Zakynthos

Europe > Greece > Zakynthos (ZTH)

The Car or no Car advice for  Zakynthos can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Zakynthos ;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Zakynthos ?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.

🇬🇷 Mode

Score
🚆 Non-car score non-car score 4

💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Zakynthos?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

🇬🇷 Factor

Score
🚗 Car Score car rental availability score 7
🚗Do we need a car in Zakynthos? Is it worth it? Should we rent one? | Comment
Zakynthos is one of those Greek islands where the car-or-no-car decision really shapes your experience. While it’s perfectly possible to get around without a car if you stay in one place, the island’s geography and transport network strongly favour independent travel. So, should you rent a car in Zakynthos? For most visitors, yes.

📍 Getting Around Zakynthos — the Reality

Zakynthos is compact but not dense.

  • Resorts and villages are spread around the coast

  • The interior is rural and hilly

  • Distances aren’t huge, but routes are indirect

  • Many highlights sit well away from towns

This is not an island where everything clusters around one walkable centre.

🚌 Public Transport: Limited and Infrequent

Zakynthos does have buses, but they come with constraints.

  • Routes focus on Zakynthos Town

  • Services are infrequent, especially outside peak season

  • Evening services are limited

  • Reaching remote beaches by bus is difficult

Buses work best for simple, daytime point-to-point trips — not flexible exploration.

🚗 Why Renting a Car Makes Sense

A rental car unlocks most of what makes Zakynthos special.

A car is useful for:

  • Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach viewpoints

  • Secluded western and northern beaches

  • Mountain villages and inland scenery

  • Flexible coastal drives

Without a car, many of the island’s most dramatic locations are hard to reach.

🏖️ Resort Stays vs Exploring the Island

If you’re staying in a large resort:

  • Transfers and taxis may cover basic needs

  • Beach days are easy without a car

  • Excursions can be booked as tours

But tours are fixed, crowded, and time-limited compared with self-drive travel.

💰 Cost and Practicality

Car rental on Zakynthos is usually reasonably priced, especially outside peak summer weeks.

  • Many accommodations offer free parking

  • Driving distances are short

  • Roads are manageable, if sometimes narrow

For couples or small groups, a car often represents good value.

⚠️ Things to Bear in Mind

  • Narrow roads in rural areas

  • Limited parking near popular beaches

  • Scooters are common but less safe

Driving cautiously is key.

Conclusion: should you rent a car in Zakynthos?

Yes — for most visitors.

While a no-car stay is possible if you remain resort-based, Zakynthos is at its best when you can explore freely. A rental car provides access to beaches, viewpoints, and landscapes that define the island.

🚗Do we need a car in Zakynthos? Is it worth it? Should we? Destinations | Comment

🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary score brings how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation.

🇬🇷 Factor

Score
🚗Should You Rent a Car in Zakynthos?
 overall should you rent a car score 8
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