Savvas Dimitropoulos, Rhodes Travel Advisor, Monday 01-09-2025
Autumn is a beautiful season to explore Rhodes with a rental car. You enjoy mild weather, quieter roads, and friendlier prices compared to peak summer. With a car you can reach beaches that feel calm, visit historic sites without queues, and plan flexible day trips that fit the shorter daylight. Book the category that matches your route and choose simple insurance so you can relax and focus on the island.
From September to November the island slows down and the sea stays warm. Towns are livelier without summer crowds and the countryside shows softer colors. A rental car gives you the freedom to combine coastal drives with village stops and sunset viewpoints. You can set your own pace and avoid tight tour schedules while keeping costs under control.
Plan flexible loops that combine beaches, villages, and viewpoints. Start the day at a beach while the water is calm, then move inland for lunch and heritage sites. End with a viewpoint or a town walk before dinner. Keep an eye on sunset times so you arrive at your last stop with comfortable light for driving back.
Autumn offers friendly pricing, yet popular categories still move quickly on sunny weeks. Book when you fix your flights to secure automatics, family models, or child seats. Choose the pickup that matches your arrival time and confirm the deposit method in the main driver’s name. Review the included cover and decide if an upgrade will help you enjoy city parking and village lanes without worry.
Road conditions are good on main routes and slower on rural lanes. Autumn can bring brief showers, so keep the windscreen clear and leave a little more space. Daylight hours are shorter, which makes early starts a good habit. Follow local parking signs in towns and return the car with the fuel level that matches your policy. Keep documents handy in the glove box so roadside checks are simple.
Is it cheaper to rent a car in autumn? Often yes. Demand is lower than peak summer, which helps with availability and value, especially for compact and economy cars.
Do I still need to book in advance? It is wise to book when flights are set, especially if you want an automatic, a family car, or child seats.
What insurance should I choose? Basic cover is usually included. Many visitors add a simple upgrade to reduce liability for town parking and narrow lanes. Read the excess and choose based on your comfort level.
Is an economy car enough? For most itineraries yes. If you plan longer loops with luggage or prefer easy city driving, consider an automatic or a compact SUV.
What about rainy days? Showers are usually short. Plan a cultural stop for those hours and continue your coastal loop once the sky clears.
