Athens car hire

Driver's age: 26-65
Sat 27/4
Sat 4/5

Search hundreds of hire car sites at once for hire car deals in Athens

Here is why travellers choose KAYAK

Save up to 42%Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Free to useThere are no hidden charges or fees

Filter your dealsFilter by car type, brand and more. Instantly customise your results.

Book with flexibilityUse our "free cancellation" filter for maximum flexibility at no extra cost.

Athens car hire information

Pick-up locationAthens
Car types
Hire locations1
Airport locations0

Cheap car hire in Athens

Discover the best prices and deals for you by selecting your travel dates
Choose your dates
Mini
Economy
Compact
Intermediate
Standard
Full-size
Luxury
People carrier
Passenger van
SUV
Commercial
Pick-up truck

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Athens

  • Athens has many iconic landmarks you want to consider exploring, and there is no better way to get to them than with car rentals in Athens. Athens has public transport, but they have fixed terminals and schedules, and it usually takes a while to get you to your destinations due to numerous stops. In your Athens car rental, you can visit the Joe Wheeler State Park, Antebellum Trail, and Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives. Also, you can reconnect with nature at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge or spend some time at the Houston Memorial Library & Museum.
  • Huntsville International Airport (HSV) is the nearest airport to Athens, about 27 miles from the city center. You will likely be landing here if you fly into Athens. HSV hosts several car rental agencies, including Sunnycars, National, Enterprise, Budget, Avis, Hertz, and Alamo. The car rental desks are at the airport terminal, across from Baggage Claim. Pick up your Athens car rentals at the airport and gain the privilege of leaping into adventure right after landing.
  • Finding one-way streets and narrow roads in Athens is typical, considering it is a small city in Alabama. But driving your car rentals in Athens is still manageable due to patient drivers. Be sure to abide by the traffic regulations when driving your car rentals in Athens, as all road users generally follow all traffic rules. Approach densely populated areas with caution. Also, pay attention to when you should slow down. For instance, the city has several intersections. Be cautious when approaching intersections and roundabouts. Drive carefully at night, especially on poorly lit roads, as you may encounter jaywalkers, unlit motorbikes, and animals.
  • Like other cities in Alabama, Athens experiences heavy traffic during rush hours, typically witnessed in the morning and evening when residents access and come from their places of work. Usually, Athens experiences rush hours from 6 am to 9 am and from 5 pm to 8 pm. While these rush hours are typical, they are usually occasioned by dense traffic that can impact your driving experience. Endeavor to avoid driving your car rentals in Athens during rush hours by planning your trips well. If you must drive, avoid congested streets like Amfiaraou, Alexandras, Akadimias, and Aiolou.
  • Book your car hire in Athens at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Full-size car hire in Athens are around -54% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Athens

  • How much is the price of fuel in Athens?

    The average price of fuel in Athens is R73,87 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R886 and R1 182, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Athens?

    Full-size (GMC Yukon or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Athens.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Athens?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Full Size car hire cost in Athens?

    A Full Size car hire in Athens costs R1 740 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Athens?

    An Intermediate car hire in Athens costs R1 054 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Standard car hire cost in Athens?

    A Standard car hire in Athens costs R590 per day, on average.

  • What car type is recommended for driving in Athens?

    Roads in Athens are well-established, marked, and maintained. Similarly, Athens car rentals have a wide selection of vehicles. When choosing your car type, consider the number of people and luggage you travel with. Usually, if you travel alone with less luggage, look for a smaller car like an economy. But an intermediate or standard is a great option for travelers on a family vacation. Still, that depends on the size of your family. If you plan to explore some of the city’s off-road locations, a well-raised vehicle is recommended for navigation. You are better off with an SUV.

  • What is the speed limit in Athens?

    You want to observe speed limits when driving your car rentals in Athens to avoid falling victim to traffic authorities. Beware that the city has multiple speed limits, depending on the road you drive. Unless posted otherwise, the speed limit in Athens is 70 mph on rural interstates, 25 mph in built-up areas, such as schools, residential, and business zones, 65 mph on urban interstates, and 55 mph on other roads outside the city. Due to heavy traffic in the city, Athens has several posted speed limits to check the traffic. Pay attention to avoid speeding.

  • Where are the best places to park in Athens?

    The best parking places are in downtown Athens, which offers convenience and affordability. Look for a parking spot downtown to stay within the city’s important areas to seamlessly access accommodations, eateries, and lively nightlife. You will also access freeways conveniently. Some places worth considering include 1115 Audubon Lane Parking, 1488 Thrasher Blvd Parking, Parking Place Mall, and Magic City Parking. Parking charges are around $2.00 per hour. 

Athens car rental reviews and directory

National

7,5

Best rated

One location in Athens

Show locations

Locations in Athens

1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd Sw

+1 844 370 7396

Monday07:00 - 23:59
Tuesday07:00 - 23:59
Wednesday07:00 - 23:59
Thursday07:00 - 23:59
Friday07:00 - 23:59
Saturday07:00 - 23:59
Sunday07:00 - 23:59

Filters

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Mar 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

Awesome customer service and efficiency!

