Flying into Kos Hippocrates Airport and picking up a rental car is one of the smoothest ways to start your island holiday. The airport is small, efficient, and all the major car hire companies operate from the terminal. But there are a few things worth knowing before you arrive – like which desks are actually in the terminal versus off-site, how to handle out-of-hours pickups, and where to fill up before returning your car to avoid excessive fuel charges.

After picking up cars at Kos Airport more times than I can count, I’ve learned the shortcuts, the pitfalls, and the tips that make the whole process painless. Here’s your complete guide to car hire at Kos Airport, from landing to departure.

Where Are the Car Hire Desks at Kos Airport?

Kos Hippocrates Airport (KGS) is compact – you’ll walk from the gate to arrivals in under five minutes. The car rental desks are located in the main terminal building, clearly signed from the baggage claim area. Most major providers have a presence here, along with local Greek companies that often offer better rates.

The desks you’ll see directly in arrivals include most international brands. Some smaller local companies operate from off-site locations with shuttle service – these are typically the budget options that appear in comparison searches. If you’ve booked with one of these, you’ll find a representative holding a sign in arrivals who’ll take you to their nearby lot (usually 2-5 minutes away).

Koscarhire.com works with several on-airport and nearby providers, which means no shuttle wait when you arrive. When booking, check whether your pickup is in-terminal or off-site – it affects how long you’ll spend getting to your car.

Peak season (July and August) sees queues forming at the popular desks, especially when multiple flights arrive simultaneously. Having your booking confirmation, driving licence, and credit card ready speeds things up considerably. Some companies offer a skip-the-counter service where you go directly to the car park – ask about this when booking if time efficiency matters to you.

The airport handles roughly 20-30 arrivals per day during summer, concentrated in the morning and early afternoon. If your flight lands early morning, expect busier desks than an evening arrival.

Pick-Up Process: What You Need and What to Check

The pickup process at Kos Airport is straightforward, but a few preparations make it even smoother.

Documents required: Your driving licence (original, not a copy), the credit card in the main driver’s name, and your booking confirmation or voucher. Non-EU licence holders should check whether an International Driving Permit is required – most companies accept Australian, US, and Canadian licences, but it varies by provider.

Credit card security deposit: Expect a pre-authorisation of €500-1200 depending on car category and provider. This is released when you return the car undamaged. Make sure your card has sufficient available credit – debit cards are sometimes accepted for payment but not always for the deposit.

Before driving away: Do a full walk-around of the car, taking photos or video of any scratches, dents, or marks. Show these to the attendant if possible, or at least time-stamp them with your phone for evidence. This takes two minutes and saves disputes later. Check the fuel level matches your contract (usually full-to-full), and confirm where the fuel cap and spare tyre are located.

Insurance check: Basic insurance is included, but excess can be €1000 or more. You’ll be offered additional coverage at the desk – often at premium prices. Consider whether your travel insurance or a separate excess policy covers this instead. Whatever you decide, understand your excess amount before signing.

The car park is immediately outside the terminal – no long walks or buses required for on-airport providers. Follow the signs to your rental company’s allocated area, and staff will show you to your assigned vehicle. If you’ve booked car hire in Antimachia or another off-airport location, some companies offer meet-and-greet at the terminal.

Returning Your Car at Kos Airport

The return process is quick when you know what to expect. The key is arriving with enough time to refuel if needed and locate the correct car park entrance.

Fuel: Most rentals operate on a full-to-full basis. There are two fuel stations within 5 minutes of the airport – one on the main road just outside the terminal approach, another 2km toward Kos Town. Fill up here rather than relying on the airport, where prices are inflated. Keep your receipt; some companies ask to see proof of recent refuelling.

Car park location: The rental car return area is in the main airport car park, clearly signed. Enter via the rental car lane rather than the public parking. Each company has designated spaces – look for your provider’s name or follow the attendant’s directions.

Final check: Leave the car locked with all windows closed, keys in the drop-box if returning after hours, or hand them to the attendant during business hours. Take final photos of the car showing its condition and fuel gauge – this protects you if damage is later claimed.

Timing: Allow 20-30 minutes for the return process, including refuelling if needed. It rarely takes this long, but during peak season, queues can form. If you have an early morning flight, consider returning the car the evening before and taking a taxi to your accommodation – it’s less stressful than rushing through a 7am return.

Travelling onward to another destination? 365carhire.com has locations across Greece and the Greek islands for your next stop.

Ferry Connections and Early/Late Flights

Kos Airport isn’t just about staying on Kos – it’s a gateway for island-hopping. Understanding ferry connections helps you plan your car hire, whether that means a short rental or extending it across multiple islands.

Ferries from Kos: The main port is in Kos Town, 25km from the airport and about a 25-minute drive. Ferries to Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, and other Dodecanese islands depart regularly from here. The Mastichari port (closer to the airport at 8km) has ferries to Kalymnos only. If you’re catching a ferry after landing, factor in pickup time plus the drive to your departure port.

Early arrivals: Planes landing before 7am may find some rental desks not yet staffed. If you have an early arrival, confirm your provider’s opening hours or choose a company offering 24-hour service. The airport itself opens early for flights, but the arrivals area and car hire section follow different schedules.

Late arrivals: Most car hire desks close by 10pm in peak season, earlier in winter. If your flight lands after hours, out-of-hours pickup may be available with advance notice and sometimes an extra fee. Confirm this when booking – don’t assume it’s possible just because you’ve paid for the rental.

Returning after hours: The airport remains open for departing flights, and most rental companies have key drop-boxes outside their desks. Return the car to the designated space, note the mileage and fuel level on your contract, drop the keys, and you’re done. The final inspection happens the next day, which is why those photos you took matter.

For ferry connections to other islands where you might need a car, planning ahead is essential. Tigaki and other resort locations have ferry-friendly timing if you’re connecting to Kalymnos from Mastichari. For extended island-hopping, dropping the car at Kos Airport before taking a ferry from Kos Town is usually simplest.

Flying into Kos? Skip the transfer queues and start exploring immediately. Book your car hire at koscarhire.com before you travel – rates are competitive, pickup is straightforward, and you’ll have the freedom to discover everything Kos has to offer from the moment you land.