Car rental in Thessaloniki: the airport, insurance and driving to Halkidiki (2026)
Most Israelis landing in Thessaloniki head on to Halkidiki, where a car saves a lot of time. In the city itself you hardly need one. Here is how to book well.
- Rental desks are in the Thessaloniki airport concourse, about 13–15 km from the city centre.
- From the airport to Kallithea in Kassandra is about 77 km, around 50 minutes; to Sarti in Sithonia about 2 hours.
- The Israeli licence is recognised in Greece, but get an International Driving Permit too, as rental companies may ask for it.
If you fly to Thessaloniki for Halkidiki, collect the car at the airport. If you stay only in the city, skip the car: there is a metro, buses and taxis, and central parking is hard.
Do you need a car in Thessaloniki?
- City only: not really. There are buses, taxis and a metro line with 13 stations, running since November 2024. Parking in the centre is hard.
- Halkidiki, Meteora, Edessa or the north: yes. A car saves a lot of time, and Halkidiki's beaches are spread out.
Where to rent a car in Thessaloniki
Rental desks are in the Thessaloniki airport (SKG) concourse, about 13–15 km from the city centre, with international and local companies. You can book online and collect at the airport, in the car park or at a point in the city.
Driving times from Thessaloniki
| Destination | Distance | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Kallithea, Kassandra | about 77 km from the airport | about 50 min |
| Nikiti, Sithonia | about 102 km from Thessaloniki | about 1 h 20 |
| Neos Marmaras | about 122 km | about 1 h 35 |
| Sarti | about 144 km | about 2 h |
(Distances from our Halkidiki guide.)
Israeli driving licence
- According to a Greek Transport Ministry circular, tourists may drive with a licence from a Vienna Convention country, and Israel is a party.
- The rental company decides in practice. Some also require an International Driving Permit, so get one in Israel before you fly.
- Licence held: Avis and Hertz in Greece require at least one year.
Age, insurance and excess
- Minimum age: usually 21, and 25 for larger cars. Under 25 you pay a young-driver surcharge.
- Third-party insurance is included by law.
- CDW: limits your liability for damage to the excess. At Avis Greece it is €900–2,000 by car group; at Hertz Greece €650–3,000.
- Full cover (Super Cover): cuts the excess to zero or close to it for a daily fee. Even then, wheels and the underside are often not covered.
Full details: our guide to renting a car in Greece.
Tips for driving in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki
- City parking: hard and expensive in the centre. If you sleep in the city, ask your hotel about parking.
- Halkidiki without a car: KTEL Chalkidikis runs from the Thessaloniki coach station to towns in Kassandra and Sithonia; Sithonia takes 2–3 hours.
- In July–August book early; automatics run out first.
- Photograph the car at pick-up and return.
FAQ
Where do you rent a car in Thessaloniki? At the desks in the Thessaloniki airport concourse, or at branches in the city. Book online in advance.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Thessaloniki? The Israeli licence is recognised in Greece, but some rental companies also require an IDP. Check the company's terms and get one in Israel.
How long is the drive from Thessaloniki to Halkidiki? From the airport to Kallithea in Kassandra about 50 minutes, and to Sarti in Sithonia about 2 hours.
Do you need a car in Thessaloniki city? Not really. There is a metro, buses and taxis, and central parking is hard.
