Pickup
Return
🎁 Use code WELCOME3 during checkout to get discount on your first booking with us. Enjoy! ☀️
Car rental in Santorini makes sense if your plan goes beyond the viewpoints of Oia and Fira. The island is small — 18 km long, 6 km wide. But the real points of interest — Akrotiri's Minoan city, the Red Beach, the Pyrgos wineries, the lighthouse — are scattered, and public transport doesn't really cover them.
A couple landed at JTR at 23:40 in July and signed the contract by the terminal exit. Five minutes later they were on the road to Imerovigli — the global-chain shuttle queue was still waiting at the kerb.
Santorini is the second most expensive Greek island for hire after Mykonos. Economy in shoulder season is from $40, in August $80–130. The fleet is tight, book 2–3 months ahead. The island has one airport — JTR, 6 km from Fira — and the Athinios port 8 km from Fira via a steep 4 km switchback descent.
The Athinios switchback is the most demanding road on Santorini. On the way down use first or second gear — ATVs in the same flow often become a problem for everyone.
What travellers value about hiring on Santorini
-
Booking 2–3 months ahead
The fleet is tight and demand is heavy — booking through TakeCars early gets you the right class at a normal price.
-
Hotel delivery to Kamari and Imerovigli
Local operators bring the car to beach and caldera resorts — usually free for rentals from 5 days.
-
Driver alternative
If you'd rather not drive the Athinios switchback or want to taste at the wineries, you can request a private driver via TakeCars chat.
Sunset, wineries and Akrotiri
A car on Santorini opens three signature days.
Sunset beyond Oia
Oia is the headline sunset spot but not the only one. Worth driving to Imerovigli (higher, easier parking), the Akrotiri lighthouse (south-west cape, open frame, calmer), Profitis Ilias (360° views) or the village of Pyrgos (wine terraces with the village lit up below).
If you want to see Oia at sunset, walk in from Fira — 9 km along the caldera path in 3–4 hours. No parking trouble. Bus back at €2.
Wineries and dry wine
Santorini is one of the most unusual wine spots in the world: the vines grow as "baskets" against the wind, and Assyrtiko has a mineral edge. The headline wineries — Santo Wines, Argyros, Hatzidakis, Venetsanos — all sit 15–20 minutes from Fira.
If you want to taste, the driver does not drink: limit 0.5‰, or 0.2‰ for under-2-year licences. Many wineries offer a paid driver service at $40–60 a day.
Akrotiri and the Red Beach
Akrotiri is the Minoan "city under ash" (UNESCO) on the south. Parking $3–5. Next door, the Red Beach (red sand and basalt cliffs) and the White Beach, reachable only from the sea or a footpath.
JTR airport and basing on the caldera
Santorini "Thira" airport (JTR) sits 6 km from Fira. Around 10 minutes by car, no tolls. Local operators meet guests at the terminal exit — no shuttles or separate CarPark buildings, paperwork on the spot.
At JTR we meet guests by name right by baggage claim. Particularly useful for late-evening arrivals when nobody wants to take a taxi to the hotel and back again next morning.
Basing is the key strategic call on Santorini. Fira — for those who want central dinners and walks along the caldera. Imerovigli — the highest point on the caldera with the best sunset view, but more expensive. Oia — the most photographed village, 30 minutes by car from Fira. Kamari / Perissa — beach zones in the east, cheaper and quieter.
Many caldera hotels in Oia and Imerovigli have no parking of their own — you'll leave the car a 5–10 minute walk away. Confirm with the hotel before booking.
Local operators on TakeCars usually deliver the car free to Kamari, Perissa and Imerovigli on rentals from 5 days.
Parking in Fira, Oia and at sunset
Parking is the big pain point on Santorini. Fira has a paid zone by the town hall ($5–8 a day) and paid car parks near Aktis Square. Free spots in the new town fill by 10 a.m. Cliff-edge boutique hotels in Oia and Imerovigli often have no car park at all — you leave the car 5–10 minutes' walk away.
After check-in, ask reception about the nearest car park. Don't park on the closest street even if it looks free — the tow truck moves fast.
