Planning to explore Crete by car when you are under 25? Yes, it is possible. However, rental companies can have different minimum-age requirements, driving licence rules, young-driver charges, insurance conditions and deposit policies.
At MYTHOS Car Rentals, you can rent a car from the age of 21, provided you have held a full driving licence for at least two years. You can also add additional drivers free of charge, as long as they meet the same requirements.
Whether you are planning to start your trip with Car Hire Heraklion or collect your vehicle after landing with Car Hire Heraklion Airport Crete, understanding the rental requirements before booking can help you enjoy a smoother experience when you arrive.
Can You Rent a Car in Crete If You Are Under 25?
Yes. Being under 25 does not automatically prevent you from renting a car in Crete.
At MYTHOS Car Rentals, our minimum rental age is 21, and you must have held a full driving licence for at least two years. Your licence must also be valid and meet our rental terms.
As rental requirements can differ between companies, we recommend checking the conditions before booking, particularly if you are close to the minimum age or licence requirement.
Quick checklist for drivers under 25
Before booking with us, make sure:
- You are at least 21 years old.
- You have held your full driving licence for at least two years.
- Your licence is valid for the entire rental period.
- You meet our driving licence requirements.
- You have the identification documents required for the rental agreement.
- You understand our insurance and road-use conditions.
- You have checked the rental conditions and final price before confirming your booking.
What Are the Young Driver Rules for Car Rental in Crete?
The term “young driver” can refer to renters below a particular age threshold set by a rental company. These rules are not necessarily the same across every car rental provider in Crete.
At MYTHOS Car Rentals, our requirement is straightforward: you must be at least 21 years old and have held a full driving licence for at least two years.
For example, a 21-year-old who has held a full licence for two years can meet our requirements, while someone who is 21 but has only recently received their licence may not.
If you are close to either requirement, we recommend confirming your eligibility with us before travelling.
Do Young Drivers Pay a Surcharge When Renting a Car in Crete?
One of the most common questions from drivers under 25 is whether a young-driver surcharge will be added to the rental price.
Some rental companies apply an additional fee to younger drivers, so it is important to check the specific rental conditions rather than assuming that every company follows the same pricing structure.
At MYTHOS Car Rentals, the price shown through our booking system is presented as the final price, with insurance, taxes and the applicable delivery and collection costs included. We do not add unexpected charges at delivery beyond the price shown during the reservation process, subject to the stated rental conditions.
When comparing different car rental companies, we recommend looking beyond the advertised daily rate. A lower headline price can become more expensive if additional young-driver fees, insurance upgrades, excess or security deposits are added later.
What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Car Under 25 in Crete?
Having the correct documents ready can make the collection process much quicker.
When renting from MYTHOS Car Rentals, you need your driving licence and the required payment when completing the rental agreement. For airport rentals, we also require appropriate identification such as an ID card or passport.
Before travelling, we recommend having:
- Your valid full driving licence
- Passport or national ID
- Booking confirmation
- The payment method required for your reservation
- International Driving Permit, if applicable
Do You Need an International Driving Permit in Crete?
Under our rental terms, an International Driving Permit is required when your national driving licence is not written in the Roman alphabet. In this situation, you must also present your original national driving licence.
For UK visitors, a valid UK photocard driving licence can be used to drive in Greece without an International Driving Permit.
If you are unsure whether your licence meets the requirements, please check with us before travelling rather than waiting until you arrive at the rental desk.
How Does the Security Deposit Work?
Security deposits and booking deposits are not necessarily the same thing, so it is important to understand the payment conditions before booking.
At MYTHOS Car Rentals, airport and port reservations do not require a deposit, with payment made upon arrival. Hotel reservations can require a deposit.
You also do not need a credit card to rent from us. You can pay in cash on arrival, while credit card and PayPal payment options are also available.
This can be particularly convenient if you are travelling without a traditional credit card.
What should you check before booking?
Before confirming your rental, we recommend checking:
- Is a security deposit required?
- Is a credit card required?
