Car Rental in Santorini

Why rent a car in Santorini?

Santorini is a great place to visit. Small, but incredibly picturesque, the volcanic island has a wealth of coastal and inland scenery to explore and enjoy. The island is also known as Thira, or Thera. Its capital and main town, Fira, is arguably the most beautiful island town of Greece, but getting a rental car will let you travel even further and explore historic sites and nature areas that cannot be reached by public transportation.

Top ways to enter Santorini

• By plane: Flights from various countries arrive at Santorini (Thira) International Airport. One of the fastest-growing airports in Greece, it served 2.7 million travelers in 2022, a 78% increase from the previous year. It is located 5 km (3 miles) southeast of Fira, and you can drive into town in about ten minutes.
• By ferry: There are numerous ferry connections between Santorini and other nearby islands. Some of these islands also have airports, so you can fly to another island, take a ferry to Santorini, and fly home from Santorini. Islands near Santorini with international airports include Mykonos, Paros, and Crete, while Naxos and Milos also have domestic airports where you can fly to from Athens. If you are planning to hire a car and take it on a ferry, you should first ask your rental car provider if they allow it. A better idea might be to take a ferry as a passenger and to hire different rental cars on all the islands you are visiting.  It’s also important to look up the ferry schedule in advance. Ferry services are frequent during the spring, summer and autumn months.

City facts

• Santorini has warm, dry summers and cool winters. The average high temperature is 29 °C  (84 °F) in July and August, the warmest months, and 14 °C  (57 °F) in January and February. Precipitation is relatively high in December and January, but there’s virtually no rain from June to August.
• Santorini was home to the Minoan civilization which is considered to be the oldest civilization of Europe. The reasons for its eventual demise are unclear, but one of the factors that might have contributed to its final end on Santorini was the Minoan volcanic eruption that occurred about 3,600 years ago. Often considered one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in the history of the planet, it significantly changed the face of Santorini and its surrounding islands; its effects were recorded not only by Greeks, but also Ancient Egyptians on the other side of the Mediterranean. After a while, Santorini became populated again, first by Phoenicians and Dorian Greeks, and later by rulers like Romans, Ottomans, and Venetians.
• Santorini is a culinary destination, famous for its varied and delicious cuisine. Some of the local specialties include fava, a type of split yellow pea, brantada, a cod fillet mixed with flour, salt, and garlic salad; koskosela, chopped and fried tomatoes and eggplants with olive oil and eggs; and melitinia, little pies made of local cheese, eggs, flour and sugar. Santorini is also famous for its delicious wine, like the local assyrtiko and vinsanto.

Top sights and activities

• See the sunset from Oia village: Oia, sometimes referred to as Ia, is a small village which is famous around the world for its stunning sunset views. It’s a popular destination, and gets very busy during the summer. If you’re visiting earlier in the day, you will love the iconic white churches with blue domes and cozy cafes facing the Aegean Sea.
• Take a sunset cruise: One of the best ways to enjoy the island and its famous sunset is to take a sailing tour. There are several companies offering this service, which is an unforgettable experience.
• Wander around the capital, Fira: Fira is the main settlement of Santorini, and also one of the island’s main tourist attractions. Its architecture is a splendid mixture of Cycladic and Venetian influences. There are a few museums you can visit, such as the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, where you can learn about the island’s past. Much of the island’s nightlife also takes place in and around Fira.
• Hike from Fira to Oia: This 10 km (6.2 mile) hike is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Santorini if you love the outdoors. If you are visiting in summer, you should start early in the day, as it gets too hot after 10.30 - 11.00 am.

Traffic and parking

• There are no highways, toll roads, or national roads on Santorini.
• Most of the roads on Santorini are narrow and have many twists and turns. While the larger roads are in good shape, the smaller roads might have poor surfacing and potholes. Be careful when driving on them, especially after dark.
• Speed limits in Santorini are low. It’s best to keep at 50km/h (31 mph), and even lower in populated and built-up areas.
• Many gas stations might be closed during weekends and public holidays. 
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.
• There are designated parking areas everywhere on the island, including outside the villages. However, parking in popular destinations, like Oia, can be a challenge.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l for experienced drivers and 0.2 g/l for novice drivers. Exceeding these limits can lead to high fines and a license ban. Exceeding the limit of 0.8 g/l is a criminal offense and can lead to imprisonment.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation need to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The general emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112. The police number is 100, the ambulance number is 166, and the fire brigade number is 199.

Toll roads

There are no toll roads in Santorini.

