Renting a Car in Naxos: The ONLY Guide You Need [2026]
We’ve spent A LOT of time island hopping through Greece, and thinking back to everywhere we’ve traveled, Naxos is probably the one place we wouldn’t want to be without a car.
We always rent a car in Naxos — literally every time we visit.
It’s super affordable compared to other European destinations, accessible (with tons of agencies right at the ferry port and the airport), and there’s free parking all over town.
Not to mention that the freedom of having your own transportation in Naxos will allow you to do so much more with limited time!
When people in our Facebook Group ask if they should rent a car in Naxos, the answer is always “Yes.”
The issue is that there isn’t enough (relevant & unbiased) information available on the subject….
So, using everything we’ve learned over the years, we pulled together all our tips into this guide to help you,
- Find a reliable, affordable rental agency
- Understand all the legal stuff surrounding car rentals in Greece
- Know the average cost of renting a car
- Know what to expect when picking up the vehicle.
Ultimately, we want you to arrive in Naxos feeling confident about the car rental process, knowing you found the best value for your money, and excited to explore the island on your own!
Travel Tools We Use For Naxos
Cheap Flights to Greece
#1 Boat Tour in Naxos
Do You Need a Car Rental in Naxos?
Practically speaking.. No, you don’t NEED to rent a car in Naxos. Naxos Chora is walkable, and there’s accessible public transportation to/from all the other beach towns and villages around the island.
But it will undoubtedly make your holiday better.
Taxis are extremely expensive in Naxos. We adjusted our itinerary at the last minute on our most recent trip to Naxos, and as a result, we didn’t have a car rental for the first night. Our 8-minute taxi to our hotel was €20! If we’d been staying in Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, or Plaka, it would have been closer to €50!
The other option is to take a public bus, but then you’re restricted by their timetables, making it challenging to visit more than one or two places in Naxos per day.
We always rent a car because it’s significantly cheaper than taking taxis everywhere, and it gives us the ultimate freedom to go where we want, when we want.
Win-Win!
Our Experience + Who We Rent With
On our first trip to Naxos, we were already dead set on renting a car. It was the end of a two-month journey through Greece, and after renting a car in Crete and then again in Paros, we were excited to do the same in Naxos to explore the island on our own terms!
We booked our first car rental in Naxos online through DiscoverCars.
We’ve been using them for years all over the world because they almost always offer the best prices, a wide selection of rental cars (and agencies) to choose from, great customer service, and you can add full coverage insurance for just a few extra euros per day.
You can find some local companies on DiscoverCars (like AbbyCar and EXER Rent-A-Car), but most of the options are multinational companies like Europcar, Hertz, and AVIS.
The BEST Naxos Car Rental Agency (Most Reliable)
We’re making a concerted effort to support local Greek companies more when traveling to Greece, but we’re naturally cautious…
We’ve been firsthand victims of car rental scams (it was in Florida, not Naxos, so don’t worry!) that cost us over $1,000, and made us extremely picky about who we use for our car rentals from now on.
As you can imagine, we now do extensive research to ensure we’re choosing a trusted agency, including ALL of the local agencies. We even personally reached out to a handful of them just to get a better idea of their prices, insurance, vehicle options, and customer service.
And eventually, we settled on Matha Rent a Car.
Matha Rent a Car is a local agency with a rental office right at the Port (meaning you can pick up your rental car without taking a taxi).
The manager, Haris, is one of the nicest people we’ve met on the island and made us feel comfortable and prepared throughout the whole experience. They also have a 72-hour free cancellation policy, which — since our itineraries change all the time — is always a perk for us!
After dropping off the car rental at the end of our trip, Haris actually offered to give us a unique discount code for readers of Explore Naxos & Paros.
Use the voucher code: EXPLORENAXOS at checkout to get 5% off your booking here.
*If you would like to message Haris directly, you can send a WhatsApp message to (+30) 6970 075519.
5 Tips for Renting a Car in Naxos
We’ve learned a lot about the best practices of renting cars in Greece (and made plenty of mistakes). So, if you’re hoping to get around by car in Naxos, we have some insider tips for you.
Here are the most important things you should know before arriving at the rental office to pick up your car. This is the advice we wish we’d had before renting a car in Naxos for the first time, saving us tons of $$$ and keeping us safe and legal on the road.
1. Be Strategic About The Pick-up/Drop-off Location
Most car rental agencies have an office at Naxos Port (Chora) and offer pickup at Naxos Airport or Hotel Delivery (within 10-ish miles)
Hotel delivery might sound like the most convenient option, but we actually like to schedule pick-up immediately on arrival, whether we’re taking the ferry into Naxos or flying in from Athens.
This saves us the trouble of hauling our luggage onto public transportation or paying €20-30 for a taxi.
The airport is incredibly small, so it’s not stressful to drive yourself out of arrivals, and Matha Rent a Car is on the edge of Chora, right on the main road leading out of town, so it’s not too crazy pulling out of the car rental area either.
