How to Rent a Car in Santorini

See Also
• Where to reside in Santorini
• Santorini Airport
• Santorini Ferry Port
• Ferry from Santorini to Mykonos
•

• Where to Reside in London

• Top Travel Experiences in Santorini

Santorini Airport Car Rental

My suggestion: If you need to rent a car to tour the attractions then book a vehicle in advance at the Santorini airport. If your plan is to lounge by the pool or beach, do a few excursions, and then take the ferry to another Greek island, then you probably do not need a rental car.

A suggestion: If requiring a large family vehicle or a car with automatic transmission (most rental cars in Santorini have manual gears), definitely book ahead.

Car rentals are available at Santorini airport from the following providers: Avis,Budget,Hertz,Sixt,Alamo,Goldcar,Surprice,Thrifty,Enterprise

Booking a Santorini Rental Car

Renting a Car in Santorini

• The transportation system on the Greek island of Santorini is convenient for getting around the main towns of Fira and Oia. But for smaller villages, hotels a little farther from major areas, or attractions located outside of Fira and Oia using the bus may not be very practical. Renting a vehicle is a superb way to tour the entire island. Nearly half of the top activities to do in Santorini are made simpler by having the use of a rental car.
• Reserving a car in advance is not completely necessary but it surely makes things more affordable and easier.
• Most rental vehicles in Santorini have a standard transmission. If you only drive automatic then definitely reserve ahead of time.
• Visiting the top Santorini vineyards is best done on a guided tour if a designated driver is unavailable.
• If arriving by plane collect rental vehicles at the Santorini Airport to avoid the long queues for a taxi. (Airport pickup is simpler than pickup in Fira or Oia).
• If arriving by ferry, there are a few options for obtaining a rental car. The quickest is picking one up directly at the busy and hectic ferry port, but this requires driving up the steep cliff on the narrow winding road, which may not suit all travelers. Alternatively, taking a taxi or bus from the port to the town where you`re staying, such as Fira, Imerovigli, or Oia, provides more options for then securing a rental car once settled. The direct bus from the port to Fira also allows access to transportation to all other villages from there. Or the taxi or bus can be taken to the airport, where rental cars are available at the terminal in a less central location, though the airport isn`t always directly served by buses from the port.
• When renting a car, take photos of the vehicle (inside and out) before driving away from the parking lot.
• Driving on Santorini is generally straightforward (maintain a slow pace and never mix alcohol with driving). I do not advise all-terrain vehicles or motorcycles – they are too dangerous.

How do I rent a car in Santorini?

RentalCars.com searches through all the major car rental companies and finds the most affordable pricing. Although the website design is basic, it focuses on finding the best rates. The most typical pickup locations are Fira and the Santorini airport. When selecting the pickup location, choose either Santorini Airport or All Locations (which usually means Fira).

I prefer picking up my rental vehicle from the Santorini airport even when arriving by ferry. The airport is right in the middle of the island and a brief taxi or bus ride from the port and all towns. All the rental car desks at the airport are within a few feet of each other. It’s easy to get your car, walk across the parking area, and drive away. On the other hand, rental car pickup at the ferry dock and in Fira can be crowded and chaotic.

Driving Map of Santorini

Car Rental at the Santorini Airport

For airport vehicle rentals, reservations can be made through Rentalcars.com for pickup at one of the kiosks located at the Santorini airport. The airport is quite compact and it is quick and simple to obtain your rental car. From the Santorini airport, it is a brief 10-minute drive to Fira. About 15 minutes to Imerovigli. And 25 minutes to Oia. Renting a car at the airport will save you the hassle of acquiring a taxi, as when flights arrive taxis are in short supply and waits may be long. Vehicle rental companies operating desks at the Santorini airport include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Enterprise. Their stations are situated just outside the arrivals hall of the airport terminal building. The counters are well-staffed and lines for car pickup or dropoff are nearly non-existent. The airport offers the largest selection of rental vehicles including compact, medium, and full-size sedans; family-sized minivans; and large SUVs.

What Rental Car Companies Rent Cars at the Santorini Airport?

The vehicle rental companies Avis,Budget,Hertz,Sixt,Alamo,Goldcar,Surprice,Thrifty, and Enterprise offer car rentals.

Car Rental at the Santorini Port

The main port on the island of Santorini has much commotion upon the arrival of ferries. I would advise against selecting that port as the pick-up place for car rentals. For one, it is very busy, making connecting with the contact person difficult. Additionally, the winding path upward along the cliffside of the caldera is extremely scary while being crowded with oversized buses, trucks, automobiles, and motorcycles. It is not simple or relaxing for visitors to handle. (Whenever I’ve reserved a vehicle for pick-up at the port, they’ve really driven me to an inland customer service center, which works well too. You’re just uncertain about what the process will involve.) First-timers should look at arranging a rental vehicle at the Santorini airport.

Car Rental in Fira & Oia

Car rental agencies can be found throughout the main towns on Santorini such as Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, Akrotiri, Kamari, and Perissa. Many are located along the busy roads leading into and out of Fira and Oia. However, these roads are narrow, crowded with traffic, and serve as the primary routes for local buses, which is not ideal for picking up or dropping off a rental car. I prefer utilizing the Santorini airport for obtaining and returning a vehicle. When renting from a local agency, inquire about taking the car back to the airport or ferry port instead, as sometimes they will permit leaving it parked with the keys underneath, saving a bus or taxi trip and avoiding the return along the congested roadways through the major settlements.

Should I Rent a Car In Santorini?

Having transportation options on Santorini makes exploring the island considerably easier, especially if staying outside of Fira. Fira serves as the hub for the bus network and direct routes connect it with various destinations across the territory. However, lodging in spots such as Imerovigli or Oia necessitates taking a bus to Fira first before a second bus can reach places like Kamari Beach, Akrotiri, or Perissa. So traveling to and from a destination involves four bus rides. If one wanted to go from Oia to Kamari and then Akrotiri in a single day, it would entail six separate bus trips. Yet, for those mainly interested in remaining at their accommodation, relaxing by the pool, taking in the caldera views, dining at local eateries, and occasionally riding the bus to Oia or Fira, they likely won`t gain much utility from renting a vehicle.

4 Reasons to Not Rent a Car on Santorini

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Tips for Renting a Car on Santorini

• All major vehicle rental companies and local transport services provide pick-up and drop-off options from the airport.
• If you’re arriving at the airport then booking in advance for airport pick up is best. This way you avoid the sometimes lengthy taxi queue.
• If you’re arriving at the ferry terminal I’d recommend taking a taxi or bus to the relative calm of the Santorini airport – whether you booked in advance or not.
• Advance reservation is not completely necessary but if you require an automatic transmission during June, July, August, or September then you have to arrange it ahead of time (most vehicles on Santorini are manual). You’ll also get a better rate by booking in advance.
• If renting an automatic vehicle and booking through RentalCars.com, be sure to specify the transmission as automatic.
• I do not advise renting scooters or ATVs. Throughout all my years of traveling this is the number one way that people end up in the hospital: riding a scooter, motorbike, or ATV when they don’t ordinarily do it at home. Additionally, they’re adequate for short trips but going from one end of the island (say, Oia) to the other (Akrotiri or the beaches) on an ATV or scooter is a lengthy ride – at least I don’t enjoy it.
• If traveling with young children, bring a car seat from home, as some rental agencies have only a few older seats that may not meet British or American safety standards, though they`ll suffice in a pinch.
• If you require a larger vehicle for a family of 4, 5, or 6 then I’d advise booking in advance.
• Before you leave the rental company take pictures on your phone of every corner of the car (inside and out).