Is It Worth Renting a Car in Paros? Our Honest Advice
We rent a car every single time that we go to Paros.
Why? Because it’s affordable, convenient, and gives you way more flexibility to explore at your own pace, especially if you’re planning to visit multiple towns or beaches during your stay.
Taxis are crazy expensive (one 20-minute taxi is the same price as renting a car in Paros for the day), and while the public buses are decent, you’re then limited by their inconsistent schedule and set routes.
That’s why renting a car in Paros is the #1 piece of advice that we give to anyone who asks us for tips on traveling around the island (both for maximizing time and saving money).
Unfortunately, the car rental process in Paros can be a bit confusing, especially if it’s your first time visiting Greece (seriously… if you join our Facebook Group, you’ll see that we get SO MANY questions about this).
So we’ve compiled everything we’ve learned into this guide to help you:
- Find an affordable and reliable rental agency
- Understand local driving rules and requirements
- Choose the right car for your party
- Know exactly what’s expected of you when picking up the rental car
Our goal is to help you feel totally prepared, confident about what to do when arriving on the island, and make sure you don’t overpay or get caught off guard by any surprises along the way.
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Why You Should Rent a Car in Paros
You don’t HAVE to rent a car in Paros, Greece. There are other ways to get around, like buses, taxis, and airport transfers.
But renting a car will single-handedly make your experience so much better.
Not only will you save tons of money on taxis and guided tours, but you’ll get to experience Paros like a local.
The process of renting a car in Paros is very simple (you can choose to pick up your vehicle at the Airport, the Sea Port, or have it delivered to your hotel) and it’s surprisingly cheap. It’s also totally safe to rent a car in Paros, with easy-to-navigate roads and extremely low cases of property theft. Just make sure that you drive slowly on the windy mountain roads, get proper documentation, and watch out for wildlife!
Additionally, the driving laws are similar to those in all other Western countries, and most guesthouses and hotels offer free parking!
Where to Find Car Rentals in Paros
Almost all car rental agencies in Paros are located in Parikia, on the streets of Christou Konstantopoulou and Stella Nikolaou. This is also the official seaport, where all the ferries arrive.
However, the port can be a bit of a madhouse in peak season, and most rental agencies offer hotel drop-off since everything is so close together. It’s usually free, but sometimes they charge a small fee (around €10).
Several agencies also have offices at the Paros Airport or in Naoussa.
The very first time we rented a car in Paros, we actually scheduled to pick it up at the airport since we were flying in, and it was super convenient. The airport is small, so we were able to locate the AVIS booth, sign the papers, and retrieve our car in under 15 minutes. It was also easy to navigate our own way out of the airport and to our hotel in Parikia.
When we take the ferry into Paros, though, we usually choose to have it delivered to our hotel.
But the point is… No matter where you’re staying in Paros, it will be easy to find a rental agency.
What’s the best rental Agency in Paros?
It’s still hard to know who to trust, though.
Luckily, there are numerous reliable agencies in Paros, including a few multinational companies (such as Avis, Hertz, Europcar, and Sixt), as well as some excellent local providers.
No single car rental agency stands out above the rest in Paros, so to find the best deal, we always use Discover Cars.
The tool shows us all the most affordable rental cars in Paros, along with user reviews of that specific car at the relevant agency (we always opt for a car with an average rating of over 8.0/10).
DiscoverCars also provides comprehensive insurance coverage with every rental for under €7 per day.
The first couple of times we rented a car in Paros, we used AVIS because they had the best prices, and we earned bonus miles through our credit card by booking with them.
However, most recently, we decided to try a local agency and had a great experience with Unique Paros!
Some other highly rated local agencies include Alma Car Hire, AbbyCar, and EXER Rent-a-Car. The best advice we can offer is to carefully read all the reviews and the fine print before booking.
How Much Does a Car Rental Cost?
The short answer is about €30-40/day, meaning that renting a car in Paros is an incredibly affordable way to explore the island.
The long answer is that it depends on several factors. If you get a compact car during the offseason, we’ve seen cars going for as low as €15/day. But if you need a larger car that seats 4-5 people comfortably during the high season, you’re looking at a price point closer to €80/day.
Tips For Finding Cheap Car Rentals in Paros
There are several ways to keep costs down and avoid extra fees to ensure you get the best rate. By following these tips, you can save money and hassle when renting a car in Paros.
- Book ahead of time: One way to save money is by booking ahead of time online rather than waiting until arriving, since last-minute bookings are typically a lot more expensive than booking months in advance.
- Book a longer rental: It’s always cheaper to rent a car for a longer period of time. A one-day rental in Paros is over €80, while a 4-day rental is about €120, and a week-long rental is €225. So, if you’re spending 4 days in Paros or more, you can get a much cheaper rental car.
- Travel Off-Peak Season: This might go without saying, but prices are significantly cheaper during the off-season. We were able to rent a car in December for a week for less than €15 per day. The same car was €40/day in June.
- Drive Manual: Both automatic cars and stick-shift transmissions are available to rent in Paros, but manual transmissions (also known as stick-shift) are always cheaper than cars with automatic transmissions. So if you know how to drive a manual car, you can save a decent amount of money.
