Santorini Car Rental Tips

You have booked your Santorini rental car, and its time to collect it. There is someone from the car rental company to help you with the paper work. Usually everything goes well and easy, after all Santorini is a very safe place to rent a car. Typically though, you should have a look around the car, and check for damages. Lately it’s common that many people even take pictures of the car when they start their rental, which is undoubtedly an excellent idea ! Our representatives suggest and encourage all our clients to get as many pictures of the car as they like during pick up procedure. This should be expected from any company. A different policy should not be accepted.

Ask the people that deliver the car, how to reverse. How to switch on the a/c, the window washers, or the headlights. Getting familiar with the car is very important. This way when you drive you wont have to search for any function. If you want to look for something (for example the a/c or stereo) while driving, it is better to stop to the side of the road and do so.

Santorini has many gas stations. They usually operate from 08:00 to 22:00 everyday (some of them even on Sundays), so getting fuel is easy. Make sure you have enough fuel in the tank before 21:00 just in case. Its not pleasant to see the sunset in Oia, for example, have your dinner in a nice restaurant, and then at about 23:00 or 24:00 realize that there is not enough fuel in the car to go back to your hotel.

Santorini is a volcanic island, and if you drive off road is very likely that the car will get stuck as a result of the wheels sink in the sand. Also is possible to lose traction which is very dangerous. The road goes everywhere, to all the places you want to see, there is no need to go offroad.

Driving on the beach is prohibited, not to mention not possible, as the car will get stuck immediately in the volcanic sand.6. Got stuck? For some reason, you decided to drive on the beach or offroad, and now you are stuck. The car can not be moved.. what should you do? The answer is to do nothing. If you try to move the car by pushing it or by accelerating you might cause a damage. Best thing to do is call the car rental company and they will help you.

For some reason, you decided to drive on the beach or offroad, and now you are stuck. The car can not be moved.. what should you do? The answer is to do nothing. If you try to move the car by pushing it or by accelerating you might cause a damage. Best thing to do is call the car rental company and they will help you.

The speed limit is 60 to 70 klms per hour on open roads and in villages there are signs indicated maximum speed.

Drinking is out of the question if you are planning to drive! Drink and drive is the worst thing for your safety and the safety of other people! It will also cancel any insurance in case of damage, and in case of any incident the authorities will arrest you, the fine is at least 600 euro and your license will be taken for at least 2 months..!!never drink and drive !

When its time to leave Santorini, you might have to drive to the port or airport and return the car there. Make sure that you start a little bit earlier, just in case the road is busy.

Some guests might have never need to change a tire before…In that case you should again contact the rental company, and they will help you with that ( if you choose our office, we have a 24hr helpline as well..)

That is very easy. Santorini offers free parking areas almost everywhere. It would be wise to park in signposted parking areas when you are in Fira, Oia or Kamari. There are many of them and they are all free of charge. Be careful though not to park where it’s not allowed. That would most probably get you a fine, for which the driver in the rental agreement has the responsibility to pay for.

Driving very close to some kind of bushes could scratch the colour of your rental car, which by any company would be considered a damage….

Your hotel owner or receptionist, suggests some off road adventure to a private beach, only 15 minutes drive from the main road which is not too hard to get to !…Just remember that the rental car is your responsibility ..The car rental company or the road assistance will not be able to reach you in extremely remote locations far away from the main road. Getting stuck far away from the main road, on an off road adventure, could cost a lot of money as most insurance companies do not consider off road driving as driving according to regulations, and as a result will not cover towing and damage repairs when off road..

Always wear your seat belts. Modern cars safety features like front and side airbags, are designed to work together with the seat belts. An airbag is quite dangerous if the seat belt is not on...( plus the penalty in Greece for not wearing a seat belt is 400 euro and the license is taken for 2 months...)

During the summer months there are many vehicles on the road. The traffic is usually heavy near the popular spots. Drivers should be extra careful and stop their vehicle before using the phone. Checking the phone while driving is very dangerous . You can always stop the car, check the route on your phone and then start again. If you use Google maps or apple maps make sure that you have the DRIVE MODE on and not the walking mode. Walking mode will most certainly lead you to places where a car can not go ..!!

Take advantage of the Santorini rent a car special offers, discounts or coupons. A price research before booking is a great way to stay in budget.

Pick up directly from our Santorini port car rental or Santorini airport rent a car locations. This way you save the transfer expenses and precious vacation time.

Have a sim card that works in Greece. Being able to make a call can be crucial, especially when on the road.

Know the fuel type of your rental car. The rental company usually informs you when you pick up the rental car. Rental cars in Santorini use Gasoline 95, premium Diesel or electricity ( Electric cars get charged in specific locations or at the hotel )

Booking from a local company is much easier . If you book with us, you will not need a credit card, and for most cars you will not need to pay ANY security deposit!!
On the other hand, international companies will not rent to drivers without a credit card, and big amounts ( usually 800 euro) are blocked as a security deposit on the drivers credit card.