Enterprise

Car & Van Hire - Santorini

Co-Authored by Federica Brunini

A car rental in Santorini is often the easiest way to move freely between the island’s busiest arrival points and its best-known villages. For travellers coming from elsewhere in Greece, the trip might be a short break, a family stay, or a work visit.

Having your own vehicle makes it easier to move between the airport, Athinios Port, Fira, Oia, beach areas and quieter inland stops - all without having to plan your day around fixed transfer times. Travel writer and author Federica Brunini provides her advice and guidance on making the most of travelling to Santorini.
 

Enterprise car hire locations - Santorini

Finding a car rental at Santorini Airport

For many arrivals, collecting a car rental at Santorini Airport is an easy way to start the trip on your own schedule. Santorini Airport serves domestic and international flights, with car hire available for arriving passengers.

 

Booking car rentals in advance from Santorini Airport

Pre-booking your rental is usually the smoothest way to begin. For a car rental in Santorini, prices are often lower when you book in advance, with more vehicle options available and an easier collection process once you arrive.

At the airport, you can head to the collection point with your booking details, driving licence, identification and payment card ready.

Booking in advance is especially helpful if you need an automatic car, more luggage space, or a larger vehicle. On an island where roads can be steep, parking can be tight, and summers are busy, choosing the right car before you arrive can save time and make the start of your trip feel more relaxed.

 

Choosing a car rental from the airport

Booking ahead is the best way to secure the vehicle you want. You can arrange a car rental in Santorini when you arrive, but it’s worth expecting a more limited choice.

This can work for flexible plans, but if you know what type of vehicle you need, booking ahead can make the first step of your trip more straightforward.
Whether you’re taking the family for a trip or you’re eager to enjoy the coastal views, one of the most important things to consider when choosing a rental is the actual rental itself. If you want to play it safe, most would agree a small car will serve you best.

“A small car is better, maybe an automatic one. On the islands, I would recommend a small car because the road conditions can be very difficult. They can be narrow, and they can be very steep, so I would suggest a very compact car.” - Federica Brunini

 

Finding a car rental at Santorini Port

For travellers arriving by sea, a car rental at Santorini Port usually means collecting your vehicle near Athinios. As Santorini’s main passenger ferry port, Athinios is the island’s key maritime connection with the rest of Greece.

This can be a convenient option if you’re travelling from Athens, Crete or another Cycladic island and want to continue by road soon after arrival. It can also work well if you are travelling with bags, family members or beach equipment and want an easier onward transfer.

 

Booking car rentals in advance from Santorini Port

Opting to rent a car in Santorini before you reach the port can make the arrival much easier. Athinios can be busy, especially in high season, so having the vehicle arranged in advance helps cut waiting time and gives you a clearer handover plan.

When you collect your car, you’ll need a payment card for the pre-authorised deposit. Check Enterprise’s accepted payment methods when you book so you have the right card ready.

 

Choosing a car rental when arriving at Santorini Port

If you try to arrange your Santorini car rental after reaching the port, you should expect longer waiting times. Athinios handles large volumes of passenger traffic, and the area can become crowded around major ferry arrivals, especially in summer.
 

Where to go in Santorini

Santorini attracts Greek travellers for all kinds of reasons, from long weekends and celebrations to summer breaks and island-hopping trips. Fira remains the island’s main hub, while Oia, Imerovigli and Firostefani are known for caldera views and sunset stops.

“I would recommend not just staying in Oia or along the beaches, but to visit other villages that are quite fascinating. There are Pyrgos, Emporio, and Akrotiri; these are some places I would recommend to visit, because it's important to connect with the history and the culture.” - Federica Brunini

A car becomes especially useful when you want to move beyond one part of the island. Akrotiri is packed with archaeological interest, while beach areas such as Perissa and the south coast are more relaxing and rugged.

For travellers looking to complete a full island circuit, driving makes it easier to combine villages, wineries, viewpoints and beach stops in one day. That flexibility can make a real difference on an island where each area offers something slightly different.

Planning a Santorini road trip

When renting a car in Santorini, you’ll want to make the most of your trip. Federica Brunini shared her “Authentic Santorini Road Trip” to provide inspiration for travellers eager to explore the island.

Pyrgos

Starting from Fira or Oia, depending on where you're starting your road trip, you can stop at the island’s former capital, Pyrgos.

“In my opinion, it is Santorini's most underrated village because of the whitewashed alleys, the panoramic viewpoints, the traditional architecture, and especially because there are far fewer visitors than Oia.
“There is also this old Venetian castle uphill, and you can spend even an hour wandering around it. It's really a cultural experience I would recommend.” - Federica Brunini

 Santo Wines

From Pyrgos, you can drive to the Santo Wines viewpoint.

“Santo Wines is a special place because you can enjoy wine tasting there, facing one of the finest views of the caldera. If you don't want to drink wine, you can even have a coffee stop, but what's better than drinking a wine on a terrace offering the best views of the caldera?” - Federica Brunini

Akrotiri

Then there is Akrotiri, which is often called the Pompeii of the Aegean.

“Here you can find very well-preserved Bronze Age settlements. You can have a fascinating perspective on how the volcanic eruption has shaped Santorini, like the Pompeii ones have made for the area in Campania in Italy, around Naples.
“It's a dive into the past, the ancient past of Greek culture. I would say that for travellers interested in history, this is arguably the island's most important site after the caldera itself.
“There is also the fishing village of Akrotiri. There, you can have lunch at coastal tavernas overlooking the water. And of course, the Red Beach, which is one of the main beaches to see when you are in Santorini.” - Federica Brunini

Emporio

Finally, there’s Emporio, another place where many visitors never see.

