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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
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Find low car rental prices at Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia (SKG) with Road Genius. Find rates for SUVs, compact cars and minivans and reserve with no booking fees. Compare on-airport and shuttle car rental companies in one search, with free cancellation on most cars. Perfect for quick trips into Thessaloniki and beach drives to Halkidiki, but book early for July and August when lines and prices peak.
| Location | 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
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| On-site/Terminal |
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| Off-site/Shuttle Required |
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On-site providers include major international brands such as Avis/Budget, Hertz/Thrifty, Sixt, Europcar and Enterprise/Alamo/National (via franchise). They have counters in the terminal, and their vehicles are parked within walking distance.
Off-site providers such as Centauro, CarWiz, Record Go and Drive S.A. operate near the airport and provide free shuttle buses to their depots.
On average, car rentals at Thessaloniki Airport cost around €49 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €17 per day.
Compare on-site vs off-site: On-site is fastest but includes an airport surcharge around 10-15%. Off-site depots near SKG can be cheaper if you’re OK with a 15-30 minute shuttle.
Time your booking smartly: For July–August and Halkidiki trips, book early. Outside peak, book a flexible rate with free cancellation and re-check prices to rebook if they drop.
Pick the right car: Choose a small, manual car if you can. It’s cheaper, uses less fuel, and is easier to park in Thessaloniki’s tight centre.
Tweak dates and times: Midweek pickups at SKG are often less busy than Thursdays and the 12:00–13:00 peak. Align pickup/drop within desk hours to avoid after-hours fees of about €30.
Play with rental length: Pricing at SKG often favours 4-day blocks. Test a day longer or shorter to see if the daily rate drops.
Fuel strategy: Most rentals are full-to-full. Refuel near the airport before returning to avoid refuelling surcharges.
Airport Parking:
Rental Return Areas:
Local Driving Rules:
Rent a car to see:
Thessaloniki city center - 16 km (10 miles), 20-30 min
Halkidiki - Kassandra - 80-110 km (50-68 miles), 1-1.5 hours, tolls
Halkidiki - Sithonia - 100-120 km (62-75 miles), 1.5-2 hours
Mount Olympus (Litochoro) - 95 km (59 miles), 1 hour, tolls
Kavala - 160 km (99 miles), 1.5 hours, tolls
Meteora - 230 km (143 miles), 3 hours, tolls
How long does the pickup process take at SKG Airport? When it's not busy, you'll usually be done in 15-30 minutes. During busy summer hours, especially around noon, you might have to wait 45-60 minutes. If you're traveling in August, it's a good idea for one person to go to the rental desk while the others get the luggage.
Is it better to rent from on-site or off-site companies? On-site rentals are the most convenient. You can walk to your car and drive away just minutes after you finish the paperwork. Off-site companies might offer lower prices, but you'll need to take a shuttle bus, which adds another 15-30 minutes to your trip. When it's hot in summer, many people find the ease of an on-site rental is worth any extra cost.
What's the best way to avoid long lines at the rental counter? To avoid long lines, you should book ahead, pick up your car early in the morning or in the evening (avoiding 12:00-13:00) and choose a company that lets you check in online. Some companies have special express lanes for customers who have signed up beforehand.
Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP)? If you're visiting from outside the EU, you should carry an International Driving Permit as well as your home country's driving license. While this isn't always checked, Greece lets people from some countries (like the USA, UK, Canada and Australia) drive without an IDP. However, it's still a good idea to have one if your license isn't in Greek or English.
What happens if my flight arrives after the rental desk closes? Most companies match their opening hours to flight times. If you're arriving late, you can arrange to pick up the car after hours when you book, but you might have to pay an extra fee. Many companies will ask someone to wait for the last flights if you let them know ahead of time. You should always check the company's rules for after-hours pickups when you make your booking.
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