gr.flights Ioannina Airport

Car hire at Ioannina Airport

Ioannina is where a road trip through Epirus begins: the 46 stone villages of Zagori and the Vikos gorge, Metsovo on the Katara pass, the Konitsa bridge and the Aoos valley, Dodoni’s theatre, and the Egnatia motorway west to the Ionian coast. The KTEL touches the main villages once or twice a day; a car does the rest. Desks are at the terminal and the cars are in front.

Rental companies at Ioannina Airport

A couple of international brands and local firms meet the Athens flights all year; the fleet is modest, so book ahead for the holidays and for the autumn walking season in Zagori.

  • Avis / Budget
  • Hertz
  • Sixt
  • Epirus companies with terminal desks or delivery

Booking tips

  • From November to March ask for winter tyres or chains; the Zagori and Metsovo roads climb above 1,000 m
  • A small car copes with the village lanes; full damage waiver copes with the stone walls
  • Crossing into Albania at Kakavia needs written permission and cross-border insurance; many contracts exclude it
  • A credit card in the driver’s name is needed for the deposit
  • Licences issued outside the EU/EEA need an international driving permit

Driving from the airport

The airport road joins the ring road in minutes. North on the Konitsa road for Zagori (turn off at the Vikos signs after 30 minutes) and Konitsa; east on the Egnatia for Metsovo (50 minutes) and Meteora (two hours); west on the Egnatia for Igoumenitsa (75 minutes); south for Dodoni, Arta and Preveza. The lakeside in town is easy to park along; the castle lanes are not.

Frequently asked questions

Which car rental companies are at Ioannina Airport?

Avis, Budget, Hertz and Sixt alongside Epirus companies, meeting the Athens flights all year; the cars are in front of the terminal. The fleet is modest, so book ahead.

Do I need snow chains for a winter rental in Ioannina?

For Zagori, Metsovo and the Katara pass between December and March, yes: ask for winter tyres or chains when booking. The city and the Egnatia motorway are kept clear.

See also

Prices and timetables are indicative and change seasonally. Confirm before you travel.