Explore medieval walled towns, ancient sites and island beaches with delivery to your hotel
Rhodes blends medieval Old Town cobblestone lanes with coastal highways running past resort strips and mountain villages. The walled city centre is pedestrian-only, but reaching Lindos Acropolis 50 km south, the wild Prasonisi tip 90 km away, or the ancient ruins at Kamiros 35 km southwest demands a vehicle. We offer Rhodes car rental with no deposit on selected models - a subset of the fleet marked "No Deposit" in search results. That means the local rental company will not block funds on your card at pick-up, though you remain responsible for any damage within the excess limit stated in your rental agreement.
Booking works like this: on our platform you pay an advance online by card to reserve the car. The balance is due when you collect the vehicle; accepted payment methods - debit card, cash or credit card - depend on the specific model you choose and are shown during booking and printed in your voucher. If you plan to use a debit card and the car requires a deposit block for other reasons, check your card limit beforehand. The rental agreement is signed at the counter, and the local company's contact details appear in your voucher.
You can pick up your car at Rhodes Airport - Diagoras International sits 16 km southwest of the city - or arrange delivery to hotels in Rhodes Old Town, Mandraki Harbour, Ixia and Ialyssos. Delivery service is handled by the rental company and availability varies; select your preferred location and time when you book. Add-ons such as a second driver, child seat, or permission for ferry crossings to other Dodecanese islands or Turkey carry extra fees and must be requested in advance.
For a broader look at rentals across the country, visit our Greece car rental overview page. Neighbouring islands Kos and Corfu offer similar no-deposit options and distinct coastal routes.
Three collection points cover airport arrivals, hotel guests and town-centre stays.
Diagoras International Airport lies 16 km southwest of Rhodes town via the coastal expressway, a 20-minute drive. Rental desks sit inside the terminal or just outside; your voucher will specify the exact counter. Useful for early-morning ferry connections or late-night arrivals when town offices are closed.
The local company can bring your car to hotels in Rhodes Old Town, Mandraki Harbour, Ixia and Ialyssos. Paperwork is completed at your accommodation or a nearby meeting point, saving a taxi fare and the hunt for the rental office. Confirm delivery during booking and note that some residential streets near the Old Town walls have restricted vehicle access.
A handful of rental branches operate within walking distance of Mandraki Harbour and the New Market district. Collection here suits travellers staying in central guesthouses who want to start a road trip immediately. Parking outside the medieval walls is metered; the first hour tends to be affordable, but all-day rates climb quickly in high season.
Island highlights range from hilltop acropolises to forest springs and deserted southern capes.
Lindos sits 50 km south on the east coast, roughly one hour via the main coastal highway. White-cube houses cascade down a headland crowned by a Hellenistic acropolis and medieval fortress. The village centre is car-free; park in the official lots above town and walk down steep cobbled lanes. St Paul's Bay below offers calm swimming. A Fiat Tipo or Hyundai i20 handles the paved route comfortably, and boot space holds beach gear for the family.
Prasonisi lies 90 km south, about 1 hour 45 minutes down the west-coast road through scattered villages. A narrow sand spit connects the cape to the main island; the Aegean breaks on one side, the Mediterranean on the other. Windsurfers crowd the spot in summer. The final stretch is paved but exposed to crosswinds. An Opel Corsa or Kia Picanto will manage the journey; larger groups prefer a Nissan Qashqai for extra luggage room and stability in gusts.
The ruins of Kamiros stand 35 km southwest of Rhodes town, about 50 minutes inland via the west-coast road. This Doric city was abandoned in early Byzantine times; today you walk between column stumps, a market agora and hillside house foundations with views over olive groves to the sea. The access road is narrow but asphalt all the way. A Hyundai i10 or Fiat Tipo suits solo travellers and couples; families will appreciate the rear-seat space in a Fiat 500X.
Monolithos village and its clifftop castle ruin sit 75 km southwest, roughly 1 hour 30 minutes along winding mountain roads. The fortress perches on a 240-metre limestone pinnacle; a short footpath climbs to the walls and a tiny whitewashed chapel inside. Views sweep across forested slopes to offshore islets. Switchbacks and tight bends demand attention. A Jeep Renegade or Fiat 500X offers higher ground clearance and confident handling; smaller hatchbacks work if you drive slowly and watch for oncoming vans on blind curves.
Petaloudes nature reserve lies 25 km southwest of Rhodes town, a 35-minute drive inland. Wooden walkways follow a stream through a cool canyon where thousands of Jersey tiger moths gather on tree trunks from June to September. Parking at the lower entrance is limited; arrive before mid-morning in July and August to avoid tour-bus crowds. The access road is paved and wide enough for two cars. A Kia Picanto or Hyundai i10 fits easily into tight parking bays and sips fuel on the return climb.
