ATV & buggy: fun, easy parking, south-island access
Car & bus: safe and cheap, but limited
Santorini is only about 12 km long, but its steep lanes, scarce parking and Fira-hub bus network mean the "best" way to get around depends entirely on what you're doing. For a day of exploring the south island and the back roads — Perissa, Emporio, Megalochori, Vlychada — an ATV or buggy wins on fun, parking and access. For arrival day, luggage, young kids or the midday heat, a car is the safer, air-conditioned all-rounder.
The KTEL bus is unbeatable on price at about €1.80–€2.80 a ride and fine for the caldera towns, but every route changes in Fira, so it's slow for the south and interior. Taxis are scarce — only 25–30 on the island — so treat them as transfers, not touring. The smart play for most visitors: a car or bus for the basics, and a guided ATV or buggy tour for one adventure day that covers the parts public transport can't.
However you choose to get around, popular additions include a catamaran BBQ cruise from the Old Port, a transfer from Athinios ferry port to Fira or Oia, guided wine tastings in Megalochori, and boat excursions to the Nea Kameni volcano and Palea Kameni hot springs.
Seven things that decide it — with the short answer per option, from cost to who each suits.
| What matters | ATV / Quad | Buggy | Car | KTEL Bus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical price | €25–€60/day, or €65–€95 guided | €70–€150/day | €25–€50/day | €1.80–€2.80/ride |
| Comfort & weather | Open-air, windy and dusty | Open but stable, with seatbelts | Air-conditioned, weatherproof | Basic, can be crowded |
| Parking & narrow lanes | Easiest — parks almost anywhere | Easy | Hard in Fira and Oia | Not applicable |
| Reaches the south island | Yes, freely | Yes | Yes | Poorly — hubs through Fira |
| Safety | Riskiest — high centre of gravity | Safer than an ATV (roll cage) | Safest option | Very safe (you're a passenger) |
| Luggage & groups | Minimal — no large bags | Small loads, two people | Best for families and luggage | Fine, but route-limited |
| Best for | Confident riders, couples, adventure | Couples wanting stability and photos | Families, luggage, hot weather | The tightest budgets |
Short version: adventure and easy parking → ATV; two-up with stability and photos → buggy; families, luggage or hot midday weather → car; tightest budget → bus. Most visitors combine a car or bus with a guided ATV or buggy day.
The honest pros and cons of every way to get around the island.
The table gives the quick read; here's the fuller picture on each, so you can match one to your trip.
The cheapest fun option and the easiest to park, and it reaches the south island freely. It's open-air, dusty and the riskiest choice on the cliff roads, so it's best for confident riders — first-timers should go guided with training and back-road routing.
A side-by-side UTV with a steering wheel, pedals, seatbelts and a roll cage — more stable and comfortable than an ATV and the most photo-friendly vehicle on the island. It costs more (€70–€150/day) but is the sweet spot for two.
Air-conditioned, weatherproof and best for families, luggage and the midday heat. The downside is parking — genuinely hard in Fira and Oia in peak season. Many visitors rent one for arrival and luggage, then switch to an ATV or buggy for a day.
Unbeatable value at €1.80–€2.80 a ride and perfectly fine for the caldera towns. But every route hubs through Fira, so town-to-town trips usually mean a change, and the south and interior are slow to reach. Pay cash.
The easiest way to do the ATV day — no rental admin. Check live dates and prices on the right.
Why we recommend it: if the ATV is your pick, this guided tour skips the rental admin entirely — the highest-reviewed on the island (4.9 from 200+ reviews), small groups on 450/550cc quads, with training, guide, fuel, helmet and hotel pickup included.
You ride the south-island loop from Perissa: Emporio's Venetian Kasteli, the windmills and vineyards of Megalochori with a wine-cellar tasting, a caldera viewpoint, a hidden cave chapel and an off-road descent to Vlychada. Guides "Alex" and "Pablo" are named again and again in reviews for keeping nervous riders relaxed.
Morning and late-afternoon departures; cruise passengers meet in front of McDonald's in Fira. Check live dates and book on the right.
Recent verified reviews from travellers who chose the ATV over a car or bus.
