Land at Hippocrates Airport and drive straight to the beaches and villages of Kos island
Kos International Airport Hippocrates (KGS) sits 24 km southwest of Kos Town, in the centre of the island. The terminal is small, with rental desks in the arrivals hall. You exit and drive northeast to reach Kos Town in about 30 minutes via the main road, or head west 20 km to Kefalos and the southwest beaches, or north then east 20 km to Tigaki and the northern coast.
After your flight lands, you collect your car directly at the airport - either from a desk in arrivals or from a meet-and-greet representative holding a sign with your name, depending on the local rental company assigned to your booking. You sign the rental agreement on the spot, inspect the vehicle together, note any existing marks in the contract, and drive off. The airport is busy with charter flights from May to September, so the desks are staffed to match peak arrival waves.
This page covers rental at the airport terminal itself - the process of meeting after your flight, paperwork at KGS, and routes out to the island. If you prefer to collect your car in Kos Town later, that page describes in-town collection points, parking in the town centre, and urban driving. Here we focus on landing, keys in hand, and leaving the terminal car park within an hour of touchdown.
Four straightforward steps take you from the aircraft door to the open road. Use the search widget above and type "Kos Airport" or select KGS in the "Specify location" field to see cars available for airport pickup.
Collect your luggage, pass through customs, and walk into the arrivals hall. KGS is a single-terminal airport, so you will not get lost. Check your voucher for the rental company name and desk location or meet-and-greet instructions.
Look for the branded desk in arrivals or for a representative holding a sign with your surname. Show your voucher, driving licence, and the payment card specified in your booking confirmation. The staff will verify your details and lead you to the car park or complete paperwork at the desk.
Read the rental contract, confirm the excess amount and fuel policy, and walk around the car together. The representative notes existing scratches, dents, and tyre condition in the agreement. Take photos with your phone for your own record. Ask about the fuel gauge level and return location.
Adjust mirrors and seat, pair your phone for navigation, and exit the terminal car park. Follow signs to the main road northeast for Kos Town or west for Kefalos. The island is small and flat, making every destination quick to reach and easy to drive.
Kos island is compact. From the terminal you reach any corner within 40 minutes. Here are five common first drives after collecting your keys at KGS.
24 km northeast, 30 minutes. Exit the airport, turn left onto the main island road, and drive straight through flat farmland and a few villages. Kos Town has the harbour, castle, ancient agora, and tree-lined waterfront. Any small hatchback handles this well-paved route - a Toyota Aygo or Kia Picanto is sufficient for the flat terrain and short distance.
20 km west, 25 minutes. Turn right from the terminal and drive through the centre of the island toward the southwest peninsula. Kefalos village sits on a hill with views over Kamari Bay; Paradise Beach lies below. The road is wide and flat. A small city car is enough, though a Hyundai i30 or similar compact offers more luggage space if you are heading straight to a resort.
20 km north then east, 25 minutes. Drive north from KGS, then turn right to follow the northern coast road past salt flats and shallow bays. Tigaki is a long sand beach with shallow water, popular with families. The route is flat and straight; any model from the fleet will do, including the smallest Aygo or Picanto.
10 km southeast, 15 minutes. Head east from the airport on a direct road to this resort town on the south coast, known for nightlife and the ferry to Nisyros island. The drive is the shortest from KGS, entirely flat, and busy in summer. A subcompact like the Kia Stonic gives you higher seating for better visibility in resort traffic.
12 km north, 15 minutes. Drive straight north to the small fishing village and ferry port for Kalymnos island. The road crosses flat fields; Mastichari village has a quiet beach and a handful of tavernas. If you plan to take the ferry to another island, confirm with your rental company that island-hopping permission is included and request any ferry ticket assistance they offer as a paid extra.
