The best way to hire a car in Santorini through FindYCar

The best way to hire a car in Santorini through FindYCar

To hire a car in Santorini using our website, you only need an internet connection, a few minutes, and three very simple steps:

  1. Browse several offers within your price range and choose the one you like best. Book Now.
  2. Check and activate the extras you need.
  3. Pay now to confirm with your card. The confirmation payment can be as little as 20% or as much as 100%.
Location

Location

  • You are free to specify any location you prefer to collect your vehicle (this could be a city, airport, or delivery)
  • Enter the start and end dates of the rental and perform a search.
Booking

Booking

  • Choose a car and add additional services (insurance, no deposit)
  • Book a car through our website and make the payment online
  • You will receive an email voucher with the rental company’s contact details and pick-up instructions.
Pick-Up

Pick-Up

  • When collecting the car, you will need to present your voucher, passport, driving licence, and a credit card (if a deposit is required)
  • Sign the rental agreement, collect the car, and enjoy your trip.

Cheap Car Hire Santorini: Best of FindYCar

Car Hire Santorini
Car Hire Santorini

Perched on the edge of a vast volcanic caldera, the Cyclades’ most dramatic island stuns with whitewashed villages clinging to sheer cliffs above sapphire-blue waters. Travellers come for the world’s most legendary sunsets and to photograph blue-domed churches suspended over the sea. It is the ultimate Greek fantasy - windswept beauty, romance, and a raw volcanic landscape that produces exceptional wines.

Exploring beyond the caldera becomes effortless with car hire in Santorini, helping you uncover secluded spots and lesser-known villages that most visitors never see beyond the famous clifftop towns. Having a vehicle at your disposal gives you the freedom to:

  • Escape the crowded caldera villages and discover authentic settlements like Pyrgos with its medieval castle and panoramic views
  • Reach the island’s dramatic southern beaches - Red Beach, White Beach, and Vlychada’s lunar-like cliffs
  • Visit family-run wineries across the island’s interior and taste Assyrtiko wines in volcanic-soil vineyards.

Discover the best road trips with FindYCar. Book now to get your vehicle with free cancellation, additional insurance (CDW, Full Coverage), no deposit, unlimited mileage, pay by cash, no deposit, or dozens of other options.

What is the price of car hire in Santorini?

The island commands some of Greece’s steepest rates alongside Mykonos, reflecting its luxury positioning and limited vehicle availability during peak periods. Planning for premium pricing for car hire in Santorini helps prevent budget shocks on arrival:

  • Economy: €36-€55 per day
  • Mid-range: €62-€97 per day
  • SUVs and people carriers: €103-€138 per day
  • Luxury: €149+ per day

Thoughtful planning is essential on Greece’s most expensive island, where nearly every part of the trip comes at a premium compared to nearby destinations. Use these budget-smart strategies to reduce unnecessary spend:

  • Compare prices before you book
  • Reserve in advance via FindYCar
  • Plan a long-term car hire
  • Choose fewer features and extras.

Here is how you can compare the prices:

Table of rental prices for popular cars in Santorini by season

Car model Body type Passengers Luggage capacity Price per day (low season) Price per day (high season)
Fiat 500 Mini / Economy 4 1-2 €25 €40
Toyota Aygo Economy 4 1-2 €28 €45
Hyundai i10 Economy 4 1-2 €30 €48
Volkswagen Polo Compact 5 2-3 €35 €55
Toyota Yaris Compact 5 2-3 €38 €60
Nissan Qashqai SUV 5 4 €50 €80
Hyundai Creta SUV 5 3-4 €55 €90
Peugeot 2008 SUV 5 3-4 €58 €95
Opel Zafira People carrier 7 4-5 €65 €110
BMW 1 Series Premium hatchback 5 3-4 €85 €140

⚠️ Note:Prices shown are indicative and may vary depending on the pick-up point in Santorini (for example near Santorini Airport, Athinios Port, or city pick-up locations), the rental company, booking date, insurance cover, and rental duration. This table reflects approximate average market rates and does not guarantee availability at the listed prices.

Chart of car hire prices in Santorini: seasonal analysis based on verified bookings

We analysed car hire prices in Santorini based on confirmed bookings through our website FindYCar. The calculation included all car types and all vehicle classes, as well as hires with no deposit and no credit card. The data reflects real confirmed bookings through our website, allowing us to provide objective conclusions and reliable statistics.

Our experience shows the lowest car hire prices in Santorini occur in March at 12 €. Low price levels are also recorded in December at 13 €, February at 14 €, and in January and November at 15 €. During this period, demand is at its lowest, which directly affects hire costs. Comparing the March low with the August peak, the difference is 23 €, or 192 %.

The most expensive period is the summer season. In August the average price reaches 35 €, in July it is 29 €, in June 20 €, and in September 24 €. Compared to the spring minimum in March, prices in July are 142 % higher, and in August 192 % higher. Even May, with an average price of 16 €, already shows an increase of 33 % compared to March.

All prices were collected based on confirmed car hire bookings through the FindYCar website. Thanks to a large sample size and the inclusion of all market segments including economy, mid-range, and premium classes, we can confidently state the statistics reflect the real market situation.

15 €
JAN
14 €
FEB
12 €
MAR
15 €
APR
16 €
MAY
20 €
JUN
29 €
JUL
35 €
AUG
24 €
SEP
16 €
OCT
15 €
NOV
13 €
DEC

Renting a car in Santorini: what documents do I need?

The best hire experience on the Greek islands is usually possible with:

  • Driving licence
  • Credit card
  • Passport
  • Booking confirmation.
Traffic Rules

Traffic Rules

The island presents unique driving challenges with its narrow caldera-edge routes, heavy tourist traffic, and roads shared with countless scooters, creating constant hazards. Stay safe by following these essential guidelines while hiring a car in Santorini:

  1. Keep to the right-hand side of the road while driving.
  2. Watch constantly for tour coaches on narrow roads where passing may require one vehicle to reverse a considerable distance.
  3. Alcohol limits are 0.05% for regular drivers and 0.02% for those licensed for less than two years.
  4. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, though narrow streets naturally restrict speeds to much lower.
  5. Parking in pedestrian zones around sunset viewpoints leads to immediate fines and towing.
Parking

Parking

Finding a space in caldera villages such as Oia or Fira is almost impossible. Official areas on the outskirts typically cost €10-€20 per day, reflecting the island’s overall premium price level.

Beach zones are slightly more forgiving - Perissa and Kamari offer organised areas close to the shore for around €3-€5 per day, while quieter beaches like Vlychada allow free roadside stopping.

Petrol Stations

Petrol Stations

Fuel options on the island are limited. The most dependable stations for visitors are the main BP near Fira and another in Kamari, both offering modern facilities and card payment.

Petrol prices average about €2.15-€2.30 per litre, the highest in Greece due to the island’s supply costs and its upscale positioning.

Toll Roads

Toll Roads

The island has no road fees or access charges of any kind, as it is served only by narrow two-lane roads linking villages and beaches.

All routes are free of charge, from the port and airport to every part of the island.