Personally, I think that if you have more than a couple of days on the island, driving around Santorini is the best way to go. If you want to pre-book a taxi in Santorini, I recommend using Welcome. Tickets must be purchased from your driver before departure. If taking a taxi to spend a day at a beach, you can ask the driver about a pickup later in the day. ATVs, scooter and motorcycles, quad bikes all from around 15-25 a day. As Santorini is small, ATVs/quads are a popular way to get around the island. Small boats (caques) can be hired from busier beaches to reach smaller and inaccessible ones for a modest fee. The bus company that runs services on Santorini is called KTEL. This travel guide to getting around Santorini gives you all the information you need to work out which method might be best for you. Imcurrently travelling around the world with my boyfriend(read morehere! Check out my other guides: Follow me on Instagram! Ask about e-bikes, which are becoming more available on the island, unless the many hills fit into your training scheme for the Tour de France. Answered: Hello, this August me and my girlfriend are traveling to Santorini for 4 nights. To cycle from Fira to the south areas (Pyrgos, Akrotiri, Perivolos and Kamari), will it be difficult? A comprehensive network of buses covers Santorini. Taxi fares from the Santorini airport are 35 to 40 for Oia, 20-30 for Fira. This fleet of Santorini buses covers the main places and points of interest on the island, from the main towns to the most touristic beaches, as well as Santorinis international airport. Greece is a wonderful family-friendly destination and the locals adore kids. The island's small size means distances and journey times are short and options are many. LOCAL BUS. By Lex Harvey Transportation Reporter Sun . Keep an eye out for more Santorini content,all written from a personal and realistic point of view. This has been very helpful. Remember that Santorini is an island full of natural wonders, pristine beaches and charming little villages. My name is Pavlos and I come from the beautiful country called Greece. More importantly, it doesnt cost you anything extra. Getting around Santorini is easy. Renting a car is the best way to travel in Santorini. Taxis are plentiful and affordable. 4) Is it easy to get a taxi in Santorini? Try to get at least a 125cc; the island, in fact, has significant slopes: a 50cc, with two people, would make it difficult. From 01 June to 31 August from 06:30 to 22:40, runs every 20 . If you don't want the hassle of driving yourself around Santorini, perhaps an organized tour might be a better fit. And it doesnt take long before reaching a photo of an iconic blue dome on your Instagram Explore page. Check out my ebook page (click here!) Depending on what your budget is, you can do the following to get around Santorini: To get a feel of the local buses in Santorini you can watch my video from the Santorini Local Bus Central Station at Fira: Riding an ATV is the funnest option to get around on the island for many people but it can be more unsafe and potentially dangerous as they are not that stable. This means you wont need any public transport or car hire for the duration of your trip to Santorini. 5) Can I get around Santorini without a car? "name": "Is there public transport on Santorini? From exquisite waters, picturesque villages, and remarkable hillsides to fascinating nightlife and stunning sunsets, Santorini has everything to be called the top . But as I said, the best thing you can do is basically rent your own car its going to make your life a million times easier while on the island. We offer the best prices for rent a scooter in Santorini & top quality scooter Santorini rental services. We thought the best way to get around would be to rent a scooter, but the problem is that I'm 19 and she is 18, we both have B and AM drivers license. Also, be careful of the hundreds of quad bikes that may come out of nowhere, This is how driving in Santorini looks like:https://www.youtube.com/embed/AukTQtjixjI?feature=oembed&start&end&wmode=opaque&loop=0&controls=1&mute=0&rel=0&modestbranding=0. Its a small island, but if you want to travel between the towns, youre going to need a mode of transport. Its 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. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Enjoy and have fun! Can we pay for 3 bus tickets in 1 transaction, or does each family member have to pay for their own ticket separately? However, at any time of the year, you should be able to rent an ATV for as low as 25 per day, with prices in the low season going all the way down to . Santorini is a relatively small Greek island, and it is about 16km long and about 12km at its widest area. So you have to hurry up, otherwise you may have to wait up to 30mins for a taxi to come back from another route. "text": "There are just 25 taxis on the entire island of Santorini. As far as exploring goes, most of the island's highlights will be in and around the villages - food, shopping, sightseeing, sunset spots, photos, etc. If you decide to buy items through these links, you will be helping Dave to fund this site and perhaps the next adventure. I had some questions about Luggage. ), Ferryhopperis the best website to book your ferry tickets or check the timetables for Santorini, Mykonos , Crete& all greek islands, Get Your Guidehas the best and largest variety of Tours in Athens and the greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete etc), Rentalcars is the easiest way to rent a car or a quad for Greece with thousands of available options, Expediahas all the available flights to and from the greek islands. What is the charge? