↓ Know
↓ Travel
↓ Explore
↓ Play
↓ Rest
↓ Share
↓ Follow
Don't Miss A Thing. Subscribe Now!
Please click for info!
Rent a car in Santorini? Start here...
If you're like us and you love driving, then there are really no good reasons for you not to rent a car in Santorini.
Santorini car rental is for you who don't want to be limited by the bus network, which only connects the main villages of the island, and is eager to seek out all those secluded gems that Santorini offers.
It has been a great experience for us to cruise the beautiful countryside roads and make stops at any place that catches our interest along the way.
We think that the best time for Santorini driving is between mid-April to mid-June, when the weather is comfortable and traffic light. Don't be intimidated, however, by driving in summer. It is not quite as bad as some will make it out to be. Sure, it will take you a little longer to get around, but allow yourself plenty of time for driving keeping in mind that if you go too fast you may miss something along the road!
Santorini driving tips
We know that some people may feel slightly intimidated by the bad reputation of Greek drivers and the high traffic accident rates in Greece.
That is natural. Believe us, we had some of those feelings, too, the first time we walked into a Santorini car rental agency.
However, we can easily assure you, after having done a substantial amount of driving around the island, that driving on Santorini is not stressful.
Santorini is an amazing place for relaxing and for relieving stress, and it seems that this is true even when it comes to driving.
Yes, in high season there may be much traffic, but most drivers take it in stride and do not stress. After all, they are on vacation, so why would they?
If you are concerned about not being familiar with Greek road rules and traffic customs, we want you to know that the Greek driving customs are likely not that different from what you're used to.
Most importantly, the Greeks drive on the right side of the road and the common speed limits are 50 km/h (30 mph) in cities and 80 km/h (50mph) on country roads outside the cities. There are no highways on Santorini.
Also, don't expect drivers to yield to pedestrians wanting to cross the street, even at a zebra crossing. This is just not the convention here.
The use of seat belts is compulsory.
Drinking and driving is not accepted!. It is in fact very common to see police alcotest blocks on the Santorini roads during summer season.
Public parking is always free.
Santorini car rental facts
Here are the essential facts you need before you book with a Santorini car rental agent:
- Unless you're a citizen of the EU, you will need an international driving permit.
- You must have held your license for a minimum of 1 year.
- The minimum age for driving in Greece is 18 years, but most rental agencies on Santorini have a minimum age requirement of 23, or even 25 in some cases.
IMPORTANT! When you rent a car in Santorini, the agent may not always ask for an international driving permit, but if you get pulled over, or get in an accident, you need to produce one. You'll be in serious trouble without it. For example, in case of an accident, your insurance will be invalidated and we have heard of people being detained until they can come up with the cash to pay for the damages. Do not risk it!
Santorini car rental agents
In our experience, most Santorini car rental agencies are quick and easy to deal with, and should offer competitive prices.
Lower car rental rates is another benefit of choosing to rent a car in Santorini during low- or mid-season.
Major car rental companies are well represented on the island. The highest concentration of agents is in Fira, but you can find many smaller rental companies throughout the island.
You have a wide selection of models on the island. Everything from the fanciest luxury cars to mini buses and open top jeeps.
One final tip: book a car in advance! There are at least two very good reasons for this:
- You can have your car waiting for you at your point of arrival, which is very convenient. Believe us, it can be quite stressful to compete for cars with the large crowds arriving by boat or plane.
- You may have a hard time finding a car anywhere unless you have a reservation, especially in summer season, when thousands of new visitors arrive each day.
There you have it! We've provided you with some basic facts and tips on Santorini car rental. Now, it's time for you to do your own exploring of dealers and compare prices. We hope this page can get you off to a good start. Good luck and enjoy your Santorini driving!
Santorini News!
Get the latest news
on your favorite island.