How to rent a car for cheap starts with understanding the timing, location, and how companies actually price their vehicles. Rental rates work a bit like flight prices - they go up and down based on demand, season, and how early you book. But if you play it smart, you can easily save up to 40%.
1. Skip the Airport Counter
Airport rentals often come with extra fees and taxes. They’re convenient, yes, but also more expensive. Instead:
● Use a city location pickup.
● Take a short taxi or bus ride to your rental office.
● You’ll usually save between 10% and 25%.
For example, if you’re flying into Heraklion or Chania (Crete) or Thessaloniki (Greece), grab a coffee, relax, and pick up your car downtown. You’ll find better rates and fewer lines.
2. Compare, But Book Direct
Many travelers use big platforms like Rentalcars or Expedia. They’re fine for browsing, but the cheapest price usually comes from booking directly with the local company.
Why? No middleman fees.
If you’re renting in Greece, go straight to Carac. It’s a trusted local company that runs its own fleet and cuts out the hidden commissions. You’ll see the real price, not the “starting from” teaser that doubles later with insurance and add-ons.
3. Be Flexible with Pickup and Drop-Off
Want to know another secret about how to rent a car for cheap? Play around with the pickup and drop-off times. Even changing your booking by a few hours can change the price.
For example*:
|
Pickup Time |
Drop-off Time |
Price Difference |
|
10:00 AM |
10:00 AM |
€40/day |
|
3:00 PM |
3:00 PM |
€33/day |
That’s an instant 17% saving for shifting your time a bit.
Crazy, right?
4. Go Small and Manual
Automatic cars cost more. Always.
Manual vehicles are cheaper to rent and use less fuel - perfect for European roads. If you’re driving through Crete’s narrow streets, a small manual car isn’t just affordable - it’s practical.
Pro tip: At Carac, you’ll find a solid selection of small manuals that handle beautifully on mountain curves and tight parking spots.
5. Watch the Insurance Traps
Car rental insurance can double your price if you’re not careful.
Here’s what to do:
● Use a credit card that includes collision coverage.
● Decline duplicate insurance from the rental counter.
● Read the terms carefully - avoid “full protection” upsells unless you truly need them.
Most local companies like Carac include basic insurance in their rates. No drama, no “surprise fees” when you return the keys.
6. Check for Hidden Extras
Some companies charge for everything - child seats, GPS, extra driver, or even after-hours returns.
Before you confirm, check what’s included:
● Free mileage?
● Late return charges?
● 24/7 roadside assistance?
At Carac, what you see is what you get. Our transparent pricing makes it easy to plan your budget with zero nasty surprises.
7. Timing Is Everything
If you travel off-season (like November in Greece), you’ll find amazing deals.
Prices drop by up to 40% once the summer rush ends. Plus, roads are quieter, and parking is a dream.
So if your schedule is flexible, avoid July–August and aim for April–June or September–November..
8. Fuel Policy: Full-to-Full Wins Every Time
Always choose the full-to-full fuel policy. You pick up the car with a full tank and return it full.
Other options (like “prepaid fuel”) sound easy, but usually cost more.
Carac operates on a full-to-full basis - simple, fair, and predictable.
9. Local Tips for Each Location
Heraklion (Crete):
Parking near the port is easy, and gas stations are cheaper outside the city. Avoid renting right at the airport. Pick up from Carac Heraklion City for better deals.
Chania (Crete):
Downtown Chania rentals are cheaper than the airport. Watch out for old-town narrow streets - go compact.
Kavala:
A hidden gem for road trips. Weekday rentals are cheaper here since weekends bring domestic travelers.
Thessaloniki:
Traffic’s heavy downtown, but prices drop if you pick up near the bus station or outer ring road.
10. Why Carac Is Your Only Deal
Here’s the truth: you can compare all day, but local always wins.
Carac runs its own cars, offers real local service, and doesn’t tack on mystery fees. They have offices in all major Greek and Cypriot cities - Heraklion, Chania, Thessaloniki, Kavala so you can rent in one spot and return in another.
They’re reliable, straight-talking, and they actually want you to save money.
Quick Recap: How to Rent a Car for Cheap
If you remember only five things, make it these:
1. Avoid airport counters.
2. Book directly at carac.gr.
3. Choose small manual cars.
4. Skip insurance upsells.
5. Travel off-season.
Simple, right?
Renting a car doesn’t have to be a luxury. With a little planning - and a local company that plays fair - you can explore Greece, or anywhere else, with total freedom and a full wallet.
*Prices may differ
