Car rental without a credit card in the Dodecanese
Why rent a car in the Dodecanese
The Dodecanese are a chain of twelve main islands strung along the southwestern Aegean, close to the Turkish coast, from Patmos in the north to Rhodes at the southern tip. The group combines some of the most historically layered landscapes in Greece. Byzantine churches, Crusader castles, Ottoman mosques, and ancient temples with excellent beaches and a more varied topography than the Cyclades. On the larger islands, a rental car is the most practical way to escape the resort areas and explore the interior villages, the medieval hilltop settlements, and the quieter beaches on the less-developed coasts.
Popular destinations in the Dodecanese
Rhodes is the largest island and one of the most rewarding for driving: the medieval walled city of Rhodes Town, the acropolis of Lindos on its dramatic clifftop, the Valley of the Butterflies, and the quieter villages of the interior are all connected by a good road network. Fly in via Rhodes Airport and collect your car directly on arrival. Kos (Kos Airport) is the second most visited island, with direct flights from across northern Europe and a flat, easy-to-drive landscape running the length of the island. Karpathos (Karpathos Airport) is one of the most rewarding islands in the group for driving: the remote northern village of Olympos, with its distinct traditions and dialect, is only reachable by car or boat.
Driving in the Dodecanese
Rhodes and Kos have well-developed road networks and driving is straightforward on the main routes. On Karpathos, the road to the northern part of the island is paved for most of its length but involves steep and winding sections; a confident driver will find it accessible in a standard car. The smaller islands Symi, Tilos, Nisyros have limited road networks. Greek traffic rules apply throughout the group. Petrol is available on the main islands; on Karpathos, fill up in Pigadia before heading north. For a broader overview of driving in Greece, see car rental in Greece.
