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Santorini Buses – The Basics
- Buses are the most cost-effective means of transportation on Santorini. Regular adult tickets cost somewhere between €1.80 to €2.50, contingent on the location.
- Santorini public buses are air-conditioned, safe, and trusted – but not always punctual.
- Bus tickets are purchased when boarding by cash only. Advance sales of bus tickets are not available.
- All tickets only allow for one-way travel with no transfers between destinations. Bus tickets are purchased individually as there are no daily or weekly passes.
- Fira is the central bus hub. All bus routes begin and end there. Travelers can find the most up-to-date schedules at the Fira bus terminal. Timetables vary seasonally. The route between Fira and the ferry port changes daily according to ferry schedules.
- Transportation protests frequently happen on varying dates all through the year in Greece. These protests impact all kinds of transit. During protests, no buses, no ferries, and just a small number of trains and flights will leave on time (or by any stretch of the imagination). Taxis tend to be the least influenced mode of transport. Despite the fact that protests can happen at any time, there is consistently an enormous protest on May 1. Keep away from booking any ferries, flights, or trains for that day.
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Getting Around Santorini by Bus
KTEL is the organization that runs the public buses in Santorini. The site is updated irregularly and doesn’t continually have the most recent timetables posted. But the site offers useful information such as pricing for night buses, information on discounted rates, and a list of all routes available.
Tickets for public transit in Santorini range from €1.80 to €2.50 each way, with the fee varying by destination. Night buses running from 12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. are less frequent and a bit pricier, from €2.30 to €3.10. Discounts of 50% are offered to those with disabilities or multiple kids traveling together. While special rates apply for mobility equipment users, the buses themselves are not wheelchair accessible.
. Travelers lodging in Fira can access any location on the island solely by public bus. Visitors residing elsewhere will necessitate taking two buses to arrive at any place besides Fira. For example, to travel from Oia to Akrotiri, take the bus from Oia to Fira. Exit at the Fira station, then board the vehicle to Akrotiri. Separate tickets are demanded for each ride. A return trip from Oia to Akrotiri and back necessitates four bus rides and four tickets. The identical applies for journeys from Oia to Kamari or Perissa and returning. If time is constrained, hiring a taxi or rental vehicle offers a preferable choice.
The bus timetables on Santorini change depending on the season. Buses run all year with more frequent trips and additional routes during the peak summer period, especially from late June to early September. For the primary caldera villages ( Fira,Firostefani,Imerovigli, and Oia) buses run approximately every 20 to 30 minutes during the summertime. For other villages and beaches, buses run around every 30 minutes to 1 hour during the peak season. Throughout the year, the timetable of the Fira to Athinios Ferry Port route is determined by the ferry schedule, with more regular service in the hectic summertime months.
Spring and fall also have reasonably frequent bus service. From late November through February, bus transportation is very limited. The main caldera villages are served with less than half the regularity as during peak season, while some minor routes run only twice per day or not at all.
How to Ride the Bus in Santorini
Arrive at the bus terminal earlier to locate your bus. Search for the yellow sign in the lower-left corner of the bus window to view the destination. Some buses (usually Airport or Ferry Port routes) may not be labeled. Inquire the bus driver regarding the destination. If you are in Fira, you could question the attendant at the information kiosk.
If boarding the bus at a bus terminal, approach the bus and line up to get on. If catching the bus from a stop along the road, signal to the driver to halt by raising your arms, waving, and trying to make eye contact. Buses only halt at designated stops along the route, not anywhere. It may not stop if full.
Compensate the driver or ticket-taker after boarding from a street-side bus stop. For buses from the ferry port, airport, or Fira and Oia bus stations, sometimes you’ll pay the ticket-taker outside the bus before boarding; other times you’ll sit first, then pay the ticket-taker when they approach you. Buses solely accept cash. Exact fare is unnecessary, but paying in smaller denominations makes the process quicker and easier.
Store any luggage before taking your seat. Large items of luggage are kept under the bus. Hold small bags and backpacks in your lap or tucked at your feet. Use the overhead shelves inside the bus at your own risk; they do not close or even just angle up, so items are prone to falling out when the bus turns or takes a hill.
Board and try to secure a seat. Popular routes during peak season are regularly at standing room capacity. If the initial transport is too full, you may need to wait for a second vehicle.
Hold tightly during the ride as roads in Santorini are twisting and hilly with no seatbelts fitted on buses. Handles are installed overhead and on the backrests for standing passengers to grip.
