Car hire at Zakynthos Airport
With no bus at the airport, a hire car collected on arrival is the transfer for many independent visitors, and it stays useful: the Navagio (Shipwreck) viewpoint is 45 minutes of mountain road from the airport, the Blue Caves an hour, Keri lighthouse and the turtle beaches of Gerakas half an hour in opposite directions. The KTEL reaches the main resorts, not these.
The desks are in the terminal and the cars are parked beside it; Zakynthian companies are numerous and also deliver to hotels in Laganas, Tsilivi and Argassi for those who want a car for only part of the week.
Rental companies at Zakynthos Airport
Desks are open for every summer arrival, including the late UK flights. In winter, with only the Athens flights, confirm the pick-up time in advance.
- Avis / Budget
- Hertz
- Sixt
- Europcar
- Enterprise / Alamo / National
- Zakynthian companies with terminal desks or hotel delivery
Booking tips
- Book ahead for July and August; with no airport bus, the rental fleet is the island’s transfer system and it sells out
- Full damage waiver is worth it on the mountain roads to Navagio and the north
- Quads are everywhere in Laganas and the accident rate shows it; a small car is safer
- A credit card in the driver’s name is needed for the deposit
- Licences issued outside the EU/EEA need an international driving permit
Driving from the airport
The airport road reaches the Kalamaki junction in two minutes: turn left for Laganas and Keri, right for Zakynthos Town, and through the town for Argassi, Vassilikos and, northwards, Tsilivi, Alykes and the Blue Caves road. For the Navagio viewpoint, take the road inland through Machairado and Volimes; it is slow, winding and worth it. Zakynthos Town’s waterfront is easy to park along in the daytime and hopeless in the evening.
Frequently asked questions
Which car rental companies are at Zakynthos Airport?
Avis, Budget, Hertz, Sixt, Europcar and Enterprise have desks in the terminal, alongside many Zakynthian companies that also deliver to hotels. The cars are parked beside the terminal.
Do I need a car on Zakynthos?
For the sights, yes: the Navagio viewpoint, the Blue Caves and Keri are at the end of long mountain roads the KTEL does not serve. For a beach holiday in Laganas or Tsilivi, the KTEL and taxis are enough, and with no airport bus a car collected on arrival also solves the transfer.
See also
Prices and timetables are indicative and change seasonally. Confirm before you travel.