Do You Need a Hire Car in Naxos? Who Can Skip It
Updated October 17, 2026 · 5 min read
The answer first. Most visitors who sleep in Chora, Agios Prokopios or Plaka do not need a car for the whole stay. Take a private transfer from the port or airport on arrival and spend one day on the highlights bus tour for the interior. A car earns its money only if you want the mountain villages at your own pace on more than one day.
What you can do without wheels
Chora is a walking town: harbour, Burgo lanes, Kastro and the Portara temple gate are all reached on foot, and a vehicle there is more burden than help. Beyond town, the seasonal KTEL buses run to Apollonas, Filoti, Chalki, Apeiranthos, Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka, according to the island’s tourism site. Timetables depend on the time of year, so ask KTEL at the Chora office (+30 22850 22291) or check naxosdestinations.com for the dates you travel.
Boat days need no car either. The Koufonisia and Rina Cave trips leave from the harbour and the coast, so a hire car would sit idle on those days.
Where a car starts to make sense
The inland loop is the case. Apeiranthos lies 28 km from Chora, and the villages of Chalki, Filoti and Apeiranthos are meant to be wandered, not ticked off. Cars cannot enter the village cores; you park at the edge and walk in, so a small car is enough and a big one is a nuisance on the bends. Our rule of thumb, not a published figure: from about four days on the island, one self-drive day for the villages starts to pay for the hire.
Hire cars also win for travellers with young children who need to stop on their own schedule, and for anyone whose accommodation sits away from a bus line. Check the bus stop distance before you book that room.
Quick comparison of the car-free options
| Option | Duration | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlights bus tour | 8 hours | €30 | 4.8 (2,062 reviews) | First-time visitors, one big interior day |
| Private transfer from port or airport | 30 minutes | €45 per group up to 8 | 4.6 (35 reviews) | Families with luggage, late arrivals |
| Small-group village tour by minibus | 6 hours | €85 | 4.8 (30 reviews) | A slower day with fewer people |
See availability and prices for the highlights bus tour
See availability and prices for the private transfer
See availability and prices for the small-group village tour
Different travellers, different answers
A couple without a driving licence: skip the idea entirely. Bus plus one tour covers the island.
Family with a toddler: arrive by transfer, then decide. If naps and snack stops run your day, hiring a car for two days is reasonable. Ask the rental company about child seats before you pay, because availability and charges are theirs to state.
A few hours between ferries: no car. Stay in town, or spend the afternoon on the half-day guided tour.
Honeymooners and beach people: a bus to Agios Prokopios or Plaka and a taxi for the late return is simpler than a parking hunt.
If you do want a car, compare hire cars for Naxos on Discover Cars. The listing offers pick-up at the airport, the port and in town, which matters if you arrive by ferry and want the car for a single day. Read the rental terms before taking one to another island, as many contracts restrict ferry use.
Our recommendation
For a typical four-to-seven-day stay, skip the permanent car: book the highlights bus tour for €30 and use buses and your feet for the rest. Hire a car for one or two days only if the mountain villages are the reason you came.
