What is the most convenient way to get around Santorini? The bus, a car, or private transfers? In this guide, we’ll explore each option in detail, and at the end, give you a suggestion on the best way to get around Santorini depending on your trip and goals!
How to get around Santorini by Bus
Is it possible to get around Santorini using only the bus?
Yes, it is possible, as long as you have a lot of time at your disposal, are not particularly interested in the beaches of Santorini, and most importantly… don’t rely on timetables. Unfortunately, the bus schedules in Santorini are quite approximate, not only because buses may arrive and depart late, but also because they may leave earlier (I’ve experienced this personally!).
The bus timetables, which are not easy to find online, can essentially only be found on a paper timetable posted at the main bus station in Fira, which acts as the “star center” for all the bus lines to various destinations, and there are no connections.
Bus Ticket Prices in Santorini
Only single tickets exist, and they cost around 2€ each (a bit more or a bit less depending on the distance). They can only be purchased on board and in cash (the ticket collector comes around after the bus starts), and there are no multi-day passes or other types of discounts.
What are the bus lines in Santorini?
All bus lines in Santorini have their terminus at the Fira (Thira) bus station. From Fira, buses go to various “corners” of the island:
- From Fira to Oia to the north, passing through Imerovigli
- From Fira to the airport and Monolithos,
- From Fira to the port,
- From Fira to Perissa beach,
- From Fira to Kamari beach,
- From Fira to Akrotiri.
In these very useful links, you can find the bus lines represented on a map to better understand where they go, and lots of useful information for anyone wishing to get around Santorini by bus:
- SantoriniBus and SantoriniSecrets: they contain bus line maps and other useful information (just remember they are not official sources!)
- KTEL Santorini: the official website of the local bus company, with current rates and schedules;
- The excellent site SantoriniDave with numerous details on buses and bus stops;
The bus lines in Santorini do not have connections, which means that if you want to travel from Perissa to Oia, for example, you will need to take two separate buses, with two separate tickets, and if the arrival and departure times are close, don’t expect one bus to wait for the other.
Even though it is a small island, each bus line takes about 20-30 minutes to travel, and the timetables are a bit unpredictable, especially during the high season. This somewhat basic management makes it inconvenient and costly to get around Santorini by bus.
Taking the example of a round trip from Perissa to Oia (but the same applies for an Airport<->Port trip), you would need 2 hours of travel time, not counting waiting times for transfers, spending 8 euros per person. If there are 2-3 of you, you would almost have paid for a one-day car rental and saved a lot of time.
Is it worth it to get around Santorini by bus?
Based on what we’ve seen above, it might be worth using the bus to get around Santorini only if you are staying in Fira or if you are traveling alone, or at most as a couple. In all other cases, it’s worth investing a little in car rental (if not for the whole stay, maybe for a couple of days) to visit the more remote corners of the island at your own pace and wasting much less time.
As you might guess, to avoid losing your mind with transportation (or get stuck!) it’s a good idea to choose a strategic area as your base: read here the guide to the best areas to stay in Santorini to avoid mistakes.
Private Transfers in Santorini to the airport and the port
If you don’t plan to move around too often, don’t want to worry about the bus’s approximate schedules, or only plan to rent a car for a few days, you might consider the option of a private transfer from Santorini airport (or from the port) to your hotel.
The advantage of a private transfer in Santorini is that you can book online and the driver will wait for you at the point of arrival, even in case of a delayed flight, without the uncertainty of looking for a taxi on-site, with prices comparable to a taxi or even lower for larger groups.
To evaluate whether this option suits you, you can check the price with the transfer service WelcomePickups or with the international Kiwitaxi or with the following, selecting the date of your interest:
Renting a Car in Santorini: Opinions
Is it really necessary to rent a car or a quad in Santorini?
You may be wondering if it’s really necessary to rent a car in Santorini. In most cases, Yes: it depends on what you plan to do on the island, what you want to visit, and how long you will stay.
For example, if you plan to visit the beaches of Santorini, the only beaches easily accessible by bus are Perissa and Kamari beach; for all others, you will need your own vehicle.
Another example: if you want to save money by staying a bit outside Fira and the main (and expensive) white villages, you will need a vehicle to reach every other destination.
However, you could do without a car if you choose to stay in Fira, where the bus station is also located and serves as a “hub” for all destinations; or if you go to Perissa beach and plan to stay there for a primarily beach vacation.
Car or Quad Rental in Santorini: Advantages and Disadvantages
Some advantages of renting a car in Santorini (or a quad) with local companies:
- You can book online in a couple of minutes by paying a small refundable deposit and can modify or cancel the booking for free until the time set by the company;
- No obligation to purchase fuel, full-to-empty clauses, or other unpleasant surprises: they give you the car with a certain fuel level, and you must return it with the same level, managing your own fuel refills;
- An employee will deliver the car directly to the most convenient point for you with no extra charges: whether it’s at Santorini airport, the port, or directly at a hotel you specify;
- With some companies, it’s also possible to pay in cash without a credit card.
On the other hand, there are some disadvantages:
- In Santorini, it seems that no car rental company offers zero excess insurance, and even if you pay extra to reduce it, it often remains high. This may be due to the island’s particular roads or because of many tourists not used to manual transmission.
- Moving around Santorini by car means remembering that the maximum speed limit is 60 km/h on the island when no other sign is found; furthermore, many secondary roads may have important slopes (I recall one near Imerovigli where it was hard to climb in first gear!)
Car Rental Companies in Santorini
Here are a couple of examples of local car rental companies, which I recommend checking out to avoid the usual multinational chains and save a decent amount. I have no affiliation or collaboration with them:
- santorini-rent-a-car.com (personally tried, positive experience, also allows cash payment)
- www.santorinirentacars.com (allows cash payment without credit card)
- www.santorinieasyrent.com
What is the best way to get around Santorini?
- The bus, if you are staying in Fira, traveling alone or at most in a couple, if you don’t care about the beaches of Santorini, if you reach your hotel by transfer;
- The car, if you are staying in any other location, if you like to explore independently, if you don’t want to waste hours and hours with buses, if you want to visit as many beaches as possible and places less frequented by mass tourism;
- Private transfer, if you travel in a relaxed manner, don’t want to drive, or don’t like steep roads, if you plan to move around very little.
Considering that, in my opinion, 3 days are enough to visit the main attractions of Santorini, if you’re staying for a few days, it makes sense to consider renting a car, as local company prices are around 30-40€ per day depending on the season.
If, however, you’re staying for a week, you might want to rent it just for 3 days, since local companies also deliver and pick up the car for free at your hotel, and then you can spend the remaining days relaxing. 🙂
Before wishing you a good trip, don’t forget to also check out what to visit in Santorini, the best places to stay, and do a search in the box below to find the cheapest flight among all available:
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