HER · Heraklion, Greece
Every car hire desk ranked by Counterwise Score
Crete's main airport. The big international brands have counters in the arrivals hall, with their cars in the rental car park across the road. Many Cretan firms have an office in that car park, a short walk from arrivals; most others run free shuttles to depots a few minutes away in Nea Alikarnassos, and a few meet you at a numbered kiosk outside arrivals. A new airport at Kastelli is due to replace this one, currently scheduled for late 2028.
Based on 6,820 reviews analysed · Last updated · How scores work
Showing all 30 desks
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Red flag: The contract bans unpaved roads (for example the track to Balos) and cars are GPS-tracked, with text messages or calls if you go off-road. Many reviews mention this, and some say they only found out at pick-up or in the small print.
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Red flag: Several recent reviews (Jun-Oct 2026) report charges of roughly €180-300 for scratches or bumper damage that customers say were already on the car or not documented at handover; some customers say the car's existing damage was only partly recorded.
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Red flag: Travellers without a credit card in their own name report that a debit card was not accepted for the deposit, and that they then had to buy the desk's own cover or pay a sizeable extra sum in cash at the counter (reported amounts range from about 25 EUR per day to several hundred euros).
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Red flag: Strict card rule: a physical credit card in the driver's own name is needed. Many recent reviews describe debit, virtual, Maestro or other-name cards refused, with the desk's own extra cover (about €100-500) offered as the only way to rent, or the booking lost.
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Red flag: Several recent reviews report charges of about €300 to €1,200 for scratches or underbody marks that the renters say were not theirs or were minor, often after evening handovers in poor light. Some say the dispute was only dropped after showing their own handover videos. The operator's public replies on a review site show these disputes are on record.
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Red flag: Several reviews from the last year say the car was not full at pick-up despite a full-to-full arrangement, or that a prepaid fuel option was added without consent. Some describe disputes over the tank level at return.
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Red flag: Several recent reviews describe older or poorly maintained cars, including a much older model than the one booked, worn wipers, a sticking door lock, a car that broke down and one that arrived with a flat battery.
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Red flag: Four similar reviews from Jul-Aug 2026 report charges for underbody damage the customers say they were not responsible for and that was not on the pickup check-in sheet.
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Red flag: Several recent reviews (5 since July 2026) report charges for scratches or small damage after return, some saying the marks were already on the car or that they had bought full cover; one also reports a deposit still unreturned three months later and another a processing fee despite full cover.
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Red flag: Several recent reviews say pre-existing damage was poorly recorded at pickup, so travellers had to rely on their own photos and videos; one reports a damage estimate days after return for a scratch the traveller could show was already there.
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Red flag: Many recent reviews (at least 12 since July 2026) say the desk refused credit cards from online or direct banks even though the booking terms were unclear to them, and often cancelled the booking on the spot, sometimes leaving travellers stranded without a lift back to the airport.
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Red flag: Many reviews, including several from the last 12 months, report disputed fuel-related holds or charges (about 40 to 120 euros), or deposits of 800 to 2000 euros still unreturned after several weeks.
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Red flag: Multiple recent reviews say a credit card was refused (for example a combined debit/credit or digital card) and they then had to pay roughly 80-350 EUR extra or buy the desk's cover, sometimes when the booking site had not made this clear.
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Red flag: Many recent reviews report the deposit card being refused (online-bank, virtual or debit-labelled cards, or Apple Pay), with travellers told to buy extra cover costing about €150-350 or lose the booking. Several say the same card then worked for paying the extra cover.
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Red flag: About 30 recent reviews describe being refused the booked car or charged an extra 90-350 EUR, or told to buy extra cover, because a debit, prepaid, non-'credit' or non-driver-name card was not accepted for the deposit; many had prepaid via brokers, and Trustpilot shows similar reports.
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Red flag: At least 15 reviews from the last six months say a debit card or a card not matching the main driver was refused for the deposit, and that a desk insurance package of about 150-300 EUR was then offered as the way to get the car, including on prepaid broker bookings. A broker-based review site also lists insurance and deposit friction as a recurring theme.
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Red flag: Several reviews describe arriving at night (about 22:00-00:00) to a closed desk or unanswered phone, with bookings cancelled as no-shows, a €40 after-hours fee, or a missed pick-up. The most recent cases are from Nov 2026, May 2026 and Apr 2026. A comparison site notes bookings may be cancelled without refund after a short grace period.
