Do You Need a Rental Car in Rethymno?
Updated October 19, 2026 · 5 min read
If you sleep in central Rethymno, you do not need a car for the town itself, and you only need one for days you plan yourself. The old town, the waterfront and most restaurants are best explored on foot, and a parked car adds nothing. For the long cross-island days to Elafonisi, Preveli or Knossos, an organised trip starts at €25 per person and hands the driving to someone else.
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Where you sleep decides
In the centre, the car mostly waits. Ask your accommodation about parking before you reserve: “parking nearby” does not say whether a space is private, guaranteed or large enough for the category you choose. Outside the centre the balance tips. A car then links hotel, town and beaches without arranging every leg, which matters most with beach gear, late returns or spontaneous stops.
Days where a car is the right tool
Driving yourself makes sense when one place is the whole point. At Arkadi or Margarites you can spend most of the day in one spot, and turn back if the weather or your group’s energy changes. Our guide to the best road trip from Rethymno compares that loop with three guided versions.
Days where it is the wrong tool
On a long day across the island the driver sees mostly the road. Three popular excursions leave from Rethymno:
| Excursion | Duration | From (per person) | Rating | What the listing says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preveli Beach, Damnoni Beach and Kourtaliotiko | 8–11 hours | €25.08 | 4.3 (1,143) | Guided day trip to Plakias and Preveli Beach, through palm forests |
| Elafonisi Island pink sand beach | 9–10 hours | €30.02 | 4.3 (972) | A relaxing day on the small island of Elafonisi |
| Knossos Palace and Heraklion guided tour | 10 hours | €25 | 4.7 (340) | By bus with a certified guide, English tour at Knossos, free time in Heraklion |
Check availability for the Preveli day trip
Check availability for the Elafonisi day trip
Check availability for the Knossos and Heraklion tour
A tour is not automatically better, but it turns navigation, several stops and the return journey into someone else’s job. The booking page states the pickup arrangements; do not assume every hotel is served.
Families, non-drivers and short stays
Ask the rental company about the exact child seat you need. Availability and suitability are not something we can promise, and fitting the seat is your job. Travellers without a licence lose little: choose a central base and book only the out-of-town days that matter. On a short stay, collecting and returning the car can take more attention than the car saves. Keep it for a longer stay with several rural days, and price it for those days only.
Our recommendation: stay car-free in central Rethymno and book one organised excursion. If you can only pick one, the Preveli day trip is the most reviewed of the three, with 1,143 reviews at €25.08.
See dates and prices for the Preveli, Damnoni and Kourtaliotiko day trip
