Connect with local rental agencies across the island and drive away without freezing funds on your card.
Rodavia connects you with rental agencies that operate across Crete, from the north-coast hubs to quieter southern villages. When you book, the contract is between you and the local supplier - we pass your details along, they prepare the vehicle, and you collect the keys. The voucher shows everything: who you're renting from, where to meet them, what the vehicle includes.
Most visitors start at Heraklion airport, five kilometres east of the city centre. The new E75 highway runs west to Rethymno and east through Hersonissos to Agios Nikolaos, cutting travel time significantly. If you're heading into the Lasithi plateau or the south coast via Ano Viannos, expect winding mountain roads with tight hairpins and occasional livestock wandering into your lane.
Automatic car rental Crete options appear in every vehicle class. Smaller automatics suit town errands and flat coastal routes; larger models handle mountain gradients and luggage for four. The system filters by transmission, passenger count, luggage capacity, and fuel policy so you see only what fits your route.
Standard rental desks across Europe typically freeze a deposit on a credit card - sometimes substantial amounts held for weeks. The agencies in our network accept bookings with no deposit at the counter, and a debit card works for the signature and any extras you add on-site. You pay a booking advance online when you reserve; the rest settles at pickup.
Insurance coverage is built into the rental rate. The voucher specifies liability limits, collision damage waiver, theft protection, and any applicable excess. If the supplier offers an excess reduction package at their desk, you can take it or decline it - the vehicle is already insured either way.
Check the voucher's fuel policy. Full-to-full means you collect the car with a full tank and return it full; pre-purchase means you pay for a tank upfront and return it empty. Fuel brands on the island include EKO, Avin, and Shell, with stations clustered near towns and spaced further apart in rural areas.
Agencies deliver vehicles to multiple locations. Heraklion airport is the most common starting point, but you can also arrange pickup in Heraklion town, Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, or smaller coastal spots like Ammoudara and Agia Pelagia. Some suppliers meet you at your hotel; others operate from a local office. The voucher includes phone numbers and precise meeting instructions.
| Route | Distance | Typical Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Heraklion Airport to Heraklion centre | 5 km | 10 min |
| Heraklion to Hersonissos | 26 km | 20 min |
| Heraklion to Malia | 34 km | 40 min |
| Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos | 62 km | 50 min |
| Heraklion to Lasithi Plateau | 50 km | 75 min |
Speed limits are ninety on national roads and fifty in towns. Traffic police enforce limits with mobile cameras, especially along the north-coast highway during summer months.
Choosing a car rental in Crete Greece depends on your route and passenger count. A compact hatchback navigates narrow village streets and parking bays in Heraklion's old town. A sedan or estate offers more boot space for longer stays. SUVs provide ground clearance on unpaved tracks leading to remote beaches or mountain trails.
Small turning circle, easy parking in Hersonissos or Malia. Two adults, two small bags. Manual or automatic available.
Four adults with luggage. Comfortable on the E75 and mountain passes. Automatic common in this class.
Higher ground clearance for dirt tracks to beaches. Five seats, generous boot. Manual or automatic gearbox.
Extended families or group travel. Roof space for extra bags. Best booked early in peak season.
Air conditioning is standard across all classes. Most vehicles run on unleaded petrol; a few larger models use diesel. The search filters let you specify transmission type, passenger count, and luggage capacity before you see results.
Enter your pickup location, dates, and any filters - automatic transmission, specific vehicle size, extra driver. The system shows available cars from agencies that meet your criteria. Each listing names the supplier, vehicle model, insurance inclusions, fuel policy, and mileage allowance.
Select a vehicle and fill in driver details. You'll pay a booking advance online using one of the accepted payment methods: card, bank transfer, or alternative options depending on your region. The voucher arrives by email within minutes. It contains the supplier's contact details, pickup instructions, your reservation reference, and the balance due at the counter.
Amendments and cancellations follow the terms in your voucher. Many bookings allow free cancellation up to a set number of days before pickup. Changes to dates or vehicle type go through our support line or email - we coordinate with the supplier and send an updated voucher.
At pickup, bring your voucher, driving licence, and a debit or credit card for the supplier's records. They'll check the licence, note the card, hand over keys and paperwork. Inspect the car for existing damage, photograph anything notable, and confirm the fuel level before you drive away.
The E75 north-coast highway is a dual carriageway with clear signage. Secondary roads into the mountains narrow quickly; the climb to Lasithi or the descent to the south coast requires attention to hairpin bends and oncoming coaches. Goats and sheep wander onto rural roads, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Parking in Heraklion and larger towns uses pay-and-display machines or mobile apps. Blue-zone bays charge by the hour; white lines indicate free parking where available. Coastal resorts like Hersonissos and Agios Nikolaos offer both street parking and paid lots near the waterfront.
Fuel stations cluster around towns and along the main highway. In remote areas, especially the south coast or mountain villages, stations appear every twenty to thirty kilometres. Most accept card payment, though smaller family-run pumps may prefer cash.
If you add a second driver, they must present their licence at pickup and may incur an extra fee. Young driver surcharges apply to those under twenty-five; senior driver age limits vary by supplier. The voucher lists any additional fees before you confirm the booking.
Correct. The agencies we work with accept debit cards at pickup. You pay a booking advance online when you reserve, and the remaining balance at the counter with your debit card. No deposit is frozen on your card.
One-way rentals are possible between major locations - airport to Agios Nikolaos, or Heraklion to Hersonissos, for example. The booking system shows any one-way fee during the search. Some shorter routes within the same region incur no extra charge.
Most suppliers allow a grace period of thirty to sixty minutes. Beyond that, they may charge an extra day or an hourly rate, depending on their policy. If you know you'll be late, call the number on your voucher as early as possible so they can adjust the booking.
Yes. The rate includes collision damage waiver, theft protection, and third-party liability. The voucher specifies coverage limits and any excess that applies in case of damage. The supplier may offer an additional excess reduction at their desk, but the car is already insured without it.
Standard terms usually permit driving on maintained dirt tracks. Off-road driving - deep sand, riverbeds, ungraded mountain trails - is typically excluded. Check the supplier's terms in your voucher. If you plan serious off-road excursions, book a 4x4 and confirm coverage with the desk staff at pickup.
The voucher includes the supplier's direct phone number and email. For breakdowns or accidents, call them immediately. If you need help coordinating or translating, contact Rodavia at +30 2810 334 712 or [email protected] Monday through Sunday, eight in the morning to eight in the evening Eastern European Time.