen — they're convenient for city parking.
Pricing depends on season, vehicle type, and rental duration. Find exact costs and affordable booking options on our website.
Speed limits: 50 km/h in populated areas, 90 km/h on intercity roads. Exercise caution on narrow and winding roads, especially in mountainous regions.
Can I pick up the car at one place and drop it off at another?
Hello! Yes, sure.
Good afternoon! Do you have minivans for 8 people?
Good afternoon! Yes, we offer cars of this class for short-term rental on our website.
Hello! What is the minimum driving experience?
Hello! The minimum driver’s age is 25 years and the maximum age is 70 years. The minimum driving experience is 3 years.
How long do I need to have held my driver's license in order to rent a car?
There are cars from different rental companies on our site and the conditions are different for everyone. As a rule, minimum 1 year driving experience should be. To find out the conditions for a specific car, you need to send a link to the car to the support service and we clarify the conditions.
If I modify my booking, will the price change?
Yes, the price will change if you modify dates, time, location, add or remove extra services, insurances, etc. System will calculate the actual price automatically (when you are making changes on the booking stage). If there is a need to modify the booking after it was completed, it is also possible. To do that, please contact Localrent Customer Support Team.
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Crete?
After specifying the required dates and the city of collection / return, the system will automatically offer you only actually available cars. In car booking form you will need to select the time and location for picking up / returning the car. After that, the system will calculate the final and detailed cost of car rent for selected period.
Tell me please, how can I change car pick-up time?
The pick up / drop off time & place can be changed at the booking stage (you get there after clicking on Book Now button).