Several car-rental companies keep desks inside the arrivals hall at Rhodes International Airport (RHO), so you can collect a vehicle within minutes of leaving baggage claim. A rental car is the easiest way to explore the island at your own pace: the quieter southern beaches, the clifftop village of Lindos and the villages of the interior are all far simpler to reach with your own wheels than by taxi or bus.
Where to pick up your car
The rental desks sit in the arrivals terminal; depending on the company, the cars themselves are either right outside or in a nearby lot reached by a short walk or a quick staff shuttle. Booking online before you fly almost always secures a better rate and guarantees availability, which matters in the busy summer season when fleets sell out. Bring your confirmation, and arrive with a little patience, as paperwork at the desk takes a few minutes.
What you need
- A valid driving licence, usually held for at least 1–2 years
- Non-EU drivers may need an International Driving Permit alongside the national licence; check with your rental company
- A credit card in the main driver's name to cover the deposit
- Your passport or national ID, and your rental confirmation
- Minimum age is usually 21–23; drivers under 25 often pay a young-driver surcharge
Insurance, excess and fuel
Read the cover carefully before you sign. Basic rates typically include collision damage waiver but leave a sizeable excess (the amount you pay in the event of damage), which you can reduce by buying extra cover or by using a separate excess policy. Check the fuel policy too: "full-to-full", where you return the car with a full tank, is usually the fairest. Photograph any existing scratches at handover so there is no dispute when you bring the car back.
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Excess | How much you are liable for, and whether you can reduce it |
| Fuel policy | Prefer full-to-full; note the nearest station to the airport |
| Mileage | Usually unlimited on the island, but confirm |
| Extras | Child seats, additional drivers, GPS, add at booking |
Driving on Rhodes
Traffic drives on the right. Roads to the main towns, resorts and popular beaches are generally well surfaced, but some tracks to the remote southern bays and hill villages are narrow or unpaved and better suited to a higher-clearance vehicle. Distances are longer than they look on the map, and the drive to Lindos in the south takes around an hour, so plan your day around it. In Rhodes Town, use the marked car parks rather than trying to drive into the pedestrianised medieval Old Town, and never leave valuables on show. A car pairs well with a beach base, see our resort transfers guide and hotels near the airport. Rates, age limits and insurance terms vary by company and can change, so confirm the details when you book and close to your travel date.
