300cc quad from ~€33/day
Insurance excess up to €1,500
A mid-size 300cc quad — the most popular tourist choice — runs roughly €33–€45/day at shoulder rates and about €55/day in the July–August peak. A typical couple on a 4-day trip should budget €130–€200 all-in for the quad itself. Scooters are cheapest (€15–€30/day for a 50cc), buggies are the most expensive fun vehicle (€80–€200/day for a 2-seater), and small economy cars are surprisingly competitive (from ~€23/day off-peak to €45–€70/day in August).
But the daily rate is not the number to focus on. The insurance excess (€700–€1,500 on a quad), fuel-shortfall charges and after-hours delivery fees are what catch tourists off guard. Every section below breaks those out — so the total you end up paying matches the total you planned on.
Once you've budgeted for your Santorini quad or buggy rental, browse other available experiences: a catamaran BBQ cruise around the caldera, a guided ATV tour of Perissa, Emporio and Megalochori, or a boat trip to the Nea Kameni volcano and Palea Kameni hot springs.
Santorini uses "ATV" and "quad" interchangeably. The variable that matters for pricing — and performance — is engine size.
Small quads start around €24/day but will struggle carrying two adults on steep roads. The 300–400cc range is the sweet spot for most couples. Rates drop sharply with multi-day rentals — some companies advertise "from €15/day" on a 7-day low-season booking.
| Engine size | Shoulder rate / day | Peak (Jul–Aug) / day | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150cc | ~€24 | €30–€35 | Solo rider, flat routes |
| 170–200cc | €30–€33 | €38–€42 | Solo; two adults minimum size |
| 300–310cc | €33–€45 | ~€55 | Couples, the sweet spot |
| 400cc | ~€38 | €50–€60 | Couples who want headroom |
| 450–500cc | €40–€55 | €55–€65 | Confident riders, hilly routes |
| 550–570cc | €52–€60 | €65–€75 | Experienced riders, off-road |
| 625–650cc | €55–€70 | €75–€85 | Max comfort, heaviest loads |
Sizing rule: If your daily rate quote for a 300cc exceeds €55–€60 in shoulder season, that's peak-level pricing — shop around. Also, confirm whether the quoted rate includes CDW insurance or adds it separately. For more on what to look for when renting, see our full ATV & quad rental guide.
Self-drive rental with pickup included — check availability:
Buggies (UTVs) are the premium side-by-side option — more stable than a quad, more fun than a car, and perfectly legal on a standard car licence.
Low season: €70–€110/day
Mid season: €90–€130/day
High season: €120–€150/day
A roll cage, shared steering wheel and two bucket seats make a buggy more fun for couples than a quad — you ride side by side rather than tandem. The 570cc is the most widely available model; the 900cc adds power for two heavier adults or hillier routes.
Low season: €230–€250/day
High season: €260–€280/day
The 4-seater UTV is the group vehicle of choice for those who want four people on the same vehicle. Requires a full Category B car licence from all drivers, like any other buggy or quad. Book well in advance — 4-seat models are limited.
Insurance excess on a buggy runs €800–€2,000 for standard CDW — and up to €5,000 on the largest 4-seat models. The SCDW (zero excess) upgrade adds €10–€20/day and is well worth it on the high value of a buggy. The buggy category also has higher walk-up premiums vs. pre-booked rates, so book online ahead of time.
A 50cc moped runs €15–€30/day and a 125cc scooter €20–€45/day, with 10–20% discounts common for multi-day rentals. A 50cc is generally rideable on an EU car licence AM category; a 125cc requires an A1 motorcycle licence — so if you hold only a car licence, a 50cc moped (where permitted) or a quad are your two-wheel options. Helmets are legally mandatory and always free. Scooter insurance excess typically runs €350–€800 for standard CDW.
Safety note: Santorini's narrow, dusty roads are shared with inexperienced riders, and scooters are disproportionately involved in accidents relative to quads. Experienced scooter riders are fine; first-timers and those not comfortable on two wheels are better served by a quad, where the four-wheel stability adds a meaningful margin.
