Santorini Taxis

Taxis in Santorini: Overview

Santorini silver taxis are a popular choice among visitors looking for a fast, comfortable, and hassle-free way to move around the island. However, their number is limited, and during the peak tourist season, waiting times can be long. Overall, using a taxi in Santorini comes with both advantages and disadvantages.

Taxis Pros	Taxis Cons
Comfortable services and relaxed, enjoyable rides.	Limited number of taxis, insufficient during high season.
No need to carry luggage or personal belongings.	Traffic congestion can significantly increase the final fare.
Safe transport, even during nighttime.	Frequent taxi use can noticeably increase travel expenses.
Door-to-door services.
Faster than public buses.

Santorini Taxi Rates

Santorini taxis operate with a taximeter, meaning fares are calculated based on distance and travel time. As a result, traffic conditions play a major role in determining the final cost.

On average, a 15-minute ride from Santorini Thira Airport (JTR) to Fira costs around 17€–22€ / 17$–22$. Taxi fares to other parts of the island usually remain below 30€–40€ / 30$–40$ under normal traffic conditions.

Additional charges apply:

Airport pick-up surcharge: 4€ / 4$
Port surcharge: 1.07€ / 1.07$
Night rate (00:00–05:00): 1.25€ / 1.25$ per km (day rate: 0.90€ / 0.90$ per km)
Excess luggage (over 10kg): 0.40€ / 0.40$ per item

Paying for a Taxi in Santorini

In theory, Santorini taxis accept both cash and card payments. In practice, however, most taxis do not have POS terminals, as they are not legally required to. Therefore, cash payment is the norm.

If you plan to pay by card, inform the driver in advance. In some cases, the driver may agree to stop at an ATM.

Our Tip: Taxi drivers usually don’t carry much change, so small bills are highly recommended.

How to Hire a Taxi in Santorini

You can hire a taxi in Santorini in three ways:

Hail one from the street (unlikely due to limited availability).
Catch one from an official taxi rank.
Call a taxi by phone.

The main taxi rank (“piatsa”) is located in Fira, at the central square. Taxi ranks are also available at Santorini Airport and Athinios Port. Calling a taxi is possible at +30 22860 22555, though an extra pick-up fee applies.

Our Tip 1: Ask your hotel reception to call a taxi for you.

Our Tip 2: Waiting time is common, regardless of the hiring method.

Santorini Taxi to Santorini Thira Airport

Taxis are one of the most convenient ways to reach JTR Airport for your departure. They offer fast, direct transfers from your accommodation. However, due to limited availability, booking or calling a taxi well in advance is strongly recommended to avoid delays.

Useful Tips for Santorini Taxis

Always check that the taximeter is reset and turned on.
Ask for a receipt, even if it’s not automatically provided.
Some drivers may agree on a fixed price before departure, especially for airport routes.
Avoid unlicensed drivers to prevent overcharging.
Most drivers speak English adequately.
Card payments are the exception, not the rule.
Tipping is not mandatory, but rounding up the fare is appreciated.
Airport and port taxi ranks are often overcrowded.
Finding a taxi outside Fira is more difficult.
Nighttime availability is even more limited.

FAQ

Are taxis expensive in Santorini?

Taxis in Santorini can be expensive, especially if you plan on using them exclusively during your entire stay. Moreover, during summer, the roads tend to get congested, leading to even higher taxi tariffs.

Are taxis common in Santorini?

Despite being one of the top destinations worldwide, Santorini doesn’t have plenty of taxis. Thus, the silver-grey taxis can serve the island’s needs during the low tourist season, but during the summer, they fall short of the demands.

Do you tip Greek taxi drivers?

Tipping in Greece isn’t obligatory when it comes to taxi transfers. Still, passengers who are content with their rides usually round up the taxi fare to the closest euro.