The headline parking nightmare is sunset in Oia. From 17:00 to 21:00 in high season Oia is almost impossible to enter by car: the car park is full, narrow lanes are blocked, and tickets are issued every 15 minutes. The alternatives are to park at the entrance to Oia and walk in 15–20 minutes, or watch sunset from a different point.
Sunset is beautiful from places other than Oia. Imerovigli, Akrotiri lighthouse, Pyrgos and Profitis Ilias all give the same orange disc — without the crowd or the parking madness.
In Kamari and Perissa parking is normally free and easy to find. At Akrotiri the entrance to the Minoan site has a paid lot ($3–5 for two hours).
Rates on Santorini vary throughout the year depending on the season and the rental length.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
How expensive is renting a car on Santorini: average daily rates for a one-week car rental, across all car classes. Delivery across Santorini not included.
Frequently asked questions
The second most expensive Greek island after Mykonos. In shoulder (May, October) economy is from $40 a day; in July–August prices reach $80–130. The fleet is tight and demand is heavy — book 2–3 months ahead. Automatics and cabrios in August go a month out.
6 km, around 10 minutes by car. No tolls. Alternatives are the city KTEL bus at €1.80 (15 minutes) or a taxi at $15–20.
The most demanding road on Santorini: 4 km of steep descent with multiple turns. On the way down use lower gears (1st or 2nd), don't coast in neutral. ATVs and scooters in the same flow are often a problem. A saloon car copes if you drive it carefully.
At sunset (17:00–21:00 in high season) you can hardly drive into Oia: the car park is full, lanes are blocked. Park at the entrance to Oia and walk 15–20 minutes, or arrive by 16:00 at the latest. Sunset alternatives — Imerovigli, Pyrgos, Profitis Ilias, Akrotiri lighthouse.
Fira has paid spots near the town hall and paid lots near Aktis Square ($5–8 a day). Free spots in the new town fill by 10 a.m. Caldera boutique hotels in Oia and Imerovigli often have no car park — confirm with the hotel before booking, otherwise plan to leave the car 5–10 minutes' walk away.
You can, but the driver does not drink. The alcohol limit is 0.5‰, dropping to 0.2‰ for under-2-year licences. To taste, many wineries offer a paid driver service at $40–60 a day. The alternative is a group wine tour with guide and transfer.
No. Santorini hire cars are not allowed on any ferry — to Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Crete or the mainland. The contract is voided and insurance won't apply. Return at JTR and pick up a fresh car at the next island.
It depends on the timing. A Santorini cruise call usually runs 8–10 hours. After tendering and the cable car up, you have 6–7 hours on the island. With a car you'll fit Akrotiri + one winery + Oia. The alternative is a private guide with driver at $200–300, no parking stress.
Depends on the plan. Just Oia and Fira with dinners and spa — a car isn't critical, taxis cover it. If Akrotiri, wineries, Pyrgos and beaches are in scope — yes, a car gives real freedom. Many couples take a car for 3 active days and live without one for 2 nights in Oia.
The highest point of Santorini (567 m), with a working 18th-century monastery and 360° views. A tarmac switchback road climbs from Pyrgos. A saloon car copes. Especially fine at sunrise — count on 30 minutes from Fira.
Akrotiri sits in the south, 13 km from Fira (20 minutes). Parking $3–5. Site entry €15. The visit takes 1.5–2 hours. On the way back, drop in at the Red Beach (5 minutes from Akrotiri) and the Santo Wines winery.
No, none. Every road on Santorini is free, including the Athinios switchback and the climbs to Profitis Ilias. Your only on-road costs are petrol and parking in Fira and Oia.
Small — Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo, Fiat Panda. Narrow lanes, tight car parks, switchbacks — small is easier. An SUV is overkill. A cabrio works only in shoulder season — in summer the Meltemi and roof-down heat get tiring fast.
Depends. ATV ($30–60 a day) is easier to park but doesn't take cases and isn't safe on the Athinios switchback. A car ($40–130) suits families, storms and a winery run. Most experienced travellers on Santorini take a car rather than an ATV.
Yes, but heavily reduced. From November to March there are few flights (Athens plus rare charters), and many rental desks are closed. Most caldera hotels close for winter. In low season, book 3 weeks ahead — or fly to Athens and take the ferry.