Car hire at Samos Airport
Samos rewards a car: the wine villages on the Ampelos slopes, the west-coast beaches around Marathokampos, Potami waterfalls near Karlovasi and the Kerkis massif are all far from the KTEL routes. The desks are in the terminal, the cars are beside it, and the island’s local firms deliver to hotels in Pythagoreio, Kokkari and Vathy.
Rental companies at Samos Airport
Desks open for the summer arrivals; in winter, with only the Athens flights, confirm the pick-up hour.
- Avis / Budget
- Hertz
- Sixt
- Europcar
- Samian companies with terminal desks or hotel delivery
Booking tips
- Book ahead for July and August; the Dutch holidays empty the fleet
- Full damage waiver is worth it on the mountain roads to the west
- A small car copes better with village lanes; there is no need for anything larger
- 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 meets the Pythagoreio–Vathy road in minutes: right for Pythagoreio and Ireon, left over the ridge for Vathy (20 minutes) and on along the north coast to Kokkari and Karlovasi. For the south-west (Marathokampos, Votsalakia) take the inland road through Pyrgos and Koumaradei, slow and scenic.
Frequently asked questions
Which car rental companies are at Samos Airport?
Avis, Budget, Hertz, Sixt and Europcar have desks in the terminal, alongside Samian companies that also deliver to hotels. The cars are parked beside the terminal.
Do I need a car on Samos?
For anything beyond your resort, yes: the island is large and mountainous, the KTEL is thin and the best beaches and villages are on the west side, an hour away. Book early for July and August.
See also
Prices and timetables are indicative and change seasonally. Confirm before you travel.