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Red flag: Many reviews describe staff pushing the desk's own cover, often to renters who already had broker or third-party cover. Reported tactics include warnings that deposits could be held for months and that the booked cover is insufficient. Cover sold at the counter is often reported as costing more than the rental itself.
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Red flag: Many recent reviews say a debit card (including Visa/Mastercard debit) was refused for the deposit, and that the desk then required much more expensive cover (roughly EUR 65-300 extra) or refused the rental, even where full cover was already booked or prepaid via a broker.
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Red flag: About 13 reviews from the last 12 months report that cards labelled debit, mobile-wallet cards or credit cards in a second driver's name were refused for the deposit. Reviewers say they then had to pay roughly €250-430 extra for the desk's own cover, or lost the booking, even when they had prepaid through a broker.
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Red flag: About 20 recent reviews report fees of roughly €20-150 (or demands to re-wash the car) at return for ordinary dust or sand. Several say this was not clear in the contract, while others say they were warned at pickup.
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Red flag: About 20 reviews from the last 12 months say a debit card or non-credit card was not accepted for the deposit and the only way to get the car was to buy the desk's own full cover, often costing as much as or more than the rental and even when broker cover was already bought.
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Red flag: Many reviews over the past 18 months (at least 4 in the last 12) report damage charges of roughly €340-430 for small scratches or dents, often on the underside of the bumper or sills. Reviewers say the marks were already there or impossible to photograph. In some cases the charge was dropped when photo evidence was shown.
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Red flag: Many recent reviews report the car being refused or the booking cancelled at the counter over card rules (debit, digital, Amex, or card not in the main driver's name) or after a flight delay, forcing a costlier rental elsewhere or a high-priced cover purchase. Several say these rules were not clear on the booking site.
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Red flag: Many reviews, about 10 of them from the last 12 months, report charges of roughly 150 to 650 euro for small or underside scratches and chips that travellers say were already present or barely visible. Several describe the inspector going straight to the spot.
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Red flag: Many recent reviews say a debit, Amex, prepaid or third-party-name card was refused for the deposit at the counter and that the only way to get the car was to buy the desk's own cover. The extra amounts reported are roughly 125 to 650 euros, often on top of fully prepaid bookings.
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Red flag: Many recent reviews say the desk pressed them into buying extra insurance costing hundreds of euros, often after saying a broker or prepaid full cover was not valid. Some say the amount was raised to two or three times the rental price.
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Red flag: Many recent reviews report charges of roughly €235 to €365 under an off-road clause enforced through GPS tracking, often after trips to a popular beach, and say it was not clearly explained at pickup. A few reviewers say they were warned clearly.
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Ranking is by Counterwise Score only. Commission never changes the order. Read our affiliate disclosure. Facts marked “Not confirmed yet” have not been verified yet: we never guess them.
Ranked by Counterwise Score. Swipe sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Desk | Score | Location | Credit card | Deposit | Fuel policy | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Gomega Car Rentals | 8.9Great | Shuttle | Not confirmed yet | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 07:30–22:30 daily |
| 2.Rental Center Crete | 8.8Great | Short walk | Not required | €0 | Same to same | 24 hours daily (with prior booking) |
| 3.Avance | 8.4Great | Short walk | Not required | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 08:00–22:00 daily |
| 4.Sterling Rentals | 7.8Mixed | Short walk | Required | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 08:00–22:00 daily |
