What is the cheapest way to get around Santorini?

KTEL buses are by far the cheapest option — most routes cost €1.80 to €2.50 as of 2026. The main hub is Fira bus station, with regular services to Oia, Perissa, Kamari, Akrotiri, and the port. Timetables are posted at the bus station and available at most hotels.

Is it worth renting an ATV or quad bike in Santorini?

Yes, for most visitors — ATV hire at approximately €25–35/day gives flexibility to visit beaches, wineries, and villages on your own schedule. The main roads between villages are paved and manageable. Avoid peak midday heat and always check that your travel insurance covers ATVs.

How do you get from Fira to Oia in Santorini?

Bus (approximately €1.80, 25 minutes), taxi (€15–25 depending on time of day), ATV/car rental (20 minutes), or the caldera rim trail on foot (9km, 3–4 hours). The bus is the most economical option; the hike is the most scenic.

Getting Around Santorini | The Greece Guides

Q: What is the cable car in Santorini?

The cable car connects Fira town on the clifftop with Fira's old port (Skala) below, covering the 220m vertical drop in about 3 minutes. Cost is approximately €6 each way as of 2026. It runs frequently throughout the day. Donkeys also make this journey for approximately €5–10.

Santorini is a small island — roughly 18km long and 6km wide at most — but its steep caldera geography, winding roads, and lack of a central car park for some villages means transport planning matters more here than on flatter islands. The right choice depends on your itinerary. Prices listed here are approximate as of 2026.

Guided Tours and Island Excursions

Tour	Duration	Price (from)	Group Size	Highlights
Santorini Full-Day Island Tour by Bus	8 hrs	from €55/person	Up to 35	Oia, Fira, Akrotiri, winery visit, and panoramic caldera stops
Private Island Jeep Safari	5 hrs	from €80/person	Small group	Off-road villages, volcanic vineyards, sunset viewpoints
Caldera Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting	3 hrs	from €65/person	Up to 20	Guided caldera rim walk, Oia sunset, Assyrtiko wine tasting
ATV Guided Island Exploration	4 hrs	from €45/person	Small group	Perissa, Kamari, Akrotiri lighthouse, local guide
Fira to Oia Guided Caldera Hike	4 hrs	from €35/person	Up to 15	9km scenic trail, villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli, Oia arrival

Browse all Santorini guided tours and island excursions → GetYourGuide

Understanding Santorini’s Layout

The main settlements run along the western caldera rim: Fira (the capital, central), Imerovigli (10 minutes north of Fira), and Oia (northern tip, 12km from Fira). The eastern side of the island holds the beach villages: Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos on the volcanic black sand. Akrotiri is at the southern tip.

Key distances from Fira:

Fira to Oia: 12km by road, 9km by caldera trail on foot
Fira to Perissa: 15km
Fira to Akrotiri: 13km
Fira to Athinios port (main ferry terminal): 10km

KTEL Cyclades Buses

KTEL runs the public bus network across Santorini. The hub is Fira Bus Station, located on the edge of the main square. Services connect Fira with Oia, Perissa/Kamari, Akrotiri, and Athinios port (timed to ferry arrivals and departures).

Fares are low: most routes cost €1.80 to €2.50 as of 2026. The Fira–Oia route runs approximately every 30 minutes in high season (less frequently off-season). Timetables are posted at the station; arrival at popular stops like Oia can fill buses before reaching boarding stops in summer — factor in extra time.

Buses do not serve all beaches directly. Monolithos, Vlychada, and Red Beach require a taxi or hired vehicle from the nearest village.

ATV and Quad Bike Rental

ATV and quad bike hire is the most popular transport choice for independent visitors. Most rental shops are in Fira, with smaller outlets in Perissa and Kamari.

Cost: approximately €25–35/day for an ATV (two-person quad), €20–30/day for a scooter (50–125cc) as of 2026
Requirements: a valid driving licence is required; EU licence holders can use their standard licence. Some operators ask specifically for a motorcycle category
Road conditions: main inter-village roads are paved and well-maintained. Side roads to beaches can be rough
Practical tip: book your ATV for early morning pick-up. Summer temperatures peak around 1pm; riding in the morning is significantly more comfortable, and parking at Oia and popular viewpoints fills by 10am

Insurance coverage varies between operators — confirm what is included before taking the vehicle. Your own travel insurance should ideally cover personal accident on hired vehicles.

Taxis

Taxis in Santorini are limited in number and heavily in demand in summer. Standard fares:

Fira to Oia: approximately €15–25 as of 2026
Fira to Athinios port: approximately €15–20
Fira to Perissa/Kamari: approximately €10–15

Pre-booking is strongly recommended during peak season (July–August). Your hotel can arrange this. Waiting for a taxi at a main road junction in peak summer can take 30–60 minutes.

The Fira Cable Car and Donkeys

The cable car between Fira town and the old port (Skala) runs every few minutes and covers the 220m vertical drop in about 3 minutes. Cost is approximately €6 each way as of 2026.

Donkeys operate the same route and have been doing so for centuries — the zigzag donkey path has roughly 580 steps. Cost is approximately €5–10 per trip. In high season, cruise ship passengers use both the cable car and the donkey path in large numbers; queues form quickly.

From the old port: both options are necessary if you need to reach a caldera boat tour departure point. Most day-trip and sailing tour operators depart from Ammoudi Bay (below Oia, accessible by taxi or by the steps from the village) or from the old port.

Car Hire

Car hire gives maximum flexibility and is practical for longer stays. Rates start at approximately €40–60/day for a small car as of 2026, depending on season and vehicle. The main constraints are:

Oia parking: there is limited parking at the entrance to Oia village — you park and walk in
Fira parking: limited, particularly around the centre; use the main car park on the eastern approach
Akrotiri: parking is available near the site entrance

For getting to all three major beaches (Perissa, Kamari, Red Beach) and to Akrotiri in one day, a hire car makes the itinerary significantly easier.

Water Taxis

Water taxis operate seasonally between Athinios port, Fira’s old port (Skala), and Ammoudi Bay. They are more useful for reaching caldera boat tours than for general island transport. Check with your hotel or at the port office for current schedules.

Transport by Activity Type

Activity	Best transport
Fira to Oia sunset	Bus (€1.80) or ATV. Book taxi return in advance
Caldera hike (Fira to Oia on foot)	Walk — bus or taxi one way
Akrotiri archaeological site	ATV, car, or direct bus from Fira
Red Beach	ATV or car — bus stops 2km away at Akrotiri
Perissa / Kamari beaches	KTEL bus (direct, regular service)
Boat tour from old port	Cable car or donkeys from Fira
Fira winery visits	ATV or car — wineries near Pyrgos and Megalochori
Airport arrival	Taxi (approximately €15–18 to Fira) or shuttle

Getting to/from Athinios Port

The main ferry terminal at Athinios is 10km from Fira. KTEL buses are timed to ferry arrivals and run to Fira; the journey takes 20–30 minutes at approximately €1.80–2.50. Taxis queue at the port when ferries arrive. Accommodation transfer is also often available — confirm with your hotel when booking.

See our Santorini island guide for an island overview, or where to stay in Santorini for accommodation across Oia, Fira, Imerovigli, and the beach villages. For organised excursions, Santorini tours covers sailing trips, wine tours, and transfers.

Getting Around Santorini: Transport Guide for Every Budget