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Thank you! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The best way to get around Santorini is, undoubtedly, the scooter (especially if you are a couple). When traveling in the off-season, the buses are an excellent way to get from place to place in Santorini. Route from Fira to Athinios Port: Stops at: Fira, Karterados, Messaria, Vothonas and Athinios Port for 2,30. Should we rent a car? Some of the roads can be quite narrow, have windy turns and are usually uphill, but again, you get used to it. LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN SANTORINI NOW! Greece is a culinary paradise heres a cheat sheet on how to start sampling. 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. "text":"No, there is no UBER in Santorini or any other ride sharing apps or companies. Also can you say a little about parking on the island? However, taxis in Santorini are safe and easy to get. Are child fares the same price as adults? Be the architect of your own trip as you discover the best things to do in Greece through insider tips, suggested itineraries and handy maps. And the Santorini sun is hot! Route from Fira to Oia: Direct route for 1.80. }] Akrotiri to Fira (Getting around Santorini, all the ways!) Visitors have three basic options for getting around Santorini; they can either rent a car or a moped, they can take taxis wherever they go, or they can travel on the local bus system. I know I was when we road-tripped Scotland! As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog! Travel times are short. Service is frequent in summer when cruise ships dock here, less so other times. 14 Incredible Things To Do On Santorini, Greece - The Common Wanderer If you have a tendency to get sunburn, you might want to think twice about heading out on a quad on day one when you visit Santorini! July 8, 2023, 4:10 PM PDT. I was actually born in Athens and I have been to almost all of the greek islands and pretty much most of mainland Greece. Cons: It can be more expensive You might be scared to drive through the narrow streets of Santorini You might have to worry about parking (especially at the top attractions during the high season). HOW TO GET AROUND SANTORINI| Local bus, ATV or Scooter . Do I need insurance to drive a quad bike in Santorini?Yes, insurance is compulsory to drive a quad bike in Santorini. Man on scooter shoots people seemingly at random in New York, kills one The main bus station is in Fira. You can take the bus to pretty much every major town or attraction (including Oia) but the thing is that you dont get a bus whenever you want it and things can get pretty busy and chaotic during the hot summer months of July, August and September. Visiting Santorini? As our hotel was near the airport, we chose to rent an ATV to get around the island. Here are just a few of them: Flexibility and freedom: By renting a car, you will have the freedom to explore the island at your own pace. All buses are air-conditioned, modern and clean. For example, the footpath from the cruise ship docks at Fira Skala up to Fira has over 600 steps. Your email address will not be published. However, the buses are clean and modern, and are exceptionally cheap! Bear in mind this is literally a 10 mins drive and any taxi shouldnt charge you more than30 eurosin any case. "text": "It is possible to get around Santorini without a car, but it is the most expensive way to do so. Cheapest way to get around Santorini and easy to use. Taking thebus in Santoriniis obviously the cheapest way to move around as with around 2 euros you can go pretty much to all the big towns and main attractions. BEST Areas to Stay in Santorini: Complete Area Guide, Putney To Richmond, London: Step-By-Step Guide (2023), Quito To The Galapagos: Easy Step-By-Step Guide (2023), Backpacking Ecuador: COMPLETE Guide For 2023, 3 Days In Quito: The PERFECT Itinerary (2023), Quito To Guayaquil: Full Guide & Transport Options (2023). "@type": "FAQPage", Its also good to know that there is no UBER or Lyft in Santorini ! Transports and Getting Around SantoriniGUIDE 2023 SHOPPING | CONTACT | NEWS | SUBSCRIBE. As someone whos a sucker for a good view, but hates heights, Helm Crag is one of my favourite walks in the entire Lake District National Park. Its honetly going to be the best option. Compare prices, read reviews, rent a scooter with the Best Price Guarantee on our website! Taxis are plentiful and affordable. Id also say that renting a car in Santorini is also a much safer option from a quad bike or an ATV and it is probably cheaper after all than taking a taxi all the time. "name": "Is there Uber in Santorini? Taxis are the best options if you dont want to wait for hours for the local bus. Fira Athinios Port Express Route: Direct Fira to Athinios Port for 2.30. Getting around in Santorini - Lonely Planet In my opinion, taxis in Santorini do have their uses in some circumstances. The trains are clean, efficient and fast, and looking out the window as you travel through the country is an activity, Read More Interrailing Switzerland: Route, Itinerary and GuideContinue, Where to find Highland Cows in Scotland: Looking for Highland Cows in Scotland? "name": "Can you get around Santorini without a car? Forget the TTC: Some of the oddball ways riders get around Toronto But you have to consider that most of the drivers on Santorini are tourist; that means that each one drives according to the