Towns & resorts
Car rental in Rethymno with no credit card and no deposit
Rethymno sits halfway between Heraklion and Chania, which makes it the best base for exploring both ends of Crete. We hand over the car at the port by the old town. Pay by debit card and choose Full cover for no deposit.
- Hand-over at Rethymno port, by the old town
- No credit card on any cover – pay by debit card
- €0 deposit with Full cover
- Return in Rethymno, Heraklion or Chania
Search cars at Rethymno
How pick-up works in Rethymno
We meet you at Rethymno port, next to the Venetian harbour and a few minutes' walk from the Fortezza. Tell us your arrival time when you book. From the port, the coastal avenue takes you to the VOAK in minutes, east to Heraklion or west to Chania.
Near Rethymno
5 min on foot
Fortezza
The Venetian fortress above the old town, with a mosque inside its walls and views over the harbour.
30 min
Arkadi Monastery
The monastery at the centre of the 1866 revolt against Ottoman rule, and a symbol of Crete's fight for freedom.
35 min
Margarites
A hill village of potters, where workshops still use local clay and wood-fired kilns.
25 min
Lake Kournas
Crete's only natural freshwater lake, just over the border in the Chania region, with tavernas on the shore.
Day trips from Rethymno
50 min each way
Preveli palm beach
Drive south through the Kourtaliotiko gorge, park above the beach and walk down to a river lined with palm trees.
45 min each way
Plakias via the Kotsifou gorge
A narrow road through a cliff-sided gorge to the south-coast village of Plakias and the beaches around it.
40 min to the valley
The Amari valley
Quiet villages, Byzantine churches and olive groves under Mount Psiloritis, the highest mountain in Crete.
Driving tips for Rethymno
- Park by the marina, not in the lanesThe old town is a maze of narrow lanes. Use the car parks along the seafront and near the port.
- South-coast roads are slowerRoads across the mountains are paved but winding. Allow more time than the distance suggests.
- Fill up before the gorgesThere are few petrol stations between Rethymno and the south coast. Leave town with a full tank.
- Mind the evening sunDriving west on the VOAK in the late afternoon means low sun in your eyes. Keep sunglasses in the car.
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Rethymno: frequently asked questions
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Rethymno?
No. None of our covers requires a credit card. You pay by debit card, and with Full or Premium cover the deposit is €0.
Where do I collect the car in Rethymno?
At Rethymno port, next to the old Venetian harbour. Tell us your arrival time when you book and we meet you there with the car.
Is Rethymno a good base for a Crete road trip?
Yes. Heraklion and Chania are both about an hour away on the VOAK, and the south coast at Plakias or Preveli is under an hour.
Can I return the car in Heraklion or Chania?
Yes. Choose your return point in the search: Heraklion Airport, Chania Airport or another location. The quote includes the one-way price.
Book your car in Rethymno
Live prices for your dates. No credit card needed on any cover.
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