Car Rental in Santorini

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Santorini, Greece
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Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
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500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Santorini Airport
Mini
Renault Twingo or similar
Renault Twingo
  • 4
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
WheeGo
$7.29 / per day
Santorini Airport
Economy
Hyundai i20 or similar
Hyundai i20
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
GreenMotion
$8.89 / per day
Santorini Airport
Mini Elite
Fiat Panda or similar
Fiat Panda
  • 4
  • 1
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
Dirent a car Greece
$10.57 / per day
Santorini Airport
Compact
Peugeot 208 or similar
Peugeot 208
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Idea Mobility
$12.21 / per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Santorini Airport
Economy Elite
Suzuki Swift or similar
Suzuki Swift
  • 4
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
EXER
$14.16 / per day
Santorini Airport
Intermediate
Peugeot 301 or similar
Peugeot 301
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
Yours Car Rental
$16.05 / per day
Santorini Airport
Compact Elite
Ford Fiesta or similar
Ford Fiesta
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Surprice
$20.10 / per day
Santorini Airport
Special
Smart ForTwo or similar
Smart ForTwo
  • 2
  • 1
  • 2
  • A/C
  • Auto.
DRIVE S.A.
$32.12 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 19:35 on 2024-03-27. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.

Travel Information

Languages
Greek
Currency
EUR
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+30
Average car rental price
$15 per day
Average car rental length
5 days
Speed limit within town
50 km/h or 31 mph
Speed limit out of town
90 - 130 km/h or 56 - 81 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Rating
9.4 / 10
Average gasoline price
$2.17 per liter or $8.20 / 1 gallon
Lowest gasoline price
$1.98 per liter or $7.50 / 1 gallon
Highest gasoline price
$2.28 per liter or $8.65 / 1 gallon

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.

Santorini

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 destinations 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.

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.

  • Athen:. 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

  • Convertibles - from $25 per day
  • Station wagons - from $35 per day
  • Large cars - from $13 per day
  • Medium cars - from $11 per day
  • Vans - from $46 per day
  • Premium cars - from $107 per day
  • Small cars - from $7 per day
  • SUVs - from $19 per day

Money-saving 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!
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Fact checked by
Dave Briggs
Dave's a travel writer from the UK who's been living in Greece since 2015. He's written hundreds of travel blog posts and itineraries for Greece on his blog at Dave’s Travel Pages. Follow Dave on social media for travel inspiration from Greece and beyond.

Top 20 Cities near Santorini

  1. 40.3 km / 25.0 miles away
  2. 79.1 km / 49.2 miles away
  3. 81.9 km / 50.9 miles away
  4. 99.2 km / 61.6 miles away
  5. 115.8 km / 72.0 miles away
  6. 126.5 km / 78.6 miles away
  7. 139.7 km / 86.8 miles away
  8. 150.5 km / 93.5 miles away
  9. 162.1 km / 100.7 miles away
  10. 162.2 km / 100.8 miles away
  11. 174.4 km / 108.4 miles away
  12. 185.3 km / 115.1 miles away
  13. 191.7 km / 119.1 miles away
  14. 218.4 km / 135.7 miles away
  15. 221.0 km / 137.3 miles away
  16. 223.9 km / 139.1 miles away
  17. 233.3 km / 145.0 miles away
  18. 234.9 km / 146.0 miles away
  19. 236.1 km / 146.7 miles away
  20. 240.5 km / 149.4 miles away

Top 20 Locations near Santorini

  1. 4.5 km / 2.8 miles away
  2. 74.8 km / 46.5 miles away
  3. 76.4 km / 47.5 miles away
  4. 81.9 km / 50.9 miles away
  5. 95.4 km / 59.3 miles away
  6. 115.8 km / 72.0 miles away
  7. 117.6 km / 73.1 miles away
  8. 123.1 km / 76.5 miles away
  9. 150.5 km / 93.5 miles away
  10. 170.3 km / 105.8 miles away
  11. 191.7 km / 119.1 miles away
  12. 218.4 km / 135.7 miles away
  13. 223.3 km / 138.8 miles away
  14. 223.9 km / 139.1 miles away
  15. 230.0 km / 142.9 miles away
  16. 233.3 km / 145.0 miles away
  17. 233.3 km / 145.0 miles away
  18. 233.9 km / 145.3 miles away
  19. 234.7 km / 145.8 miles away

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Santorini?

Car rental prices in Santorini vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Average rental costs per day in Santorini
$23.76
January
$27.46
February
$20.00
March
$23.96
April
$33.00
May
$41.51
June
$54.47
July
$57.39
August
$38.61
September
$23.43
October
$22.12
November
$22.51
December
The cheapest month to rent a car in Santorini is March (when prices average $20.00 per day). This is 38% cheaper than the yearly average and 65% cheaper than renting in August (when prices average $57.39).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the usual rental length in Santorini?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in April, the average renter keeps their car for 5 days, and in January, they keep their car for 3 days.
Average number of rental days in Santorini
3
January
4
February
4
March
5
April
5
May
5
June
5
July
5
August
5
September
5
October
4
November
4
December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Santorini?

