Hiring a car in Halkidiki will give you the greatest freedom and opportunities to discover the more remote villages. Even in Halkidiki, the general guidelines for renting a car apply and if you are new to this segment, read our article How to rent a car abroad for the first time.
Where, when and how to book a car in Halkidiki
With a car you can reach all the beautiful places, all the beaches and inland towns.
The most convenient option for renting a car is directly at the airports you arrive at, most often Thessaloniki SKG or Kavala KVA.
When booking a car at car rental agencies, generally the earlier you make the booking, the cheaper it will be. The ideal time to book a car is about 2-3 months before your trip.
Car rental prices in Halkidiki
Car rental prices vary according to the time of year. They are highest in July and August and several times lower during the winter, when it is not worth travelling to Halkidiki except perhaps to visit the monastic republic of Athos.
Prices can also be lower in June or September.
- Weekly rentals high season (July and August) - from 120 eur
- Weekly rentals May, June, September, October - from 80 eur
Cheaper car hire can be found right on Halkidiki, in the towns of Nikiti and Neos Marmaras on the promontory of Sithonia, which is ideal for travelling by car due to its secluded beaches.
The lowest prices around 312 eur for a week / 147 eur for 3 days are offered by Thrifty car rental in Nikiti.
Traffic and traffic regulations
Driving in Halkidiki is similar to elsewhere on the Greek mainland. The quality of the roads is decent, but the quality of Greek drivers much less so.
Always be prepared for unpredictable behaviour, especially at junctions in towns and especially when overtaking. The Greeks are capable of overtaking in absolutely all places and expect you to swerve as far as possible to the side of the road or come to a complete stop.
The roads along the coast and on the outcrop of Kassandra are mostly flat and clear, while on the Sithonia peninsula they are very winding but all the more beautiful.
Traffic regulations are otherwise virtually identical to those in the Czech Republic.
International driving licence
Greece is part of the European Union, so there is no need to get an international driving licence. The car rental company will also accept a national driving licence from any EU country.
If you hold a driving licence from a non-EU country, Norway, Switzerland or Iceland, get an international driving licence with your licence.
Car rental companies usually require a credit card to rent a car, and will often lend on a debit card, but either on less favourable terms or with a very high deposit often exceeding even 1 200 eur.
