Compare Santorini car hire 

If you’re arriving on Santorini by air, you’ll find a range of hire car companies at Santorini Airport (JRT), located a 10-minute drive from Fira and half an hour from Oia. Major brands such as Hertz and Avis are here, as well as local operators, so it's easy to shop around for cheap deals.

The car hire desks at Santorini Airport are located in the arrivals hall or just outside the terminal building.

Car hire companies with desks at Santorini Airport (JTR) include:

• Hertz/Thrifty (Tel: +30 22 8603 3670)
• Budget/Avis (Tel: +30 22 86033887)
• Sixt (Tel: +30 2286034102)
• Avance (Tel: +30 2286033808)

If you’re arriving into Santorini by ferry or you simply want to hire a car for a few days of your trip, you might find it easier to pick up a cheap rental deal in a town rather than the airport. Santorini’s port and major towns all have car hire pick-up points, and you’ll also find many hotels and resorts may be able to organise rental too.

Having your own set of wheels in Santorini can be a godsend in high season, when the island’s bus network is packed with tourists. You may also find it easier to have a car in the winter months when the buses are less frequent.

If you do decide to hire a car in Santorini, you’ll find the roads are fairly quiet except in and around Fira, and other larger settlements, at certain times of the day. Place names and signposting are almost always in Greek and English, making navigation straightforward. It’s best to drive cautiously on most roads, especially winding coastal roads, as local drivers often travel along them at high speeds.

Most petrol stations in Santorini are full service, so wait for the attendant to fill up your car. When it comes to finding parking on the island, most towns and villages will offer free parking, which is indicated by a blue sign with a white P.

Santorini car rental rates are almost always cheaper if you book in advance, which can be a necessity in the peak tourist season when demand is high.

Megalochori

This is the quintessential Greek village, complete with traditional white buildings and stunning vineyards. It’s one of the most picturesque places to visit in Santorini, and its history goes back to the 17th century, when it was the home of wealthy wine merchants. Megalochori is dotted with historic mansions and has a delightful central square with some good local tavernas – an ideal spot to grab some lunch before moving on again.

Pyrgos

Once the capital of Santorini, labyrinthine Pyrgos is now relatively off the beaten track – but it is well worth visiting to see its quaint houses and idyllic squares, as well as the remains of its 15^th century Venetian castle. This is one of the highest points on the island, so there's an added bonus: stunning panoramic views as far as the eye can see. The castle is one of the best viewpoints.

Monastery of Prophet Elias

This peaceful monastery perches on Santorini’s tallest peak, just a short drive from Pyrgos. It was built in the 18^th century and was once the location of a secret school that taught Greek language and culture during the Turkish occupation of the island. Nowadays, the monastery houses a museum that offers some interesting exhibitions, as well as workshops in printing and candle making. Like Pyrgos, it's a great spot for views of the island.

1. The road up to the Ancient Thera ruins is not much fun – it's cobbled, narrow and steep, and has near-constant switchbacks. Go for it if you're confident, but if not, try a local taxi or shuttle bus.
   
   
2. Frequent use of car horns is the norm in Santorini, so don’t worry if someone honks at you.
   
   
3. There are plenty of petrol stations about, but one tourist trail icon doesn't have one: Oia, please stand up. If you're heading here, fill up in advance.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.