Greek islands travel costs: bring your car or rent — when transport pays off

A cost analysis for holidaying on popular Greek islands shows when it is cheaper to bring a personal car versus flying and renting locally.

On Skiathos, driving from Athens to Volos (≈320 km) and ferrying the car costs about €215 total, while round‑trip flights are €90‑140 per person and a small rental car is €45‑55 per day. For a couple staying four days, flying and renting is cheaper; a family of four for five days saves by using their own car. The break‑even point is roughly 4‑5 days.

On Paros, transporting a car from Piraeus costs about €260 total, compared with flights of €80‑130 per person and rentals of €45 per day. Renting remains cheaper for couples on three‑to‑four‑day trips, but bringing a car becomes advantageous after five‑to‑six days for larger groups.

On Naxos, car transport and fuel/tolls total around €280, while rentals are €45‑50 per day. The personal car pays off for trips longer than four days, especially for families needing to reach remote beaches. The study factors in fuel, tolls, ferry fees and typical August rental rates.