Getting Around Santorini

4 August, 2010 By

The best way to move in Santorini is renting a quad or a moped, because the island can easily traverse from end to end in half an hour, and know the island much better. Although a car is a good choice, parking problems can be found, both in the center of towns as in the beach . Of course not rule taxi or bus service, but the frequency and scope of the latter is not “excessive.”

In summary, we find the following means of transport within the island:

  1. Local bus service
  2. Taxi service
  3. Renting quad, moped or car
  4. Cable car (only at the ports)
  5. Donkey ride (only at the ports)
Filed Under: Getting Around

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    • Getting around Santorini by car, moped or quad

    4 August, 2010 By

    Because of that the island is quite small and easy walking, may be better to rent a motorbike or a quad, particularly during peak periods. If you were to take a car, the only problem you can find is the parking. And of course, cars are more expensive to rent. To get an idea, bikes are about 15 € a day, quads, from 20 € to 25 €, and cars over 30 €.

    It is very important to ask for prices in several car rental agencies (there are plenty of them around the island, especially in Fira), since price can vary greatly from one to another.

    Even going in high season, there are no trouble in renting vehicles because the great amount of small rental companies.

    Bear in mind that there are not many gas stations in the island, specialy in Oia, where there are no one. Nearest one is located at Fira.

    Filed Under: Getting Around, Renting a Vehicle

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    • Getting around Santorini by local bus

    4 August, 2010 By

    The local bus (remember that is green) covers most of the routes in the island, going to different beaches and villages. Keep in mind that many public buses are like tour buses, so we must be careful not to make the mistake of missing the bus. It is very important to remember that the routes of the buses change frequently and without notice.

    Local Bus, Santorini

    Local Bus, Santorini

    The main bus station is located in the central square of Fira. The price for all stages is between 1 and 2.5 € and in summer there is a bus every 30 minutes to reach most areas. The bus between the port of Athinios and Fira is tied to the schedules of the ferries, this way, tourists are taken to the port about an hour before the ferry departure.

    Do not expect to find an “awesome bus station”, it’s just a small square where the buses are parked. Just in the same square, you can find a sign with the schedules of the different bus lines that leave from there.

    Here’s a summary of existing bus lines represented on a map:

    Mapa de rutas del autobús, Santorini

    Map of Bus Routes, Santorini

    Fira-Oia through Firostefani & Imerovigli

    Fira-Perissa through Karterados, Messaria, Pyrgos, Emborio, Megalochori & Perivolos

    Fira-Kamari through Karterados & Messaria

    Fira-Vlihada through Karterados, Messaria, Pyrgos, Emborio, Megalochori & Perivolos

    Fira-Vourvoulos through Kontochori

    Fira-aeropuerto through Karterados, Messaria & Monolithos

    Fira-Akrotiri through Karterados, Messaria & Vothonas

    There are no direct buses that go from side to side of the island. Fira is the main hub for the buses and all the lines stop there. It is therefore possible to reach each site by changing buses at Fira. In high season, some bus lines operate until 3 am.

    You can check the schedules of KTEL bus lines in the website: http://www.ktel-santorini.gr/summer_timetable/use/summer_timetable/admin/index_output.php

    Keep in mind that buses frequencies often change without warning, so be very careful with this.

    Filed Under: Getting Around, Local Bus

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    • Getting around Santorini by boat

    4 August, 2010 By

    Something that you should not stop doing in Santorini is to give a boat ride in one of the excursions that are offered in the island, either going to the volcano or even renting a boat to explore the surroundings.

    Boat Tour, Santorini

    Boat Tour, Santorini

    In this way, the vast majority of hotels and car rental agencies have already arranged travel with the boats, so that, in almost all of these sites you may be informed about the rental of ships. Many of the accommodations sell directly tickets for excursions on boats.

    Filed Under: Boat, Getting Around

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    • Getting around Santorini on a donkey

    4 August, 2010 By

    No, this is not a joke, this is the oldest existing business in the island. To go from Fira to the port, there is a path with 580 steps, and the locals have set up the business of transport with donkeys, for a small fee of 5 €.

    Donkey to the port, Santorini

    Donkey to the port, Santorini

    In reality, donkeys are still used as a transport or cargo. The distance from the port of Oia or Fira to its inner city is crossed on the backs of these animals. What we strongly recommend is to take the donkey to go from Fira to the port, since the sights along the way down are quite spectacular.

    Filed Under: Donkey, Getting Around

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    • Getting around Santorini by taxi

    4 August, 2010 By

    There are plenty of taxis and taxi drivers speak English. The main point of the taxis stops is just below the square of Fira, near the old bus station. The minimum fare is 2 € and it is calculated based on the destination. The time of the day and the amount of luggage you are carrying are conditions that are taken into account for the final figure.

    To get an idea of costs, the fare from Fira to the airport is about 15 € and a journey from Fira to Oia will cost between 12 and 15 € during the day. Our advice is always to establish the fare before boarding a taxi, because they live from tourism.

    Filed Under: Getting Around, Taxi

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    • Getting around Santorini by cable car

    4 August, 2010 By

    If you do not like walking and do not dare to take the donkey, you can take a cable car towards Fira (4 €) from the port. It is much easier and more economical, and in four minutes you will be in the center of the town.

    Cable Car in Fira, Santorini

    Cable Car in Fira, Santorini

    As they say, and not to end up with the historic tradition of donkeys, some of the revenue from the cable car is for the owners of the donkeys. What we strongly recommend is to go on foot all the way down to the port from Fira (580 steps), because the sights along the way are quite spectacular.

    Cable Car in Fira, Santorini

    Cable Car in Fira, Santorini

    The cable car at the port of Fira is located at the end of the port, it is very easy to locate because the port is very small. The cable car is located in the uppermost part in the city, close to the seafront whose views overlooking the caldera. Anyway, there are signs indicating where both the descent of 580 steps and the location of the cable bar are.

    Cable car is opened from 07:00 until 22:00 (21:00 in winter)

    Filed Under: Cable Car, Getting Around

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