Santorini's roads are narrow, taxis are scarce and buses get full. Here's how locals actually move around — and what we recommend for visitors.
The island is small (76 km²) but the topography and the road layout make getting around harder than it looks on a map. Here's an honest comparison of every option, with what we recommend for different kinds of travellers.
Local buses (KTEL)
Fira is the hub — every bus goes to or from there. Routes connect Fira to Oia, Kamari, Perissa, Akrotiri, Pyrgos and the airport. Tickets €1.80–€2.50 paid on board. Buses are clean, frequent in summer (every 20–30 min on busy routes), and absolutely full from 11am onwards in July–August. Locals use them, so do we sometimes.
Verdict: great for one or two journeys per day if you don't mind standing. Useless if you want to chain three or four stops.
Rental car
Around €35–€80/day for a small economy car. Parking in Fira and Oia is genuinely difficult — both villages have pedestrian centres and you'll walk 10–15 min from the nearest lot. Watch out for: narrow village lanes (rear-view mirrors get clipped weekly), tight cliff parking, and aggressive scooter traffic. Bring an International Driving Permit if you're outside the EU — police checkpoints check.
Verdict: the best option if you're staying 4+ nights and want maximum flexibility. Less stressful than people assume if you avoid driving in the villages themselves.
Scooter, quad or ATV rental
€20–€45/day. Fun but the most dangerous option — Santorini has Greece's highest tourist road-accident rate, mostly involving rented scooters and ATVs. A helmet is legally required and the police enforce it. If you're not an experienced scooter rider, choose a small car or take tours instead.
Taxis
Santorini has only ~50 licensed taxis for the whole island. They are scarce, expensive (€20 Fira–Oia, €30 Fira–airport, surcharges after midnight), and impossible to find on summer afternoons. Always pre-book by phone for airport transfers and evening returns from Oia. Uber and Bolt do not operate on Santorini.
Private driver / transfers
€60–€150 per direction depending on vehicle and pickup location. Sounds expensive until you compare to two taxis (which you won't find) and the cost of parking + driving stress. Worth it for: airport transfers, sunset trips to Oia from a Kamari/Perissa hotel, and split-itinerary days.
Private guided tour with driver
What we do. €300–€700 for a half or full day with a Mercedes, driver-guide, hotel pickup and stops at multiple wineries, viewpoints and beaches. If you split it among 3–4 people it works out cheaper than two days of car rental + parking headaches, and you actually learn what you're looking at.
What we'd actually do
- 1–2 days on the island: pre-book taxi transfers + 1 private day tour. Skip the car.
- 3–4 days: 1 private tour day + bus + walking for the rest. Skip the car.
- 5+ days, comfortable driver: rent a small car for half the trip, plus 1 private wine or sunset tour.
- Family with kids under 8: private driver for everything; the buses and scooters are not for you.
Common questions about getting around santorini
Do you need a car to get around Santorini?
No. Local buses connect every major village and most beaches, and private drivers cover the gaps. A rental car is convenient for stays of 4+ nights but is not required — many visitors do the entire trip without one.
How much is a taxi from Santorini airport to Oia?
Around €35–€45 in 2026 depending on time of day. Pre-booking a private transfer is usually similar in price and avoids the unreliability of finding a taxi at the airport, which has only one rank and frequent shortages.
Is Uber available in Santorini?
No. Uber, Bolt and other ride-hailing apps do not operate in Santorini. The only options are licensed taxis (scarce, book by phone) or pre-arranged private transfers.
Are ATVs safe in Santorini?
Less safe than they look. Santorini has the highest tourist road-accident rate in Greece, mostly involving rented ATVs and scooters. Helmets are legally required. Inexperienced riders should choose a small rental car or guided tours instead.
Is parking in Oia difficult?
Yes. The village centre is pedestrian-only and the public parking lots fill from late morning in summer. Expect to walk 10–15 minutes from your parking spot to the main street, especially around sunset.
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