There aren’t many places on Earth that can really compare to the rare beauty of Greek island of Santorini. Over 2 million people every year prefer to spend their vacation time here. It is fair to say that Santorini has earned its place among the world’s most popular holiday destinations.
Why Rent a Car in Santorini?
Santorini is easily explored by car. It’s a relatively small island and is packed with amazing historical sights, intoxicating beaches and stunning sunsets.
Renting a car in Santorini is a huge advantage, because it allows you to travel at your own pace, gives the flexibility to follow your own timing schedule and means you can visit the places you really want to go.
The biggest benefit of having a rental car is that you can visit the sights and stay in hotels further away that are not crowded. This also allows you to save money as generally hotels in urban areas are more expensive and tourists can not travel too far from them without a car.
We highly recommend renting a smaller car for road-tripping in Santorini. Renting a smaller car makes navigating and parking in the villages that you will visit significantly easier.
Drive on the right-hand side of the road
Driving in Santorini is on the right-hand side of the road similar to most of Europe and the USA.
Sim card
We recommend purchasing a SIM card with data when you arrive in Greece. Having mobile data, are invaluable for navigating in the rental car. It also meant that you could research places to visit when we were on the road. You can order your prepaid sim card online with Sim Options before you travel so you do not have to stress about finding one at the airport when you land.
International Drivers Permit (IDP)
An International Drivers Permit (IDP) is a document separate to your driving licence that is basically a translation of your driverslicence to a number of different languages.
Visitors to Greece with an EU licence do not require an IDP. Since 2018 Greek authorities require any non-EU licence holders who are renting a car in Greece to carry an IDP.
An IDP is easily obtained in your home country before you travel. You cannot get one after you leave your home country. Your rental car company will require this from you at the time of renting so make sure to get it before you travel.
Renting a car in Greece tip: IDP’s typically last only one year so make sure if you have an older one that it’s still in date.
Fuel
There are many gas stations and you find them often, but, we determined that a number of the gas stations did not take credit cards. Μake sure to test before you replenish in case you don’t have cash!
Speed limits
Most speed limits are very well signposted in Greece. The general limits were 60-70 km/ph on highways while secondary roads were 50km/ph with residential areas being even less than that.( there are many speed limit signs).
Read more from our Blog:
Organize an Amazing Santorini Road Trip
