Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Santorini
Looking for a cheap car rental in Santorini? With Economybookings, you can easily compare different companies to find the best deals on cheap car hire in Santorini. If you want to explore the island at your own pace, renting a car is one of the best ways to get around, but it's worth booking early because Santorini is one of the most popular destinations in Greece.
- Compare prices carefully and think about whether you really need a car every day or only on your sightseeing days.
- Choose a basic or small car: they're cheaper, use less fuel, and on an island like this they're usually the most practical option.
- Book early: if you're travelling in summer, it's worth reserving your rental car in advance for better prices and wider availability.
- If you're staying on Santorini's caldera and planning to spend a lot of time there, it may make more sense to rent the car only for part of your stay.
Tips when renting a car in Santorini
- At the airport, rental companies are in the arrivals area, so pick-up is fairly straightforward.
- The public car park opposite the terminal is limited, so don't leave yourself too little time if you're returning the car close to your flight.
- In Santorini, a small car is usually more convenient than a large one, especially if you're driving between very busy villages.
- When you pick up the car, carefully check the fuel level, insurance cover, and any existing marks or scratches.
Driving tips in Santorini
- Always carry your driver's license, rental contract, and insurance documents.
- Drive on the right and overtake on the left. Always signal before any manoeuvre.
- In Santorini's villages and busiest tourist areas, drive slowly, as there are narrow streets, tight bends, and plenty of pedestrians mixed in with traffic.
- The roads leading to beaches and hilltop villages are often steep and narrow, so drive calmly and don't leave everything until the last minute.
- In Fira and Oia, it can be harder to find parking, especially at the busiest times of day, so it's best to arrive with time to spare.
- In Greece, driving under the influence of alcohol is not allowed. The legal limit is 0.5 g/L, dropping to 0.2 g/L for new and professional drivers, and fines can exceed €200.
Speed limits
In Santorini, the general speed limits used in Greece apply, although there are no motorways on the island as such:
- 110 km/h (68 mph) on signposted main roads.
- 90 km/h (55 mph) on roads outside built-up areas.
- 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas.
In Santorini, many roads are narrow and busy with scooters, quads, and tour buses, and there are also stretches running alongside cliffs. Even though the limit outside built-up areas is 90 km/h, in practice and for safety, it's much more common to drive well below that, especially in high season.
Road signs
Road signs in Santorini follow the European standard: clear, easy to understand, and with limits shown in km/h. In Greece, direction signs often appear in Greek as well as the Latin alphabet on main routes, which is very helpful for visitors. On the island, roads are often narrow and winding, so you'll frequently come across warning signs for steep slopes, tight bends, and tricky junctions.
Tolls and restricted zones
There are no toll roads in Santorini. The island is covered by local roads and short driving routes, so you won't need to worry about toll booths, electronic toll systems, or any extra charges for using the roads.
Discover Santorini by car
Santorini is a small island, and exploring it by car is a great experience: you can go at your own pace and stop whenever and wherever you like. You can start in Oia for the viewpoints, then continue to Pyrgos, one of the island's most traditional villages, and finish in Akrotiri, where you'll find the archaeological site and the lighthouse. If you fancy a beach day, Perissa and Perivolos are easy options for spending the day by the sea, while Red Beach, near Akrotiri, is one of the island's most photogenic spots. Just drive carefully, though, because there are lots of scooters and quads, and in high season the traffic is noticeable in the busiest tourist areas.
When to Visit
Santorini has the typical Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters.
- May and June: For many people, this is the best time to visit the island. The weather is very pleasant, there are fewer crowds, and everything feels much more relaxed.
- July and August: These are the busiest months for tourism. There's a lively atmosphere and perfect beach weather, but it's also when prices are at their highest.
- September and October: These are still warm months, the sea remains at a good temperature, and the atmosphere is much calmer than in the height of summer.
Languages & Communication
Greek is the official language in Santorini, but as it's one of the most touristy destinations in Greece, English is very widely spoken. In hotels, restaurants, car rental companies, and other businesses across the island, it's common for staff to speak English confidently, so communication is usually easy even if you don't know any Greek.
Currency & Payments
The euro (€) is used in Santorini, as in the rest of Greece. Credit and debit cards are usually accepted in hotels, restaurants, and all kinds of tourist businesses, especially in the island's most visited areas. Still, it's always useful to carry some cash for small expenses, more traditional tavernas, or quick purchases. There are also ATMs on the island and in the main tourist areas, although in high season it's sometimes better not to rely on them completely and to keep a little cash on you.
Top driving routes from Santorini
Santorini is a small island, so getting around by car is very easy. With a rental car, you can stop wherever you like and explore it in depth.
- Oia and the north of the island: This is where you'll find some of the island's most beautiful viewpoints, the classic white houses, and several of the most impressive views over the Aegean Sea.
- Pyrgos: A quieter, more traditional village, perfect for seeing a more authentic and less touristy side of Santorini.
- Akrotiri: A perfect route for combining history and scenery. Akrotiri is home to one of Santorini's most important archaeological sites: an ancient prehistoric town preserved under volcanic ash. You can still see the remains of streets and buildings. You can also visit the lighthouse and some of the island's best-known beaches.
- Perissa and Perivolos: Good options if you'd rather spend a beach day in a lively area without any hassle getting there by car. Perissa is one of Santorini's best-known beaches, famous for its black volcanic sand. Right next to it is Perivolos, with a livelier atmosphere, more places to eat, and several spots offering sunbeds and water sports.
- Red Beach and the south coast: In this part of the island, you'll find volcanic scenery, reddish cliffs, and some of Santorini's most famous beaches. Red Beach, in fact, is one of the best known thanks to its red rocks and how different it feels from the island's other beaches.