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Santorini is July, and the least popular is January.
Monthly searches in Santorini by pick-up date relative to the average
7%
January
9%
February
15%
March
95%
April
123%
May
184%
June
205%
July
198%
August
177%
September
145%
October
29%
November
13%
December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations 6
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers CarQ, Autounion, Avance, Centauro, Yours Car Rental
Popular car categories Small cars, Medium cars, SUVs, Convertibles
Lowest price $7 per day
Cheapest supplier WheeGo

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
CarQ Fiat Panda 4 2 Small cars
Avance Fiat Panda 5 1 Small cars
Autounion Citroen C1 4 1 Small cars
Centauro Fiat 500 3 1 Small cars
Yours Car Rental Kia Picanto 5 1 Small cars
Alma Car Hire Suzuki Celerio 5 1 Small cars
WheeGo Renault Twingo 5 1 Small cars
SKG Rent A Car Peugeot 108 5 1 Small cars
Avance Citroen C3 5 1 Small cars
Avance Peugeot 108 5 1 Small cars

Our Customers' Reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.

Bulgaria
Fiat Tipo
October 25, 2023
The trip was so exciting and the island of Santorini is amazing place!
Canada
Peugeot 308
October 16, 2023
Drove all over the island, checked out beaches small towns and of course Fira and OIa.it was relaxing, inter3stign and fun.
Belgium
Citroen C3
October 13, 2023
Thanks to our rental car, we could go to places the public bus doesn't go, like the prophet Elias monistary (heighest point of the island) and the Akrotiri lighthouse. We also visited ancient Akrotiri, Red Beach, Oia, Firostefani, Fira, Imerovigli and Kamari. We had a lovely trip!
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Yaris
September 24, 2023
We stayed in Akrotiri away from the craziness in Oia and Fira. We visited those places during our stay but preferred the relative quietness of Akrotiri.
United Kingdom
Fiat Panda
June 19, 2023
Everything was spot on
Israel
Hyundai i20
May 6, 2023
Santorini is a dream place with amazing people.
Spain
Fiat 500
September 18, 2021
Rent a car is must in Santorini. A 500s will take you everywhere although there are some roads that you really need to be really carefull like red/black beach access.
United Kingdom
Nissan Pixo
August 23, 2020
Get a car and get around.

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
WheeGo
8.9 / 10
)
Lowest rated company
Goldcar
6.8 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
51
Total rental companies
35
Average daily price
$15.17
Lowest daily price
$7.29
Total cars available
612

Top 35 Suppliers in Santorini in 2024

Avance
Avance
Very good 8.9 / 260 reviews
1 location
$14 - $71
WheeGo
WheeGo
Very good 8.9 / 46 reviews
3 locations
$7 - $38
DRIVE S.A.
DRIVE S.A.
Very good 8.9 / 13 reviews
1 location
$11 - $35
CarQ
CarQ
Very good 8.8 / 265 reviews
1 location
$11 - $24
AddCar
AddCar
Very good 8.8 / 80 reviews
1 location
$11 - $17
Alamo
Alamo
Very good 8.8 / 16 reviews
1 location
$18 - $58
Autounion
Autounion
Very good 8.6 / 222 reviews
2 locations
$16 - $638
SIXT
SIXT
Very good 8.6 / 73 reviews
2 locations
$19 - $58
Surprice
Surprice
Very good 8.5 / 71 reviews
3 locations
$13 - $29
Thrifty
Thrifty
Very good 8.5 / 38 reviews
2 locations
$20 - $64
Budget
Budget
Very good 8.5 / 14 reviews
2 locations
$19 - $43
Yours Car Rental
Yours Car Rental
Very good 8.4 / 50 reviews
1 location
$10 - $16
Cargini
Cargini
Very good 8.4 / 4 reviews
1 location
$12 - $26
Selecta rent a car
Selecta rent a car
Very good 8.3 / 4 reviews
3 locations
$12 - $80
Dirent a car Greece
Dirent a car Greece
Very good 8.2
1 location
$10 - $105
Keddy
Keddy
Very good 8.1 / 12 reviews
1 location
$14 - $977
Europcar
Europcar
Very good 8.1 / 8 reviews
1 location
$14 - $951
Enterprise
Enterprise
Very good 8.1
1 location
$16 - $67
Centauro
Centauro
Very good 8 / 152 reviews
1 location
$10 - $32
Global Rent a Car
Global Rent a Car
Very good 8 / 35 reviews
1 location
Hertz
Hertz
Very good 8 / 6 reviews
2 locations
$22 - $107
Carwiz
Carwiz
Very good 8
1 location
$9 - $30
OTOQ
OTOQ
Very good 8
1 location
$16 - $26
National
National
Good 7.9
1 location
$23 - $75
Avis
Avis
Good 7.7 / 6 reviews
3 locations
$21 - $48
Idea Mobility
Idea Mobility
Good 7.7 / 4 reviews
1 location
$9 - $12
drive365
drive365
Good 7.7
1 location
$20 - $21
Alma Car Hire
Alma Car Hire
Good 7.5 / 118 reviews
1 location
$11 - $16
SKG Rent A Car
SKG Rent A Car
Good 7.4 / 52 reviews
2 locations
$16 - $128
ACARENT
ACARENT
Good 7.4 / 8 reviews
2 locations
$10 - $65
Finalrentals
Finalrentals
Good 7.4
1 location
$16 - $52
Interrent
Interrent
Good 7.4
1 location
GreenMotion
GreenMotion
Good 7.2
3 locations
$9 - $29
EXER
EXER
Good 7 / 45 reviews
1 location
$12 - $58
Goldcar
Goldcar
Satisfactory 6.8 / 5 reviews
1 location
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