- Read the Fine Print: Read the rental agreement so that you know what fees or restrictions may apply to your rental car. This includes understanding the type of insurance coverage included in your rental agreement, which can help protect you from inadequate coverage. Discover Cars is 100% transparent about hidden fees.
Best Kind of Car to Rent in Paros
You’ll notice a variety of car types available in Paros, including compact mini cars, mid-sized sedans, luxury SUVs, and passenger vans.
*All of the prices below are based on a 7-day rental during July (peak season)*
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
- Ideal for couples or small families with one child.
- Great fuel efficiency and easy parking.
- Examples: Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris, Fiat Panda, Peugeot 107, and Skoda Citigo.
Mid-sized Sedans (€40-50 per day)
- Slightly larger than compact cars (space for 3-4 people comfortably with luggage)
- Very comfortable ride for families and small groups
- Usually get good fuel efficiency
- Examples: Toyota Auris, Seat Ibiza, Suzuki Baleno, Ford Fiesta, and Hyundai i20
Luxury Cars (€55-75 per day)
- A variety of features, such as leather seats, sunroofs, and other amenities
- Fit up to five people comfortably while still offering ample legroom.
- SUVs with 4WD and higher lift
- Examples: Jeep Renegade, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30, Fiat Tipo, or Volvo V40
Passenger Vans (€70-60 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 Doblo, Volkswagen Caddy, or Nissan NV200.
What Do You Need to Rent a Car in Paros?
Renting a car in Paros is easy and convenient, but it’s essential to arrive with all the required documents to avoid any issues with obtaining your rental car. To rent a car in Paros, you’ll need a valid driver’s license, a credit or debit card (to hold the deposit), and potentially an International Driver’s License (depending on where you’re coming from).
Can you rent a car in Greece with a US driver’s license?
In order to rent a car in Paros, you must present your valid driver’s license when picking up the vehicle. If you aren’t a citizen of an EU country, you’re technically supposed to have an International Driver’s License (IDL).
We’ve never been asked to show it when picking up our rental car, but we did get one just to be safe. It’s not unheard of to get pulled over in Greece, and the police will ask you for your IDP if that happens.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Rent a Car in Greece?
The minimum age requirement for renting a car in Greece is typically 21 years old.
However, some rental companies may allow renters as young as 18 to rent a vehicle, although they will likely require additional documentation, such as proof of insurance and an international driving permit. The only company we could find in Paros that rents to travelers between the ages of 18 and 21 is SurPrice Car Rental.
No matter which agency you book with, if you are under 25 years old, expect to have additional liability fees on your rental car. This usually adds about €10-20 per day to the booking.
Do you Need Insurance for Greece?
When renting a car in Greece, having adequate car insurance is required by law. Without valid insurance coverage, you may be subject to fines and other penalties, so it is important to make sure you are properly protected.
The rental agency should provide adequate coverage included in the cost of your rental, but we recommend that you also book additional insurance with the agency or with a third-party provider.
This will cover any costs associated with damage to your car, as well as personal injury or death in the event of an accident. Also, be sure to ask about any additional charges associated with excess coverage and deductibles.
For example, when we book a car with Discover Cars, we can add full coverage for less than €7/day.
This insurance covers several 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
We had to use this when we busted a tire in Madeira, and it saved us over €400!
How to Avoid Scams
When renting a car in Greece, it is important to be aware of common scams and pitfalls that can occur. Here are some tips to help you protect yourself:
Parking Tickets: If you are illegally parked, the police will take the license plate number off of the car (this is equivalent to issuing 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.
Note: If you don’t have time to make it to the station, the rental agency is absolutely allowed to retrieve it for you, and there should be zero extra fees to do so.
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 attempt to claim that we caused scratches on a vehicle or cracked a windshield that occurred before we received the car or after we dropped it off.
Late Returns: This is not really a scam, but something you should be aware of. 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 an additional day, ranging from €50 to € 100. Please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive and drop off the car before your scheduled time slot.
Use a Credit Card: We recommend using a credit card, not a debit card, as it offers more protection in the event of any discrepancy or unauthorized charge. Also, any deposit will only be on the credit card statement, so you still have access to all the money in your bank account while you are renting the vehicle.
Final Thoughts: Renting A Car in Paros
We love renting a car in Paros. The only time that we didn’t have a rental car was when we booked a scooter rental instead.
It’s our favorite way to travel in Greece, and way more affordable than renting a car in the US or the U.K. Also, the roads in Paros are generally in good condition compared to driving in Naxos. There’s a main highway circumnavigating the island so that you can get almost anywhere in under 30 minutes, and traffic outside of the Parikia Port is never too bad.
We hope you have a similar experience renting a car in Paros!
Just make sure that you have all of the necessary documentation (like an IDP when you arrive), choose an automatic transmission if you are unfamiliar with a stick shift, and find the best prices for your dates on Discover Cars.
Enjoy traveling through Paros. If you have any further concerns about renting a car in Paros, we would love to help. Just message us on Instagram or shoot us an email!