| 5.Yours Car Rental | 7.0Mixed | Shuttle | Required | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 08:00–23:00 daily |
| 6.Beep It | 6.9Mixed | Shuttle | Not confirmed yet | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 07:00–22:00 daily |
| 7.Hertz | 6.7Mixed | In terminal | Not required | €650–€3,000 | Same to same | 24 hours daily |
| 8.Autounion | 6.7Mixed | Short walk | Required | Not confirmed yet | Full to full | 07:30–21:00 daily |
| 9.Autocandia | 6.6Mixed | Short walk | Required | up to €700 | Same to same | 07:30–21:00 daily |
| 10.Enterprise | 6.5Mixed | In terminal | Not required | €290–€1,000 | Same to same | 07:30–23:00 daily |
| 11.Avis | 6.5Mixed | In terminal | Required | up to €100 | Full to full | 07:00–24:00 daily |
| 12.CarQ | 6.4Mixed | Shuttle | Required | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 07:00–22:00 daily |
| 13.Sixt | 6.3Mixed | In terminal | Not confirmed yet | €200–€800 | Full to full | 07:00–23:59 daily |
| 14.Royal Rentals | 5.9Poor | Short walk | Required | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 08:00–22:00 daily |
| 15.RightCars | 5.7Poor | Short walk | Required | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 07:00–22:00 daily |
| 16.EXER Rent a Car | 5.7Poor | Short walk | Not confirmed yet | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 07:00–22:00 daily |
| 17.Lets Drive | 5.5Poor | Shuttle, 2 min | Required | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 08:00–22:00 daily |
| 18.Goldcar | 5.4Poor | Shuttle | Required | Not confirmed yet | Full to full | 06:00–23:30 daily |
| 19.Centauro | 5.4Poor | Shuttle, 10 min | Not confirmed yet | Not confirmed yet | Full to full | 07:00–23:00 daily |
| 20.Europcar | 5.3Poor | Shuttle, 2 min | Required | Not confirmed yet | Full to full | 06:00–23:30 daily |
| 21.Carwiz | 5.1Poor | Shuttle, 2 min | Required | Not confirmed yet | Full to full | 08:00–22:00 daily |
| 22.AcaRent | 5.0Poor | Shuttle | Required | Not confirmed yet | Full to full | 07:00–22:00 daily |
| 23.AutoDask Rentals | 5.0Poor | Shuttle | Not confirmed yet | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 09:00–20:59 daily |
| 24.Green Motion | 4.9Poor | In terminal | Not confirmed yet | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 08:00–21:00 daily |
| 25.Street Rent a Car | 4.5Poor | Shuttle | Not confirmed yet | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 07:00–22:00 daily |
| 26.Idea Mobility | 4.4Poor | Shuttle | Not confirmed yet | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 08:00–23:00 daily |
| 27.Alma Car Hire | 4.2Poor | Short walk | Required | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 07:30–21:30 daily |
| 28.MONZA Rent a Car | 4.1Poor | Short walk | Not confirmed yet | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 07:00–22:00 daily |
| 29.Surprice | 3.6Poor | Shuttle | Required | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 07:00–22:00 daily |
| 30.ABBYCAR | 3.4Poor | Shuttle | Required | Not confirmed yet | Same to same | 08:00–21:59 daily |
Gomega Car Rentals is the best-rated car rental desk at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis", with a Counterwise Score of 8.9/10 (Great). It is followed by Rental Center Crete (8.8) and Avance (8.4). Scores are based on 6,820 traveller reviews analysed and were last updated on 13 November 2026.
5 of the 30 desks at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" are inside the terminal: Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Sixt and Green Motion. Rental Center Crete, Avance, Sterling Rentals, Autounion, Autocandia, Royal Rentals, RightCars, EXER Rent a Car, Alma Car Hire and MONZA Rent a Car are in a nearby car park or building. Lets Drive, Europcar, Carwiz, Centauro, Gomega Car Rentals, Yours Car Rental, Beep It, CarQ, Goldcar, AcaRent, AutoDask Rentals, Street Rent a Car, Idea Mobility, Surprice and ABBYCAR are off-site and reached by shuttle.
Yes. 4 of the 30 desks at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" do not require a credit card: Rental Center Crete (8.8/10), Avance (8.4/10), Hertz (6.7/10) and Enterprise (6.5/10). Sterling Rentals, Yours Car Rental, Autounion, Autocandia, Avis, CarQ, Royal Rentals, RightCars, Lets Drive, Goldcar, Europcar, Carwiz, AcaRent, Alma Car Hire, Surprice and ABBYCAR need a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit. The card rule is not confirmed yet for Gomega Car Rentals, Beep It, Sixt, EXER Rent a Car, Centauro, AutoDask Rentals, Green Motion, Street Rent a Car, Idea Mobility and MONZA Rent a Car. Check the debit card conditions when you book.