"One of my favorite experiences in Santorini! Hotel pickup, ATV training, and an incredible route through beaches, villages, vineyards and scenic dirt roads. Our guides, Alex and Pablo, were knowledgeable and patient."Jacqueline · United States · June 2026
"I loved the scenery, and how patient and helpful the guides are. This tour is a fantastic way to see the island before exploring on your own. 10/10 recommend!"Latrina · United States · June 2026
"What an amazing tour with wonderful hosts. One of the main guides, Alex, went above and beyond when we got into a traffic concern. The whole tour was perfectly orchestrated as they worked as a team."Gary W · United States · June 2026
"Had a great day, would definitely recommend. The guys were fun and professional, with safety at the forefront throughout. A nice little stop off for snacks and a drink at a local cafe."Jacqueline · United Kingdom · June 2026
Rating reflects 229 verified GetYourGuide reviews of the featured ATV-Quad Experience Tour as of June 2026.
Parking, the port transfer, licences, taxis and the season — the logistics that change which option is right.
A car is the comfortable all-rounder, but parking in Fira and Oia is genuinely frustrating in peak season. If your day is built around those two towns, an ATV or buggy — or the bus — often beats driving and circling for a space.
The ferry port at Athinios is steep and chaotic — pre-book a transfer rather than queueing for a scarce taxi. ATV tours don't pick up from the port or airport, so plan that first leg on its own.
Greek law treats quads and buggies like cars, so all three need a full Category B licence (not a motorcycle one). US and Canadian drivers should carry an International Driving Permit; rent an ATV of 150cc or larger to be road-legal.
With only 25–30 taxis island-wide and fixed fares, don't plan to taxi between sights. Uber works only as "Uber Taxi" (a licensed taxi). For day trips, a self-driven or guided vehicle is far more reliable.
The KTEL bus is cheap and frequent on the main routes, but everything changes in Fira and the last buses can be early. It's ideal for caldera towns, weak for the south island and late nights.
In July–August, heat and crowds make open-air ATVs tough at midday and parking worst — book ahead and ride early or late. In May–June and September–October every option is easier, and walk-up rentals are more available.
Cars, buses, taxis, ATVs and buggies — what actually works on the island.
It depends on your priorities. An ATV or buggy is the most fun and easiest to park and reaches the south island; a car is safest and air-conditioned, best for families and luggage; the KTEL bus is cheapest but hubs through Fira. Many visitors mix a car or bus for arrival with an ATV or buggy for an adventure day. For the full breakdown of every option — buses, taxis, cable car, transfers, sea transport and walking — see our complete Santorini transport guide.
No. The island is small and you can manage with buses, the occasional taxi, and an ATV, buggy or boat tour for day trips. A car is most useful for families, luggage, hot midday weather or staying in quieter villages like Akrotiri or Pyrgos.
For the caldera towns, often yes — the KTEL bus is cheap at about €1.80–€2.80 a ride. But all routes hub through Fira, so reaching the south island and interior is slow and involves changes. That's where an ATV, buggy or car wins.
An ATV is cheaper, parks anywhere and is more fun and scenic; a car is safer, air-conditioned, weatherproof and better for families and luggage. Many visitors rent a car for the arrival and luggage day, then take an ATV or buggy tour for an adventure day.
A buggy is usually better for couples: side-by-side seats, seatbelts and a roll cage make it more stable and comfortable, and it's the most photo-friendly vehicle. A double ATV is cheaper but you ride front-to-back, so choose 300cc or larger for two on the hills.
Taxis are limited — only around 25–30 on the whole island — and fares are fixed, so they're best for airport or port transfers rather than touring. Uber operates only as Uber Taxi, booking a licensed taxi. For freedom and day trips, an ATV, buggy or car is far more practical.
All three are driven on a full Category B car licence under Greek law, not a motorcycle licence. US and Canadian visitors should also carry an International Driving Permit. Rent an ATV of 150cc or larger to be road-legal.
Yes. A guided small-group ATV tour with hotel pickup means you don't rent a car or plan routes at all — you see the south-island highlights in one half-day with training, a guide, fuel and helmet included, then use buses or taxis for the rest of your stay.
Settle the other big questions, or browse well-rated ATV and buggy options.
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