Ideas for day trips

• Archeological Site of Akrotiri: An important historical site, it is one of the best-preserved ancient settlements in Greece. The excavation is still in progress, but wall frescoes, golden ritual objects, and vases made by the original Minoan inhabitants have been found there and can be observed by visitors. The opening times change quite frequently, however, so it’s a good idea to check them in advance on the official website. Located in the southwestern part of the island, Akrotiri is just 10km (6 miles) from Fira and can be reached in about 15 minutes. After seeing the excavation, explore the Red Beach and other beaches in the area.
• The island’s wineries: The small volcanic island has well over a dozen wineries. Some people choose to take an organized winery tour, but it is also possible to drive around the island and visit the wineries you are mostly interested in.
• The beaches in Santorini: Apart from the strange volcanic landscapes, long history, and amazing sunset views, Santorini is also a beach destination. There are plenty of beaches to choose from, too. You can explore the hip and busy Kamari and Perissa Beaches with the iconic black-gray sand, the picturesque Akrotiri Red Beach that’s great for snorkeling, the relaxed Baxedes Beach, and the White Beach. Jump in your rental car and drive up or down the coast - you’ll soon find a picturesque shore that will feel perfect for you.
• The inland villages: A rental car will offer flexibility if you want to explore the numerous villages in Santorini. One of the best villages to drive to is Pyrgos Kallistis. It is the highest point in Santorini, with a Venetian castle and an old monastery. The last part of the way cannot be done by car, so you’ll have to walk up and enjoy the quaint architecture and impressive views from the top. Pyrgos is just 5 km (3 miles) southeast of Fira, and is only a ten minute drive. 
• Vothonas: A small village that’s something of a hidden gem, Vothonas is best known for the fact that many of its buildings are carved into the local cliffs. Try and catch the morning market, where you can buy fresh fish and other seafood from local fishermen. Vothonas is only 4 km (2 miles) from Fira and takes less than 10 minutes to reach up the narrow and rocky road.
• Thirassia. A small neighboring island, Thirassia was actually a part of Santorini until a volcanic explosion broke it off about 3,000 years ago. Maintaining close ties with the main island, Thirassia can be accessed on a short boat ride with some ferries allowing you to bring a vehicle with you (although that might be unnecessary since the island is so small; if you do want to go by car, ask your rental car supplier in advance if they permit it). Once on the island, you can explore its ancient monasteries, rugged cliffs, and fantastic views of the sea.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Santorini is the Toyota Aygo, although many travelers also go for the Hyundai i10 and the Toyota Yaris 5d. The most popular rental car types are mini, economy, and compact.

Further destinations

• Naxos: The largest of Cycladic islands, Naxos is home to historical sites like Apollo’s Gate and the Temple of Demeter. There are also great opportunities for water sports like surfing and snorkeling. Most visitors visit Naxos’ northern and central part, but with a rental car, you can also drive to see its less explored, sparsely populated south, as well as the east coast.
• Paros: Another nearby island that can be reached by ferry, Paros is great for either exploring its nightlife or enjoying the tranquility on one of its less busy beaches. On top of that, it is also a water sports hub and one of the best places in all of Greece for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Do keep in mind that, as with Naxos and other islands, the ferries tend to sell out very quickly during the high season, so booking tickets well in advance is a wise choice.
• Crete.: By far the largest Greek island, Crete is famous for its Minoan, Byzantine, Ottoman and Venetian heritage that can still be felt in the island’s architecture and cuisine. But even if history is not your thing, there’s plenty to enjoy from countless beautiful beaches to impressive nature areas like the Gorge of Samaria or Balos Beach. Heraklion, the island’s largest city and capital, is the best place to arrive if you’re coming from Santorini.
• Athens:. Athens was the home of Classical Greece. Here, you will see several ancient sites like the Acropolis, the Theater of Dionysus, the Ancient Agora and Plato’s Academy. But there’s much more to Athens than just history, and its many public gardens, contemporary art centers, and various restaurants are a joy to explore. After visiting Athens, you can travel to see the rest of Continental Greece, from the Peloponnese in the southwest to Thessaloniki in the north.
• Note: While it is possible to go from Santorini to Naxos, Athens, and other places in Greece by ferry, most rental car providers will not permit bringing a car on one, even if you would later return the car in Santorini. A better idea is to go as a passenger and to pick up a new rental car after arriving at your destination.

Car rental prices in Santorini

• Small cars - from $14 per day
• Medium cars - from $25 per day
• Large cars - from $28 per day
• SUVs - from $36 per day
• Station wagons - from $65 per day
• Convertibles - from $37 per day
• Vans - from $65 per day
• Premium cars - from $221 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are things you can do to land a great rental car in Santorini:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting the island is the cheapest in June when renting a car is about 38% cheaper than the yearly average. Come visit Santorini in the early summertime!