Santorini Car Rentals

White Line

Santorini Car Rentals - 2023 Guide

Table of Contents

Santorini is a popular tourist destination thanks to its breathtaking beauty and historic landmarks, such as the caldera. It’s recommended to rent a car from DiscoverCars to explore the island’s famous beaches, villages, and attractions due to the considerable distances between them. The distance between the charming village of Oia and the famous Perissa beach is 27 kilometers. Meanwhile, the distance between Oia and Kamari beach is around 20 kilometers, and the distance to Santorini International Airport (JTR) is about 17 kilometers.

It is important to rent a car in Santorini to fully experience all the sights and attractions that the island has to offer. Some of the best routes can only be accessed by car, so renting a vehicle is highly recommended. This way, you can fully enjoy your holiday and discover all the beauty and elegance that Santorini has to offer.

.

🇬🇷 Greece Travel Resources We Use: 

.

Read Also:

Exploring and admiring the beauty of Santorini can be made easier by renting a car. Having your own car on the island offers numerous benefits, and with proper planning and research, you can have an incredible experience.

Advantages of Renting a Car in Santorini

Convenience – You can travel at your own pace and convenience by using a personal vehicle on the island. This way, you won’t have to depend on public transportation or spend a lot of money on taxi rides to visit the attractions you want to see.

Exploration – A car is a convenient way to explore Santorini’s villages, attractions, and beaches, which offer some of the world’s most breathtaking views. With a car, you can take your time to appreciate the scenery and find the island’s unique spots that appeal to you.

Cost – Consider renting a car from DiscoverCars in Santorini to save money. This way, you can avoid depending on taxis or public transportation for every trip and can plan ahead to get the best deal.

Keep in mind

International Drivers Permit (IDP)

If you plan on renting a car in Greece but don’t have a European Union (EU) driving license, you will need an International Drivers Permit (IDP). An IDP is simply a translation of your license into multiple languages. However, if you possess an EU license, you won’t need an IDP to drive in Greece.

Experts tip: Although rental companies may not always verify if you have an international license, it could cause problems if you are pulled over by the police or get into an accident. 

Read Next:

Sim Card and Navigation

We suggest that you buy a SIM card with data as soon as you get to Greece. Having mobile data can be very useful for navigating in a rental car and researching places to visit during your journey. Among the options, Airalo is the best choice.

Road Quality and Driving

The roads in Santorini are typically narrow and winding. Occasionally, you may need to navigate dirt roads. During the summer, Santorini can become very busy, resulting in challenges with parking and traffic. If you have prior experience with these types of situations, you should be fine.

Traveling to 🇬🇷 Greece soon?

I recommend these travel resources for Greece that I personally use:

🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Greece. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!

✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Greece, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.

🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.

🚙 Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer from the airport and beetween destinations with Welcome Pickups. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.

🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Greece, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.

🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Greece. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.

📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.

☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

If you want to see all the beauty Santorini has to offer, we recommend renting a car. This gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and discover everything the island has to offer, including its picturesque Greek towns and villages and spectacular sunsets.

Many people are hesitant to drive in Santorini because they believe it may not be safe. However, it is not as challenging as they think, so there’s little reason to be worried.

In Santorini, the majority of rental cars have manual transmissions. However, rental companies do offer automatic cars, although they may be pricier and in lower supply. It’s recommended to make reservations in advance.