Are you confused about how to get from Akrotiri to Fira or from Fira or Oia? Not to worry because this article will solve all your transport queries.
This is a comprehensive guide on how to travel from one location to the other in Santorini, Greece.
From breathtaking sunsets to beautiful beaches and historically accurate locations, this Greek island has it all. You only need 3-5 days to experience all that Santorini has to offer fully.
So, let’s get into the best way of getting around the island!
Getting to Santorini
The first step is to land in Santorini. There are two main options; airplane or ferry.
You can take a direct plane ride from any European country to Santorini. But if you are coming from non-European places then getting a direct flight can be tricky.
Most people take a flight to Athens, Greece then another flight to Santorini. You could also take a ferry from Athens to Santorini.
Always plan ahead for either of these scenarios because you can get some really good deals with a few competing sites.
By plane, you will arrive at Santorini airport. And by ferry, you will be at Athinios port.
Important Locations
From wherever you land in Santorini, you need to settle on where you are going to stay. The main towns and best places to stay are Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, and Firostefani.
Here are the important locations in Santorini:
Fira
This is the capital of Santorini and so, its heart. It enjoys a central position on the island so you can take a bus anywhere from here.
All the hustle and bustle can be found here from useful shops to tourist ones. Several restaurants are serving local cuisine and you can find bars to party at.
You will find a number of churches here and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera.
Oia
The second most developed town on the island is Oia which is located in the north of Santorini.
The best thing to do here is to watch a wonderful sunset from the ruins of Oia’s castle. It can be a crazy experience with hoards of people around but it’s worth it for the view.
But after the sunset, it’s easy to find a place to stay here. You can also have dinner at the infamous Ammoudi Bay which serves fresh seafood.
Imerovigli
One of the less popular locations in Santorini is Imerovigli. It is because of this that rent here is cheaper so this could be a good option to stay.
It is at one of the island’s highest points and has a majestic view that some compare to being better than Oia’s.
There are not many attractions here but it guarantees a peaceful stay.
Firostefani
Another quaint location in Santorini is Firostefani which is essentially an extension of Fira.
Truthfully, it doesn’t have much to offer other than blue-domed buildings and a beautiful view but it does offer you peace and quiet that can make your stay worthwhile.
Akrotiri
Now, we come to the places that are good to travel during the daytime but won’t be great options for staying the night due to the lack of city life.
Akrotiri boasts the infamous Akrotiri Archaeological Site – Santorini, Greece and the Akrotiri Lighthouse both of which we have covered on our blog.
It also has many beaches surrounding it which you can read up on here.
Ancient Thera
Ancient Thera is just a historical landmark in Santorini that you can visit to look around.
There really isn’t much to do except come here, look around, and go back to your next destination.
Perissa
Perissa is located at the south-eastern edge of the island so it can be a bit far from other locations.
It has what a few towns in Santorini have – a beach. You can also find the Museum of Minerals and Fossils there.
It is a good place to stay as it is close to Ancient Thera and Akrotiri but not so close to Fira and Oia.
Kamari
Kamari is really similar to Perissa in that it has an amazing beach and is located at the southeast border of Santorini.
It also boasts an open-air cinema that plays English films under the starry night sky.
On its way, there is a wine village where you can go for a wine tour.
Ways To Get Around in Santorini
Now that the main towns and attractions of Santorini are all covered, how are you going to travel from one place to the other?
There are a couple of options such as:
Bus
The public transportation in Santorini is in the form of public buses called KTEL buses which are well maintained, air-conditioned, and can take you pretty much around the whole island.
You can catch a bus almost every hour from almost every place in Santorini. Fira is the central station for all local buses so most buses will cross paths here.
The fare can range from €1.6 – €3 and the timings vary in different seasons. You can check out the timings and prices of buses here.
The downsides are that you have to pay in cash every time and that they don’t run too late into the night so you might need an alternative if you plan to have a night out.
Taxi
Another option is to hail a cab as you get more freedom to choose where you want to be dropped off.
But most times, this isn’t an option because there are very few taxis on the island so it can be difficult to find one.
Also, taxis can be really expensive and can take anywhere from €20 – €30 for each trip.
Another con is that they can only carry four passengers at a time so if you are in a bigger group, you need another option.
Private Transport
If money isn’t an issue and convenience matters to you more then, getting private transportation is the best option. The car will be at your beck and call. You won’t have to worry about getting late or getting to a particular stop.
You can book private transport before coming to Santorini so that all your payments and destinations are booked and you can check off worrying about how to get around. You can also get a rental car after you get to Santorini if that’s what you need.
Prices can vary depending on who you book and which sort of car you want.
Hiking/Walking
While it’s not possible to walk everywhere, it can be a good option on most days.
Within towns, most people usually get by walking around. There are a bunch of hiking tracts from one location to other.
Like, you can hike from Perissa to get to Ancient Thera or from Fira to Oia.
Other Options
There are some other options that you can try out if you’re feeling adventurous.
These include renting bikes or e-bikes, scooters or quads which can be pricey but a good way to get around.
Some fancier options include booking a cruise tour or booking ferries which are not an option for all the places but a course of action nonetheless.
Lastly, if you can risk it, some people hitchhike. Santorini is a fairly safe place but you can never be too sure. Also, it can be difficult to find a ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve covered how you can generally travel from one place to the other in Santorini but there are a few specifics.
Here are some specific questions that are frequently asked when talking about traveling in Santorini:
Q. How much is a taxi from Akrotiri to Fira
A taxi from Akrotiri to Fira will cost around €25 but again, it can be difficult to get one. For almost the same price, you could possibly rent a car as well.
Or if taking a bus is not a problem, then it will only cost €2.
Q. How long is a bus ride from Fira to Oia
A bus ride to Oia from Fira will cost €2 for a 25 min drive which will also pass through Imerovigli.
Another great option is to hike from Fira to Oia on which you will experience extraordinary views. The distance is 6 miles so it can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours.
Q. What is the distance between Thera and Fira
First, there is some confusion between the names of Thera and Fira so let’s get that out of the way.
Fira is the capital of Santorini. Santorini used to be called Thera or Thira but that is no more. But, it still comes under Thira Municipality.
There’s also Ancient Thera which is a historical landmark that you can visit. The distance between Ancient Thera and Fira is about 6 miles that you can cover by bus, taxi, or car.
You can also get from Fira to Kamari or Perissa and hike from there to Ancient Thera.
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By the end, you should be all covered up by the possible destinations in Santorini and how to get to them from one to the next.
All that’s left is for you to set aside a few days, book a flight, and a few hotel reservations and you can turn all this information into an unforgettable experience!
There’s a lot on each individual town and location that couldn’t all be mentioned in this article. If you want to learn more, we’ve covered a lot about Santorini over on our blog which you can check out.
checkout our guide on free things to do in Santorini and best things to do in Akrotiri.
Happy traveling!