When someone comes to Athens for holidays without their own vehicle, they often wonder whether it is better to rent a scooter or a car. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. The answer depends mainly on where you want to go in Athens and what you plan to do. The center of Athens is very busy all year round. Cars can be stuck for hours, which is why many people choose scooters to move between the parked cars and find parking more easily. Especially in the summer months, a scooter is an ideal choice since you can quickly move around areas such as Monastiraki, Koukaki, Pagrati or Glyfada without wasting time in traffic jams.
On the other hand, a car remains a more comfortable and safer option for many travelers. If you are traveling with your family, if you have suitcases or if you plan to take longer trips outside of Athens, then a car will be much more convenient for you. The truth is that there is no right answer for everyone. Some love the convenience of a scooter in the city and others prefer the comfort and safety that a car offers. The important thing is to choose what best suits your trip and the way you want to get to know Athens.
Renting a scooter in Athens – Pros & cons
Athens is one of the cities where a scooter is the ideal solution to avoid traffic and to be able to park your vehicle. For all those who want to move easily and quickly in the city center, a scooter is definitely the most practical solution. One of the biggest advantages is that where a car can get stuck for a long time between other cars, a scooter moves easily and you can reach your destination faster. So it is one of the positives of scooters, especially in the summer when the city is filled with tourists and traffic increases significantly.
Parking is the second most important reason, since in the center of Athens it is difficult, or often impossible, to find a parking space for a car. With a rented scooter, however, the situation becomes much easier since you can leave it in several places in the center.
Beyond these two practical reasons, many visitors choose a scooter because they enjoy the journey more. They enjoy the feeling of moving around the city when the weather is good. Especially in the afternoon and evening hours, a ride along the beach is truly an experience that you will remember for a long time after your vacation.
Renting a scooter is of course not ideal for everyone, since it requires a lot of experience and great attention to driving. Especially in a city with a lot of traffic like Athens. However, to cover short distances, for couples or if you are traveling alone, then it is one of the best options.
Renting a car in Athens – Pros & cons
Despite the fact that a scooter is very convenient in the city center, there are also several cases where a car can be a smarter choice. If you are in Athens with your family or a large group, then the comfort and safety that a car can give you is difficult to compare. The luggage space is clearly larger, you are protected from bad weather conditions, you have air conditioning, greater safety in case of an accident and certainly greater comfort in your travels.
If you are a large group of people and you intend to make long trips to places outside Attica, then renting a car is definitely the way to go. You can therefore make day trips to Sounio, Nafplio or to nearby beaches in Attica with great comfort and safety and without the weather being a problem for you. On summer days when the temperature rises close to 40 degrees Celsius, or on rainy days, a rental car will make your trips and your vacations much more enjoyable.
A car certainly creates a greater sense of security, especially for people who have no experience driving motorcycles or are afraid to drive in the traffic of Athens. The choice of course always depends on your schedule and your needs.
Cost and fuel
The cost of rental and fuel are the main reasons that many visitors to Athens take into account before renting. Renting a scooter is more economical, since both the daily fee and fuel require smaller amounts of money. A small scooter consumes much less gasoline and also saves money on parking, since a car in the center of Athens will need paid parking almost every day.
If you are a large group and you share the cost of rental, transportation and parking, then perhaps the difference in price per person is not as great as it initially seems.
The truth is that many times people choose a combination of both. In short, they can rent a scooter for the first few days in Athens to explore the center and then rent a car to make their excursions. Certainly this combination can offer you a generally better experience overall.