Small economy and mini cars average roughly €21–€42/day in shoulder season, dipping to €11–€14/day in the cheapest winter months, and spiking to €45–€70/day in August. Compact/medium cars average €56–€65/day; SUVs €30–€53; convertibles ~€42. Automatics sell out first in peak season — always book a car further ahead than a quad.
A small economy car in shoulder season can actually be cheaper than a mid-size quad, with the bonus of AC and luggage space. For a couple with light luggage doing short day trips, a quad wins on experience; for families, anyone with luggage, or anyone driving in late July or August heat, a car wins on comfort and often on total cost once you add SCDW insurance for the quad. International car chains hold deposits on credit cards (€290–€1,000 depending on category) — this doesn't apply to local moto rental shops.
| Car category | Shoulder rate / day | August peak / day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini / economy | €21–€42 | €45–€70 | Sells out fast; book early |
| Compact / medium | €35–€55 | €56–€70 | Better for 3–4 with luggage |
| SUV | €30–€50 | €53–€75 | Ground clearance for dirt roads |
| Convertible | €30–€42 | €50–€70 | Fun but very hot in August |
Free everywhere, by law. Always included and legally required. No credible company charges for helmets.
Third-party liability insurance is mandatory by law. CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) is included in most quoted rates, but check the excess amount and whether your vehicle type is fully covered.
Standard across Santorini rentals — no per-km charge. The island is small (~75 km² road network) so this rarely matters in practice.
Most quads and scooters come with a top box for small bags. Not a substitute for luggage — if you're carrying suitcases, rent a car instead.
Usually included at moto shops at no charge. Confirm with car companies, which may charge per additional driver.
To the airport, Athinios port, and most hotels — free for most rental lengths. Oia, after-hours, and some longer-distance deliveries may incur a surcharge.
Six things that consistently produce lower final bills — not voucher hacks, just smart booking choices.
Online pre-booked rates are consistently lower than walk-up counter or hotel-desk rates. The savings can be significant — not a small discount, sometimes 20–30% of the daily rate.
Multi-day discounts kick in sharply from day 3 and unlock free out-of-station delivery at many companies. Even if you only want the vehicle for one full riding day, booking 2–3 days can sometimes cost less than one peak-day rate.
May–June and September–October bring rates well below August peak for the same vehicles on the same routes. If timing is flexible, this is the most impactful choice.
Don't pay for a 650cc if you're solo on flat routes. Don't underbuy a 150cc if two adults are riding — you'll stall on hills and potentially face charges if you damage the engine. The 300cc is the right choice for most couples.
At ~€10/day on a quad, the zero-excess SCDW upgrade is the one rental add-on that genuinely makes sense — it protects you against a potential €700–€1,500 liability for about €40 on a 4-day rental. Don't skip it to save €10/day.
Compare companies on the total: daily rate + excess amount + delivery fee + fuel policy. A €5/day cheaper rate from a company with a €1,500 excess vs. one with a €700 excess means very different risk profiles. The cheapest-headline company is rarely the best-value option.
| Vehicle | Daily rate range | Insurance excess | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50cc moped | €15–€30 | €350–€800 | Solo, budget, caldera towns |
| 125cc scooter | €20–€45 | €350–€800 | Solo, experienced riders |
| 150–200cc quad | €24–€33 | €700–€1,200 | Solo or two adults minimum |
| 300cc quad | €33–€55 | €700–€1,500 | Couples — the sweet spot |
| 450–650cc quad | €40–€85 | €1,000–€1,500 | Confident riders, hilly routes |
| Economy car | €21–€70 | €600–€2,000 | Families, AC, luggage |
| 2-seat buggy | €70–€150 | €800–€2,000 | Couples wanting premium ride |
| 4-seat buggy | €200–€280 | €2,000–€5,000 | Groups of 4 |
Total trip estimate for a couple, 4 days, 300cc quad: €130–€200 for the quad + ~€15–€25 fuel + optional ~€40 SCDW upgrade = approximately €185–€265 all-in, rising toward €220–€280 at August peak rates. Rates here are indicative "from" rates from 2026-labelled sources — verify current pricing at the time of booking.
Guided ATV tours are a different product — far more per day than self-drive, but with hotel pickup, fuel, wine tasting, training and a guide included. Here's when the extra cost makes sense.