Rental Center Crete has the lowest starting deposit at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis": €0. The highest is at Hertz, up to €3,000. Deposits are held on your card at pickup and released after the car is returned. Deposit amounts are not confirmed yet for Gomega Car Rentals, Avance, Sterling Rentals, Yours Car Rental, Beep It, Autounion, CarQ, Royal Rentals, RightCars, EXER Rent a Car, Lets Drive, Goldcar, Centauro, Europcar, Carwiz, AcaRent, AutoDask Rentals, Green Motion, Street Rent a Car, Idea Mobility, Alma Car Hire, MONZA Rent a Car, Surprice and ABBYCAR.
Rental Center Crete, Avance, Sterling Rentals, Autounion, Autocandia, Royal Rentals, RightCars, EXER Rent a Car, Alma Car Hire and MONZA Rent a Car are a short walk from the terminal at Heraklion Airport; the walking time is not confirmed yet. Allow extra time with luggage.
The shuttle ride to the off-site desks at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" takes between 2 and 10 minutes, plus waiting time: Lets Drive about 2 min, Europcar about 2 min, Carwiz about 2 min and Centauro about 10 min. Ride time not confirmed yet for Gomega Car Rentals, Yours Car Rental, Beep It, CarQ, Goldcar, AcaRent, AutoDask Rentals, Street Rent a Car, Idea Mobility, Surprice and ABBYCAR.
Opening hours at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis": Gomega Car Rentals, 07:30–22:30 daily; Rental Center Crete, 24 hours daily (with prior booking); Avance, 08:00–22:00 daily; Sterling Rentals, 08:00–22:00 daily; Yours Car Rental, 08:00–23:00 daily; Beep It, 07:00–22:00 daily; Hertz, 24 hours daily; Autounion, 07:30–21:00 daily; Autocandia, 07:30–21:00 daily; Enterprise, 07:30–23:00 daily; Avis, 07:00–24:00 daily; CarQ, 07:00–22:00 daily; Sixt, 07:00–23:59 daily; Royal Rentals, 08:00–22:00 daily; RightCars, 07:00–22:00 daily; EXER Rent a Car, 07:00–22:00 daily; Lets Drive, 08:00–22:00 daily; Goldcar, 06:00–23:30 daily; Centauro, 07:00–23:00 daily; Europcar, 06:00–23:30 daily; Carwiz, 08:00–22:00 daily; AcaRent, 07:00–22:00 daily; AutoDask Rentals, 09:00–20:59 daily; Green Motion, 08:00–21:00 daily; Street Rent a Car, 07:00–22:00 daily; Idea Mobility, 08:00–23:00 daily; Alma Car Hire, 07:30–21:30 daily; MONZA Rent a Car, 07:00–22:00 daily; Surprice, 07:00–22:00 daily; ABBYCAR, 08:00–21:59 daily. If your flight lands late, check the hours before you book.
Most desks at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" use full to full (pick up full, return full). Exceptions: Gomega Car Rentals (same to same), Rental Center Crete (same to same), Avance (same to same), Sterling Rentals (same to same), Yours Car Rental (same to same), Beep It (same to same), Hertz (same to same), Autocandia (same to same), Enterprise (same to same), CarQ (same to same), Royal Rentals (same to same), RightCars (same to same), EXER Rent a Car (same to same), Lets Drive (same to same), AutoDask Rentals (same to same), Green Motion (same to same), Street Rent a Car (same to same), Idea Mobility (same to same), Alma Car Hire (same to same), MONZA Rent a Car (same to same), Surprice (same to same) and ABBYCAR (same to same).
ABBYCAR has the lowest Counterwise Score at Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis": 3.4/10 (Poor). Main red flag from travellers: Many recent reviews report charges of roughly €235 to €365 under an off-road clause enforced through GPS tracking, often after trips to a popular beach, and say it was not clearly explained at pickup. A few reviewers say they were warned clearly..
The Counterwise Score (0 to 10) blends two things. 70% is an AI analysis of recent traveller reviews of that specific desk and of web reports, scored on five weighted sub-scores: deposit & damage disputes (30%), counter upselling (20%), booking honoured (20%), queue time (15%) and car condition (15%). 30% is the desk's star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate. Recent reviews count more than old ones, and desks with few reviews are pulled toward the average of their airport or station. Rankings are independent: affiliate commissions never change a score or a position.