Thessaloniki Car Hire

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  • Thessaloniki is Greece’s second largest city, and the capital of the Macedonia region. It has a resident population of over one million and in 2018 the city welcomed around three million tourists.
  • Located less than 15km from the city, Thessaloniki airport is the third largest in Greece. In 2018 over six million passengers travelled through Thessaloniki airport, with the largest number of foreign tourists from Germany and the United Kingdom.
  • Car hire is available for less than €10 per day, depending on the size/type of vehicle, and the time of year. For example, a Toyota Aygo would cost around €9 per day in early May, whereas a Fiat Tipo would be around €17 per day.
  • It’s a good idea to book your car in advance, with Enjoy Travel, ensuring you get the best choice of vehicle. Remember to book for any additional requirements, such as child seats and sat nav.

Guide to Thessaloniki


Alexander The Great
Arch Of Galerius

A Brief History

Situated on the Aegean Sea, Thessaloniki is an ancient port city in Northern Greece. Founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon, a contemporary of Alexander the Great. The city reached great significance as the second largest in the Byzantine Empire. There are a number of archaeological remains from this period which can be visited today. Conquered by the Ottomans in the 15th Century and became part of modern Greece until 1912.

The Cultural Centre of Greece

In 1997 Thessaloniki was given the title of European Capital of Culture which saw a great deal of cultural investment flood into the city. Today Thessaloniki boasts theatres, a concert hall, several significant museums and galleries and so much more, making it a culture-vulture’s dream destination in Greece.

Several festivals take place in Thessaloniki every year, including a piano festival and an international film festival. It’s worth exploring what’s happening in and around the city during your trip.

A Gastro-Delight

Greek food is exciting, wide-ranging and full of options for most dietary requirements, and Thessaloniki and Northern Greece have some wonderful specialities of their own. One such speciality is Bougatsa, a sweet—custard-filled pastry like no other. Its origins are in Byzantine Constantinople but today you can find one of these on almost every street corner in Thessaloniki.

Local wine is also worth trying, the Macedonian region is one of Greece’s most important for wine production yet only 30% of Greek wine is consumed outside of the country. This is not a reflection of the quality, some of it is fantastic, when in a restaurant be sure to ask for local recommendations.

Gateway to the Region

Thessaloniki serves as the main hub for all of northern Greece and the Macedonian region. It also offers good access into the central mainland. Be sure to check out the fabulous resorts of Halkidiki for clear waters and beautiful beaches. Alternatively take yourself completely back to nature and pay a visit to the Axios National Park, also just an hour away from Thessaloniki, with excellent facilities and photo opportunities, this is a nature lover’s dream.



Saint Demetrius Basilica
Saint Paul Cathedral

What to do in Thessaloniki?

National Theatre of Northern Greece

Greece is the home of ancient drama and its legacy of theatre and performance continues today. With one of the best performance programmes in this part of Europe the NTNG has something to offer all year round, including many productions with English language supertitles (be sure to check before booking if you don’t speak Greek). Find out what is showing.

Museum of Byzantine Culture

As well as a wide range of temporary, changing exhibitions, this museum has eleven galleries permanently dedicated to the story of Byzantium, it’s people, culture and traditions. Tickets cost €8 (April-Oct) or €4 (Nov-Mar). Displaying everything from ancient mosaics to religion iconography and early religious books, there is a wealth of treasure to discover here.

Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art

Everyone knows Greece is a country with an unparalleled history, but great art is not the exclusive property of the ancients! Pay a visit to the fabulous displays at this world-class art gallery and discover the magic of artistic expression alive today. Entry is just €4

Drive to this stunning rock formation in under three hours from Thessaloniki. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Look in wonder at the precariously placed monasteries built on cliff edges. This is an ideal place to visit for anyone who loves the great outdoors and of course fabulous photo opportunities.

Waterland

Is a holiday really a holiday without visiting a waterpark? If you think so, Thessaloniki has you covered with Waterland. With a wave pool, crazy river, kids pool and more, Waterland has thrills and spills for everyone. Open in the summer months from 10am – 6pm (and until 7pm 16th June ‐ 31st Aug)


The Sculpture Umbrellas
The White Tower

Eating out in Thessaloniki

Kanoula

If you’re looking for a taverna selling fantastic traditional Greek and Mediterranean food, you shouldn’t go far wrong here. With friendly staff, wide ranging menu at affordable prices your bound to find something delicious.

Address: Raktivan 8, Thessaloniki 546 33, Greece

Tel: +30 231 022 2185

The Last Slice

For a family-friendly crowd pleaser you can’t do better than pizza and The Last Slice really is the last word on pizza in Thessaloniki. A fun, welcoming atmosphere and some truly delicious toppings. There are small tables outside for use, but most people take their pizza by the slice and enjoy as a take-away.

Address: Proxenou Koromila 1, Thessaloniki 546 23, Greece

Tel: +30 231 601 1059

Clochard

For a fine dining experience in Thessaloniki check out Clochard. Serving a range of Greek and International dishes in a stylish, modern setting this multi-award-winning restaurants has been consistently recognised by food critics as one of Greece’s top ten restaurants.

