Heraklion Airport HER · Crete
No deposit Free cancellation

Car Rental
Heraklion Airport

Compare over 310 cars available at Heraklion Airport with no deposit and no credit card required. Unlimited mileage, from €13/day in low season.

Heraklion Airport car rental

Cars available with no deposit and low prices

Selection of cars departing from the HER terminal, with free cancellation and reduced deposit. All-inclusive pricing, no surprises at the counter.

No depositNo card requiredUnlimited mileage

Nissan Micra

or similar · Economy
⚙ Manual 👤 4 seats 🛣 Unlimited
€25.50 /day
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No depositNo card requiredUnlimited mileage

SEAT Ibiza

or similar · Economy
⚙ Manual 👤 5 seats 🛣 Unlimited
€25.50 /day
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New carFree full coverFree cancellation

Fiat Panda

or similar · Economy
⚙ Manual 👤 4 seats 🛣 Unlimited
€25.60 /day
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New carNo card requiredFree cancellation

Opel Corsa

or similar · Economy
⚙ Manual 👤 5 seats 🛣 Unlimited
€25.71 /day
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No depositFree full coverNo card required

Peugeot 108

or similar · Mini
⚙ Manual 👤 4 seats 🛣 Unlimited
€26.88 /day
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No depositFree full coverAutomatic

Hyundai i10

or similar · Mini
⚙ Automatic 👤 4 seats 🛣 Unlimited
€27.69 /day
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New carNo depositFull cover

Toyota Aygo X

or similar · Mini
⚙ Automatic 👤 4 seats 🛣 Unlimited
€27.69 /day
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No depositNo card requiredFree full cover

Kia Picanto

or similar · Mini
⚙ Manual 👤 4 seats 🛣 Unlimited
€28.00 /day
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New carFree cancellation

Volkswagen Polo

or similar · Economy
⚙ Manual 👤 5 seats 🛣 Unlimited
€28.46 /day
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New carNo depositAutomatic

Toyota Yaris

or similar · Economy
⚙ Automatic 👤 5 seats 🛣 Unlimited
€28.75 /day
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New carAutomatic

Peugeot 208

or similar · Economy
⚙ Automatic 👤 5 seats 🛣 Unlimited
€29.13 /day
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Cash depositNo card required

Hyundai i30

or similar · Compact
⚙ Manual 👤 5 seats 🛣 Unlimited
€29.75 /day
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COMPARE 310+ CARS

Why book online

Renting a car with no deposit at Heraklion Airport

Renting a car at Heraklion Airport is practically essential for exploring Crete. Many notable sites — wild coves on the south coast, hillside villages on the Lasithi Plateau, the Minoan ruins of Phaistos, the Samaria Gorge — are only reachable by car. Public transport covers the main routes but remains impractical for a flexible itinerary.

The main advantage of the Localrent platform is transparent final pricing: the price shown is the final amount payable, with no surprise fees at the counter. Most offers include a deposit capped at €450 maximum, or even no deposit at all on many recent models.

Concrete benefits of booking online

  • No credit card required: many offers accept Visa and Mastercard debit cards, or even cash.
  • Unlimited mileage on almost all categories, ideal for touring the island from east to west.
  • Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup on most vehicles.
  • Full coverage available at no extra cost on certain models — no deductible and no card block.
  • 24/7 pickup at the terminal or nearby agencies with a free shuttle.
  • Recent fleet: half of the vehicles are no more than 5 years old.

Documents needed for pickup

To rent at Heraklion Airport, prepare three documents: passport or ID card, valid driving licence held for at least one year, and the booking voucher received by email. The minimum age is 21 (with a restricted choice); the best offers are available from age 23-25 with 3 years of experience.

Budget

Average rental prices at Heraklion Airport

Change in the average daily price of an economy category vehicle over the year. Seasonality is very pronounced in Crete: low prices in winter, peak in summer.

Average price /day — economy vehicle
€15
JAN
€13
FEB
€14
MAR
€26
APR
€32
MAY
€33
JUN
€32
JUL
€33
AUG
€32
SEP
€25
OCT
€25
NOV
€22
DEC

In low season (November-March), prices start at €13-22 per day for an economy car. From May to September, rates climb to €30-35/day, with peaks in July-August when demand exceeds 80%. To save money, book at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance for high season, as the available fleet fills up quickly.

Agencies at the terminal

12+ car rental agencies at Heraklion Airport

International brands as well as local Cretan operators are present in the arrivals area or nearby with a free shuttle. Ratings based on Google Maps.

Centauro Rent a Car

★ 3.5 1,629 reviews

Leoforos Ikarou 87, next to the terminal. Closes at 11pm.

Europcar Heraklion Airport

★ 4.2 1,200 reviews

Leoforos Ikarou 89. Open 24/7. Counter at the terminal.

Gomega Car Rental

★ 4.4 680 reviews

Leoforos Ikarou 83. Open 24/7. Summer rates discounted up to -50%.