Travelers on the buses will get dropped off at the last location listed on the front of the vehicle, but the buses may not stop at each planned halting point along the route. To disembark at a stop with less regular usage (such as Finikia or Exo Gonia for example), notify the driver when boarding. You can also press the buzzer if your bus has one to request a pause, but this requires recognizing where your stop is. If uncertain about being able to identify the halt, its best to sit or stand near the driver. With mobile data enabled on your device, launch your preferred mapping app to follow along in real time and see when nearing the stop.
Fira Bus Station
Fira-Oia Route
One of the most popular routes around Santorini island follows a circuitous trail along its northern section. The itineraries traveling to and from Oia village differ significantly, stopping multiple times through inland settlements on the upward journey, prior to skimming past coastal beaches before turning inland again for the return trip.
• Fira to Oia: Price: €1.80 – Stops: Fira Bus Station, Kontochori, Firostefani, Imerovigli, North Imerovigli (Taverna Tasos), Cavo Tagoo, Finikia, East Oia (near Katikies Kirini), and the Oia Bus Station
• Oia to Fira: Cost: €1.80 – Stops: Oia Bus Station, Tholos, Baxedes Beach, Fira Bus Station – does not halt in Imerovigli or Firostefani
Fira-Imerovigli/Firostefani Route
Another cyclical route where the bus leaves Fira heading north to Imerovigli on inland routes, pausing on request downhill from Firostefani village around a five-minute walk up to its center. Only southbound returning to Fira does it pass straight through Firostefani.
• Fira to Imerovigli: Cost: €1.80 – Stops at: Fira Bus Station, Kontochori, near Firostefani, Imerovigli.
• Imerovigli/Firostefani to Fira: Cost: €1.80 – Stops: Imerovigli, Firostefani, Kontochori, Fira Bus Station
Fira-Perissa/Vlychada Route
The regular route with many stop points along the way and some variations is the Perissa bus line. The standard Fira-Perissa bus heads through inland villages and smaller communities before travelling down to Perivolos Beach and ending at Perissa Beach. A few times each hour there is an extended route that adds a side trip to Vlychada Beach. Only the standard Perissa bus and the Perissa/Vlychada route .
There is also a Perissa Express bus that bypasses all villages north of Megalochori, then turns east to the beaches.
• Fira to Perissa Cost: €2.40 – Stops: Fira Bus Station, Karterados, Mesaria, Vothonos, Santo Wines, Pyrgos, Megalochori, Emporio, Perivolos Beach, Perissa Beach
• Perissa to Fira: Price: €2.40 – Stops: Perissa Beach, Emporio, Megalochori, Pyrgos, Vothonos, Mesaria, Karterados, Fira Bus Station – does not stop at Perivolos Beach
– Fira to Perissa Express Cost: €2.40 – Stops: Fira, Santo Wines, Megalochori, Emporio, Perivolos Beach, Perissa Beach – Bus marked with an “E”
• The Perissa to Fira Express costs €2.40 – It stops at: Perissa Beach, Emporio, Megalochori, Santo Wines, and Fira – The bus marked with an “E” does not stop at Perivolos Beach
– Transportation from Fira to Perissa/Vlychada Cost: €2.40 – Stops along the route: Fira Bus Station, Karterados, Mesaria, Vothonos, Santo Wines, Pyrgos, Megalochori, Emporio, Perivolos Beach, Vlychada Beach, Perissa Beach – roughly every 3 hours, the Perissa bus route incorporates this loop to Vlychada
– Vlychada/Perissa to Fira Cost: €2.40 – Stops: Vlychada Beach, Perissa Beach, Emporio, Megalochori, Pyrgos, Santo Wines, Vothonos, Mesaria, Karterados, Fira Bus Station – does not halt at Perivolos Beach
Fira-Kamari Route
The primary bus line in Santorini follows a direct route to and from Kamari Beach.
• Fira to Kamari: Price: €1.80 – Stops: Fira Bus Station, Karterados, Mesaria, Exo Gonia, Episkopi Gonias (at Santorini Brewing Company), Cine Kamari (open-air cinema), Kamari Beach
• Kamari to Fira: Price: €1.80 – Stops: Kamari Beach, Cine Kamari (open-air cinema), Episkopi Gonias (at Santorini Brewing Company), Exo Gonia, Mesaria, Karterados, Fira Bus Station
Fira-Akrotiri Route
Another straightforward route making nearly identical stops in both directions. This bus goes to the Akrotiri excavations and Akrotiri Beach, from where hikers can reach Red Beach or take the small boat to the Red and White Beaches.
