Compare Car Rental Chania

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Road Genius makes it easy to find great car rental deals in Chania. Compare rates and book in one place. Choose a car rental at Chania Airport (CHQ) or in the city center, compare major brands with local agencies and set off to Elafonissi, Balos and Rethymno.

Car Rental Locations & Options

Map of campervan rental depots near 675676

Location	Pros	Cons
Chania Airport (CHQ)	Immediate car access after landing Wide selection of rental companies Extended hours for late arrivals	Busiest hour is 8-9 AM Tuesday is the busiest day Possible airport location surcharges
Airport Off-site	Often lower rates without terminal fees Representative meets you for shuttle service Smaller crowds, faster service	Requires shuttle ride or walk to car park No desk inside terminal if issues arise
Chania City Center	Competitive pricing and local deals Convenient if you're already in the city Can rent later if not needed immediately	Must travel from airport first (taxi/bus) Limited operating hours No late-night service

Major Providers: Chania Airport hosts several international and local companies including Avis/Budget, Hertz/Thrifty and Sixt in the Arrivals hall. Local firms like Avance (Trust) and Kydon also operate on-site.

Car Rental Prices

How much does it cost to rent a car in Chania?

On average, car rentals in Chania cost around €63 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €17 per day.

How to pay less?

Compare pickup locations. Airport is convenient but can have location surcharges. Off-site airport car parks with a shuttle are often cheaper. Chania city centre can be best if you don’t need a car right after landing.
Book by season, not a rule. Jul–Aug: book early. Shoulder/off-peak: compare closer to travel for promos and free upgrades. Also compare totals for different lengths, as 10+ day rentals often drop the daily rate.
Pick a small car. It’s usually cheapest and easier to park in Chania’s old town. Don’t upgrade for rough roads like Balos, as driving on unsealed tracks is typically not allowed anyway.
Start the rental when you actually need it. Explore Old Town on foot first, then pick up in the city to save rental days and parking. Tip: free street parking exists further out, e.g., behind the Koum Kapi area.
Avoid after-hours fees. Late-night pickups can add about €20–30. If possible, align pickup with regular desk hours.
Skip paid extras. Keep to one driver, bring your own child seat, and use your phone with offline maps instead of renting a GPS.

Local Parking and Driving

Car Park Option	Details	Additional Information
Municipal Market Car Park	Paid car park near the central market	Convenient for old town access
Anatoliki Tafros Car Park	Paid car park along the eastern old town moat	Good option when the market car park is full
Street Parking	Around Old Town (mostly paid or for residents)	Free street options available further out (e.g., behind Koum Kapi area)

Car Park Rules:

Blue lines = paid public spaces (buy ticket from meter and display on dashboard)
White lines = free area (may still have time limits)
Yellow lines = no stopping (reserved or prohibited)

In summer evenings, car parks can fill up early. If staying in the old town, consider dropping passengers/luggage at the hotel then finding a spot outside the old town area.

Drive on the right side of the road
Legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%
Speed limits: 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas, 90 km/h (56 mph) on rural roads, up to 130 km/h (81 mph) on motorways
All occupants must wear seat belts
Mobile phones allowed only through hands-free systems
No toll roads in Crete

Why rent a car in Chania

Rent a car to drive to:

Elafonissi Beach – lagoon, southwest coast
Falassarna Beach – west coast
Omalos Plateau – Samaria Gorge trailhead
Rethymno – old town, harbor
Heraklion – Knossos, Archaeological Museum
Chora Sfakion and Sougia – south coast villages

Local Rental Locations

Driving Distances from Chania

FAQs

Where is the best place to pick up my rental car in Chania? When you arrive, you'll find picking it up at the airport is easiest. You can often get better prices at places in the city if you don't need a car straight after you land.

How difficult is driving to Elafonissi Beach from Chania? The road has a lot of turns but it's completely paved. You should plan for about 2 hours of driving each way. We suggest you go early in the morning to miss the crowds and traffic, which get busy in summer.

Can I drive to Samaria Gorge? You can drive to the entrance at Omalos Plateau, which is about 40 km (25 miles) from Chania. Just remember, the hike is one-way and finishes at Agia Roumeli on the south coast, a place you can't reach by road. Most hikers catch a ferry to Chora Sfakion and then get a bus back to Chania.

Is it possible to do a day trip to Heraklion from Chania? Yes, you can. The drive is about 2 hours each way on the main highway. You should leave early so you have plenty of time to see places like Knossos and get back before it gets dark.

Do I need a 4x4 vehicle in Chania? A small car will be fine for most sightseeing and visiting the main beaches. You might think a 4x4 is better for the dirt tracks to remote beaches like Balos. But it's important to know that rental companies usually don't let you drive on those roads, even in a 4WD. You should always check your rental agreement to see where you are allowed to drive.