The important bit first
GetCarPiraeus does not have vehicles on Santorini. We are a Piraeus company and we serve Piraeus and Attica. We say so here, at the top, rather than letting you find out at the end.
There are two ways to have a vehicle on the island. The first is to take ours with you on the ferry, which is permitted with written approval in advance and an authorisation certificate — it makes sense if you are island-hopping or continuing by road. What applies is set out in our guide to taking a rental car on a ferry.
The second, and the usual one for a week’s holiday, is to rent locally. We recommend Santorini Rent Me, a local company operating since 2014 out of Akrotiri, with collection from Athinios port, the airport and hotels. They offer cars, scooters, buggies and luggage transfer.
The rest of this guide applies whoever you choose.
Car, ATV or scooter
| Vehicle | Suits | The drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Car | Families, couples with luggage, July–August | Difficult parking in Fira and Oia |
| ATV / buggy | Couples, exploring, easy parking | No air conditioning, almost no luggage space |
| Scooter | Solo travellers, short runs | Needs experience; the roads carry gravel and traffic |
The most useful rule: if you are travelling in July or August, air conditioning is not a luxury. Santorini is a volcanic island with very little shade and the midday heat is real. An ATV at two in the afternoon on the road to Akrotiri is less fun than it sounds.
The second criterion is luggage. If you have suitcases, an ATV is not an option — and for moving them from the port there is a separate service.
Where to collect
- Athinios port. The main port; collection straight off the ferry. The road up from there is steep with many hairpins — if you are not confident, it is not the best first drive on an ATV.
- Santorini airport (JTR). A small airport with a quick handover.
- Fira. Central on the island, convenient if you arrived by other means.
- Akrotiri, Oia, Vlychada. Collection near your accommodation, useful if you only want a vehicle for two of your five days.
A lot of people do exactly that and come out ahead: rent only for the days they plan to explore, and use the bus or walk the rest of the time.
Driving on Santorini
- Start early. The roads and the villages are choked between 10:00 and 17:00. Before 09:00 the island is a different place.
- The roads are narrow. Many are one-way, plenty are unmarked. Download offline maps; the signal is not reliable everywhere.
- Park outside Fira and Oia. Use the public car parks and walk. The time you would lose hunting for a space is longer than the walk.
- Fill up in Fira. Filling stations are few and concentrated in the centre of the island. Do not run the tank down to the last bar.
- Photograph the vehicle at collection. True everywhere, but doubly so for ATVs and scooters, which usually already carry scratches.
Where it is worth going
- Oia — the famous sunset. Arrive far earlier than you think you need to.
- Akrotiri archaeological site — the prehistoric town buried by the eruption. It is covered, which makes it a good choice for the hottest hours.
- Perissa and Kamari — the black-sand beaches, with easy access and parking.
- Vlychada — a picturesque marina with tavernas, far quieter than the two big villages.
- Emporio — a medieval village most people drive past, which is exactly why it is worth stopping.
- Akrotiri lighthouse — the best view on the island, down a small road; an ideal destination for a two-wheeler or an ATV.
Before the ferry
The trip to Santorini usually starts at Piraeus, and the sailings leave from E9 or neighbouring gates. If you need a car for Athens and Piraeus before you board — or want one delivered straight to your gate when you come back — we cover both.
See car rental at the port, our guide to gates E1–E12, and, if you are arriving by air, how to get from Athens airport to Piraeus.
