Car Hire Zakynthos (Zante) Airport (ZTH)

You’ll find our Avis counter at Zakynthos Airport in the arrivals hall immediately after the baggage claim area. The Avis rental car park is easy to find just a short walk from the terminal building.

Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH) - or Dionysios Solomos Airport in honour of the Greek poet born on the island - first opened in 1972. It’s been refurbished over the past decade with an upgraded terminal building including more check-in counters and security lanes to ease travel for passengers.

Close to 2 million passengers pass through the airport each year and in the summer months there are flights from more than 58 European cities and 18 countries plus 4 domestic Greek destinations: Athens, Kefalonia, Patras and Corfu.

The airport is located on the southeast of Zakynthos, a short distance from the island’s capital Zakynthos.

Hiring a car is a great way to explore the Ionian island of Zakynthos. We’d recommend using GPS to navigate the island’s road network. As in mainland Europe, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road as you set off from Zakynthos 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 Zakynthos

To rent a car in Zakynthos, 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, licence 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. When you book, you’ll be told if there are any maximum age restrictions for the vehicle you request. If you’re not sure, please check your booking confirmation email – or call the reservations team. 

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

To hire a car in Zakynthos, 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 Zakynthos 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 Zakynthos Airport and then return it to another Avis office whether that’s in Greece or even another country in Europe. Many of our Avis locations 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 Zakynthos?

While a local bus service, KTEL Zakynthos serves the main towns and villages on Zakynthos, you’ll find the best way to explore this green and tranquil island is by hire car. Exploring Zakynthos with a rental car means you can get off the beaten track and discover hidden gems. The Avis team at Zakynthos International Airport are experts on the island 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 Zakynthos?

Parking on the island of Zakynthos is on-street and in most places it’s meter-free. However, if you are heading to the capital Zakynthos, you’ll find parking easier to find in the afternoon and the best place to head for parking is along the port road. In the peak summer months car parks are operated in some of the larger resorts but in most towns and villages, you’ll find parking plentiful and hassle-free.

From the Avis car park at Kefalonia Airport, the island’s capital, Zakynthos is just a 11min drive of 5.4km. Head north from the airport and turn left onto route 35 following signs into the centre of town.

Zakynthos Town is where most of the island’s cultural attractions lie. The ancient Venetian Castle of Zakynthos overlooks the city and is well worth visiting, as is the Byzantine Museum. Housed within the 16th century St Andreas Monastery, the museum features a selection of ecclesiastical art works and restored frescoes. Other important sights include the Church of Dionysius, which displays scrolls from the 13th and 14th centuries.

Zakynthos Airport is conveniently located on the island’s southeast coast. Zakynthos/ Zante is a popular Greek island blessed with dazzling beaches and glorious landscapes dotted with olive groves and bougainvillea. With low-key resorts, such as Kalamaki and Alykanas - popular with families and couples - and lively resorts, such as Laganas and Tsivili, it’s definitely a diverse destination.

Kalamaki

The stylish resort town of Kalamaki is just a 10-minute drive from Zante Airport. Boasting excellent beaches with shallow waters and a relaxed atmosphere, this is a firm favourite with families.

Kalamaki is most famous for its Caretta sea turtles, who swim for thousands of kilometres each year (between July and August) just to lay their eggs in the soft sands of the beach. Visitors are asked to leave the turtles alone during this time, but you can still take a glass-bottomed boat trip to watch them in their natural environment. There are an array of restaurants and shops in the town too. The market in Kalamaki is a great place to choose souvenirs and try local sweets like mandolato and pasteli.

Askos Stone Park

Just a 45-minute drive from Zante Airport is Askos Stone Park, one of Zante’s top natural attractions. This nature reserve has an abundance of plant and animal life and features unusual stone structures dating back many centuries. A 600-year-old water basin cut into rock and an ancient stone cottage are among the top sights. Expect to see African goats, racoons, wild deer and a variety of birds.

Smugglers Cove

No trip to Zante is complete without a visit to Smugglers Cove, otherwise known as Navagio beach. This legendary destination has graced countless postcards and is recognisable for its ancient shipwreck. In 1982 a ship ran aground in this pretty bay and has remained here ever since. Although it’s one of the island’s most famous attractions, the cove is only accessible by boat. Visitors should drive to Porto Vromi – just under an hour from Zante Airport – and board a vessel from there.