Tsambika Beach spreads 30 km south along the east coast, about 40 minutes from town. Golden sand and shallow turquoise water make it popular with families. Above the beach a mountain-top monastery rewards pilgrims - and photographers - with panoramic views; the final kilometre is a steep footpath or a rough track accessible only to high-clearance vehicles. Park at the beach lot and hike, or drive an Opel Corsa or Nissan Qashqai to the trail head. Most visitors skip the monastery drive and enjoy the shoreline.
Our Rhodes fleet spans economy hatchbacks for solo trips to compact SUVs for family beach runs and mountain exploring.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Picanto | Economy | Solo travellers, short coastal hops, tight village parking |
| Hyundai i10 | Economy | Couples, fuel economy, urban errands and beach access |
| Opel Corsa | Compact | City touring, day trips to Lindos, light luggage loads |
| Fiat Tipo | Compact | Families, week-long hire, trunk space for child seats |
| Hyundai i20 | Compact | Mixed town and highway driving, comfortable rear seats |
| Nissan Qashqai | SUV | Higher driving position, gravel tracks to remote beaches |
| Jeep Renegade | SUV | Mountain roads to Monolithos, extra ground clearance |
| Fiat 500X | Crossover | Blend of compact footprint and SUV stance, family comfort |
Availability shifts with season; July and August see high demand for air-conditioned models and automatic gearboxes. Book early to secure your preferred car and no-deposit status. Every listing shows transmission type, fuel policy and door count so you can compare before confirming.
Rhodes traffic mixes resort-bound coaches, moped-riding locals and ferry-port queues; a few practical notes smooth the experience.
No-deposit rental eliminates the card hold at pick-up but does not change your responsibility for damage within the excess stated in the rental agreement.
Not every model on our platform is available without a deposit; eligibility depends on the local rental company's policy and the specific vehicle. Use the "No Deposit" filter in search results to see only qualifying cars. Each listing shows payment terms clearly: the advance you pay online now, the balance due at collection, and whether the company will block a deposit. These details also appear in your voucher, so there are no surprises at the counter.
Bring your driving licence - an EU licence is valid as issued; non-EU drivers should carry an international driving permit alongside their national licence. You will also need the credit or debit card used for the online advance, your passport and the printed or mobile voucher. The rental agent checks each document, notes the car's existing damage in the agreement, hands over the keys and the company's emergency contact number. Return the car with the same fuel level to avoid refuelling surcharges.
For a detailed breakdown of how the booking advance and final balance work, read our payment and advance guide. It explains which cards are accepted for which cars and how to avoid common confusion between the advance and a security deposit.
Practical answers to the queries we hear most often from Rhodes visitors.
Yes. Selected cars accept debit cards or cash for the balance payment at pick-up. The booking advance is always paid online by card. Check each listing's payment terms; your voucher will confirm accepted methods for that specific vehicle.
Drivers holding an EU licence do not need an IDP. Non-EU licence holders should carry an international driving permit alongside their national licence. The rental company will ask to see both documents at the counter.
Price depends on the specific model and rental company, not the collection point. Filtering by location in our search shows available cars at the airport and town delivery options; compare total cost including any delivery fee to find the most economical choice for your itinerary.
Only with written permission from the rental company. Ferry crossings to Symi, Kos or other Dodecanese islands require advance approval and usually incur an extra insurance fee. Request this service during booking; your voucher will include the necessary paperwork.
Urban areas enforce 50 km/h, rural roads 90 km/h, expressways 110 km/h. Fixed speed cameras monitor the airport expressway and the coastal highway south of Afandou. Fines are sent to the rental company and passed to you with an admin charge.
The medieval centre is pedestrian-only. Use paid car parks outside Koskinou Gate or near Mandraki Harbour. Validate your ticket at the machine, display it on your dashboard and note the maximum stay; overstaying results in a fine issued by the municipality.
Yes. The coastal highway to Lindos and the west-coast route to Prasonisi are fully paved. A Kia Picanto or Hyundai i10 handles both routes; larger groups may prefer an Opel Corsa or Nissan Qashqai for luggage space and comfort on the longer Prasonisi drive.
Compare models, filter by no-deposit availability and book online in three minutes. Your voucher arrives by email with collection instructions, emergency contacts and a transparent breakdown of what you pay now and what you settle at pick-up. Free cancellation applies up to the deadline printed in your confirmation.