So, figure out HOW you’re getting to Naxos first, and THEN book the car rental
2. Book Your Rental Car Ahead of Time
Since so many people choose to book a rental car for their trip to Naxos, it is common for cars to sell out. Even during the offseason (November-March), we overheard tourists asking for a rental car on demand at the airport, only to be told there were no more cars available for the month.
Therefore, no matter when you are traveling to Naxos, make sure to book your rental car once you have nailed down your travel dates.
Companies like Discover Cars have free cancellation up to 48 hours before your rental dates, so there is absolutely no risk in reserving a car in Naxos ahead of time.
3. Rent a Small Compact Car
We alwasy book the smallest car possible. For us, this always ends up being the Fiat Panda, but it could also be something like a Volkswagen Polo, Peugeot 107, or a Citroen C1.
Not only are these the most affordable cars, but they are so much easier to park in the city, especially if you’re visiting in high season. Durign the summer, parking spaces become very limited, and there were quite a few times that the only spot we could find was just big enough to fit our little compact car.
These cars are great for couples like us, or families traveling with one child, but if you’re traveling with a group of 3+ adults, you should probably consider getting a larger vehicle.
4. You May Need an International Driver’s License
In order to rent a car in Naxos, you must present your valid driver’s license at the time of pick-up. But if you’re not from the EU, then you’re also legally required to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before driving in Greece.
To be completely honest, after renting multiple cars in Greece over the years, including Naxos, we’ve never been asked to show our International Driver’s Permit.
But on the off chance that the police stop you or have a discrepancy with the rental agency, it is a good idea to get one (especially if your home license is not in English).
You can easily get one at your local AAA office, local BMV, or just go here and get one online.
5. Make Sure You Have Insurance
It’s required by law that any rented vehicle have valid car insurance when renting a car in Greece. This applies to all of the Greek islands, too.
Most companies offer basic liability coverage, but it’s a good idea to purchase additional insurance through the rental agency or a third-party platform.
Some credit card companies also cover basic rental car insurance, so check with your bank to see if you are protected in the case of an accident or damage to the vehicle. If it is not full-coverage insurance, then it may not be adequate.
The cheapest full coverage insurance is actually with Discover Cars. Any cars booked with them will have the option to add on full coverage insurance for less than €7/day.
This insurance covers a number of damages and issues, including:
- Any damage to the exterior (mirrors, wheels, tires, undercarriage, roof, locks, hubcaps, & bodywork)
- A refund for any theft/damage deductible incurred by the rental car company.
- Lost keys and lockout fees
- Taxi expenses related to problems with your rental car
- Towing charges (up to about €100)
- Administrative fees
In our opinion, this addition is a no-brainer, and it’s one of the major reasons we use Discover Cars. If you are wondering, “Is Discover Cars Legit?” The answer is yes. They are one of the leading car rental platforms worldwide.
How Much Does It Cost?
Renting a car in Naxos costs around €30-60 per day, depending on the type of vehicle and rental agency you choose. With so many options available, it is almost always possible to find rates that fit within your budget.
Honestly, if you are staying for more than a single day or filling your Naxos itinerary with a bunch of places outside of Naxos Town, renting a car is the most affordable way to explore the island.
The cost of renting a car in Naxos fluctuates a lot depending on:
- What size vehicle do you need?
- What kind of transmission do you need?
- When are you traveling to Naxos?
Smaller vehicles, such as economy cars, typically start at around €30-40 per day. Larger sedans, passenger vans, and luxury vehicles will cost approximately €80 per day during peak season.
Manual vehicles are almost always cheaper than cars with automatic transmissions, and if you’re traveling off-peak (October-April), you can usually find rental cars for way less. For example, we rented a compact car for 2 weeks in December for about €15/day.
To help make sure you get the best rate, here are several ways to keep costs down and avoid extra fees!
Book ahead of time: We already touched on this a little bit. Not only does this ensure that you have a vehicle, but it will also most likely be much cheaper than trying to secure a last-minute rental car in Naxos.
Book a longer rental: You may only need your car for one of your 3-4 days in Naxos, but it makes the most sense financially to book the car for your whole trip. A one-day rental in Naxos is nearly €50, while a 4-day rental is only €140, and a week-long rental is €220.
Read the Fine Print: We know it is annoying, but you don’t want to be subject to additional fees or restrictions. Make sure to read the fine print before renting a car in Naxos. Discover Cars and Matha Rent a Car are very transparent about having ZERO hidden fees and make it easy to find important information, which is another reason we use them!
Which Type of Vehicle to Book
There are a variety of car rental options in Naxos, depending on your needs and budget. The most common types of vehicles available for hire are compact cars, mid-sized cars, large cars, SUVs, and passenger vans.
