Many travellers landing at Santorini (Thira) Airport pick up a rental car straight away, both to reach their hotel and to explore the island's volcanic landscape at their own pace. Renting has trade-offs, but for most visitors the freedom outweighs the downsides.
Pros and cons of renting at the airport
| Car rental pros | Car rental cons |
|---|---|
| Move around the island at your own pace, stopping whenever you like. | You do the driving yourself, even when tired. |
| Reach remote spots that buses and taxis skip. | Parking can be tricky in the busier villages. |
| No waiting for a taxi or bus. | You navigate yourself, though GPS makes it simple. |
| Direct trips with no changing bus lines. | |
| Pick the vehicle that suits you. | |
| Cheaper than repeated taxi rides. |
On balance, a rental car is a flexible, efficient way to get around. Several agencies work out of JTR, so a quick comparison of offers is usually enough to land good value. As a rough guide, an economy car runs about 35€–60€ a day in peak season and noticeably less in spring and autumn. Budget too for fuel at roughly 1.90€–2.10€ a litre and a refundable deposit of about 300€–800€ held on your credit card; without full cover, the insurance excess can reach 600€ or more.
Distances and driving from JTR
The island is compact, which is exactly why a car works so well here. Fira sits about 5 to 6 km from the airport (around 15 minutes), Oia roughly 17 km (about 25 minutes), the Akrotiri archaeological site some 12 km to the southwest, and the beaches of Kamari and Perissa only 10 to 15 minutes away. Roads are narrow and steep in places, and they get busy in peak season, so journey times stretch in July and August; allow extra time and drive defensively.
Car rental companies at Santorini Airport
The airport is small, and every rental desk sits inside the Arrivals hall, just past baggage claim. Both international and local providers are on site:
- Avance (tel. +30 22860 33808)
- Avis Budget (tel. +30 22860 33887)
- Hertz/Thrifty (tel. +30 22860 33670)
- Sixt (tel. +30 22860 34102)
- Suntime Car Rental (tel. +30 22860 27147)
Our tip: other agencies serve JTR too, but the ones above keep staffed desks inside the terminal.
Useful tips for renting at JTR
- Book ahead for better prices, a wider choice of vehicles, and no queue on arrival.
- Everything from mini and economy cars to vans and convertibles is available.
- Extras such as child seats, GPS, or Bluetooth cost a little more.
- Adding a second driver usually carries a surcharge.
- Bring your passport or ID, driving licence, and a credit card.
- Drivers from outside the EU need an International Driving Permit.
- Some firms take debit cards, but not many.
- Pick-up and drop-off are at the airport parking area.
- After-hours pick-up or return is possible, usually for an extra charge.
- Choose a fuel-to-fuel policy and refill locally to avoid steep fuel fees.
- Rentals run in 24-hour periods, so return on time to dodge extra charges.
- Check whether your credit card already covers rental insurance before buying more.
- Photograph the car before you drive off to record any existing damage.
- The minimum age is 21 with at least a year's experience, and some categories need drivers 25 or older, often with a young-driver surcharge.
- Roads here are narrow and steep, so drive carefully and mind the rules.