• Fira to Akrotiri Cost: €2.00 – Stops: Fira Bus Station, Karterados, Mesaria, Santo Wines, Megalochori, Grigoris Bakery, Caldera View Resort, Akrotiri Village, Akrotiri Archaeological Site, Akrotiri Beach
– Akrotiri to Fira Cost: €2.00 – Stops: Akrotiri Beach, Akrotiri Archaeological Site, Akrotiri Village, Calera View Resort, Grigoris Bakery, Megalochori, Santo Wines, Mesaria, Karterados, Fira Bus Terminal
Fira-Airport/Monolithos Route
The airport bus route runs between the Santorini airport and Fira, with alternating buses making a detour to Monolithos before turning back to Fira. The bus stop at the Santorini airport is directly outside the arrivals entrance.
Airport buses have ample area to store luggage, either underneath the bus or in the overhead compartments inside. The overhead compartments do not secure; if you have a laptop or any other fragile item, it’s best to hold it in your lap or at your feet. All Airport buses departing from the airport go to the Fira Bus Terminal. To get to the other villages (Firostefani, Imerovigli, Oia, Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos, Akrotiri), disembark the bus in Fira, buy another ticket, and board a second bus.
There are no night buses (12am to 5am) between the Airport and Fira or from Fira to the Airport.
• Fira to Airport: Price: €1.80 – Stops: Fira Bus Station, Airport – without other stops
• Airport to Fira: Cost: €1.80 – Stops: Airport, Fira Bus Station – no additional stops
• Fira to Airport/Monolithos: Cost: €1.80 – Stops: Fira Bus Station, Airport, Monolithos Beach – every other Airport bus adds a loop to Monolithos
Monolithos to Fira: Cost: €1.80 – Stops: Monolithos Beach, Fira Bus Station – does not stop at the Airport
Fira-Athinios Ferry Port Route
The transportation connecting Athinios Port (Ferry Port) and Fira takes approximately 20 minutes, much of the journey spent idle on the steep, winding road ascended the caldera wall. The perspectives from here are incredible.
Public transportation in the form of buses is consistently available at the port to meet incoming ferries, and Athinios Port buses go directly to the main station in Fira. To travel to other villages (Firostefani, Imerovigli, Oia, Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos, Akrotiri), passengers change vehicles and purchase another ticket in Fira. Occasionally a shuttle connects the Ferry Terminal to the Airport, but it is infrequent and only provided during peak summer season.
Buses of Athinios Port offer ample storage for baggage under the vehicle or on the overhead racks, but as said before, do not place anything breakable on the overhead racks.
The Athinios Port bus schedule changes daily depending on the ferry schedules and weather. In bad weather, ferries and buses will be delayed or canceled. The port schedule is handwritten and posted one day in advance only at the Fira bus station.
• Fira to Athinios Ferry Port: Cost €2.30 – Stops Include: Fira Bus Station, Karterados (caldera), Santo Wines, Athinios Port
• Athinios Ferry Port to Fira: Price €2.30 – Stops: Athenios Port, near Santo Wines, Karterados (village), Fira Bus Station
Santorini Bus FAQs
Where can I purchase Santorini bus tickets?
Tickets can be purchased as you board the bus (usually when boarding at Fira Bus Station, Oia Bus Station, or Athinios Port) or after being seated (when boarding from a smaller village stop). Cash only.
Can I pay for a bus ticket with my credit card?
No, all bus ticket transactions are in cash only. There are ATMs near the bus stations in Fira and Oia.
Can I purchase an all-day or multi-day pass for Santorini buses?
No, bus tickets must be purchased individually and are valid for only a single one-way trip to or from Fira. Transfers are not included. Journeys requiring two or more buses also necessitate two or more tickets.
How much does public transportation cost?
Bus tickets cost between €1.80 and €2.50, depending on the distance of the destination from Fira.
Do buses in Santorini run on Sundays?
Yes. Buses in Santorini operate 7 days a week.
What are the operating hours for Santorini buses?
In general, the earliest standard bus routes begin around 5:30 a.m., while the last regular buses run till about 12:30 a.m. There are some night buses operating from 12:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. that serve mainly the primary caldera villages during high season. Night buses run on an erratic schedule and should not be depended on.
Is it possible to take public transportation from the Airport or Port directly to Oia?