Address: Proxenou Koromila 4, Thessaloniki 546 23, Greece

Tel: +30 231 023 9805


Hiring a car in Thessaloniki Airport

Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)

Thessaloniki airport is the main airport in Northern Greece and has excellent links to the entire Macedonian region and into the central area of mainland Greece. The popular tourist spot of Halkidiki is only sixty-minute drive from the airport and well worth visiting when in the region.

The internal route between Thessaloniki and Athens attracts almost two million passengers each year making it the tenth busiest route in the European Union. A number of international airlines offer flights in and out of Thessaloniki, including Alitalia, British Airways and Lufthansa. Budget carriers, including Ryanair and easyJet also operate here.

When planning a trip preparation and forward thinking can save you time and money. Car hire in Greece is no exception. Although it may be possible to arrange car hire at the airport on arrival, booking in advance with Enjoy takes away the worry of whether you’ll get the car you need at the best possible price.

We are partnered with several well-known hire companies located around Thessaloniki airport, including:

  • Centauro ‐ A trusted and reliable Mediterranean based company.
  • Enterprise ‐ One of the world’s largest and best-known car-hire brands.
  • Alamo ‐ International brand offering a good range of affordable rentals in Greece.

Use our search function to find the best deals available for your dates from these and more of our car hire partners. Remember, when you book with Enjoy you can rest assured you are covered by of Fair Fuel Policy.

Top Tips when hiring a car in Thessaloniki

● A great number of users encountered cheap rental cars in Thessaloniki for less than £15 per day.

● Booking your Thessaloniki car hire in advance by at least 1 day before your trip ensures that you get a cheap car hire below average price.

● In Thessaloniki Airport car rental is generally more expensive than in off-airport locations. However getting your hire car at the airport can be extremely convenient so it's worth considering.

● The car parks and car hire companies in the Thessaloniki International Airport are easily accessible at the arrivals terminal building.

● Additionally you should keep in mind you can get your rental car as soon as you land which makes Thessaloniki Airport car hire favourable even if it's more expensive than Thessaloniki car hire in the city centre.

● If you decide to get your hire car from the car park outside of the Thessaloniki Airport then you'll want to use the shuttle bus service to get to the city centre.

● Once you leave the Thessaloniki Airport, Makedonia has so much to offer. You should head to the archaeological museum, the White Tower, explore the Byzantine Culture and all the beautiful parts of the Halkidiki Region. Regardless of what your own itinerary includes, these are all must see locations.

● If you're looking for the right car type then you can't go wrong with intermediate rental cars for your Thessaloniki car hire as they are cheaper than other vehicle categories.

● Part of your preparation for renting a car in Thessaloniki should include becoming familiar with the local signage, street parking, inner ring road traffic rules and of course before booking you should double check the credit card fees involved, pick up date and drop off date available.


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FAQs about car hire in Thessaloniki

Most frequently asked questions about hiring a car in Thessaloniki

You can reach the Halkidiki region by car in about an hour, making it a fantastic trip from Thessaloniki, whether just for a day or a little longer.
It is absolutely possible to start your hire period in one Greek city and end it in another and is a fantastic way of seeing even more of this spectacular country. Be aware the cost of the vehicle will rise as most companies have a ‘one-way’ hire fee.
Thessaloniki has a number of wonderful tourist sites, including The White Tower, The Arch of Galerius as well as the many fantastic museums and galleries across the city, which is known as the cultural and entertainment heart of Greece.
On motorways the limit is 130km/h, other major roads it reduces to 110km/h and 50km/h in built up areas. Please be aware this information is just a guide and you must adhere to local signage.
There are a few route options, each one is roughly a 30 minute drive.
Vehicle costs vary depending on the time of year. In the height of summer, a Peugeot 308 estate would be around €40 per day, whereas in the autumn it would be more like €14 per day.
This of course depends on what you want from your trip. If you like the heat visit in the summer months July and August. Visiting at other times, such as April and October can still offer some fantastic weather but save you a fair amount of money, especially if you’re not tied to school holiday dates.
Founded in 1960 as the Greek Film Festival, before becoming the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in 1992, this is a wonderful annual event on the Thessaloniki calendar. It usually takes place in November each year.
In many cases Enjoy’s partners provide car hire from locations other than the airport. When searching type in the name of your search city and various options will appear in the drop-down menu.
Thessaloniki would not be considered expensive compared to the rest of Greek destinations, such as Athens or Santorini. On average you’ll spend £98 per day.
If you’d like to explore some well-known beaches on the outskirts of the city then renting a car is a must. In general it is recommendable if you’re the adventurous type.
Driving in Thessaloniki is pleasant as most roads are in good condition and other drivers are polite most of the time.
Car hire in Thessaloniki on average costs £9.50 per day. During peak season these prices and availability can fluctuate.
Short-term visitors and holiday-goers can indeed drive with a UK driving license in Greece. This will continue to apply for at least until 31 December 2020.
For small cars the budget friendly options begin at £28 for a week, which means more or less £4 a day.
The cheapest offers allow you to rent a car for a whole month for £125, or £4.17 per day. As mentioned earlier, this depends on the season you book and the car type.
The average price of a litre of fuel in Thessaloniki can vary between EUR 1.44 and EUR 1.18.

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