How To Get Around Santorini: COMPLETE Guide 2023
Some links in this post contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use the links at no extra cost to you! Happy reading 😀
Looking at how to get around Santorini? Look no further – I’ve detailed all of the best ways to get around Santorini when you are visiting for the first time.
When you think of a dreamy holiday destination, the Greek islands may be a popular choice. And it doesn’t take long before reaching a photo of an iconic blue dome on your Instagram Explore page.
Santorini is one of the most beautiful and popular Greek islands and attracts thousands of tourists every year. It’s an easy vacation or holiday break for us in the UK, as the flight only takes 4 hours, and you can normally book budget flights directly to the island.
But how do you get around Santorini when you get there? Fortunately, getting around is relatively easy and there are a number of ways you can travel around the island on a budget. So, let’s take a look at them!
🇬🇷 Visiting Santorini? Check out my other guides:
Getting Around Santorini: A Summary
There are a few common ways to get around Santorini. It’s a small island, but if you want to travel between the towns, you’re going to need a mode of transport. The most common options for getting around Santorini include:
- Renting a car
- Hiring an ATV
- Taking the local bus
- Paying for a taxi (or Uber)
- Renting a motorbike
Note – Uber now exists in Santorini.
Some people pay for luxury hotels and don’t really need to leave their front door. But if you want to explore the island of Santorini, and these are your best options.
🚗 Don’t have a car? We rent our cars across Europe from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN SANTORINI NOW!
Getting around Santorini: The best ways
1) Renting a car
Renting a car in Santorini is the best way to get around the island. It’s flexible and you’re in total control, it’s faster than an ATV and has air conditioning!
💸 We ended up hiring a car for most of our trip, costing 70 EUR per day. Obviously, this is expensive! It really does depend on your budget and how desperately you want to move around the island.
An option is to hire a car for just a couple of hours or one day to save money. We hired our car from this company. Again, prices go up the later you book, so book early!
2) Local bus
The most budget-friendly (but slowest and least flexible) way to get around Santorini is the local bus system. Named ‘KTEL’, the buses travel all over Santorini, and the main hub is in Thira, where every bus starts and finishes.
💸 Buses around Santorini cost between 2-3 EUR per journey, although night buses will cost a little more.
Santorini buses are paid for in CASH when you board. There are also no daily passes or tickets, and you’ll have to buy individual tickets per journey. It’s important to know that the longest journey a bus in Santorini will make is 30 minutes. All buses are air-conditioned, modern and clean.
3) Walking
Depending on where you’re staying, walking is an option for getting around Santorini. However, your feet can only take you so far!
If you’re staying in Oia, you can do the coastal walk to Thira, and split your time between the two. This means you won’t need any public transport or car hire for the duration of your trip to Santorini.
It’s by far the cheapest way to get around Santorini, but if you want to explore further afield, you might need to consider hiring a car.
4) Hiring an ATV
As Santorini is small, ATVs/quads are a popular way to get around the island. And of course, they’re the most fun! Just note that making journeys whilst driving an ATV takes a lot longer than driving a car. An average-sized bike won’t go much faster than 60mph (whilst the majority were going way slower than that!)
If you want to hire an ATV in Santorini, you’ll need to have a driving license for at least a year. If you’re from the UK, you don’t need to apply for an international driving license. But if you’re from the US or out of Europe, you will.
If you are hiring an ATV, make sure to layer up with sun cream. We found it became so hot, so quickly, and your skin will be exposed to the sun all day. And the Santorini sun is hot!
💸 ATVs will set you back around 40-100 EUR a day, depending on who you hire from, and how early you book! I highly recommend pre-booking if you are on a budget, as the only ATVs left for us were 100 EUR per day. Pre-book, people!
5) Taking a taxi
On the days when we didn’t have a car, we used taxis (or walked if we could). Taxis in Santorini are great, and journeys don’t last long, but they’re expensive. There are no metres, so you can ask what the fixed fare is before you ride.
💸 We found short journeys, even 10 minutes long would cost at least 20-30 EUR. This is way out of our backpacker budget, so we only used them when it was absolutely necessary.