Euromotor

★ 4.6 420 reviews

Agios Ioanni. Local company, recent fleet.

Heraklion Rental

★ 4.1 320 reviews

Airport N. Kazantzakis. Closes at 10:30pm.

Motor Plan

★ 4.3 240 reviews

Heraklion Airport. Open 24/7, on-site services.

Caldera Car Rental

★ 4.5 890 reviews

Terminal counter. Popular Cretan brand for weekly rates.

SK Rent

★ 4.4 560 reviews

Agency near the terminal with a free shuttle.

Sixt Rent a Car

★ 4.0 910 reviews

Counter inside the terminal. Large, new fleet.

Hertz Heraklion Airport

★ 3.8 780 reviews

Counter in the arrivals area. International brand.

Avis Heraklion Airport

★ 3.7 650 reviews

Terminal counter. Closes at 11pm.

Goldcar Heraklion

★ 3.6 540 reviews

Arrivals area. Low-cost economy option.

Tip: local Cretan operators (Caldera, SK Rent, Euromotor, Gomega) often have higher ratings and more competitive rates than the major international brands, especially for weekly packages. Their agencies are located less than 2 km from the terminal, with a free shuttle included.
Driving in Crete

Driving from the airport on the island of Crete

Driving in Crete is on the right, with signage that follows European standards. Local drivers sometimes drive fast and make last-minute maneuvers — don't take this as aggression, just stay calm and keep your own pace.

Speed limits in Greece

  • Within towns: 50 km/h.
  • Outside towns: 90 km/h on regular roads.
  • Motorways: 110-120 km/h.

Three types of roads to know

  • The new national road (E75) in the north: good quality surface, dual carriageway, allows quick travel between Heraklion, Rethymnon, and Chania.
  • Mountain roads: narrow, winding, with sharp elevation changes toward the Lasithi Plateau, Samaria Gorge, and the south coast.
  • Heraklion's urban streets: narrow, heavy pedestrian traffic, dense traffic in summer.

Recommended routes with a rental car

  1. Palace of Knossos — 5 km south of Heraklion, heart of Minoan civilization.
  2. Malia and Chersonissos — 35 km east, Minoan palace and beaches.
  3. Lasithi Plateau and Dikteon Cave — the mythical birthplace of Zeus, a 1-hour drive.
  4. Matala — 65 km southwest, legendary beach with caves in the cliffs.
  5. Rethymnon — 80 km west, preserved old Venetian town.
  6. Chania — 140 km west, considered the most beautiful city in Crete.
Important: never drive in flip-flops. It's both a safety issue (slipping on the pedals) and a requirement of the Greek highway code. Always keep closed shoes in the vehicle.
Step-by-step booking

How to book a car at Heraklion Airport

  1. Choose your dates and pickup location. Select Heraklion Airport (HER) as the pickup point. If you plan to return the car in another Cretan city (Chania, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos), specify this at this step.
  2. Apply useful filters: vehicle category, transmission, unlimited mileage, rental without a credit card, full coverage included. Sorting by ascending price shows the most economical offers first.
  3. Review each vehicle's details: included mileage, deposit type, technical specifications, accepted payment methods, and cancellation policy. For mountain excursions, favor an engine of at least 1.4 liters.
  4. Add extra options: child seat (mandatory for children under 11 and shorter than 135 cm), GPS, additional driver, authorization to leave Crete by ferry (must absolutely be confirmed with the rental company).
  5. Pay the deposit online by card, usually 15-20% of the total. You'll immediately receive the booking voucher by email, to be presented at the counter on arrival.
  6. Inspect the vehicle at pickup with the agency representative. Any pre-existing damage (even minor) must be noted on the report before signing the contract.

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Frequently asked questions

Car rental at Heraklion Airport — FAQ

What is the average price of a rental at Heraklion Airport?

In low season (November-March), prices start at €13-15/day for an economy car. In summer, rates climb to €30-35/day for economy vehicles. The best prices go quickly, so book 4 to 6 weeks in advance for high season.

Can you rent without a deposit at Heraklion Airport?

Yes, many vehicles offer a zero deposit or a reduced deposit of €150-450. Use the "no deposit" or "low deposit" filter to display only these offers.

From what age can you rent a car?

Most agencies accept drivers from age 21 with one year of experience (restricted choice). The best selection is available from age 23-25 with 3 years of driving experience.

Can you pay with a debit card?

Yes, most rental companies at Heraklion Airport accept Visa and Mastercard debit cards. Some even accept cash. The "no credit card" filter lists compatible offers.

Which models are most in demand in Crete?

Economy cars dominate: Renault Clio, Hyundai i10, Fiat Panda, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208. For mountain excursions or trips to the south coast, compact SUVs (Nissan Qashqai, SEAT Arona) are recommended for their power.

Can you leave Crete by ferry with a rental car?

Yes, but this must be approved with the rental company before booking. Be sure to mention your ferry plans (to Santorini, Piraeus, or other islands) when placing your order to avoid being refused at the counter.