Athens, Georgia

Europe > Greece > Athens (ATH)

The Car or no Car advice for  Athens can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Athens ;  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 Athens ?

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 8

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

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 8
🚗Do we need a car in Athens? Is it worth it? Should we rent one? | Comment
Athens, Georgia is a lively college town best known for the University of Georgia and its music scene. It has no commercial flights, so most travellers arrive through Atlanta. From there, you can reach Athens by coach, shuttle, or car. Distances inside town are short, but the city spreads out more than expected. So, should you rent a car in Athens, Georgia? The answer depends on whether you want full freedom to explore or if you plan to stay mainly around downtown and campus. Because it’s a university hub, public shuttles and buses do exist, but they are not perfect for visitors.

🚶 Why Many Visitors Don’t Need a Car

Downtown Athens and the UGA campus are walkable.
Bars, cafés, venues, and shops sit close together.

➡ In short: no car needed for a downtown-based stay.

🚍 How to Arrive from Atlanta

Since Athens has no flights, most visitors travel via:

  • Groome Transportation (frequent shuttle)

  • Intercity coach services

  • A rental car from Atlanta Airport

The shuttle is the simplest option.

➡ You don’t need a car for the transfer.

🚗 When a Car Helps

A car becomes useful if you want to:

  • Visit breweries outside the centre

  • Explore the countryside

  • Reach nearby towns like Watkinsville or Commerce

Athens has buses, but they focus on students, not tourists.

➡ For wider exploration, a car is helpful.

🧭 Quick Decision Table

Your Plan in Athens, GA Car Needed?
Staying downtown ❌ No
Visiting UGA campus ❌ No
Using shuttle from Atlanta ❌ No
Exploring rural Georgia ❔ Optional
Visiting out-of-town attractions ❔ Optional
Multi-stop regional trips ❔ Optional

🎯 Conclusion: Should You Rent a Car in Athens, Georgia?

  • ❌ Skip the car if you plan to stay around UGA and downtown and arrive by shuttle from Atlanta.

  • ❔ Consider a car if you want to explore surrounding towns, breweries, or rural Georgia at your own pace.