The fleet at KGS is smaller than at Rhodes Airport or Athens Airport, so book ahead during peak season. Below are example models you might find in the search results.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Picanto | Mini city car, manual, petrol | Solo travellers or couples, short trips around the island, parking in Kos Town, flat terrain |
| Toyota Aygo | Mini city car, manual, petrol | Two passengers, light luggage, beach-hopping on paved roads, easy manoeuvring in village streets |
| Hyundai i30 | Compact hatchback, manual or automatic, petrol or diesel | Small families, more boot space for holiday luggage, comfortable for longer days exploring the whole island |
| Kia Stonic | Subcompact crossover, manual, petrol | Higher seating position, better visibility in resort traffic, four adults with moderate luggage |
These are sample models. Actual availability depends on season, booking lead time, and the local company assigned to your reservation. Use the search widget at the top of this page to see real-time inventory, specifications, fuel policy, and payment terms for each car.
Small practical details make the difference between a smooth handover and a rushed scramble. Here are six things to keep in mind when renting at Kos Airport.
Many visitors search for Greece car rental without the hassle of a large security hold or credit card requirement. At 4Drive we show you which specific cars at KGS meet those conditions, and explain exactly what you pay when.
In the booking widget above, tick the "Without deposit" filter after entering your dates. The results will show only vehicles where the local rental company does not place a hold on your card at pickup. Each car listing states the deposit amount - zero means no hold. Remember that excess (the amount you are responsible for in case of damage) still applies; the two are independent parameters.
For no-credit-card cars, look at the payment terms in each listing. Some models accept debit cards or cash for the balance due at pickup. The search filter helps you narrow the choice quickly, and every car displays its own requirements.
When you book through 4Drive, you pay a booking advance online by card. This is not a deposit; it is part of your total rental cost. The remaining balance is due when you collect the keys at Kos Airport, and the accepted payment method - debit card, cash, or credit card - is shown in your voucher and in the car listing before you confirm.
If your preferred car requires a credit card for the balance or for a security hold, and you only have a debit card, check with your bank about raising your temporary card limit to cover the hold amount. Full payment and advance details, including which cards we accept online and what each local company expects at the desk, are on our dedicated page.
Quick answers to common questions about collecting and returning a car at KGS terminal.
Most rental desks are inside the arrivals hall at KGS. You sign the paperwork there, then walk with the representative to the car park outside. Some companies use a meet-and-greet system: a staff member waits in arrivals with a sign, then drives you directly to the vehicle in the lot. Your voucher will specify the exact procedure.
Yes, certain cars at KGS accept debit cards for both the online advance and the balance at pickup. Use the search widget on this page, enter your dates, and check the payment terms for each model. The listing will state "debit card accepted" or similar wording if the local company allows it. Not every car offers this option, so filter results carefully.
The fleet at KGS is smaller than at major hubs, and charter traffic from May to September fills desks quickly. Book at least four to six weeks ahead if you travel in July or August, and even earlier if you need a no-deposit or no-credit-card car, since those models go first. Spring and autumn offer more last-minute availability.
Enter your flight number when you book. The rental company tracks arrivals in real time and adjusts the pickup schedule. If you land two hours late, the desk or meet-and-greet representative waits for you. If the delay is extreme - say, a next-day diversion - contact us at [email protected] as soon as you know, and we will coordinate with the local company to reschedule at no extra charge.
Kos has ferry connections to Kalymnos, Nisyros, Rhodes, and other Dodecanese islands. Taking a rental car on a ferry requires explicit permission from the rental company, and you must request it when you book. Some companies include island-hopping rights; others charge a fee or prohibit it altogether. The staff can also arrange ferry tickets for you as a paid extra service.
The closest petrol stations are in Antimachia village, about 5 km east of the terminal. BP and Shell are widely available across the island. Fill the tank to the same level shown on your rental agreement before driving back to the airport car park, so you avoid a refuelling surcharge when the staff inspect the car at return.
Search now for real-time availability at KGS terminal, compare models and payment terms, and book your vehicle in three minutes. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup gives you flexibility if your travel plans shift.