laws and conventions of nearly every country in the world. A COMPLETE GUIDE TO IOS ISLAND, GREECE - Greece Travel Secrets Excursion boats will take you to the uninhabited volcanic islets in the middle of the caldera and may include a stop in Thirasia as well. 2-min read. Its very easy to rent a motorbike or scooter but there is an important caveat for non-EU residents youll need a motorcycle or motorbike license valid in your home country. In my honest opinion,the best way to get around Santorini is byrenting a car. Hi, What bus do I need to catch to go from Thira to Pyrgos? The majority of Santorini visitors opt to rent a car for . If youre staying in Oia, you can do the coastal walk to Thira, and split your time between the two. SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube Channel for Updated Guides and Videos for the Greek Islands! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, I'm Dave, and I've been creating helpful travel guides and itineraries for independent travelers on Dave's Travel Pages since 2005. Re: Renting a scooter vs. car vs. buggy? It is possible to get around Santorini without a car, but it is the most expensive way to do so. Paradise found: the best places to visit in Santorini, 13 tips to help you plan the perfect trip to Greece and the Greek Islands, Here's how you can visit Greece on a budget, Getting around Greece isn't a Herculean task with these top tips. Run by the national collective KTEL, services run throughout the day and you can get to most important places on the island, including the airport, for about 2 ($2.30; fares vary slightly depending on the distance of the trip). Santorini is an island with small streets and few places to park, thats why in our top 1 is the private transfer, you can see the availability here, move around without having to worry about driving or the constraints of schedules and public transport, you will not have to carry luggage or look for parking. As they are built on the beautiful caldera, keep in mind there may be more steps and stairs than you are accustomed to! Follow me on social media here! Our team of dedicated brokers ensure every charter is as individual as you are. Unlike other Cycladic islands, Santorini does not have an extensive network of dedicated hiking trails, but does have small local tracks to some places of interest. Best Backpack For Interrailing: Ultimate Europe Backpack Guide, Helm Crag Walk From Grasmere Everything You Need to Know, Jordan 7 Day Itinerary: The Perfect Week Trip (2023 Guide), Interrailing Switzerland: Route, Itinerary and Guide, Where to Find Highland Cows in Scotland (2023) Highland Cattle, Puerto Escondido in November: Weather, Tips + More (2023). The same applies to taking a taxi from the Santorini ferry port to your hotel. There are no metres, so you can ask what the fixed fare is before you ride. In regards to parking, I am not going to lie to you: it can be extremely difficult for Fira, Oia and Pyrgos in the hot season (June-October). Dont have a car? Jennie Wanders is part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The best and safest website to rent a car for Santorini is:RentalCars.Com. Google Maps and by using your phones GPS is the best way to get around Santorini. Route from Fira to Oia: Stops at: Fira, Pori Beach, Koloumpos Beach, Oia 1,80. I dont believe you will have any issues carrying your luggage as the cars can normally accommodate anything as they are regular sedans. Renting a car in Santorini is the best way to get around the island. Getting your own set of wheels to explore the secret coves and hidden wonders of this magical Mediterranean country is a must. The main thing to know is that each and every bus line that runs in Santorini stops at the main bus station in Fira, known as the central square. Avoid expensive taxis by hiring your own car when visiting Santorini. Get around By bicycle See Architecture Art Historic sights Other destinations Scenery and nature Do Beaches Other activities Scuba and Snorkeling Wineries Buy Eat Stay safe Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades group of the Greek islands. Santorini: Taxis & Rental Cars - Tripadvisor }, { Bicycle Touring Electronic Gear For Iceland. Best Way to Get Around Santorini: rent a car Santorini buses: The bus ticket costs 2.00-2.50 euros (depending on your destination) - check Santorini Buses Timetables here Best Website to Rent A Car in Santorini : RentalCars UBER and Lyft do not exist in Santorini (it's only available in Athens ) The longest drive on the island is about 40mins Theyre reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! Driving Scooters around Santorini - Santorini Forum - Tripadvisor Rental Car companies do have car seats for children. When you think of Scotland, chances are you think of the tartan kilts, eccentric bagpipes, tasty shortbread, Read More Where to Find Highland Cows in Scotland (2023) Highland CattleContinue, Backpacking Puerto Escondido in November? An option is to hire a car for just a couple of hours or one day to save money. Pros: You are more independent and you can go anywhere You can take it directly from the airport upon your arrival You can see the whole of the island in one day if you want! You can stop wherever you want, take pictures, explore the islands hidden spots and enjoy panoramic views that you wouldnt be able to experience any other way. How to get to Ios Try and use your accommodation spaces to park up for the end of the day. But how do you get around Santorini when you get there? Just like in the Alps, but with endless cerulean