On Karpathos, of course, you can choose a hotel in Pigadia without a car. Just lazing on the beach near your hotel for 8 days. Yet we find that quite a waste, because Karpathos has so much more to offer. Renting a car on Karpathos is a must!

Is renting a car on Karpathos a must?

Yes, renting a car on Karpathos is 100% recommended! Not renting a car on Karpathos is really a waste, because there are so many beautiful places! And on an island like Karpathos the distances are small, so you never spend hours in the car. Renting a car in Karpathos does cost some extra money of course, but try to go in the low season like May, early June or from mid-September, then the prices are lower. You can also choose to rent a car for a few days instead of the entire vacation if you want to save some money.

How much does it costs to rent a car on Karpathos?

A car rental usually costs about €30 to €60 per day. This depends on a number of factors such as the size of the car, the number of days and the period.

If you are going to rent a car on Karpathos we recommend you to do it with a local. Often a travel agency gets a considerable percentage and with that you better sponsor a local right? We have been renting the car here for 10 years now. This rental company is located in Arkassa and is the family business of Michalis and Sofia Pittas. Everything is always well organized and Michalis and Sofia are very sweet people.

Over the years they have really become friends of ours! We usually rent a small car, but they have many choices in terms of cars. Recently they also opened a branch in Pigadia. You will find it on the long road towards Aperi. Although the company belongs to Michalis and Sofia, it has a different name: AutoUnion. This branch belongs to a much larger car rental company. AutoUnion car rental is currently one of the largest car rental companies in Greece!

Practical info about renting a car on Karpathos

Stops next to the road

On Karpathos, there are many small unpaved coves in the road, especially between Afiartis and Amoopi. Here you can stop just fine to take pictures of the view. What you really have to pay attention to is the wind. When the wind is strong, it is better to stay in the car. The strong fall winds from the mountains can suddenly give a jolt and that is dangerous at such a point along the road.

Gas

Refueling is not possible in many places on Karpathos. In Pigadia you will find 3 filling stations. Two at the end of Pigadia (on the way to Aperi) and one at the beginning of town (from Amoopi). You can also refuel in Arkassa. You will find this gas station – seen from Afiartis – before you drive into Arkassa. By the way, you do not refuel yourself, a fuel attendant fills your car for you. The cost for gasoline is usually about € 1.80 – € 2.00. In July and August it is wise to have extra gasoline in the car or to fill up when possible. It can happen that the boat with gasoline does not arrive and you have to wait a few days. Fortunately, in some cases you can still go to the car rental company for some extra gasoline in case of an emergency.

Parking

There are no parking fees on Karpathos. So fortunately that saves you a lot of money. On Karpathos fixed parking places (with lines) are not self-evident. In the villages you will usually find fixed parking spots, but at beaches you will generally just park along the road. Keep in mind that – especially in high season – beaches like Apella and Kyra Panagia are very crowded. So go early to score a (normal) spot for your car. Also handy to know is that cars in the capital of Karpathos, Pigadia, are not allowed on the boulevard/port after 7 pm. This is also indicated at the beginning of the boulevard/port on a sign and after 19.00 there is also a gate here.

Navigation needed?

Een navigatie op Karpathos is in principe niet nodig. Het eiland is klein en er is eigenlijk maar één, echte hoofdweg over het eiland. Je kunt niet verdwalen ;). Een kaartje (of via Google Maps) is wel handig om te weten waar de dorpen ongeveer liggen.

Safety

Safety is paramount. Therefore answered here some questions regarding safety when you choose to rent a car on Karpathos?

Are there any traffic rules?

Karpathos has few “real” traffic rules. There are no traffic lights or traffic circles, nor are there many intersections. By the way, on Karpathos people drive on the right. Of course you are not allowed to use your phone while driving and wearing a seat belt is mandatory. Although this is quite common in Holland, most Greeks still have trouble with this 😉

There is a police presence on the island, but there are no real controls as we know them in the Netherlands. We have never been stopped in all these years! There are also no speedometers or speed cameras. The island doesn’t really have a speed limit either. Most will drive between 50 and 60 km (the Greeks themselves drive much faster, including cabs and buses haha!). Still, it is just a matter of feeling how fast you can drive somewhere. In a curve you will have to slow down and go slowly through the curve, but near Afiartis and Arkassa there are sometimes roads where you can drive faster than 60 km per hour. Just feel for yourself and you will be fine!

Do I need a 4×4?

When you rent a car on Karpathos you don’t necessarily need a 4×4. Actually, all roads are just fine to drive with a normal car. Even a beach like Diakoftis, where you come via a long, unpaved road, you can just reach with a normal car. Kato Lako is one of the few beaches you really can’t get to without a 4×4, but you can also choose to rent a quad bike on Karpathos for the day or drop the car off at the top and then walk down.

Be careful if you want to go to Kato Lako, in 2020 the road was washed away by a big rainstorm, we do not know yet if it has been repaired now. You could not get there in 2020 with a quad bike, only walking.

Driving at night

Driving at night on Karpathos can take some getting used to. In the villages you have lighting thanks to hotels, restaurants etc, but out here you cannot find a lamppost (yes, there is a whole row near the airport, but they are never on). At night, therefore, people drive with high beams a lot. We are not necessarily in favor of this. Try to drive with normal lights as long as possible, until you really can’t or don’t feel safe. When you drive with high beams on and you have to turn them off for oncoming traffic, your eyes have a lot of trouble switching back to darkness. The road between Arkassa and Afiartis is a lot nicer to drive than the road between Afiartis and Pigadia. This road has cat eyes on the road, which makes it a lot nicer to drive!

Road trip routes on Karpathos

Renting a car on Karpathos has numerous advantages. But especially the freedom is just wonderful! If you want to rent a car on Karpathos, here are some nice routes to drive!

Ahata, Kyra Panagia and Apella

The above beaches are surely the most famous and beautiful beaches of Karpathos. Especially in the after season it is nice and quiet and there are no umbrellas and beach beds! The beaches are located next to each other (even though the mountains make it a short drive from beach to beach) and are therefore perfect to combine.

Lefkos and Messochori

A visit to Olympos should not be missed On the west side of Karpathos you will find the village of Lefkos. A beautiful place with beautiful beaches and nice eateries. You will also find several archaeological excavations here. Near Lefkos is also Messochori. This village is also worth a visit and do not forget to visit Kafe Skopi!you go to Karpathos.

Olympos

A visit to Olympos should not be missed when you go to Karpathos. From the capital, it is about a 1-hour drive. Although the road used to be unsafe, it has been well paved since a few years and is now fine. The road there is also already beautiful. Do go early because after 11:00 it becomes (too) touristy in Olympos.

Rather not rent a car on Karpathos? There are also buses! Then check out this page about public transport on Karpathos. Or rent a quad on Karpathos!