A tourist who just returned from a week on the Greek island of Rhodes warns that failing to hire a car is the biggest mistake visitors can make, potentially costing them hundreds of pounds and limiting their experience.
Emily Malia, writing for the Mirror, says that wherever you stay on the large island—whether in Lindos, Faliraki, the Old Town, or Ialysos—hiring a car is essential to save money and explore freely.
Taxi costs add up quickly
Malia notes that a single taxi trip from Ialysos to the Old Town and back, a 25-minute journey, cost 50 euros. Doing that all week would rack up serious bills. With a hired car, she and her partner visited the Old Town three times, drove an hour to Lindos, and explored Faliraki and a small bay—trips that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive or tedious via limited public transport.
Downsides to consider
Driving removes the freedom to drink alcohol, and some may be uncomfortable driving abroad on the right-hand side of the road on less straightforward tracks. Malia's partner did the driving while she enjoyed the views.
Car hire required a refundable deposit of £1,000, standard across most companies, with a risk of charges if the car is damaged. However, Malia believes steady driving and smart parking make that risk slim.
Booking and cost
Cars can be hired at the airport, hotels, or booked ahead. Malia booked via booking.com and paid roughly £160 for the week with added cover. She calls it the best decision they made, opening up a world of opportunities, and recommends car hire to those up for the challenge of driving on a small island.
