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Car rental in Kos

Car hire on Kos from local companies, collected at the island’s airport: small manual cars and compact SUVs, with no credit card needed.

Cheap car rental on Kos

The six lowest-priced models on the island’s short list, each priced for a full week and collected at the airport.

Small cars and compact SUVs

The island’s list is short: small cars plus a couple of compact SUVs. Classes marked Not quoted had no car on the dates checked, so there are no vans, premium cars or convertibles.

The rules on deposits, roads and ferries are the same as anywhere in Greece.

Where is the car handed over on Kos?

Every car here is collected and returned at Kos Airport, with no handover charge. The voucher tells you where to meet and which number to ring.

At Kos Airport

Meet the company at the point on the voucher after landing. It is a local firm, not the airport, so keep its number to hand on arrival.

City delivery

City delivery is listed for Kos, but no car has been offered that way so far. Look at your own dates if you need it.

Keep your phone on

Give a number with its country code and keep it working from the eve of pickup; that is how the company finds you.

If someone drops you off for car rental at Kos Airport, there is limited free parking opposite the terminal.

Do Kos rentals need a credit card?

No car here required a credit card, though each one holds a deposit. Each offer shows the amount.

No credit cardOn every car here
Deposit heldOn each car here
15 to 20%Paid when booking
BalancePaid at pickup

Check how the deposit and the balance are paid on your car; the methods are listed during booking and on the voucher, along with when the deposit comes back.

On the mainland and the other islands you can also find cars in Greece that need no credit card.

Every car here holds a deposit; car rental in Greece with no deposit turns up at bigger airports such as Athens and Thessaloniki.

Costs you cover during the rental

Fuel, parking, fines and any tolls are paid by you, on top of the rental price.

  • Read the parking signs in Kos Town and the resorts before you leave the car.
  • Lock the car, keep valuables out of sight and park in a well-lit spot where you can.

Road rules for your first drive on Kos

The island follows national Greek rules. These six are the ones to know before you set off.

Speed limits

Kos Town and the villages are 30 km/h, or 50 km/h on some multi-lane streets. The roads between them are 90 km/h unless a sign says otherwise.

Mopeds and quads

Riders on mopeds and quads share the island roads. Leave them plenty of room when you overtake and at every junction.

Paved roads only

The rental allows paved public roads only. Dirt tracks to remote beaches are not allowed, whatever the car.

After an accident

Ring the company at once after any knock and have the police write a report, unless the company says otherwise; without both, the cover may not pay.

New and professional drivers have a lower alcohol limit than other drivers, and fines rise with the reading. The safest choice is not to drink at all.

A flashing yellow light means slow down and give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.

How far is Kos Town from the airport?

By road, Kos Town lies about 40 min from the airport. Kardamena and Mastichari are much closer.

From the airport, Kardamena and Mastichari are both about 10 min away by road, Marmari about 15 min and Tigaki about 25 min. Times assume clear roads.

Can you return the car anywhere else?

Plan on the airport: the prices here are for returning the car where you collected it.

Back to the airport

Return the car at Kos Airport at the booked time. Allow for fuel and the check before your flight.

Return details

The voucher gives the return point. Confirm it with the company if your flight time changes.

Keeping it longer

To keep the car longer, tell the company in advance, before the booked return time.

Ferries to other islands

Taking the car on a ferry to another island or the mainland is only possible if it is agreed in advance.

Write to customer support before you complete the booking. Leaving the country is not allowed under the Greece rental terms.

Cheapest day rates for Kos car hire

Lowest daily prices for seven-day hires starting on the 15th, picked up and returned at Kos Airport.

Rentals of a week from the 15th, November 2026 to October 2027; N/A shows a month with nothing priced yet.

With so few cars, a single car can move a bar a long way. Prices climb through the summer, so check your dates early.

Seats, children and a second driver

Four or five seats

Every car here seats four or five. For a bigger group, two cars may be the only option, so check the boot too.

Manual gearbox

Every car offered here has a manual gearbox. If you only drive automatics, check your own dates before relying on the island.

Child seats

A child seat or a booster can be added as a paid extra on the cars quoted. Choose it during booking.

Second driver

The cars quoted let you add a second driver as a paid extra. They must meet the same age and licence rules.

Car hire insurance on Kos

Cover options and the deposit for each sit on the car’s page; read them as a pair.

Minimum coverageIncluded as standard
  • Damage to other vehicles (TPL) (included)
  • Damage to your hire car (not included)
Basic coverage
  • Limited collision cover (CDW) (included)
  • Damage to other vehicles (TPL) (included)
  • Glass and tyre damage (not included)
Full Coverage
  • Limited driver liability (Super CDW) (included)
  • Damage to other vehicles (TPL) (included)
Full Coverage Plus
  • Full damage cover (included)
  • No driver liability for accident damage (included)

Two levels here. The cars quoted offer Minimum, which covers third parties only, and Basic. No higher level was on offer.

Standard exclusions. Wheels, undercarriage, windscreen and interior damage are not covered as standard.

When cover fails. Neglect, deliberate damage and vandalism make the insurance invalid.

Deposit and excess. The deposit held and the excess you would pay are separate figures; read both on the car.

Basic leaves an excess to pay after damage, and the cover levels differ in how much of it they remove.

What licence do you need on Kos?

Your national licence, valid to the end of the rental. An International Driving Permit is recommended, and some companies may refuse a rental without one.

Driving permit

Carry an IDP with your national licence; it makes things easier with the police. Copies and electronic licences are refused.

Age and years held

Each car lists its own minimum age and years with a licence, and these can differ even between similar small cars.

Handing the car back

Fuel

  • Refuel to the pickup level before heading to the airport; short fuel is billed at the company’s rates and extra is not paid back.

Condition

  • If sand or dirt stops the inspection, the wash is charged to you.

Cancelling your Kos booking

Every Kos car comes with the short-notice cancellation option. To change dates, cancel and book again.

Deadline

Cancel at least 24 hours before pickup at the airport. Any later, or a no-show on the day, and the advance is kept.

Refund

Email customer support with the voucher attached. The refund follows within fourteen days, less 6% of the advance.

Kos car rental questions

Are automatic cars available on Kos?

Not so far: every car offered was manual. Look at your own dates, as the list can change.

Is the kilometre allowance unlimited?

Yes, none of the cars offered carried a daily limit. The offer shows the rule for your car.

What if my car is not available?

If a breakdown or a similar event stops the company providing it, you get a car of the same or a higher class at the same price and on the same terms.

Can I cancel just after booking?

Yes: for the first 24 hours after the booking is confirmed and the advance paid, either side can cancel and the advance is refunded, minus the payment fee.

Can I take a pet?

Small pets may ride along, shut in a carrier throughout.

More about renting a car in Greece

Book car hire on Kos

Collect at Kos Airport, read the deposit and cover on your chosen car, and book early, as the island’s list is short.

Find cars on Kos