- Is there a booking deposit?
- Will money be pre-authorised on your card?
- Is the quoted price the final rental price?
- Are insurance and taxes already included?
Knowing these details before your trip can help you avoid unexpected surprises when you collect your vehicle.
What Insurance Is Included with a MYTHOS Rental?
Insurance is an important consideration when choosing a rental car, especially for younger drivers.
At MYTHOS Car Rentals, our rental prices include full insurance, including coverage such as Collision Damage Waiver, theft protection, glass, tyres, underbody protection, third-party insurance, personal accident insurance and 24-hour assistance.
We also provide zero excess.
This means you can have greater peace of mind while exploring Crete without having to add separate insurance or excess protection simply to understand your basic rental coverage.
However, you should always follow the rental agreement and insurance conditions carefully. Insurance does not mean that every situation or type of vehicle use is automatically covered.
Our rental terms include restrictions relating to certain types of vehicle use, so please read the rental conditions before driving on roads or surfaces outside normal rental use.
Can You Add Another Driver If You Are Under 25?
Yes. Adding another driver can be useful if you are sharing the driving during your Crete road trip.
At MYTHOS Car Rentals, an additional driver is free of charge, provided the driver presents their driving licence and meets the same age and licence requirements.
We can also arrange more than one additional driver when required.
Please do not allow anyone who has not been added to the rental agreement to drive the vehicle. Every driver must meet our requirements and be properly registered.
What Is the Best Car for a Young Driver in Crete?
For many younger travellers, a smaller rental car can be a practical and comfortable choice.
Small and economy cars
These can be particularly useful for:
- Easier parking in busy towns
- Narrower roads
- Couples or solo travellers
- Lower fuel consumption
- Easier driving in urban areas
Compact cars
A compact model can be a good middle ground if you want additional luggage space without choosing a larger vehicle.
Larger vehicles
If you are travelling with several people or carrying substantial luggage, a larger car may be more comfortable.
Whichever vehicle you choose, we recommend selecting a model that you feel confident driving, particularly if you have limited experience with unfamiliar roads.
Where Can You Drive a Rental Car in Crete?
A rental car gives you the flexibility to explore destinations across Crete, from coastal towns to mountain villages.
If you are staying in western Crete, Car Hire Chania can be a convenient option for exploring the surrounding area.
For travellers staying around the northern coast, Car Rental Rethymno can provide another practical starting point for exploring the island.
At MYTHOS Car Rentals, we also provide vehicle delivery and collection at airports, ports and hotels across Crete, with the applicable location charges calculated during the reservation process.
Be Careful on Unfamiliar Roads
Crete has a mixture of:
- Busy city streets
- Coastal roads
- Mountain roads
- Narrow village streets
- Unpaved routes
Always follow our road-use restrictions. If a particular road, track or destination is excluded from your rental agreement, do not take the vehicle there simply because it appears on a navigation app.
Booking Tips for Drivers Under 25
- Check the minimum age first
Do not assume that every rental company accepts drivers under 25. At MYTHOS, our minimum rental age is 21, subject to our driving licence requirements.
- Check how long you must have held your licence
Being old enough is not always enough. At MYTHOS, you must have held a full driving licence for at least two years.
- Ask about young-driver fees
If another rental company advertises a very low daily rate, check whether a young-driver surcharge is added later.
- Check the insurance and excess
A low rental price with a large excess can be less attractive than a slightly higher price that includes comprehensive insurance and zero excess.
- Check the deposit policy
Find out whether you need a credit card, whether a security deposit is required and whether payment is made at the airport, port or hotel.
With MYTHOS, no deposit is required for airport and port reservations, and a credit card is not required.
- Add all drivers correctly
If you plan to share the driving, make sure every driver is listed on the rental agreement and meets our requirements.
At MYTHOS, additional drivers can be added free of charge, provided they meet the required conditions.
- Check your pickup details
If you are flying into Crete, confirm whether you are collecting your car at Heraklion Airport or Chania Airport and understand where our representative will meet you.