“It is very interesting for medieval lanes, fortified architecture, and it's more like a living village than a tourist attraction. It goes back into a past we are not aware of. It is interesting for tourism, but it is authentic at the same time.” - Federica Brunini

When’s best to travel to Santorini?

Santorini is at its busiest in summer, when ferry arrivals are frequent, beach travel is in full swing, and the island has its liveliest atmosphere.

“If you want to go to parties all night, you need to go in August and July because there are more people to spend time with.” - Federica Brunini

For travellers who want warm weather with a little more room to move, spring and early autumn are often a better fit. These months still offer long days and a holiday atmosphere, while making it easier to get around the island and enjoy popular villages at a calmer pace.

When considering times to avoid travelling, it’s the winter months that won’t have much to offer.

“I would go any time until October, and then definitely not travel from November to May. It's really windy, and tends to be too quiet then. You can feel a little bit lonely, and you can have the experience of like the island is empty.
“Many services and restaurants and shops are often closed. Maybe they are open during the weekends, but they tend to stop trading during the weekdays. It's even difficult to find hotels and places to stay, especially from December till March.” - Federica Brunini
 

What to remember when travelling to Santorini

As well as picking the right time of the year and planning an itinerary, there are several things to keep in mind when travelling to Santorini. Even for locals and those familiar with Greek roads, it’s worth considering the following.

1. Prepare for the weather

The right car for the trip is essential. This also includes whether you’re focusing on a more leisurely trip and want to enjoy exploring what the beautiful driving routes the island has to offer. However, there are essential additions to a car you should plan for, such as air conditioning.

2. Enjoy the sights, but prepare for the roads

Even if routes on Santorini offer stunning views, it’s always worth remembering to keep your eyes on the road. This is especially true when considering how quickly the roads can change.

“The biggest hazard is often not road quality but overconfidence. Scenic roads can quickly become mountainous, narrow, and winding, so they can be really difficult to navigate.” - Federica Brunini

3. Be cautious after dark

As beautiful as Santorini is, it’s worth remembering that there are areas that won’t be as developed as bigger cities on the mainland. Because of this, there can be hazards on the road that more city-accustomed travellers won’t expect.

“Be particularly cautious after dark, especially on the islands. The streets will probably not be perfectly lit, especially in the small villages, and the roads are not always perfect. You can have animals crossing your path, you can have people on bicycles or motorbikes, so I would be very cautious after dark.” - Federica Brunini

4. Planning journey times

For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of busy cities, it can be easy to think of places like Santorini as quiet in comparison. However, it’s still worth remembering that Santorini can be a popular travel destination, so you should still consider busy roads and the delays that they bring.

“Even if it is an island that you think is a small island, even Santorini, remember that it's not as small as you’d think. If you need to travel from one remote village to an archaeological site or to a beach, you need to consider that, especially in summertime, there are many cars and many people around the islands, so you need to leave earlier.” - Federica Brunini

 5. Planning around ports

It’s not uncommon for travellers to come and go from Santorini’s Athinios Port, especially when arriving with a car or choosing a rental there. Whether you’re driving to the port to explore other parts of Greece, or you’re planning on dropping off a rental before heading home, you should always plan your travels to Santorini’s port.
“Always consider the timing of the ferries coming to an island. There will be a lot of queues, so you don't want to be at the port or around a place where there is disembarkation. Otherwise, you will be stuck for hours in queues.

“Whenever you're travelling on an island, always remember to check if you're going next to a port and check the times of the ferries.” - Federica Brunini

6. Flights or ferries?

When travelling to Santorini from the mainland, there is often the question of whether to go via plane or ferry. Each means of transportation have their advantages, but it’s worth considering how they too can be considered a part of a holiday or trip.

“There is no right or wrong question about it; it depends on your attitude towards travelling. I would recommend checking how many hours you need to go by ferry and then decide.
“If it's under 4 hours, then, okay, you can do it by ferry, because otherwise, even by plane you need 4 hours between boarding and going to the airport. I would also recommend the ferry if you can sleep on the ferry for the night.
“I would recommend maybe one transfer by ferry just to have a different atmosphere and vibe. Because Greece is made mainly of islands, you can't really understand Greece if you don't cruise, if you don't cross the sea by ferry.” - Federica Brunini

Car rentals with Enterprise

Enterprise offers a range of flexible options for car rentals in Santorini, with airport and city locations, a wide choice of vehicles, and options for both short and longer stays.

Whether you need a compact car for a few days or a larger family vehicle for several months, booking ahead can make it easier to find the right fit for your plans.
 

“A car becomes valuable if you want to discover the real Santorini that many visitors never see. There are even lesser-known beaches that you can reach by car as well as wineries. If you want to have a wine tasting experience in Santorini, which I would recommend, you need to rent a car.
“There are even some remote viewpoints that I would recommend, and you need to have a car, because Santorini is bigger than many travellers expect. Distances maybe aren't huge, but public transport is centred around Fira, so cars become really useful to travel around.” - Federica Brunini

Whether you are planning a beach day, a family trip or a longer drive beyond Santorini, booking ahead can help you find the best option.