When guided makes more sense than self-drive: self-drive is better value for confident riders staying 3+ days who'll use the vehicle all day. Guided is better for one-day-only trips, first-time quad riders, anyone who doesn't want to deal with rental paperwork and insurance decisions, and anyone whose licence status makes self-drive complicated. At €75pp, a guided tour for two costs about €150 — comparable to a 3-day 300cc quad rental without the insurance decisions. Full guided vs self-drive comparison here.
Hotel pickup, 450/550cc quads, fuel, full safety training, and a guide-photographer. The south-island loop: Emporio's Venetian Kasteli, Megalochori vineyards with a wine-cellar tasting, caldera viewpoints, and off-road descents to Vlychada beach. 4.9 rating from 200+ verified reviews.
Morning and late-afternoon departures. Check live dates on the right. For licence and requirements, see the Santorini ATV licence guide.
Rates, insurance, deposits, engine size — what visitors ask most before renting.
A mid-size 300cc quad runs roughly €33–€45/day in shoulder season and about €55/day in the July–August peak. Small 150–200cc quads start around €24–€30/day; large 550–650cc machines run €52–€85/day. A typical couple renting a 300cc for one day pays €33–€55 booked online in advance, dropping further with multi-day discounts. For the full engine-size breakdown, see the pricing table above.
Standard CDW on a rental quad leaves you liable for an excess of €700–€1,500 per incident. For buggies the range is €800–€2,000 (up to €5,000 on the largest models). Most companies offer a SCDW (zero-excess) upgrade for around €10/day on a quad that eliminates this liability. Note that no insurance policy covers tyre damage, underbody damage, lost keys, wrong-fuel damage, or off-road/beach driving.
Most local moto shops do not pre-charge a deposit — they take your card details for security only. International car-hire chains do hold deposits on credit cards, commonly €290–€1,000 depending on category. Always confirm the deposit policy in writing at the time of booking.
Two adults need a minimum 200cc quad, and ideally 300cc or more. Santorini's steep caldera roads will defeat a 125–170cc quad carrying two passengers — this is the single most common tourist mistake. The 300–400cc range is the sweet spot for a couple.
In shoulder season they're comparable: a 300cc quad runs €33–€45/day and a small car from €23–€42/day. In August, a car often wins on price and wins clearly on AC and luggage space. Outside peak season, a quad is more fun for the same or similar money. See our ATV vs car vs bus comparison for the full breakdown.
The cheapest powered option is a 50cc moped (€15–€30/day). For two adults, a small 200cc quad from €24/day is the cheapest practical vehicle. To minimise cost: book online in advance, rent for 3+ days to unlock up to 40% multi-day discounts, and travel in May–June or September–October when rates are 30–50% below August peak.
Once you've sorted your wheels, here's what the island's best days look like.
A quad or buggy day covers the south island brilliantly — Perissa black-sand beach, the Emporio castle, Megalochori vineyards, Akrotiri Minoan ruins, the Red Beach. Add a guided ATV experience tour if you'd rather ride with a local who knows every back road and viewpoint. In the evenings, the most popular combination is a catamaran sunset cruise around the caldera — the Oia sunset looks completely different from the water than from the clifftop. Many visitors also book a wine-tasting tour at one of the volcanic-soil wineries in Pyrgos or Santo Wines, or a morning boat trip to the Nea Kameni volcano and the hot springs at Palea Kameni. Browse what else is bookable for your dates:
What to rent
Vehicle types, engine sizes, hotel delivery, licence rules and how to book — our full Santorini rental guide.
Full ATV, quad & buggy rental guide Read the guide
Full transport guide
KTEL buses, taxis, car, ATV, cable car, transfers and sea transport — every option compared with real prices.
Complete Santorini transport guide 2026 Read the guide
Not sure which to choose?
Full cost comparison: when a €75pp guided tour makes more sense than renting at €33/day, and when it doesn't.
Guided ATV tour vs self-drive rental — full comparison Read the comparison
Top-rated guided ATV tour
The island's highest-rated ATV tour — hotel pickup, 450/550cc machines, wine stop and guide-photographer all included.
Featured: Santorini: ATV-Quad Experience Tour · ★ 4.9 (200+ reviews) Check availability