Ah, Santorini.
You’ve chosen one of the most beautiful islands in the world for your vacation. The Greek villages, breathtaking sunsets, and blue-domed architectural wonders are to die for, and it’s no
You’ve chosen one of the most beautiful islands in the world for your vacation. The Greek villages, breathtaking sunsets, and blue-domed architectural wonders are to die for, and it’s no surprise that approximately 2-million tourists travel to Santorini every year.
Rest assured that you’re in for quite an adventure. However, if you want to make the most of your journey, we highly recommend searching for an experienced Santori car rental service. In doing so, you will have the opportunity to discover everything there is to discover on the island.
Why You Should Rent a Car in Santorini
Santorini is, quite literally, a labyrinth littered with the most stunning viewing points. It is a common sight to see visitors getting around on dirt bikes, scooters, and quadbikes/ATVs. Of course, you might not consider yourself much of an adrenaline junkie.
In that case, you could settle for their public buses. But since they are usually very crowded and their routes go through Fira, it can make your journey really inconvenient.
Sure, scooters and ATVs look like tons of fun, but the safest and most convenient way to get around is a Santorini rent a car service. By hiring a car, you can explore at your own pace and, if you’re up for it, maybe even drive off the tracks into isolated viewing spots, such as the Red Beach in Akrotiri.
If a rent a car service sounds like a good idea, we’re about to share some helpful tips on renting a car for your vacation:
1. Driving Eligibility
Most Santorini car rental services require their clients to be 21-years of age and have a drivers’ license for at least a year. Don’t be surprised if they ask you for an additional fee if you’re under 25-years old.
2. Pack Your International Driver’s License
Greek law states that foreign drivers should present their International Driver’s License. Granted, there are a few countries whose citizens aren’t required to present their license to a Santori rent a car service, but it is still better that you pack it along with your travel documents in case you ever get pulled over by the local authorities
3. Pick a Compact Car
Santorini is packed with multitudes of winding roads, and if you pick a compact car, you wouldn’t have trouble navigating on these routes. Besides, it can be quite troublesome to squeeze a larger sedan into the island’s tight parking spots. Trust us, hire smaller vehicles – you wouldn’t regret it.
4. Buy a Sim Card
It is also recommended that you buy a local sim card from the airport before renting a car. You see, mobile data can really come in handy when navigating around Santorini’s winding roads. Of course, you could also just as easily research the best dining spots or garages if you have a sim card.
5. Hire a Driver
With so many local drivers, scooters, ATV’s, pedestrians, buses, and cars on the road, you might find it a little challenging to drive around by yourself. Instead, hire a driver because the locals are very familiar with Santorini’s roads and know how to drive through risky areas.
In addition, traffic tends to worsen around the sunset near the port when ferries and ships are departing or arriving. If you want to make it in time for the glorious view, make sure you leave home early.
6. Book Car Seats for Children
If you’re traveling with your children, make sure that you book car seats with your Santorini car rental service. There are, however, a few car seat rules you may have to abide by, which include:
- If your children are under 3-years of age, you should use an appropriate harness.
- If you plan on seating your child in a rear-facing car seat in the passenger seat, make sure that the vehicle’s airbags are deactivated.
7. Don’t Have a Credit Card? No Problem
Most car rental services on the island will require you to present a credit card before you can drive off into the sunset. If this is a problem, we recommend that you book your car from Santorini car hire company. But that’s not all. Santorini Rent a Car should be your go-to car rental service because:
- They don’t ask for a security deposit
- They don’t charge an upfront fee for additional drivers
- They offer free child seats
- They offer free hotel delivery and dropoff
- They offer free pick-up and dropoff at the airport
And with that, you’re all set to enjoy a beautiful adventure in Santorini amid colored roofs, dramatic vistas, and blue skies.