*All of the prices below are based on a 7-day rental during peak season (July-August). If you’re renting for a longer duration or during the winter, the prices will likely be cheaper*
Compact Cars: €30-40 per day
- Usually have 1-4 doors and can fit a maximum of 2-3 people with luggage.
- Typically, the cheapest cars to rent in Naxos
- Almost always have a manual transmission
- Easy Parking
- Examples: Fiat Panda, Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Yaris, Peugeot 107, and Citroen C1.
Mid-sized Sedans: €40-50 per day
- Slightly larger than compact cars (more legroom and more luggage space)
- Seat up to five people comfortably
- Manual & Automatic are both usually available
- Examples: Fita Tipo, Nissan Note, Ford Fiesta, and a Hyundai i30.
Passenger Vans: €80-120 per day
- Great option for large groups, tours, or families
- Can comfortably seat up to 6-9 people with luggage.
- Often only available with a manual transmission.
- Examples: Fiat Talento, Volkswagon Caddy, and Nissan NV200
Luxury Cars: €80-200 per day
- Luxury amenities include leather seats, sunroofs, CarPlay, and other features.
- Plenty of space for 4-5 passengers and luggage
- 4WD/AWD Options (higher lift for the backroads in Naxos)
- Examples: Jeep Wrangler, BMW X1, Kia Stonic, Nissan X-Trail
Are rental cars in Naxos automatic or manual (stick shift)?
Both automatic and stick-shift vehicle rentals are available in Naxos, and when selecting a vehicle online, it is easy to see which vehicles are automatic versus manual.
There is a fairly even split between manual and automatic rental cars in Naxos. Most locals drive a manual (stick-shift), though, and manual rental cars are always a little cheaper than automatic vehicles.
Rental Car Scams to Avoid
Here are a couple of common scams to watch out for while renting a car in Naxos and elsewhere in Greece.
Parking Tickets: If you are illegally parked, the police will take the license plate off of the car (this is like giving you a ticket). Then you have to go to the police station and pay a fine to retrieve the license plate. The fee will always be between €100 and € 200. If the rental agency tries to charge you anything additional, they are scamming you.
Scratches and Dings: ALWAYS take pictures/videos of your car WITH A TIMESTAMP before you leave with the car, AND after dropping off the car. We have had car rental agencies try to claim that we made scratches on a car or cracked a windshield that happened before we received the car or after we dropped it off.
Late Returns: This is not really a scam, but something you should know about. Some companies are unforgiving when it comes to late returns. Even if you return the car 30 minutes late, it is not unheard of for them to charge you for an additional day, €50-100. Give yourself plenty of time to make it and drop the car off before your scheduled time slot.
FAQs
Is there Uber in Naxos?
There is no Uber in Naxos, nor are there alternative ride-sharing apps. If you are looking for a ride to a famous landmark or need a ride from the airport to town, you have to take a taxi. The closest thing to Uber is Welcome Pickups, which lets you schedule taxis and transfers in Naxos.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Rent a Car in Greece?
For most rental car agencies in Greece, you must be over the age of 21 to secure a rental car. There are very few companies that will rent a car to someone who is under the age of 21. If you are 18-21, we recommend trying to rent a scooter or an ATV to get around Naxos. DO NOT lie about your age, it won’t work.
Should I Use a Credit Card or a Debit Card?
You should use a credit card to book your rental car. Always. Credit Cards have better protection against unauthorized charges or discrepancies. Similarly, any deposit will only be on your credit card statement, not taken from your bank account, so you always have access to your money.
Is It Easy to Drive in Naxos?
Yes, it is easy to drive in Naxos. The roads are in good condition, and most of the signs have English translations to help you get around. This is especially true near Naxos Town and major tourist sites.
But there are unique ‘rules of the road’ for Naxos that you must follow to stay safe.
Can foreigners Rent a Car in Greece?
Absolutely. As foreigners, we found it relatively easy to rent a car throughout Greece, from Crete to Naxos and Paros. It allows us to explore the island at our own pace and discover some of the lesser-known parts of the coastline.
What Side of the Road do you Drive on in Greece?
Greece follows the international standard of driving on the right side of the road. This is consistent throughout the country, except for Cyprus. Many travelers will be relieved to hear this, but it will be an adjustment for tourists coming from the U.K. or Australia.
Should you Rent a Car in Naxos?
Yes, you should! We are so glad we rented a car in Naxos.
The island is much bigger than you’d expect, and the freedom to travel where you want, when you want, is unparalleled. We were able to keep a super flexible itinerary since we weren’t dependent on taxis or bus schedules.
Just make sure that you arrange to pick up the car at your arrival location, choose an automatic transmission if you’ve never driven a manual stick-shift, and read our advice for the road.
Also, make sure to use a trusted agency. We highly recommend Matha Rent a Car from personal experience, and if you go with a rental through Discover Cars, only book a car with a user rating over 8/10.