water-views replacing snowy vistas, a cable car system zips up and down the steep mountainside between the main town of Fira and the tiny port village of Fira Skala some 400m (1300ft) below. But to be honest if you are going to use a taxi for every place you want to visit then you are probably better of byrenting a caras it can become very expensive during the high season as prices sky-rocket. Cant decide which glorious Greek islands to include on your week-long itinerary? ESIMsare easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Santorini is not known for its beaches, so if you're island hopping, I recommend saving itinerary beach and boat days for island's with epic coastlines like Milos, Corfu, Crete, etc. }, { -You can pre-book taxis (but there is no UBER in Santorini). The Ultimate Self-Guided ATV Adventure Around Santorini During the day, you can explore the Akrotiri excavation site, see the Red Beach, taste the islands distinctive wines and marvel at a spectacular Oia sunset. There is also a very nice hiking route from Fira to Oia which follows the Santorini caldera. The main taxi station in Santorini is located in Fira Square. Route from Fira to Exo Gonia: Stops at: Fira, Monolithos Beach, Exo Gonia for 1,80. Tickets must be purchased from your driver before departure. January 9, 2023 by RealGreekExperiences. Also how about in the Fira area where its busy. Prince William has bought an electric scooter to travel around the Windsor estate. to see if theres a guide that suits you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe to get our latest content by email. "acceptedAnswer": { Greek Island Hopping | Greece Travel Itineraries | Bicycle Touring. A ticket seller will walk down the aisle selling the tickets as the bus leaves. Getting around in Santorini - Santorini View Public buses in Santorini are an excellent option for those looking for a cheap and easy way to travel around the island. Contact us ATVS October - April 30 Euro May & June 35 Euro July - August 40 Euro September 38 Euro Scooters 125cc October - April 22 Euro May & June 25 Euro July - August 30 Euro September 27 Euro Contact us Contact us Scooters 150cc Its generally not a bad idea to have some cash with you anywhere in Greece as sometimes the card machine may be broken, Hi Pavlos, My wife and I have been to Santorini 5 times, this June is our last. Relax or do sports activities, explore remote and hidden destinations. It's at this point a hire vehicle or other transportation options start to make a little more sense. The local buses on Santorini are called 'KTEL Buses' and they drive around the island the whole year-round. Are taxis in Santorini expensive? The most popular organized bus tour in Santorini is the Traditional Santorini Sightseeing Bus Tour with Oia Sunset. Also, ask your hotel for a bus schedule or advise on getting around Santorini by bus. Best beach and swimming weather: June to September Best sightseeing weather: March to June and September/October Where is Ios? 23 Things to Know Before Visiting Santorini, Greece - The Common Wanderer Getting around Santorini - Santorini Experts Renting a quad bike and getting around the island and discovering every corner of Santorini is the most popular form of transport for tourists. When you plan a trip with your taxi, it is important to negotiate the price because prices are not set by meters. Allegedly, they are supposed to have tap and pay machines so you can use your card I've yet to see one in action on a Santorini bus! Its 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. Please note that the discussion was closed to any additional postings as of Nov 1, 2016 and, as such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated and cannot be commented on by travelers at this time. We ended up hiring a car for most of our trip, costing 70 EUR per day. The islands small size means distances and journey times are short and options are many. You will also pay what is fair and necessary without having to negotiate with taxi drivers for an expensive and exorbitant price. }, { Your hotel may recommend a specific driver, and there are less than 30 taxis on the island."} In Santorini they drive on the right hand side of the road and the speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour. There are plenty around and they are all marked clearly. It's more dangerous than other options. Incongruently for an island where journeys are measured in minutes, the buses are those typically found on long-distance coach services complete with narrow entry doors. If you want to get to Vlychada Google Maps is your friend as the route that suggests is pretty accurate. 2023 Jennie Wanders | Real-Life Travel Advice for Real-Life People. GETTING AROUND SANTORINI BY CABLE CAR Its also the bus that goes to Exo Gonia. Home Greece Santorini How To Get Around Santorini Cars, Quads, Buses & Taxis. We jumped aboard for a 5-hr half-day tour with them and had an awesome day soaking up that glorious Greek sunshine while also getting to explore in a romantic, adventurous way. Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve (Amazon Rainforest), Getting from Santorini Airport to your hotel. Where can I park there? Arch. If you've never hired a car in Greece before, read my tips on renting a car in Greece. Youll find them at the airport, the ferry port and at a taxi stand near the main bus stop in Fira. You can hire a motorbike or car for maximum flexibility, although parking the latter can be a challenge in July and August. It may be easiest to hire a car through your accommodation, although cars can be a hot commodity in summer when rates soar with the temps. In addition, you can save time and money by opting for a small, economical vehicle that consumes less fuel. If you are visiting Santorini for the first time, 3-5 days is a good amount of time. 2. Help me, LP! Electric Scooters & How To Use Them | The Bolt Parking on the street is also allowed, as long as you dont block the road. Getting around Santorini by public transport, especially in recent years, is no longer a utopia. