In this guide we’ll check which are the best car rental companies in Samos and how to rent with cash if you don’t have a credit card; for those paying in cash there’s good on this island!
The car rental companies in Samos that we’ll look at are local companies: in addition to offering good prices, they also offer full coverage with reduced or zero deductible.
Do you really need to rent a car in Samos?
You sure might be wondering if it’s really necessary to rent a car in Samos or if it’s possible to get around only by bus or other greener methods. The answer, unfortunately, is simple. If you don’t want to stay in the same place for the entire trip, a car rental in Samos is essential.
Read also: Most convenient areas to stay in Samos
If you plan to visit the beaches of Samos for example, very few are reachable by bus and, given the limited number of rides, you would have to pay attention to the schedules to avoid being stranded.
Also, bus routes end in the town of Vathy (also known as the town of Samos), the island’s main town, which however is not one of the most appropriate destinations to stay in. As a result, to get around by bus you’ll probably have to change in Vathy.
For those who want to explore further, at the bottom of this guide you’ll find links to the Samos bus schedules.
Advantages of renting a car in Samos
I have no affiliate or collaboration relationship with the companies I’ll mention, as you can verify by checking the links to their sites. This guide to car rentals in Samos aims to present some local rental companies which, in addition to being cheaper, are also clear in their terms and more transparent compared to the usual internationals brand (which you can thus avoid on this island). Some reasons:
- You can book online in a couple of minutes by paying at most a small refundable deposit and you can change or cancel the booking for free until a deadline;
- You can immediately choose, if available, full insurance with reduced or zero deductible.
- No fuel purchase obligation, no full-empty clauses or other bad surprises: they give you the car with the tank at a certain level and you must return it at the same level;
- An agent will wait for you at Samos airport with a sign with your name and will take you to the car at no extra charge;
- Prices are not prohibitive: you’ll spend at most €250 per week in high season (August) or even less in quieter months.
Car rental in Samos with cash and no credit card
The quad and car rental companies in Samos we’ll see below allow you to also pay in cash.
Which are the best rental companies in Samos?
Evelin.gr
The first company/site we’ll talk about, and which I have direct experience with, is Evelin. This local company allows payment both by card and in cash. The site is also available in English, let’s see how it works.
How to rent a car in Samos
After opening the site, you can select the pick-up point of the car (usually the airport, but if you want to rent it for just a few days you could also choose delivery to your hotel) and by entering the dates of interest, you can see the price of the available car categories.
Once you select a car category, you will be able to choose some extras (additional coverages, child seats, etc.). I always recommend adding at least the insurance coverage “FDW” for two reasons:
- It is the full insurance coverage that also eliminates the deductible at your expense in case of damage;
- It is a requirement to be able to pay without a credit card (in cash).
Once you fill in the remaining data, you’ll also be asked for the payment method which will be used for a small deposit (usually €25) which will be refunded anyway in case of early cancellation. This deposit can be paid with any prepaid card, PayPal or bank transfer.
Opinions about Evelin
I can give a positive opinion. During my trip, it was the company with the best price. Upon arrival at the airport, the agent was at the exit doors waiting for us and took us to their depot (which basically, exiting the small airport, is just on the other side of the road :D); in 5 minutes we completed the paperwork, paid, and picked up the car, a nearly new Hyundai i10 in excellent condition.
On the return day you simply return the car in their parking lot and, if there’s no agent, leave the key in a designated box.
OnTime Rent a car
The second site I recommend for a quick quote in search of the best price is OnTime RentACar.
The site layout is the same so I won’t explain it again, same for the additional options and FDW coverage. This rental company among the various payment methods also allows you to immediately select cash payment and there is no obligation to pay a deposit online.
Of course, as with any car rental company, always check the terms and conditions of the rental and any FAQs, as they are similar but with slight differences from company to company and may change over time.
Rent a car Samos
The last site I’ll leave you to consider a quote is RentACarSamos. The same considerations as the previous car rental sites in Samos apply.
When to book the car?
I recommend you always book online, before arriving on site. The main companies allow you to book car rental without a credit card, without paying any deposit and with the possibility to cancel the booking for free if you change your mind or travel dates. So why risk it or, simply, why waste time on site that you could instead spend on the beach? 😉
You might also be interested in: Map of the beaches of Samos
Also, even after booking, periodically check the prices for your period of interest… prices fluctuate over time and you might find a better deal later on: given the lack of constraints, nothing prevents you from making a new reservation if the cost goes down!
Tips for driving in Samos
Remember to respect the speed limits. You’ll rarely go over 50km/h.
The roads in Samos are quite sparse: if you look at the island map, you’ll notice that the main roads form a sort of ring around the central mountains of the island.
That ring represents almost all the roads you can travel. The roads in the easternmost part of the island, roughly between Pythagorio, Vathy, and Kokkari, are the most “straight” and well maintained. Those further southwest are essentially mountain roads full of hairpin bends and at night are completely dark and require more attention:
There are also numerous dirt roads, which you are not allowed to drive on with rental cars (the companies will likely remind you of this when picking up the car). It’s not just a matter of insurance coverage, in most cases they are truly inaccessible without a 4wd.
For this reason, carefully check the map for the roads you want to travel and don’t be fooled: for example, the far west of the island will be unreachable, despite a few roads seeming visible.
Another tip: don’t let the tank get too low. There are numerous gas stations near the main urban centers, but in more remote areas or mountain stretches you might travel 20km before finding one.
Finally, although Samos is not a huge island, the few roads and mountainous terrain make it very important to choose accommodation in a strategic location. If you haven’t already, take a look at the most strategic areas to stay in Samos.
Buses in Samos
For those who instead want to avoid the car and travel just by bus, assuming you stay in a convenient location to use them, on the official facebook page of the public service or on the airport website you’ll find the most up-to-date information and schedules.
Private transfers in Samos
If the car is not your thing or you prefer to always stay in the same area, you might consider a private transfer from the airport to the hotel instead.
The WelcomePickups service is a transfer service similar to a taxi, with a driver who waits for you at the airport (and/or vice versa). This service, besides the convenience of not having to rent a car, saves you time by taking you directly to your destination. You can check the exact price for your destination here.
Once on site, if in the evening you want to head to the (few) lively urban centers like Pythagorio or Kokkari, you’ll also find taxis available there.
Before wishing you a good trip, remember that saving on car rental in Samos won’t help much if you then spend too much on flights! Find the cheapest flight with the box below:
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