Car hire reviews
Car hire in Kos is less about long-distance road tripping and more about making the island work on your schedule. Public transport exists, but it is not the best way to get between beaches, smaller villages, and the quieter corners that make the island worthwhile. For most travellers, Kos Airport pickup is the easiest option because you can start the holiday immediately and airport suppliers usually offer the best choice. If you are staying in Kos Town first and only want a car later, a local pickup can work, but it rarely beats the convenience of collecting on arrival. Roads are generally easy, distances are short, and a small car is ideal for beach parking and narrow village streets. The main risk is not difficult driving but holiday-market car hire behaviour: hard-selling extras, strict damage checks, and busy seasonal counters. The reviews below help you spot which suppliers make Kos car hire painless and which ones are only cheap at first glance.
Counter intelligence
20 min
Best: Budget (5 min)
50% low
High at: Goldcar
5%
1 of 22 reviews
56%
Got car they booked
Based on 22 reviews across 6 locations and 9 suppliers. Average rating: 3.5/5 · Typical wait: ~20 minutes · Higher upsell reports: Goldcar
Quick insights
Quick research insights on suppliers and pickup locations in Kos.
Goldcar at Kos Airport
3.0 / 5 · 10 Oct 2025
Europcar at Kos Airport
4.0 / 5 · 16 Nov 2025
Green Motion at Kos Airport
3.0 / 5 · 11 Oct 2025
Hertz at Kos Town
4.0 / 5 · 19 Aug 2025
Sixt at Kos Airport
4.0 / 5 · 4 Oct 2025
Centauro at Kos Town
4.0 / 5 · 12 Nov 2025
Firefly at Kos Airport
3.0 / 5 · 28 Aug 2025
Carwiz at Kos Town
4.0 / 5 · 15 Oct 2025
Goldcar at Kos Airport
3.0 / 5 · 25 July 2025
GoldCar at Kos Town
4.0 / 5 · 14 Sept 2025
GoldCar at Kos Town
4.0 / 5 · 12 Aug 2025
Locations in Kos
3.5
Good
22 reviews
Avery Z.
1 Mar 2026
Rented a Fiat 500 from Goldcar for a week on Kos. Tiny but perfect for the narrow streets. Cheap too. Pick up and drop off were both simple with no issues.
Thomas L.
21 Dec 2025
We rented from Budget at Kos Airport for a week-long road trip with friends, and honestly, it couldn't have gone smoother. We arrived around noon, and unlike some other counters we saw, there was absolutely no queue. The staff member was professional and didn't try to aggressively upsell us on extra insurance, which was a relief. We were given a Toyota Yaris that was spotless and perfect for navigating the island's coastal roads. The fuel policy was fair, and the deposit explanation was clear. It really set the tone for a stress-free holiday. If you're looking for reliability on Kos, I’d definitely recommend booking here.
Tom A.
16 Nov 2025
Queues are manageable, staff explain ferry restrictions clearly, and the cars are generally in better cosmetic shape than the average high-turnover holiday fleet.
Lisa T.
11 Oct 2025
Green Motion can be good value on compacts, though the handover includes a forensic walkaround and renters without time for photos may feel exposed later.
Daniel O'Brien
10 Oct 2025
It's hard to beat the headline pricing on Kos, but this is exactly the sort of desk where fuel policy, deposit size and panel photos need your full attention.
Marcus Weber
4 Oct 2025
Pristine VW Polo, fast paperwork, and clear instructions on ferry permissions for island hopping. The only letdown was an aggressive tyre insurance pitch at the end.
Nat G.
28 Aug 2025
Older car, longer queue, but ultimately everything worked as promised. If you're price-sensitive and patient, this does the job. Just don't expect Hertz polish.
Thomas L.
19 Aug 2025
I rented from Hertz at Kos Airport as a solo traveler, and it turned into a complete nightmare. The pickup process was relatively quick, but the problems started when I returned the vehicle. The staff member inspecting the car claimed he found a scratch on the rear bumper that I certainly didn't cause. Despite having taken photos upon collection, they argued that the mark was new and charged my credit card €400 for the damage excess without proper discussion. It felt like a total scam targeting tourists who wouldn't have the time to fight the charges. The car itself was fine, but the predatory attitude of the staff ruined my trip. I strongly advise caution and taking extensive video evidence if you have no choice but to use them.
Thomas L.
27 Jul 2025
We rented from Europcar at Kos airport for our honeymoon, expecting a smooth experience. Unfortunately, it was the opposite. The queue at the desk was incredibly long, and we waited over 45 minutes after landing. The staff member was quite pushy, insisting we upgrade our insurance multiple times even after we declined. We picked up the car, a scratched Fiat 500, and made sure to photograph every mark. On return, they tried to claim a minor scuff on the alloy wheel was new damage to charge our deposit. It felt like a scam to cash in on tourists. It put a real dampener on the start of our trip. I wouldn't use them again on this island.
Luca Rossi
25 Jul 2025
The rate was irresistible, the queue was not. Expect 45+ minutes at peak times and a thorough damage check. Car ran fine but this isn't for impatient travellers.
Thomas L.
14 May 2025
I usually dread the paperwork at airport counters, but renting from Europcar at Kos airport was surprisingly painless. I was traveling solo and had booked a compact car, which is exactly what I got—a nearly new Toyota Yaris. The counter was easy to locate in the arrivals hall, and I was pleasantly surprised that there was no queue at all when I landed around midday. The staff member who assisted me was professional and polite; she didn't aggressively push the extra insurance, which I really appreciated. She simply explained the fuel policy and the deposit hold, and I was on my way in under fifteen minutes. The car was clean and performed perfectly for driving around the island. Returning the keys was just as straightforward. A stress-free start to my holiday.
Daniel O'Brien
10 Oct 2025
It's hard to beat the headline pricing on Kos, but this is exactly the sort of desk where fuel policy, deposit size and panel photos need your full attention.
AdriaticAndy
16 Nov 2025
Queues are manageable, staff explain ferry restrictions clearly, and the cars are generally in better cosmetic shape than the average high-turnover holiday fleet.
WeekendWarrior_T
11 Oct 2025
Green Motion can be good value on compacts, though the handover includes a forensic walkaround and renters without time for photos may feel exposed later.
BalkanExplorer
19 Aug 2025
Picked up right in town instead of heading back to the airport. Staff were relaxed, the Fiat 500 was perfect for narrow Greek streets, and return took five minutes.
Marcus Weber
4 Oct 2025
Pristine VW Polo, fast paperwork, and clear instructions on ferry permissions for island hopping. The only letdown was an aggressive tyre insurance pitch at the end.
Elena
12 Nov 2025
Smaller fleet than the big brands but staff took time to explain local driving quirks. Car had a few scratches, all documented, and return was straightforward.
GreeceHopper2024
28 Aug 2025
Older car, longer queue, but ultimately everything worked as promised. If you're price-sensitive and patient, this does the job. Just don't expect Hertz polish.
Natalia Reyes
15 Oct 2025
Hadn't heard of them before but the experience was smooth. New-ish Toyota Yaris, helpful staff who spoke decent English, and no pressure on add-ons. Would repeat.
Luca Rossi
25 Jul 2025
The rate was irresistible, the queue was not. Expect 45+ minutes at peak times and a thorough damage check. Car ran fine but this isn't for impatient travellers.
Grace Williams
14 Sept 2025
Convenient town location saved us an airport run. Staff were calmer than at the terminal. Same deposit and insurance upsells, but a more relaxed atmosphere.
KosIsland
12 Aug 2025
Avoided the airport queue by picking up in town. Same deposit requirements but calmer atmosphere. Perfect for island stays.