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updateshere! Daves Travel Pages has a number of affiliate links placed within the travel blog. If you're staying longer than a couple of nights, you'll want to see more of the island. The majority of roads are in a good condition, but some of the smaller village roads did have a few potholes to avoid. Jordan is located in the Middle East in Asia, and is a predominantly Muslim country. A comprehensive bus network runs during the tourist season with frequent service and cheap fares. It can get busy, but in general, you can find a spot to squeeze into. If you do decide to get a car rental, you also have more flexibility on where to stay in Santorini. After battling an addiction to travel for the past ten years, I finally took the plunge to work remotely and travel full time. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Buses in Santorini are modern, comfortable and even equipped with air-conditioning, so you can travel in comfort on the hottest days. I rented a car, saw the requirement for an International License, I called rentalcar.com / Sunbird and the woman said there is no way they will rent a car without it. Use your foot! Do you need a car in Santorini? This means that even short trips by taxi in Santorini involve long waits for a ride and an expensive taxi fare. James. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost for you. You can't really walk to these from Fira or Oia, so you'll need to use some form of transport. Renting a scooter, quad bike, or ATV is another popular thing to do in Santorini. It's not only fun driving somewhere new, but it also allows you to visit some of the island's less touristy areas and experience the true essence of this beautiful island. All bus routes begin and end in Fira. The public buses do not have wheelchair access nor do the taxis. If youre someone who seeks a little more adventure, you may want to cut your time down to 3 days, as its a small island and you can become restless quickly. A man used a motorized scooter to get from victim to victim in a New York City shooting spree on Saturday that ended with one dead, three injured and a . Be careful though because some hotels charge a lot to come and pick your from the airport. How much does it cost to rent a scooter in santorini Captain Ted, the owner, is a colourful local legend well-known on the islands, and he's been running Santorini Sailing tours around Santorini for years. Most tickets between major hubs generally cost around 1.80 (the most we paid . Is it compulsory to wear a helmet on a quad or scooter?No, wearing a helmet is optional, but it is always included in the price. This is all you need to know about taxis in Santorini: There are many ATV or motorbike rental shops on the island and you wont have any issues finding a vehicle, as long as you book it well in advance. There is less-frequent service from the main port of Athinios, check schedules in advance. Today, the main attractions and locations can be reached by bus: from the famous beaches, to the Port, up to the archaeological area. The only place we want to go to is Akrotiri archeological site. 1) What is the best way to get around in Santorini? Wear light, loose fitting clothes, a hat, and plenty of sunblock! Required fields are marked *. More than just a fun outing, ATVs are actually a practical means of transport in Greece. These local tips can help you prepare for the perfect trip to Greece. Im desperate. You're exposed to the sun for many hours per day, which can lead to sunburns if you have a tendency towards that, Related: Pros and cons of traveling by car. scooter/motorbikes on Santorini-advice? - Cruise Critic You are also legally obligated to wear a helmet. This post explains everything you need to know about visiting Puerto Escondido in November, including the weather, events, temperature and crowds. If you are staying more than a couple of days, you will get the most out of Santorini if you rent a car because then you can go where and when you want to and your own pace. Tickets prices for local bus trips in Santorini range from 1.60 Euro to 2.20 Euro depending on the start and end point. This can take some getting used to but is easy enough when youve been driving around for a bit. There are many reasons why renting a car in Santorini can be a great idea for getting around the island. Scooters are a great way to get around as long as you are experienced. Arrange in advance or prepare to bargain a bit on arrival. You have plenty of options as you can rent a car, a motorbike, a quad, take a taxi or even take the local bus (UBER or LYFT is not an option unfortunately as they only operate in Athens). This was definitely a great choice. The fare is 6 ($7). As I mentioned previously, taxis are all at fixed rates, so just check the price before you start your journey. I will not, here, underline the reasons why the undersigned refused to use this inhumane means of transport.Do as myself: get on the cable car, and go down on foot; the view, during the descent, is truly wonderful!