Car Hire Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG)

You’ll find our Avis counter at Thessaloniki Airport in the arrivals area on the ground floor of the terminal building and close to the exit for the car park. The Avis rental car park is easy to find and is just a short walk across the road from the terminal entrance.

Thessaloniki International Airport (SPK) is the third busiest airport in Greece after Athens and Heraklion on Crete.

Thessaloniki International Airport is regarded as the gateway to Northern Greece. It has two terminals for both domestic and international flights. The newest terminal opened in 2021 and both terminals are packed with shops, cafes and duty-free stores and are designed for ease of navigation for passengers. There are several flights a day connecting Thessaloniki with Athens, the Greek capital – this route is one of the busiest in Europe.

The airport is southeast of Thessaloniki and centrally located with good access to the surrounding region via the A1 and A2 motorways.

Hiring a car is an easy way to explore Thessaloniki and the surrounding region of Central Macedonia. We’d recommend using GPS to navigate the road network. Links are excellent around the urban areas and highways but be aware that mountain roads and beach routes can be narrow and winding. As in the rest of mainland Europe, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road as you leave the airport. If you have not driven in this part of the world before, we’d advise checking the road rules for driving in Greece before you set off.

What are the age requirements for renting a car in Thessaloniki

To rent a car in Thessaloniki, Greece, you must be at least 21 years old (age may vary by car category) and you must have held your licence for at least 1 year. 

Age restrictions also vary by vehicle and some selected car groups are not available to drivers under the age of 25.

There is currently no maximum age for hiring a rental car, so long as you have had a full, valid, license for at least 1 year. Some additional steps may be required for those who are over the age of 75 on the date of the scheduled return. 

What documents do I need to hire a car in Thessaloniki?

To hire a car in Thessaloniki, you just need to bring your:

• Driving licence
• Credit card (if it's a high value vehicle two payment cards must be provided, one of which needs to be a credit card),
• Proof of any discount (such as a frequent flyer or Avis Preferred card),
• Photo ID for international rentals (such as a passport or driving licence)

Can I pick up my rental car in Thessaloniki and return it to another location?

One-way car rental with Avis makes it easy to go from A to B without driving full circle. That means you can collect your Avis hire car from Thessaloniki and then return it to another Avis office in Greece or other European destinations. Many of our offices offer a 24-hour drop-off facility, which makes a one-way car hire hassle-free and very user-friendly. Simply check out our many available one-way journeys and start planning your route. When you are ready to book, just specify your destination in the booking panel and we will arrange it for you.

Is it worth hiring a car in Thessaloniki?

The city of Thessaloniki and surrounding region of Central Macedonia is well worth exploring but public transport is limited to buses so if you want to make the most of your time here, hiring a car is highly recommended.

The Avis team at Thessaloniki International Airport are experts on Northern Greece and ready to advise you on the best places to go and help make your trip a smooth one from the moment you touch down.

What is parking like in Thessaloniki?

Parking in Thessaloniki is plentiful but rates vary and many visitors will opt to use hotel parking if this is available.  As well as open air and multi-storey parking, there is on-street parking in Thessaloniki too but spaces can be at a premium.

You can find out more about the zones and parking options via the Municipality of Thessaloniki’s innovative smart parking app.

From the Avis car park at Thessaloniki Airport, Thessaloniki is just a 30min drive of 17km. Head northeast from the airport and join the A24 highway northwest towards the city. After 13km, turn off on El. Venizelou following signs to the centre.

With stunning beaches nearby as well as a fascinating and historic centre, the lively city of Thessaloniki is popular for long weekend breaks as well as longer vacations. If you are planning to visit the centre of Thessaloniki, don’t miss the ancient Roman Forum, the Hagia Sophia or the old Turkish quarter. You can learn more about the region’s heritage sites at the Folk and Ethnological Museum of Macedonia. When you need a break, you’ll be spoiled for choice as Thessaloniki is steeped in café culture with a vibrant coffee house scene – and it’s rumoured to have more cafes and bars per capita than any other European city.

With its picturesque coastal setting and great access to northern Greece, Thessaloniki makes an ideal base for visiting historical monuments, spectacular mountains, peaceful villages and stunning beach resorts.

Your road trip itinerary could include the ruins of Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia, 45 minutes’ drive from Thessaloniki. Discover the beauty of Mount Olympus, just three hours from Thessaloniki, or take a tour to Vergina to see the Museum of Royal Tombs of Aigai-Vergina and learn about the Macedonian dynasty. If you love the sea then make sure you plan to take time to enjoy the region’s sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Some of the best include Agia Triada beach, Potamos beach and Sani beach – all within an hour of the city.

If you feel like venturing east, Alexandroupoli is a lovely seaside town at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and makes a perfect base from which to explore the Evros Delta National Park, one of the most important wetlands in Europe.