However, taxis in Santorini are safe and easy to get. There are plenty around and they are all marked clearly. It’s a good option if you don’t drive and are solo backpacking, especially for journeys to and from the airport.
Related post: Experiencing Santorini on a budget
Getting from Santorini Airport to your hotel
Most hotels will offer a transfer service from the airport, and if you’re staying in Thira, it shouldn’t cost more than 20-30 EUR. If your hotel is trying to charge more than this, they are overcharging you.
Cancel your transfer and just pick up a taxi at the airport when you arrive. As I mentioned previously, taxis are all at fixed rates, so just check the price before you start your journey.
Alternatively, you can order an Uber from Santorini airport to your hotel or arrange to pick up your hire car from the airport.
| Tip
🚘 For more convenient transportation option check out GetTransfer! Compare prices and book your transfer in advance (minimising any last-minute stress!)
Parking in Santorini
Parking can be a bit of a problem in Fira and Oia due to the sheer amount of traffic and cars. Try and use your accommodation spaces to park up for the end of the day.
However, there is lots of free parking in Santorini in the main towns and villages. It can get busy, but in general, you can find a spot to squeeze into. Parking on the street is also allowed, as long as you don’t block the road.
Don’t have a car? We rent our cars across Europe from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN SANTORINI NOW!
Navigating around Santorini
Google Maps and by using your phone’s GPS is the best way to get around Santorini. My biggest tip is to download an eSim before driving in Santorini. This means you can have access to 4G/5G whilst walking or driving around the island, avoiding any chances of getting lost or off track.
It’s especially important for solo travellers to stay safe whilst travelling Santorini, as you can use the eSIM for calls and texts.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
Getting around Santorini: FAQs
1) What is the best way to get around in Santorini?
The best way to get around Santorini is by hiring a car. Taxis and buses are available across the island, but taxis can be expensive, and local buses might take a bit longer to reach your destination. However, the buses are clean and modern, and are exceptionally cheap!
Don’t have a car? We rent our cars across Europe from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN SANTORINI NOW!
2) Is Uber available in Santorini?
Yes, Uber is now available in Santorini.
3) What is driving around Santorini like?
In Santorini, they drive on the right-hand side of the road (the opposite of the UK). This can take some getting used to but is easy enough when you’ve been driving around for a bit.
Some of the roads can be quite narrow, have windy turns and are usually uphill, but again, you get used to it. Oh, and the Greek way of driving is pretty chaotic. Just be prepared!
The majority of roads are in a good condition, but some of the smaller village roads did have a few potholes to avoid. Fuel is expensive, but as the island is quite small, you shouldn’t have to top up too many times.
As you know, hiring an ATV is a popular way to get around Santorini, so keep an eye out for the quads that come out of nowhere!
4) Is it easy to get a taxi in Santorini?
Yes, there are plenty of taxis in Santorini, especially in the main towns and villages. If you need a taxi in Santorini, you can wave them down from wherever you are. Uber is also available in Santorini.
Are taxis in Santorini expensive? Yes, most trips in Santorini will cost at least 20 EUR+, even for short journeys! Avoid expensive taxis by hiring your own car when visiting Santorini.
5) Can I get around Santorini without a car?
It is possible to get around Santorini without a car, but hiring a car may make it easier. Taxis and buses are available across the island, but taxis can be expensive, and local buses might take a bit longer to reach your destination. However, the buses are clean and modern, and are exceptionally cheap!
Don’t have a car? We rent our cars across Europe from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN SANTORINI NOW!
6) How many days in Santorini is enough?
If you are visiting Santorini for the first time, 3-5 days is a good amount of time. If you enjoy relaxing and laying by the sea or pool, Santorini is the perfect place to unwind for 5 days. If you’re someone who seeks a little more adventure, you may want to cut your time down to 3 days, as it’s a small island and you can become restless quickly.
7) How big is Santorini?
As it’s only a small Greek island and is about 16km long and about 12km wide. Its total area is just under 80 km², and driving from one end to the other takes just 40 minutes!
Getting around Santorini: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about how to get around Santorini. When you’re planning a trip to Santorini, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Santorini content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling,
Jennie 😀 x
🇬🇷 Other Santorini posts:
LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT!
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
Thanks so much. This has been very helpful.