Car rentals in Rhodes Island

Driving in Rhodes: Essential Rules

• Drive on the right, overtake on the left. Greece follows the same rule as mainland Europe. Yield to vehicles approaching from the right at unmarked junctions unless signage states otherwise.
• Mandatory equipment. Every vehicle on Greek roads must carry a warning triangle, a first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher (minimum 2 kg, S2-rated). These items are standard in all hire vehicles — confirm they are present before leaving the pick-up point. Headlamp beam deflectors are also required for vehicles with headlights adjusted for left-hand traffic, such as those brought over from the UK or Ireland.
• No toll roads on Rhodes. Unlike mainland Greece, the island of Rhodes has no toll roads or toll infrastructure. You can drive anywhere on the island — from Rhodes Town to Prasonisi Cape in the far south — without toll charges.
• Speed cameras and enforcement. Greece's updated Highway Code (Law 5209/2025) introduced stricter enforcement across the country, including wider use of automated speed checks and significantly higher fines for repeat violations. Posted limits are enforced — follow all roadside signage, particularly near villages, schools, and beach approach roads where limits frequently drop.
• Mobile phones. Using a handheld phone while driving carries a €350 fine and a 30-day licence suspension under the 2025 Highway Code. Use a fixed mount and hands-free system for navigation.
• Alcohol limit. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.50 g/L for standard drivers. The limit drops to 0.20 g/L for novice drivers (licence held under two years) and professional drivers. Enforcement is active, particularly during summer.
• Old Town Rhodes is pedestrianised. The walled medieval city is closed to non-resident vehicles. Park outside the walls at Akandia Harbour (free, with a complimentary electric shuttle into the Old Town) or in the paid car parks near Mandraki Harbour in the New Town.

Speed Limits in Rhodes (Standard Passenger Cars)

In urban areas, the default limit is 30 km/h on single-lane streets and 50 km/h on two-lane or divided roads, unless a lower limit is posted. Rhodes has no motorways — the island's two main highway-standard routes (Rhodes–Lindos and Rhodes–Kalithea) carry a posted limit of 80 km/h. Always follow posted signs.

Rhodes Car Hire Insurance & Border Rules

Every car hire listed on eCarBookers includes the supplier's standard collision damage waiver (CDW) in the basic rate. Standard CDW carries an excess — the amount you would be responsible for in the event of damage. Excess amounts vary by supplier and vehicle class, and the exact figure is displayed clearly before you confirm your booking, so there are no surprises at the desk.

If you prefer to drive with no excess at all, a fully inclusive, zero-excess option can be selected at the final step of the booking process — the system displays the fully inclusive price on screen before you commit. This cover comes directly from the supplier itself, not from a third-party insurer, so there is no separate policy, no paying the excess upfront, and no reimbursement claim to file. The same supplier cover can also be added at the desk on collection, but selecting it online means the decision is made in advance, with the full price in front of you.

Tyres, glass (including the windscreen), underbody damage, lost or damaged keys, and a flat battery caused by driver error are typically excluded from standard CDW cover across the car hire industry. These situations are uncommon in everyday driving on Rhodes — the island's main roads are well-maintained and clearly signed — but they are a standard industry-wide condition rather than anything unique to any one supplier. Always check your booking confirmation for the specific cover terms applicable to your hire, as scope can vary by supplier.

Border rules and inter-island travel. Rhodes is a Greek island with no land borders. Taking a hire car on a passenger ferry to another Greek island — for example to Kos or Crete — is technically possible on some routes, but most suppliers prohibit or restrict it. You must obtain explicit written permission from your supplier before loading a hire vehicle onto any ferry. Insurance cover is also typically suspended while a vehicle is aboard a vessel, regardless of whether the supplier has approved the crossing. If you are considering travelling between islands by car, confirm the terms in writing at the time of booking.

Travel to Turkey. Day-trip ferries operate between Rhodes Town's commercial harbour and Marmaris or Bodrum on the Turkish coast. However, hire vehicles are not permitted to leave Greek territory. If you wish to visit Turkey, you must travel as a foot passenger and arrange separate transport on arrival. Attempting to take a hire car to Turkey without written authorisation will void your insurance and breach your rental agreement.

Popular Car Hire Locations in Rhodes

Rhodes offers a wide range of pick-up points to suit every itinerary — whether you are arriving by air, by ferry, or already based in one of the island's towns or resorts. Your booking confirmation from eCarBookers locks in your price, your vehicle class, and any cover options you selected before you arrive — you pay the balance at the desk on collection, and the terms confirmed at booking are the terms you receive.