We monitor flight information and aim to be present when you arrive. We also ask you to keep us updated if there are any changes or delays to your flight.
- Understand the fuel policy
At MYTHOS, we use a same-to-same fuel policy. This means you should return the vehicle with the same fuel level recorded when you collected it.
- Follow Greek traffic and parking rules
Traffic fines are the responsibility of the driver. Please pay attention to speed limits, parking restrictions and seatbelt requirements throughout your trip.
Why Choose MYTHOS Car Rentals for an Under-25 Rental?
For younger travellers, rental conditions can be just as important as the daily price.
At MYTHOS Car Rentals, we offer:
- Minimum rental age of 21
- Two-year full driving licence requirement
- Free additional drivers
- No credit card required
- No deposit for airport and port reservations
- Full insurance included
- Zero excess
- Theft protection
- Glass and tyre coverage
- 24-hour assistance
- Airport, port and hotel delivery options
- Transparent pricing through our reservation system
For airport arrivals, you can check Car Hire Heraklion Airport or Car Hire Chania Airport, depending on where your flight lands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Car in Crete Under 25
Can a 21-year-old rent a car in Crete?
Yes. At MYTHOS Car Rentals, we accept drivers from age 21, provided they have held a full driving licence for at least two years and meet our other rental requirements.
Can a 22-year-old rent a car in Crete?
Yes. A 22-year-old can rent from MYTHOS if they meet our licence requirement. You must have held a full driving licence for at least two years.
Do you have to be 25 to rent a car in Crete?
No. The minimum age varies between rental companies. At MYTHOS, our minimum rental age is 21, subject to our driving licence requirements.
Is there a young-driver surcharge at MYTHOS Car Rentals?
At MYTHOS, the price shown through our reservation system is presented as the final price, including the listed insurance, taxes and applicable delivery and collection costs. We recommend reviewing your quote and rental conditions before booking to confirm the applicable price for your specific vehicle and dates.
How long must I have held my driving licence to rent from MYTHOS?
You must have held your full driving licence for at least two years.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Crete?
At MYTHOS, an International Driving Permit is required when your national driving licence is not written in the Roman alphabet. You must also present the original national licence.
For UK visitors, a valid UK photocard driving licence can be used to drive in Greece without an International Driving Permit.
If you are unsure whether your licence meets our requirements, please check with us before travelling.
Can I rent a car in Crete without a credit card?
Yes. You do not need a credit card to rent from MYTHOS. You can pay in cash on arrival, while credit card and PayPal payment options are also available.
Is a security deposit required when renting from MYTHOS?
For airport and port reservations, we do not require a deposit, and payment can be made upon arrival. Hotel reservations can require a deposit.
Can I add another driver to my rental?
Yes. You can add an additional driver free of charge, provided the driver supplies their licence and meets the same requirements.
What insurance is included with a MYTHOS rental?
Our prices include full insurance, including Collision Damage Waiver, theft protection, glass, tyres, underbody protection, third-party insurance, personal accident insurance and 24-hour assistance, with zero excess.
What happens if my flight to Crete is delayed?
We monitor flight information and will be aware of delays. We also ask you to keep us updated so that we can make your pickup as smooth as possible.
What fuel policy does MYTHOS use?
We use a same-to-same fuel policy. You should return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel that was recorded when you collected it.
Ready to Explore Crete by Car?
Being under 25 does not automatically mean you cannot rent a car in Crete. The most important things are to check the minimum age, licence history, documents, insurance, payment requirements and rental conditions before booking.
At MYTHOS Car Rentals, you can rent from the age of 21, provided you have held a full driving licence for at least two years. With free additional drivers, no credit card required, no deposit for airport and port reservations, full insurance and zero excess, we make the rental process straightforward for younger travellers.
Whether you arrive at Heraklion or Chania, choose your preferred pickup option, review the rental conditions and select a vehicle that suits your trip.
Book your Crete rental car with MYTHOS and start your island road trip with clear rental terms and the freedom to explore.