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Rhodes isn't a small island you can cover on a scooter or from a sun lounger at one resort. It's 78 km long, dramatically varied, and full of things worth seeing that are scattered across mountains, coastline, and centuries of history.
The medieval old city of Rhodes Town is genuinely one of the finest preserved walled cities in Europe. The Acropolis of Lindos rivals anything on the mainland. The valley roads through the island's forested interior have views that most visitors who stick to the beach strip never encounter.
To see it properly, you need a car. This guide tells you exactly how to get one, what it will cost, and where it will take you.
For broader trip planning, see Rhodes Travel Guide. For island comparisons, see Best Greek Islands to Visit.
Do You Need a Car in Rhodes?
Rhodes has a decent public bus network (KTEL) connecting the main east coast resorts — Faliraki, Afandou, Kolymbia, Lindos — with Rhodes Town. If you're staying at one resort and day-tripping by bus to Lindos, you can manage without a car.
But the island rewards those who go further. The west coast, the forested interior around Profitis Ilias, the far south around Prasonisi and Plimiri, and the hilltop village of Monolithos are all areas where buses either don't go or run so infrequently that they're useless for day-tripping. A car makes these places not just accessible but genuinely enjoyable to explore at your own pace.
Which area you base yourself in changes how much driving you'll actually do — see our where to stay in Rhodes breakdown before you book.
Rent a car in Rhodes if you want to:
- Visit Lindos at your own schedule (early morning, before the tour buses arrive)
- Explore the interior — Profitis Ilias, Embonas, Butterfly Valley
- Reach the far south coast: Prasonisi, Plimiri, Gennadi
- Drive the west coast road, which is quieter and more scenic than the east coast strip
- Combine multiple destinations in a single day without bus timetable constraints
You can manage without a car if you:
- Are based in Rhodes Town itself and happy to explore on foot
- Are doing a single resort stay with guided excursions
- Are visiting Lindos on a day trip from Rhodes Town by public bus
My honest take: even for a 5-day stay at a single resort, a car for two or three days unlocks a completely different Rhodes. The island is simply too interesting and too spread out to experience fully without wheels.
Where to Pick Up Your Rental Car in Rhodes
Rhodes Airport (RHO) — Diagoras International Airport
The primary and most convenient pickup point. Rhodes Airport handles the bulk of international arrivals — including a very high volume of UK charter flights — and has a full complement of rental desks in arrivals: Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt, and a number of strong local operators. Cars are in on-site parking; no shuttle required.
The airport is 14 km southwest of Rhodes Town, well positioned for reaching both the north of the island (Rhodes Town, Faliraki) and the east coast resort strip heading toward Lindos.
In peak season (July–August), queues at rental desks can be significant during morning arrival waves. Book ahead and allow 15–20 minutes for paperwork even with a reservation.
Rhodes Port
A solid secondary option for visitors arriving by ferry — from Athens (Piraeus), from other Dodecanese islands, or from the Turkish port of Marmaris or Bodrum. Several rental agencies operate near the commercial port and the Akandia ferry terminal. Availability is smaller than the airport, so booking in advance is important, especially in high season.
The port is in central Rhodes Town, which means you're picking up a car in a busy urban location — convenient for some itineraries, but have your sat-nav ready before you pull out.
→ Compare car hire prices at Rhodes Port
Rhodes Town Centre
Several rental offices operate in and around the new town, particularly along Ierou Lohou Street near the marina. Useful for visitors already based in Rhodes Town who want to add a car mid-stay. Prices are generally slightly higher than the airport; advance booking is advisable.
Once you've picked an area, our best hotels in Rhodes has specific picks at every price point.
How Much Does Car Hire in Rhodes Cost?
The Rhodes car rental market is competitive, with a strong mix of international chains and local operators that keeps pricing reasonable — particularly outside peak summer.
Tips to get the cheapest car hire in Rhodes:
- Book early for summer. Rhodes is one of the busiest charter flight destinations in the Mediterranean — July and August car availability tightens faster than most islands.
- Compare on a platform. DiscoverCars.com shows the full market — local and international — in one search. The cheapest and most expensive option for the same category can differ by €20–30/day.
- Consider local operators. Rhodes has several well-reviewed local companies (Drive Hellas, Just Rent A Car, Orion Cars) that consistently undercut the international chains by 15–25%.
- Avoid one-way fees. Collecting and returning at the same location (airport to airport) avoids surcharges. If you're doing a multi-island trip, factor this in before booking.