No. All bus routes begin and conclude in Fira. It will require 2 buses to reach Oia from the airport or port. Take the initial bus into Fira, then transfer to a second bus (and buy a second ticket) to Oia.
Are Santorini buses accommodating for wheelchairs?
No. All buses have several steps that must be climbed at the entrances and exits. There are no ramps or wheelchair lifts to assist entry or exit. Once on the bus, the aisle is narrow with no space to accommodate a wheelchair.
Which bus goes to Santo Wines?
The Perissa, Vlychada, Akrotiri, and Athinios ferry terminals are within a brief walk of Santo Wines. Inform the driver when boarding that you want to disembark at Santo Wines, and they will drop you directly at the winery entrance. Additional highly-rated Santorini vineyards can be accessed via these same routes by getting off at stops like Pyrgos, Megalochori, or Exo Gonia and traversing a short distance on foot.
Which bus goes to the beach?
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Which public transportation goes to the archaeological excavations?
The Akrotiri bus travels to the archaeological site of the Prehistoric Town of Akrotiri. The same bus route also extends to Akrotiri Beach.
Which bus goes to Ammoudi Bay?
There are no bus stops in Ammoudi Bay, but the bus from Fira to Oia that stops a 15-minute walk away. The downhill trek follows a steep, winding path, so most folks walk down then call a taxi back up. Purchase a drink or meal at any of the eateries there, and the staff will gladly summon a taxi for your return.
Santorini Buses by Season
Summer: High Season
During the summertime in Santorini, all bus routes operate at peak capacity, specifically from the ending of June to the beginning of September. The busiest bus routes connecting Fira with Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, Kamari, and Perissa will be running approximately every 20 to 30 minutes throughout the day. Transportation from Fira to Oia, Kamari, and Perissa (the three most visited destinations) run 35 to 40 times each direction from early morning until around midnight. Even with the high number of buses traveling to these hotspots, buses regularly fill to maximum capacity and won’t be able to accept additional passengers. If time is restricted, it may be better to call a taxi or rent a car. Other popular routes, such as the Fira to Akrotiri line, the Airport bus, or the Fira-Firostefani-Imerovigli route, run about 15 to 20 times a day. Transportation heading to the smaller beaches, like Monolithos, Baxedes, and Vlychada run several times a day. The Athinios Port bus schedule changes daily, but there is always a bus awaiting at the port for every arriving ferry. The bus from Fira to Athinios Port runs on normal of 12 times a day in summer; check the schedule at the Fira bus station up to one day in advance.
Spring and Fall: Shoulder Seasons
During the spring (mid-March through early May) and fall (end of September, October, and early November) transportation on the island is frequently provided by bus to all major villages and the primary beaches at Kamari and Perissa. The route connecting Fira to Oia and Kamari Beach operates nearly 30 times each day starting in the morning until 10:00 at night, with buses running about every 30 minutes. Other significant routes like the one to Perissa and Akrotiri run nearly 20 times daily from morning until 9:00 or 10:00 at night. Beach clubs and bars situated at smaller beaches for example Monolithos and Vlychada may not always be open during the interim periods, so buses to those locations run less regularly. The bus schedule linking Fira to the Airport has departures hourly approximately 15 times per day on average. Although the timetable for the Athinios Port bus alters daily, there is always a bus ready at the port for each arriving ferry. The route from Fira to Athinios Port operates around 6 times in a day; the schedule at the Fira bus station can be reviewed up to one day in advance.
Winter: Low Season
Winter brings lesser crowds to Santorini as the season of decreased tourism extends from late November through February. Most hotels and restaurants overlooking the caldera in addition to all beach clubs completely close during winter, so buses run less frequently. Fira and Oia are the best served villages in the winter months, with transport connecting the two localities 15 times daily at roughly hourly intervals. Coaches departing Fira for Kamari, Perissa, and Akrotiri operate around 10 times for the duration of the day at gaps of approximately 75 to 90 minutes starting from roughly 7:30 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening. Transportation to smaller beaches and regions seeing less visitors, such as Vlychada or Exo Gonia, runs twice in one day (once in the morning and once in the afternoon). Some routes suspend service through winter. Airport coaches run 6 times in a day at intervals of about every 2 hours or so. The timetable for the bus from the port of Athinios changes daily, but a coach is always waiting at the port for every arriving ferry. The coach from Fira to the port of Athinios operates only a few times in the day; check the schedule at the Fira bus station up to one day in advance.
A Photo Guide to Santorini Buses
