Simila Car Rentals

Overview

Simila Car Rentals was founded in 2015 by Simon and his wife Ludmila — the name combines both of theirs. In just over a decade, they have built one of the most highly rated car hire operations in Cyprus. Their raw review scores are extraordinary: 9.5 on Discovercars, 9.6 on Trustpilot, 9.7 on Google — among the highest of any car hire company on the island. Operating from an office on Tombs of the Kings Avenue in Kato Paphos and a compound at Paphos Airport, Simila is one of the few local operators with a visible, accessible presence in the heart of the tourist area. The founding principle is simple: deal direct with the owners, get honest pricing, and receive the kind of personal attention that no international chain can replicate.

WhatsApp & Communication

Simila offers more booking channels than any other local operator: website, WhatsApp, Viber, email, and in-person at the Kato Paphos office. WhatsApp is the most popular method and the team — Simon, Julie, Christine and Alex — responds quickly, typically within minutes during business hours. Reviewers describe setting up a WhatsApp group with Julie before flying, forwarding passports and driving licences in advance, and arriving at the airport to find the car and paperwork already prepared. Simon personally attends many airport collections and is known for giving driving tips, parking advice, local restaurant recommendations, and speed camera information as part of the handover.

Pricing & Fees

Rates run from €15/day for small hatchbacks up to €100/day for premium 8-seater people carriers. No deposit and no credit card block — this applies to both British and EU residents. Payment by cash or card on delivery, with a small 3% card fee. No hidden fees, no CDW upsell at collection. The price confirmed by WhatsApp is the price you pay. A 7-day mid-range family rental with Simila typically costs 30–40% less than an equivalent booking with SIXT or Europcar once all extras are included.

Family Features

The Simila fleet includes 6, 7 and 8-seater vehicles alongside brand new 2025 model SUVs with Apple CarPlay, reversing cameras, and modern safety features. Child seats and baby seats are included free. Simila is one of the only local operators offering personal meet & greet at both Paphos Airport (minimum 5-day rental) and Larnaca Airport (minimum 7-day rental). Hotel, villa, and apartment delivery across Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca is available.

Fleet & Vehicles

Simila's 50+ vehicle fleet spans from economical hatchbacks to premium large vehicles. Economy cars are ideal for compact city driving. Mid-size automatic SUVs — including 2025 models from Toyota, Kia, and Hyundai — form the booking core. At the top end, Simila offers 6-seater and 8-seater MPVs and premium SUVs with full specification. All vehicles undergo regular maintenance and the fleet includes brand new 2025 and 2024 registrations. Apple CarPlay and reversing cameras are standard on newer models.

Booking Experience

Contact via WhatsApp (+357 976 23543) or visit the office at Tombs of the Kings Avenue, Kato Paphos. The team asks for your dates, passenger count, child seat requirements, and arrival details and responds quickly with pricing. For airport collections, Simila requests a scan of your driving licence and passport before arrival so paperwork is minimal at handover. The entire process from first contact to confirmed booking typically takes under an hour.

Customer Experience

The Simila customer experience is defined by personal attention from people who know Cyprus well and genuinely want your holiday to be excellent. Simon and Julie are mentioned by name in dozens of five-star reviews. Customers describe Simon waiting at Paphos Airport with a handwritten name sign, driving them to their villa to show them the neighbourhood, and answering questions about the best route to Troodos via WhatsApp mid-holiday. Multiple reviewers describe returning to Simila on subsequent trips and being remembered by name. The 9.6 Trustpilot score from 600+ reviews is not a statistical outlier — it reflects a business that has consistently delivered on its promises since 2015.

Our Verdict

Simila is ranked #2 in Paphos and the gap to #1 is narrow. Their individual platform scores are actually higher than Leo Opsimos on Discovercars, Trustpilot, and Google. Key differentiators: coverage of both airports, a newer fleet with 2025 models, an in-person Kato Paphos office, and the widest vehicle range from economy to 8-seater. For families needing a large modern vehicle, first-time visitors who want personal airport assistance, or Larnaca Airport arrivals, Simila may be the better choice.