Best Car Hire Companies in Rhodes
International Chains
Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Sixt all maintain airport desks. For late arrivals or when you want guaranteed stock, the chains offer reliability and 24-hour desk availability. Pricing is typically at the higher end, but comparison shopping brings them in line.
Local & Regional Companies
Rhodes has a well-developed local rental market. Drive Hellas, Orion Car Rental, Just Rent A Car, and Motor Plan are frequently cited by experienced Rhodes visitors as offering better value than the chains without sacrificing reliability. Many local operators are owner-managed and include a genuine local knowledge service alongside the keys.
My approach: search on DiscoverCars.com, identify local operators appearing 20%+ cheaper than the chains, check their reviews across multiple platforms. 4.0+ is my threshold before booking local.
What Type of Car Should You Hire in Rhodes?
For most visitors: a small to medium hatchback
An economy or compact car — Fiat 500, Toyota Yaris, Renault Clio — handles the main coastal road, the route to Lindos, and the main interior roads without issue. Easy to park at busy beach car parks and in village streets.
Consider a small SUV if you:
- Plan to explore dirt tracks to secluded beaches on the far south coast
- Are travelling with 3–4 people with luggage
- Want more comfort on the longer mountain road sections through the interior
Automatic vs manual: Most standard rentals in Rhodes are manual. If you need an automatic, specify at booking — availability is limited and the price premium is typically €10–15/day.
Travelling with young children? Greek law requires an appropriate child restraint for anyone under 135cm and aged 3 to 11, and any child under 3 regardless of height. If a rear-facing infant seat goes in the front passenger seat, the airbag has to be deactivated. Most rental companies can provide a seat if you request one at booking, or bring your own — either way, sort this out in advance rather than at the counter, since availability on the day isn't guaranteed.
Insurance: What You Actually Need
The insurance situation in Rhodes is identical to the rest of Greece. Here's the plain version.
What's included: All standard rentals include CDW (collision damage waiver), theft protection, and third-party liability. CDW sounds comprehensive but comes with an excess of €500–€1,500 — the amount you personally pay if damage occurs.
Your options to close the excess gap:
- Rental counter excess waiver — €8–15/day, eliminates the excess. Expensive on longer trips.
- Credit card coverage — check your card policy carefully; many exclude Greece or have restrictive conditions.
- Standalone excess insurance — iCarhireinsurance or Bonzah at £3–6/day. Same practical protection at significantly less cost.
For stress free drive — I'd lean toward full coverage rather than leaving the excess gap open. You can add Full Coverage directly through DiscoverCars at checkout for much cheaper than the desk price.
Whatever insurance you take, photograph the car from all four sides before you drive off — every scratch, every scuff — and keep the photos timestamped on your phone. It costs nothing and it's the single easiest way to avoid a dispute over damage that wasn't yours at drop-off.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit?
Since June 2022, driving licence holders from the EU, USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK do not need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Greece — a full national licence held for the required period is sufficient. Visitors from a number of other countries, including Argentina, China, Colombia, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia, still need one alongside their national licence. This list isn't exhaustive and the rules have changed before, so check current requirements for your specific licence before travelling if you're unsure.
An IDP is not a standalone licence — it's a translation of your existing one into several languages, so authorities and rental staff can read it. It's inexpensive and quick to obtain at home (through AAA in the US or the Post Office in the UK, for instance), and even where it isn't strictly required, having one removes any ambiguity if you're stopped by police or involved in an accident. Rental counters don't always check for one at pickup, which is exactly why it's worth sorting out before you fly rather than assuming it won't come up.
Driving in Rhodes: What to Expect
The Road Network
Rhodes has one of the best road networks of any Greek island. A dual-carriageway coastal road runs the full length of the east coast from Rhodes Town to Lindos — smooth, well-signed, and straightforward to drive. The west coast road is narrower and more scenic. Interior routes through the forested hills around Profitis Ilias involve winding mountain roads but nothing technically demanding.
Drive on the right. Speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on rural roads.
Rhodes Town Traffic
Rhodes Town itself — particularly the old walled city — is pedestrianised in large sections and has limited parking. The new town area has more parking options, including the large car park near Mandraki harbour. Avoid trying to drive into the old city; park at the edges and walk.
Petrol Stations
Plentiful along the east coast strip and in Rhodes Town. Less common in the far south and interior — fill up in Rhodes Town or Lindos before heading to the southern end of the island.
