What a cheap car costs at Heraklion Airport
| Season | Mini / economy, per day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nov–Mar | lowest rates of the year | Fewer firms open, shorter office hours |
| Apr–May, Oct | low | Best balance of weather and price |
| Jun, Sep | medium | Book a few weeks ahead |
| Jul–Aug | 2–4× low season | Book months ahead; small cars go first |
Price levels move daily with demand; the widget above shows live prices for your dates.
Hidden costs on budget rentals
- Excess: the cheapest offers usually come with a €700–1,500 excess. One scratch in a narrow village street can cost more than the whole week.
- Deposit: blocked on a credit card in the driver’s name; debit cards are often refused or force the firm’s own insurance.
- Fuel: “full-to-empty” policies charge a full tank at the company’s price. Choose full-to-full.
- Extras: second driver, child seats, young-driver fee, out-of-hours pick-up for late flights.
Our full breakdown is in car rental at Heraklion Airport: deposit, insurance and traps.
Local Cretan firms or international brands?
Local companies often include full insurance with a low or zero deposit and meet you in the car park opposite the terminal, which can make the total cheaper than a brand with a low headline rate. Big brands have desks in the arrivals hall and more automatics. Compare total cost for your dates, and read recent reviews for the specific Heraklion Airport branch. The main page on car rental at Heraklion Airport explains the pick-up options.
Is a cheap car enough for Crete?
For the north coast and the national road, yes. For mountain roads to the south coast or the Lasithi plateau, a mini car with four people will be slow on the climbs but gets there. Dirt tracks to beaches like Balos are often excluded from insurance whatever the car. Read driving in Crete before you set off, and check the Greek rules on the UK government’s Greece travel advice if you drive on a non-EU licence.