1. What Sync is, in two lines
Sync is a platform that connects you, the traveller, with car owners across Greece. We're not a rental company, we're a marketplace. Real cars, from real people, delivered to you wherever it suits you.
The two things that really set us apart from a classic car rental:
You rent the exact car you see, not "a category." With its own photos, make, and real interior. No surprises along the lines of "we'll give you this or something similar."
No need to go to an office. The Host brings the car to wherever works for you: home, hotel, airport, port. You pick the location when you book.
2. What you need to make a booking
Four things, nothing more complicated than that:
A Sync account with your email. Signing up is free and you don't even need a password. It takes a few seconds (guide).
A valid driver's license held for at least 1 year. You need to be 20+ for basic cars, 25+ for Premium, 30+ for Deluxe (full criteria here).
A credit, debit, or prepaid card, or Apple/Google Pay in your name (all accepted payment methods).
A few minutes for your first approval. The first and only time, you upload a photo of your license and a selfie, and verification happens automatically through Veriff in seconds. After that, you never repeat it (how it works).
Coming from abroad? International Driving Permits are accepted, together with the valid national license from your country (details).
3. How much a rental costs
Short answer: it depends on the specific car. Even two identical models can have different prices, because each Host sets their own. That also means you'll almost always find something in your budget.
In the cost breakdown before you book, you'll see:
Base price (price per day × days).
Any discount for longer bookings or booking early.
Mileage allowance, and a charge if you go over it (how the limits work).
Any Extras (child seat, bike, cooler, prepaid fuel, and more, if the Host offers them).
A delivery fee if you choose delivery to a spot of your choice, and an airport fee if you pick up from an airport.
An optional Protection Plan (more in Section 6).
Everything shows clearly before you confirm. No hidden charges, no surprises at pickup.
4. How a booking works, start to finish
The cycle is always the same:
(a) You search and book. You set a location, dates and times, and see available cars. You filter (unlimited mileage, price, type, delivery, and so on). You pick one, see the cost breakdown, and book.
(b) You get a confirmation. Email plus a notification with all the details. From that moment you have access to the booking page, the rental agreement, and your messages with the Host (how to find your agreement).
(c) You coordinate with the Host. All communication happens inside the app, never by phone or personal messages. If a disagreement comes up later, our support only recognizes what's been recorded on the booking page.
(d) You check in and pick up. Up to 24 hours before the start, or up to 1 hour earlier if you've agreed it with the Host. You show your driver's license and ID, collect the keys, and take photos of the car through the app (exterior, interior, odometer, fuel level). This is the most important step for your own protection, if there's any pre-existing damage, you've documented it (photo check-in guide).
(e) You drive and enjoy. Respect the mileage, don't smoke in the car (it's not allowed), and keep the keys safe.
(f) You check out and return. You return the car with the same fuel/battery level you picked it up with, reasonably clean, at the agreed location. Photos again through the app, you leave the keys the way the Host told you, and your booking ends successfully (full check-out guide).
5. Payment and cancellation, made clear
When your card is charged: it depends on how early you booked, anywhere from immediately (last-minute bookings) to a few days before the start. You always get an email one day before the scheduled charge.
Free cancellation: You always have a free cancellation window where you get all your money back, 100%. Beyond that window, cancelling charges part of the booking, but Extras, Protection, and delivery are always refunded in full.
If the car is dirty or unsafe at pickup: don't check in, take photos, and contact us right away. The refund is full.
6. Safety and Protection: how you're actually covered
This may be the most important section. Read it.
Every car on Sync is already insured by its owner through Helvetia, you don't need to bring your own insurance from outside. This insurance covers third-party liability, theft of the whole vehicle, fire, and damage caused by a third party where there's evidence or a police report.
But there's a gap: damage you might cause to the car yourself (scratches, dents, mechanical faults, interior) isn't covered by the car's insurance. That gap is filled by the Sync Protection Plan, optional, with a low added cost on top of your booking.
We recommend it without reservation. It's the simplest way to travel without the "what if" stress. If you don't choose it, you carry the financial responsibility for anything the insurance doesn't cover (full coverage comparison).
Important: Sync does not hold a deposit on your card, unlike traditional rentals. You only pay the cost of the booking. The only exception is certain Deluxe cars, and even then you're told clearly before you book.
That said, even with Protection, you remain responsible for: traffic fines, smoking inside the car, an excessively dirty car, going over the mileage, and insufficient fuel/battery on return.
7. The rules of the game
The five things to know so nothing catches you off guard:
Fuel/charging: you return the car at the same level you picked it up (details).
Mileage: don't go over the limit the Host sets, or book a car with unlimited mileage.
No smoking: €100 fine if broken.
Communication only inside the app: so you stay protected.
Photo check-in and check-out: your one shield against unfair charges.
8. Tips for the best experience
The travellers who enjoy Sync the most all do the same things:
They read the listing carefully before booking (car, mileage, parking fees), they choose delivery when it suits them (it's worth it, it saves you taxis and getting around), they add the Protection Plan for peace of mind, they take plenty of photos at check-in and check-out, they send all messages inside the app, and they reach out to the Host early if they need a change.
Still have questions?
Our help center has 70+ articles just for renters. If you'd rather talk to a person, email us at help@thesync.com or use the chat at the bottom right on every Sync page.