Return the car with the same fuel level you picked it up with — most agencies charge a real premium for refuelling on your behalf, well above the pump price.
Toll Roads
Rhodes has no motorway tolls.
Parking in Rhodes
Rhodes Town uses a colour-coded system that catches a lot of visitors out. White-line spaces are free and available around the clock. Blue-line spaces need a paid ticket from the nearby machine — around €1.50 per hour, with Sundays free across all blue zones. Yellow lines mean no parking or stopping, at any time, no exceptions. Machines mostly take coins; some accept cards. If you're going to be in the centre for more than an hour or two, the larger paid car parks on the edge of the Old Town walls work out cheaper than repeatedly feeding a meter.
Good to know: free street parking inside the walls themselves is close to nonexistent — look instead near the windmills at Mandraki or around the Amboise Gate, where a free space occasionally turns up.
Lindos: The village is pedestrianised. All cars park in the large car park at the entrance to the village (fee in peak season). Arrive early in July and August — by 10am the car park fills and a queue forms on the approach road.
Beaches: Most organised beaches along the east coast strip have free adjacent parking. At secluded southern beaches, parking is informal and free.
The Best Drives in Rhodes
For what's worth stopping for along the way, see our complete guide to things to do in Rhodes.
🏛️ The Lindos Route — 55 km south
The classic Rhodes drive. Head south from the airport along the east coast road through Faliraki and Afandou, past Kolymbia and Tsambika Beach (stop for a swim — the sand is exceptional), and into Lindos. Park at the village entrance, walk up to the Acropolis.
The views from the top — the bay, the white cubic village below, the open sea — are worth the drive alone. Return via the same coast road or loop back via Asklipio and the interior.
Make the drive to Lindos on your own schedule. Search Discover Cars for the best daily rates.
🌲 The Interior Circuit: Profitis Ilias & Embonas
Head inland from Soroni or Kalavarda to the forested plateau of Profitis Ilias (798m) — pine trees, cool air, and a deer park that feels entirely unlike the beach-resort version of Rhodes. Continue west to Embonas, the highest village on the island and the centre of Rhodian wine production. The tavernas here serve the island's best village food. Loop back down to the coast via Monolithos and its clifftop castle.
🌊 The Far South: Prasonisi & Plimiri
The most rewarding drive for those who want to get away from the tourist strip entirely. Head south from Lindos down the increasingly quiet coast through Lardos, Laerma, and Gennadi. The beach at Gennadi (long, shingle, almost empty outside peak season) is worth a stop. Continue all the way to Prasonisi — the southern tip of the island, where two seas meet and windsurfers and kitesurfers from across Europe gather. Barely any tourists, extraordinary energy.
🏰 The West Coast: Rhodes Town to Monolithos
Drive south along the quieter, less-developed west coast through Soroni, Kalavarda, and Kamiros (the third ancient city of Rhodes, dramatically perched on a hillside above the sea). Continue to Kritinia castle and on to Monolithos for the view from the clifftop fortress. Return via the interior through Embonas. A full day, best done in spring or autumn.
Plan Your Rhodes Trip
- Rhodes Travel Guide — complete island guide
- Best Greek Islands to Visit — island comparisons
- Best Beaches in Greece — Rhodes beaches in context
- Symi Travel Guide — day trip from Rhodes
- Patmos Travel Guide — Dodecanese neighbour
- Kos Travel Guide — nearby island
- Best Greek Islands for Families — family travel guide
- How to Plan a Trip to Greece — full planning guide
Starting or ending your trip in Athens? See our car rental in Athens guide — the calculus there is different: you don't want a car for the city itself.
Comparing car rental across a multi-island trip? See our guides for Paros and Mykonos too.
🚗 Ready to book your Rhodes car hire? Search and compare all suppliers at DiscoverCars.com → — the full market, local and international, in one search.
Written by
Athens-born engineer · Coordinates a 5-expert Greek team · 50+ years combined field experience
I write every article on this site drawing on real, first-hand expertise — mine and that of four colleagues who live and work across Greece daily: a Peloponnese tour operator, a transfer specialist across Athens, Mykonos & Santorini, a Cretan hotel owner, and a Northern Greece hotel supplier. Nothing here comes from a single visit or desk research.
Informed by 5 Greek experts
Every destination we cover has been visited and vetted by at least one team member — not for a review, but as part of their daily work in Greek tourism.