Car rentals at Athens Airport (ATH)

How to Find Your Rental Car at Athens Airport (ATH)

• In Terminal Desks: Collecting your rental car at Athens Airport is straightforward. Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos has one main passenger terminal with three levels — arrivals, departures, and a food court level. All car rental desks are located on the arrivals level of the main terminal, positioned between Exit 3 and Exit 4, making them easy to find immediately after collecting your luggage. There is no need for a shuttle bus to reach the rental desks — everything is under one roof. Once you have completed your paperwork at the desk, the vehicles themselves are parked in the dedicated rental car area approximately 500 metres on foot from the terminal exit. Simply follow the clearly marked rental car signs from the arrivals hall and you will be at your vehicle in a matter of minutes.
• Shutle Curbside meeting: Not all car rental companies at Athens Airport have a desk inside the terminal building. Some quality local suppliers operate from offices located a short distance away and provide a free shuttle service to transfer you from the arrivals hall to their premises. The journey typically takes no more than five to ten minutes and the shuttle service is complimentary. If your booking is with an off-airport supplier, here is exactly what to do: After your flight lands, make your way to the baggage reclaim area and collect all of your luggage before doing anything else — this is important, as you will not be able to return to the arrivals hall easily once you have exited the terminal. Once you have your bags, exit the Main Terminal through Exit B5, which is located on the ground floor of the arrivals hall. Turn right immediately after exiting and walk approximately 30 metres along the building frontage. Continue for a further 50 metres until you reach the minivan and tourist bus parking area. Your shuttle driver will be waiting here. Most off-airport suppliers run their shuttles every 10 to 15 minutes in line with incoming flight arrivals, so you should not have long to wait. Your shuttle driver will either be holding a sign with the company name or your own name, or will be stationed next to a clearly marked company vehicle. If you are unsure, look for the minivan parking zone and ask any driver there — they will point you in the right direction.
• One important tip: always check your booking confirmation before you travel. The exact meeting point and shuttle instructions specific to your supplier will be clearly stated on your rental voucher. If your flight is significantly delayed, call the supplier's local number in advance

Pick-Up, Drop-Off, and Refueling

• Out-of-Hours Returns for in-Terminal rental car Companies: Returning your car is equally simple. Follow the road signs for car rental returns as you enter the airport complex — the dedicated rental car parking area is clearly signposted and easy to locate. Returns are accepted 24 hours a day, so there is no need to worry if your departure falls outside standard business hours. Most suppliers provide a secure key drop facility for out-of-hours returns — it is worth confirming the exact process with your supplier at the time of collection.
• Returning Your Car Outside Opening Hours — Off-Airport Shuttle Companies: If your booking is with an off-airport supplier who uses a shuttle service, the return process works slightly differently from in-terminal companies and requires a little advance planning — particularly if you have an early morning departure or a late night flight. For in-terminal suppliers at Athens Airport, 24-hour returns are standard and straightforward. For off-airport shuttle companies, operating hours vary between suppliers. Some do operate around the clock and will arrange a shuttle transfer back to the terminal at any hour. Others work within set hours and require you to make specific arrangements in advance for out-of-hours returns.
• What to do before your trip ends: The most important step is to confirm the return procedure directly with your supplier at the time of vehicle collection — not the day before your flight. Ask specifically: What time does the office close and is 24-hour return available? If returning outside hours, is a shuttle transfer to the terminal included? Where exactly do you leave the vehicle and how do you hand back the keys? Most off-airport suppliers at Athens who offer after-hours returns will ask you to drive the vehicle back to their nearby premises, complete a brief vehicle check, and then transfer you to the terminal by shuttle. The entire process typically takes no more than 15 to 20 minutes, so factor this into your airport departure timing.
• Our advice at eCarBookers: When booking with an off-airport supplier and travelling with an early or late flight, always allow at least an extra 30 minutes in your schedule compared to an in-terminal return. And always — without exception — confirm the after-hours procedure at pickup. A two-minute conversation at the desk when you collect the car will give you complete clarity and eliminate any stress on departure day. As always, the specific return instructions for your booking will also be clearly stated on your rental voucher.
• Refuelling before return: if your rental operates on a full-to-full fuel policy, you will need to return the vehicle with a full tank. The most convenient option is the Shell petrol station located within the airport's own retail park at the entrance to the airport complex. There are also additional fuel stations along the Attiki Odos motorway and in the nearby towns of Spata and Koropi, all within a few minutes of the terminal. Refuelling at the airport petrol station before returning your car is the simplest and most reliable way to avoid any additional fuel charges.

Top Car Rental Agencies at Athens Airport

Athens Airport is well served by both international brands and quality local operators, giving travellers a genuine range of choice when it comes to collecting their vehicle. All in-terminal suppliers have their desks on the arrivals level of the main terminal building, clustered together between Exit 3 and Exit 4, and the majority operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

International brands with desks inside the terminal: The major global names represented at Athens Airport include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Enterprise, Alamo, Sixt, and Thrifty. These are household names with standardised processes, wide vehicle fleets ranging from economy city cars to family SUVs and minivans, and consistent service standards. All operate 24 hours and accept digital vouchers, making the collection process quick and straightforward upon arrival. Quality local and regional suppliers Alongside the international brands, Athens Airport is also served by a number of well-regarded local and regional operators including Surprice, Monza and Beepit. Several of these operate from off-airport premises a short shuttle ride from the terminal — typically five to ten minutes away — and offer genuinely competitive rates combined with a more personal service experience. For travellers who value local knowledge and flexibility, these suppliers are well worth considering.

Which supplier is right for you? At eCarBookers, every supplier on our platform — whether an international brand or a trusted local operator — is booked on our fully inclusive terms. That means whichever company you choose, you arrive at their desk with the same promise: comprehensive insurance already included, zero excess, and no upselling. The supplier may differ, but the experience you are entitled to expect does not.

Getting from Athens Airport to the City Center

Athens International Airport sits approximately 35 kilometres east of the city centre, reachable in around 35 to 45 minutes by car depending on traffic. From the rental car exit, follow the signs for the Attiki Odos motorway — this is the main toll road connecting the airport directly to central Athens and onwards to Piraeus. The route is well signposted and straightforward to navigate even for first-time visitors. Please note that toll charges apply on the Attiki Odos — keep some cash or a card handy for the booths.