How To Get Around Santorini: A Beginner’s Guide
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Looking at how to get around Santorini? Look no further – I’ve detailed all of the ways you can get around Santorini with ease!
When you think of a dreamy holiday destination, the Greek islands never seem to be too far from our minds!
It won’t take long before you reach a photo of an iconic blue dome and white building on your Instagram explore page.
Getting around Santorini is relatively easy (if you know how), and there are a number of ways you can travel around the island.
In this post, I’ve listed how to get around Santorini, depending on your budget.
So, let’s get started!
Backpacking Europe? Check out my other guides here:
- Where to Stay in Santorini (Detailed Area Guide)
- Best Backpack For Interrailing: Ultimate Europe Backpack Guide
- Interrailing Italy: Ultimate Guide and Route
- Interrailing Routes 3 Weeks: FOUR Routes You’ll Love!
- Best Time To Go Interrailing (Europe) 2022 Guide: MUST-READ!
How to get around Santorini: Cars, Buses, ATVs and Taxis
To put it simply, depending on your budget you can:
- Rent a car
- Hire an ATV
- Jump on a local bus
- Pay for a taxi
- Rent a motorbike
Note – Uber does not exist on Santorini (yet!) We ordered our taxis from the concierge in reception.
Some people pay for luxury hotels in Santorini and don’t really need to leave their front door. But if you’re like me and need to explore, you’ll have to find a way to get around Santorini, and these are your best options.
Most budget-friendly way to get around Santorini: 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.
At the time of writing this post (March 2022), 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.
Overall best way to get around Santorini: Rent a car
Renting a car in Santorini is the best way to get around the island.
Not only is it flexible and you’re in total control, but it’s way faster than an ATV and has air conditioning!
(I know ATV’s are fun, but they are way slower when compared to a car)
💸 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 our hotel, and you can just ask at reception.
🗺️ My worldwide must-have: I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!
Most fun way to get around Santorini: Hire 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 had 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 suncream and whack some in your bag. Your skin will be exposed to the sun ALL day – and the Santorini sun is HOT! So stock up.
💸 ATVs will set you back around 60-100 EUR a day, depending on who you hire from, and how early you book!
I highly recommend pre-booking, as the only ATVs left for us were 100 EUR per day. Pre-book, people!
🗺️ My worldwide must-have: If you’re solo travelling, don’t forget to take earphones for busy public transport. Listening to a podcast or tuning out from the noise is a lifesaver on a busy city trip!
Most expensive way to get around Santorini: Taxi
On the days when we didn’t hire 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 adds up if you use a few a day!
I wouldn’t recommend using taxis unless you have to.
🗺️ My worldwide must-have: Solo travelling on your worldwide trip? Stay safe by carrying your cash or card in a money belt. I know it sounds silly, but Europe can be chaotic and pickpockets are known to work in busy areas. it’s better to be safe than sorry!
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.
🗺️ My worldwide must-have: A wheelie backpack! Check out my favourite, the Osprey 65L wheeled backpack. It’s dreamy for long-term trips and when you need more than a carry-on!
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!
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!
🗺️ My worldwide must-have: Solo travelling but still want to take photos? 📸 I’ve found the most perfect adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up (you don’t want any awkward moments alone, I know how it feels!)
Parking on the island
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. If you’re out and about exploring,
so I suggest that you take advantage of accommodation on the cheaper side of the island near Perissa where you can more easily park closer to your accommodation at the end of the day.
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 around 40 minutes.
Getting around Santorini: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it!
All the ways to get around Santorini and the best ways to do it.
If you have a question about getting around Santorini, let me know in the comments below or contact me on Instagram!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
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Hey you! 🙋♀️ I quit my job in 2021 to become a full-time travel blogger + visit as much of the globe as possible. Come and join me on my chaotic and hilarious travel journeys!
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