Car rental in Crete – what you really need to know
Practical tips for when you're on the go
A rental car offers maximum flexibility on Crete, especially for hikes and remote starting points.
On this page, you'll find practical tips on what to consider when choosing a vehicle, how to use it, and the rental terms.
Which vehicle makes sense?
For most hikes on Crete, a standard small or mid-size car is perfectly adequate.
Sufficient ground clearance is more important than engine power, as access to parking areas or trailheads is sometimes via unpaved roads.
An SUV or four-wheel-drive vehicle is generally not always necessary, but can be useful and advantageous in remote areas.
Gravel roads, parking lots and access roads
Many trailhead parking areas are not directly accessible from paved roads. Short sections of gravel, hard-packed tracks, or uneven access roads are not uncommon.
These routes are usually passable, but require slow driving and careful maneuvering.
Important: Not every gravel road is automatically permitted – this depends on the rental agreement.
Important points in the rental conditions
Terms like "comprehensive insurance" or "no deductible" sound extensive, but often exclude certain types of damage.
The following are particularly affected:
- Underbody
- Tires
- Glass (depending on the policy)
- Damage on unauthorized roads
Especially when hiking with access via gravel roads, it's worth carefully reviewing the terms and conditions and asking specific questions if anything is unclear.
Parking at the starting point
In rural areas, parking is usually straightforward, often right by the roadside or in small parking areas.
Nevertheless, you should make sure not to block access roads and park your vehicle in such a way that agricultural traffic, bus passage, and emergency routes remain clear.
Plan start and end points realistically
Many hikes are circular routes, while others end at a different point than where they begin.
A rental car makes planning considerably easier, especially if you want to avoid transfers or spontaneously switch to an alternative route.
In our tour descriptions, we indicate whether a tour is a circular route or requires special planning.
Notice
We do not arrange rental cars ourselves and do not make specific recommendations for particular providers.
Our advice is based on our own experience with hikes, access routes, and starting points in various regions of Crete.