Arriving at Samos Airport: A Practical Hire Car Pickup Guide

Samos is an island where the holiday really starts in the car park. The airport sits on the south coast, the best corners of the island are spread out along mountain and coastal roads, and most visitors want to be on their way soon after landing. A little preparation makes that first hour easy: knowing what the airport is like, which documents to keep in your hand luggage, what to check at the handover and how long the first drives take.

Samos Airport at a glance

The island’s airport is officially named “Aristarchos of Samos” and uses the code SMI. It is one of the regional airports run by Fraport Greece, the joint venture that took over 14 Greek airports under a 40-year concession starting in April 2017. It is compact, with one terminal, six boarding gates and no jet bridges. Works completed in 2019 expanded and refurbished the terminal and raised the number of check-in counters from 10 to 14.

The single runway is about 2,100 metres long, and strong northerly Meltemi winds in summer can make landings more demanding. Domestic flights to Athens and other Greek airports run all year, while most routes from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and other European countries are seasonal. The airport website shows real-time flight information for the next 12 hours. The airport has also had scheduled closures in recent winters, for example for runway works in November 2024, so if you travel outside the summer season, check the operator’s announcements before you book.

Documents to keep in your hand luggage

Pack the paperwork in your cabin bag, not in the checked suitcase. You will usually need:

• A valid driving licence. A licence issued in an EU country is recognised across the EU. The UK government says a UK photocard licence can be used in Greece, while holders of an old paper licence may also need the 1968 International Driving Permit. Provisional licences are not valid in Greece for driving or hiring any type of vehicle.
• Your passport or national ID card. Police in Greece may ask for identification and may not accept a copy.
• A credit card in the main driver’s name, as rental companies often use it for the security deposit.
• Your booking confirmation and flight number, so the company can follow your arrival.

Each rental company can also set stricter rules of its own, such as a minimum number of years with a licence, an age range or an International Driving Permit for some licences issued outside the EU. Read the terms before you fly rather than at the handover.

What happens at the handover

At SMI, how the pickup works depends on the company, so check in advance where you will meet. With local car hire at Samos Airport from On Time Rent a Car, for example, a representative waits at the arrival gate with a name sign, follows your flight in case of delays and walks you to the car. Their published terms ask for a licence held for at least two years, drivers aged 23 to 69 and a credit card for a €300 deposit hold, and debit cards are not accepted.

Whoever you rent from, use those first few minutes well:

• Walk around the car, photograph every existing scratch or dent and make sure each one is marked on the rental agreement.
• Note the fuel level and ask about the fuel policy for the return.
• Ask exactly what the included insurance covers and how much excess applies. The UK government notes that hire company insurance usually only provides third-party cover, which can leave you paying for damage to the car itself.
• Save the company’s phone number and ask what to do in case of a breakdown.

First drives from the terminal

The airport lies close to Pythagorion on the south coast. According to the rental company’s own guide, the drive takes about 5 minutes to Pythagorion (3 km), 20-25 minutes to Vathy, the island’s capital (15 km), and around 30 minutes to Kokkari on the north coast (22 km). Roads beyond the main towns climb through hills and narrow village streets, so on the first night it is worth reaching an unfamiliar base before dark.

Before you set off, enter your destination in the navigation app while you are still parked, and let a passenger handle the phone.

Rules of the road from the first kilometre

• Alcohol limits are strict. The UK government notes that driving with more than two-thirds of England’s legal limit can lead to a fine and possible imprisonment.
• Drive defensively. The UK government warns that local drivers regularly ignore speed limits, even in built-up areas, and that drivers do not always stop at pedestrian crossings.
• Mopeds and quad bikes need the right licence. If you plan to switch to two wheels later in the trip, you need at least category A1, and riders and passengers must wear helmets.
• Know the emergency number. If an accident happens, call 112 for the emergency services.
• Respect the fire season. Wildfires are a risk from April to October, and causing one is a criminal offence, even if it happens by accident.

Returning the car before your flight

Plan the return as carefully as the pickup. Tell the rental company your departure time when you book, agree where the handover will take place and leave enough time for check-in and security, especially in the peak summer weeks. Check the airport’s live flight information before you leave your accommodation, fill up the tank if your agreement asks for it and take a final set of photos of the car when you hand it back.

A calm first hour sets the tone for the rest of the trip: have your documents ready, check the car properly, take the first drive slowly and leave plenty of time on the way back to the terminal.

Sources

• Fraport Greece, Samos Airport “Aristarchos of Samos”. https://fraport-greece.com/eng/airport-profiles/samos
• Wikipedia, Samos International Airport. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samos_International_Airport
• GOV.UK, Greece travel advice: Safety and security. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/safety-and-security
• Your Europe, Driving licence exchange and recognition in the EU. https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/driving-licence/driving-licence-recognition-validity/index_en.htm

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