1 out of 1

Budget

6,7

Okay

No reviews available

One location in Athens

Show locations

Locations in Athens

1600 6th Avenue Se

+1 256 350 8838

Monday14:00 - 17:0008:00 - 13:00
Thursday08:00 - 13:0014:00 - 17:00
Friday14:00 - 17:0008:00 - 13:00

Filters

No reviews available

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

No score available yet

3 locations in Athens

Show locations

Locations in Athens

1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd Sw

+1 833 898 2146

Monday07:00 - 23:59
Tuesday07:00 - 23:59
Wednesday07:00 - 23:59
Thursday07:00 - 23:59
Friday07:00 - 23:59
Saturday07:00 - 23:59
Sunday07:00 - 23:59

22980 Us Hwy 72

+1 256 232 5898

Monday08:00 - 13:00
Tuesday08:00 - 13:00
Wednesday08:00 - 13:00
Thursday08:00 - 13:00
Friday08:00 - 13:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

9300 Madison Blvd

+1 256 464 5609

Monday08:00 - 13:00
Tuesday08:00 - 13:00
Wednesday08:00 - 13:00
Thursday08:00 - 13:00
Friday08:00 - 13:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Oct 2023

KAYAK
Customer service was fantastic.

8,0 Very Good

May 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff was friendly and the drop-off was easy.

Cons:

The car was dirty on the outside and had a bad smell on the inside.

7,6 Good

Feb 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

Still never got my receipt from drop off

10,0 Wonderful

Dec 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Everything was excellent

Cons:

No issues to fix everything was on point

8,0 Very Good

Nov 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Ease of pickup at the airport

10,0 Wonderful

Mar 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Very friendly and professional staff.

1 out of 8

Alamo

No score available yet

One location in Athens

Show locations

Locations in Athens

1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd Sw

+1 833 898 2147

Monday07:00 - 23:59
Tuesday07:00 - 23:59
Wednesday07:00 - 23:59
Thursday07:00 - 23:59
Friday07:00 - 23:59
Saturday07:00 - 23:59
Sunday07:00 - 23:59

Filters

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Feb 2024

KAYAK
People

10,0 Wonderful

Jan 2024

KAYAK
Great job and awesome cars!

10,0 Wonderful

Jun 2021

KAYAK
We were expecting a midsize vehicle, but when we arrived all they had was a minivan. I was concerned about it getting terrible gas mileage and being bigger than we needed, but it worked out alright. It was comfortable for the 2 weeks we had it and the gas wasn't as good as we would have liked, but we enjoyed the space and comfort for the amount of time we spent on the road.

2,0 Poor

May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

I reserved a car online, and flew 800 miles . But when i arrived they told me i was not eligible to rent because of a deductible in 2004. Something I still have no knowledge of. Also poor customer service in Huntsville. Alabama.

8,4 Very Good

Oct 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

The Lin’s seemed to move slow when I was picking up the car. There was only one person in front of me and it took a good 10 minutes to get me through the line. I’ve always thought car rental companies should pay attention to that metric. The last thing someone wants to be doing after a long airline flight is wait in a slow moving line.

2,0 Poor

Sep 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Nothing.

Cons:

The vehicles in my area were advertised falsely. When I arrived to Alamo to pick up the vehicle I found on Kayak, they told me no cars had been available for weeks and had no idea why I found otherwise. Kayak should follow this up. These types of issues can create unnecessary stress for travelers.

1 out of 9

Hertz

No score available yet

2 locations in Athens

Show locations

Locations in Athens

1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd

+1 256 772 9331

Monday08:00 - 13:00
Tuesday08:00 - 13:00
Wednesday08:00 - 13:00
Thursday08:00 - 13:00
Friday08:00 - 13:00
Saturday08:00 - 13:00
Sunday08:00 - 13:00

9091 Madison Blvd

+1 256 772 7166

Monday13:00 - 17:00
Tuesday13:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 13:0013:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 13:0013:00 - 17:00
Friday13:00 - 17:0008:00 - 13:00

Filters

Reviews

2,0 Poor

Aug 2018

KAYAK

Cons:

Didn't get to drop car off since hertz have my car away.

3,6 Poor

Jul 2017

KAYAK

Cons:

Specifically asked at Nashville if I could change my payment method at drop off (different location) and was told yes. At drop off they said they can't do it, that I need to call Nashville, and they can. Called Nashville and they can't do it over the phone, I need to go to that location (i'm in a different state now). Called customer care- and they just had an attitude with me telling me if I want to change it I need to go to Nashville.

10,0 Wonderful

May 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

I didn't like the type of vehicle originally given; they swapped the car out for something more to my liking, no questions and no hassle.

2,0 Poor

May 2023

KAYAK
After the amount of money I paid. They tried charging $1200 as a retainer without telling me. I actually canceled the rental and just ordered an Uber

2,0 Poor

May 2023

KAYAK
Hertz didn't let me rent car due to person at counter personal opinion

2,0 Poor

Feb 2023

KAYAK
Company confirmed they had a rental the day before when I showed up they did not have a vehicle available.

1 out of 3

Sunnycars

No score available yet

One location in Athens

Show locations

Locations in Athens

1000 Glean Hearn Blvd.

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

VIPCars Recommendation

No score available yet

One location in Athens

Show locations

Locations in Athens

1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd Sw, Huntsville, , USA Alabama

+1 914 368 0091

Monday00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday00:00 - 00:00
Thursday00:00 - 00:00
Friday00:00 - 00:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

No reviews available

103 travellers who hired a car in Athens gave the car agency they used an average rating of 6.8

Car hire locations in or near Athens

Good to know

Most popular car type

Full-size

When to book a car hire in Athens

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches