Great video as usual. We were there last week and managed to rent 2 cars from 1st choice and they were happy to accept an UK driving licence, there's no need for a international driving licence. We did ring up beforehand to confirm, so it's always good to ring up beforehand to confirm bookings and double check the licence
Great video, just got back from Santorini. Had a car that we took from Athens via ferry to Santorini, then Mykonos, Tinos and back to Athens. Made getting around the islands pretty fast and got go where we wanted to without waiting for a bus or taxi. Traffic congestion wasn’t too bad, just in Fira where all roads meet. Used Apple Maps and it worked with a problem. Used the new road to get to Oia and it was smooth. Great videos and glad I watched them before our travels.
Wd didn't want to deal with the hassle of renting a car; so, we used cabs. Cabs are SO expensive in Santorini! One day we went from Oia to Fira for dinner. We paid 35 EUR one way, 70 EUR total, which would have allowed us to rent a car for one whole day EASILY or even two days. Anyway, I don't regret NOT renting a car. Sometimes roads are too narrow, and you have to drive in reverse for a good distance. I'm more than sure I would have scratched the car had a rented one!
Thanks Again, Great info on the Drivers License!!! I literally wrote “get international drivers license” on my to do list this morning. 😂Hope to see you in Santorini in September.
Awesome video. So helpful and so packed full of information!. We now been to Greece twice where we visited Santorini, Paros, Mykonos and Naxos and I have rented and driven cars on all islands. I live in and drive Canada and I have to say I enjoy driving on these islands SO much. Yes it chaotic (sort of) and yes the roads are somewhat intimidating but, as in the case with driving anywhere, if you keep you eyes open and your wits about you and you just use your common sense, you'll do fine. If you are a timid driver, do not try driving on these islands. out of ll the islands I drove on I found Mykonos to be the most challenging in terms of traffic and chaotic drivers, even more so than Santorini. Naxos was probably the easiest although there are some roads on the back side of the island that had me "white knuckling" the steer wheel due to the narrowness of the road and the mountainous nature of the roads. Anyway. Great video Seb. I remember suggesting doing a video like this last year so glad you got around to doing it. I think It will be very useful for people. Keep pumping out the great content!!
Super helpful! I have a question!? Can I can’t a car from the Athinius Port ?! Or do I have to go to the airport to rent a car ? I am staying in Akrotiri thanks to you we found a great deal !
The road to Ancient Thera, 22 hairpin bends, had great fun going downhill in the hire car, had the road to myself 😊 knowing there was roadworks being carried out on the main road, yes to avoid I had to go down 1 or 2 of those rough roads. I found the BP petrol station near the airport was the cheapest
Hello Sebi, greetings from the UK! We are planning our first trip to Santorini and absolutely loving your videos - so informative and very well made! I had a few questions about driving in Santorini: How safe is driving in Santorini after dark? Are the roads well lit? We will probably be staying near Pyrgos and the only night-time driving I envisage is driving back from Oia/Fira to our hotel.
Hi Seb! Loving your comprehensive videos, you're such an asset and your insights are super helpful -- especially in the planning. My partner and I hadn't figured in car hire in Santorini for our up-coming trip (end of September), but it seems to make a lot of sense considering the cost of transfers to the port and taxis. I have one question, can you name any reputable car hire firms in Naxos. Many thanks in advance :)
I'm really enjoying all your videos and find them very helpful. I am going to be in Santorini the first week in June, woudl you recommend I book/rent a car before I arrive or should I book a car once on the island. Same question for Paros if you know the answer. :)
Thank you for your amazing video. It has been a good guide for our upcoming trip to Greece. Can I take my rental car in a ferry to Santorini? I have a non refundable rental car for 8 days in Athens but I am also staying in santorini for 4 days.
Hi Sebastian! Amazing videos as always. It eases my mind with the helpful info you have generously shared. 😊 I'm planning to take a day trip to Anafi Island from Athinios Port. Would you recommend driving my rental car down to the port and park there in the morning and collect it in the evening (not sure if there even is a public car park)? Or it makes much more sense to take a bus/taxi to the port? Thanks a lot!
Love your videos! I saw in a different video where you mention a water taxi from old port to Oia. Can you also take a water taxi from Oia back to old port?
Your videos have been absolutely instrumental in helping my husband and I plan a long overdue honeymoon to Santorini next month (October 2023)! If you've shared about mopeds/ATV/etc, I may have missed that in one of your videos. Do you have suggestions for that on the island? My husband and I were wondering if there was a good daily rental place for that, if we didn't want to rent a car, but wanted to visit a couple places on the island on our own time schedule (not the bus's). Any recommendations? IDP needed? Our hotel is in Oia, for reference :) thank you so so much!
should include a tips about driving in the smaller villages. for e.g., wanted to visit pyrgos, but then the only drive out on google maps seemed to be thru the village, but oh boy were they some of the narrowest / tight should be one-way lanes, definitely super stressful and wont recommend lol. pro tip as mentioned is to not rely 100% on google maps for navigation. and stick to the main roads as much as u can
Hi, thanks you a lot for your videos on Santorini. That's my next destination for summer holidays. You're playlist on Santorini is very helpful. I just have one question. Is it "safe" to drive through Santorin by night, I mean with that kind of mountain roads...Thanks a lot for your help and good advice with your videos. Regards
Hi Seb, I hope everything is well with you. this is truly helpful video, btw How many days you recommend for a tourist needed to stay to explore Santorini? Thank you
Very very good videos, and particularly so well explained! I have 1 question, what is the time for buses? I am now in hotel in Kamari, and we want to go by bus to Fira and Oia to see the sunset, but how late the buses come back to kamari? At what time comes the last bus from Oia or Fira to Kamari? Thank you very much for your time!!! 👍😊🙏🏻
Sebastian, thanks do much for your local insights , can I get your opinion on the hydrofoil from the port to Oia in at around 1:30PM to get there fast I'm trying to decide if starting with OIa the ending back in Fira either by bus or walking to watch sunset at dinner with a view is a good idea? We leave at 11PM. Would you recommend another way to spend the time we have , never been to Santorini?
We absolutely loved having a scooter in Santorini last week. So easy to get around and find parking. You can scoot around any of the traffic congestion. The Island is small enough to get most anywhere in under 30 minutes. Weather was about 77-87 and perfect. I’ve got 45 years riding and MX racing experience so I advise you to ride safe, keep alert, and leave your fingers on the brake levers.
Can you do a video on where to get the ferry from Santorini to Mykonos we are saying in kamari in 2 weeks but going to get the ferry to Mykonos for 2 nights but don’t know where the closest port is from there? Also is it best to book tickets in advance or when there? Thank you
All ferries in Santorini arrive and depart from "Athinios Port" : goo.gl/maps/qHAvH81dWDzKovk97 Yes you should book asap, ferries between Santorini and Mykonos often sell out. My affiliate link to book ferries is : www.ferryhopper.com/en/?aff_uid=santexpl Feel free to use it if you wanna support the channel :-)
@@GreeceExplained great thank you I will use your link to book this week also how long should we be at the ferry port before take off I’m reading about an hour before ? Also could you do a video of what to do or places to eat and drink in Kamari? I’ve read it’s more chilled but we have done a list out as we know it’s going to be a more chilled place. 1 day beach day 1 day trip to Faro another day Oia then a sunset cruise we do want a night out but don’t want to be paying 30 euros a drink 😂🤦🏻♂️ Thank You
@@nelsonisere2006 If you dont have a car, I would arrive 30-45min before ferry departure. With a car, 1 hour. Best restaraurants in Kamari : To Pinakio, Fistikies, Amelia Tavern.
@@GreeceExplained Just booked the ferries now using your link thank you 😀😀 also do you know any restaurants in Karmari that dose the smashing of the plates like a show and a meal etc thank you again
Can you not say, "Fill it up?" You made it sound like I have to tell them a specific Euro value. Good to know about people ignoring Stop signs. After this I'm taking Ancient Thera off of my To Do list. As always a great big THANKS.
Thank for the kind words ! Of course you can say "Fill it up", but very often when getting your rental, the car is NOT filled up, and so you wanna bring it back at that same level.
Thanks for thia vid- that island sounds like such a shitty place and looks very ghetto- especially when thousands of tourists are trying to take the sun set pics. 😂 I am from Maui so - that's that 😅
I LOVE LOVE LOVE GREECE. Went with my beautiful boy-friend last year. Spent a week in NAXOS, one week in Athens, then another week in NAXOS. Rented a car the second visit to Naxos to get a better look at the country side and oh boy, what a lovely drive. Yes, it's scary. Yes, there are crazy drops 40-50 feet to the ocean. But I LOVE adventure. And I was also on three cups of coffee so I was super alert and let me tell you, it was a BLAST. ON A A SIDE NOTE: sending prayers to ALL OF GREECE due to all the out of control fires. I hope that we (humans) pull our heads out of our butts soon and get the heck away from fossil fuels and go GREEN (SOLAR POWER PLEASE) SOON SOONER SOONEST. I mean, we shut down for COVID and nature totally started healing; just to open back up once vaccines were rolled out. Sigh. Human! Some believe we are the "smartest" creature to ever grace the planet. I think humans are one of the DUMBEST creatures to ever walk the earth but that's JUST MY OPINION. Love and laughter from south Texas, xo
![WHERE TO STAY in Santorini [Watch BEFORE you book a hotel]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cwBr5fluKQ8/mqdefault.jpg)
![WHERE TO STAY in Santorini [Watch BEFORE you book a hotel]](/img/tr.png)
I am so glad I found you. I’m coming to Santorini with about 11 family members. Your videos are extremely helpful. Thank you so much!!
You’re videos are so amazing and informative
You have the best videos. Can you please make some about Crete?
Thank you from South Korea. I don't have to get an international driving license because of this video. I saved so much time. 😊
Your videos definitely helped us navigate! Thank you!
Very helpful, thanks
Hey! I have a UK license - we’re not EU anymore but my license is still valid in Greece. 👍
Great news !
Great video as usual. We were there last week and managed to rent 2 cars from 1st choice and they were happy to accept an UK driving licence, there's no need for a international driving licence. We did ring up beforehand to confirm, so it's always good to ring up beforehand to confirm bookings and double check the licence
Thanks a lot Sebastian. Your videos are SUPER HELPFUL!!!
Great video, just got back from Santorini. Had a car that we took from Athens via ferry to Santorini, then Mykonos, Tinos and back to Athens. Made getting around the islands pretty fast and got go where we wanted to without waiting for a bus or taxi. Traffic congestion wasn’t too bad, just in Fira where all roads meet. Used Apple Maps and it worked with a problem. Used the new road to get to Oia and it was smooth. Great videos and glad I watched them before our travels.
We rented a scooter and it was perfect! So easy to park and scoot around.
Sebastian you are the best, I love your videos.
All your videos are amazing. Subbed and even downloaded for offline viewing. Flying today for Athens, will be in Santorini next week.
Great video! Thanks. I am going to visit Santorini in Octuber (to avoid crowds) and will rent a car. This info is very helpfull.
Wd didn't want to deal with the hassle of renting a car; so, we used cabs. Cabs are SO expensive in Santorini! One day we went from Oia to Fira for dinner. We paid 35 EUR one way, 70 EUR total, which would have allowed us to rent a car for one whole day EASILY or even two days. Anyway, I don't regret NOT renting a car. Sometimes roads are too narrow, and you have to drive in reverse for a good distance. I'm more than sure I would have scratched the car had a rented one!
Amazing video!!
Thanks Again, Great info on the Drivers License!!! I literally wrote “get international drivers license” on my to do list this morning. 😂Hope to see you in Santorini in September.
Thank u soooo much for givibg very apt info😊
Awesome video. So helpful and so packed full of information!. We now been to Greece twice where we visited Santorini, Paros, Mykonos and Naxos and I have rented and driven cars on all islands. I live in and drive Canada and I have to say I enjoy driving on these islands SO much. Yes it chaotic (sort of) and yes the roads are somewhat intimidating but, as in the case with driving anywhere, if you keep you eyes open and your wits about you and you just use your common sense, you'll do fine. If you are a timid driver, do not try driving on these islands. out of ll the islands I drove on I found Mykonos to be the most challenging in terms of traffic and chaotic drivers, even more so than Santorini. Naxos was probably the easiest although there are some roads on the back side of the island that had me "white knuckling" the steer wheel due to the narrowness of the road and the mountainous nature of the roads.
Anyway. Great video Seb. I remember suggesting doing a video like this last year so glad you got around to doing it. I think It will be very useful for people.
Keep pumping out the great content!!
Super helpful! I have a question!? Can I can’t a car from the Athinius Port ?! Or do I have to go to the airport to rent a car ? I am staying in Akrotiri thanks to you we found a great deal !
Yes you can get your car at Athinios directly. I explain everything in this vid : ua-cam.com/video/RzlaKjXQnxE/v-deo.html
The road to Ancient Thera, 22 hairpin bends, had great fun going downhill in the hire car, had the road to myself 😊 knowing there was roadworks being carried out on the main road, yes to avoid I had to go down 1 or 2 of those rough roads. I found the BP petrol station near the airport was the cheapest
Hello Sebi, greetings from the UK! We are planning our first trip to Santorini and absolutely loving your videos - so informative and very well made! I had a few questions about driving in Santorini: How safe is driving in Santorini after dark? Are the roads well lit? We will probably be staying near Pyrgos and the only night-time driving I envisage is driving back from Oia/Fira to our hotel.
Hi ! Road aren't that lit at night, but if you respect speed limits (usually 40kph), you'll be fine.
Thank you! :)@@GreeceExplained
Thank you for making this, really helps!
Hi Seb! Loving your comprehensive videos, you're such an asset and your insights are super helpful -- especially in the planning. My partner and I hadn't figured in car hire in Santorini for our up-coming trip (end of September), but it seems to make a lot of sense considering the cost of transfers to the port and taxis. I have one question, can you name any reputable car hire firms in Naxos. Many thanks in advance :)
Yes good call !!
Sorry, dont know about Naxos.
Thanks for getting back to me - much appreciated! :)
Thank You so much!
I'm really enjoying all your videos and find them very helpful. I am going to be in Santorini the first week in June, woudl you recommend I book/rent a car before I arrive or should I book a car once on the island. Same question for Paros if you know the answer. :)
I'd book ahead of time for Santorini and last minute for Paros :-)
Thank you for your amazing video. It has been a good guide for our upcoming trip to Greece. Can I take my rental car in a ferry to Santorini? I have a non refundable rental car for 8 days in Athens but I am also staying in santorini for 4 days.
Depends on the rental contract. Some yes some no. You have to ask the rental company.
Hi Sebastian! Amazing videos as always. It eases my mind with the helpful info you have generously shared. 😊
I'm planning to take a day trip to Anafi Island from Athinios Port. Would you recommend driving my rental car down to the port and park there in the morning and collect it in the evening (not sure if there even is a public car park)? Or it makes much more sense to take a bus/taxi to the port?
Thanks a lot!
I'd drive down to Athinios ! You can park here for free, unlimited time : goo.gl/maps/LRDb2V7m1MzQ33cP9
Enjoy Anafi !! You're gonna love it.
Thank you so much
Thank you so much. It’s very informative❤
Love your videos! I saw in a different video where you mention a water taxi from old port to Oia. Can you also take a water taxi from Oia back to old port?
No there is no package that takes you both ways by water taxi.
Your videos have been absolutely instrumental in helping my husband and I plan a long overdue honeymoon to Santorini next month (October 2023)! If you've shared about mopeds/ATV/etc, I may have missed that in one of your videos. Do you have suggestions for that on the island? My husband and I were wondering if there was a good daily rental place for that, if we didn't want to rent a car, but wanted to visit a couple places on the island on our own time schedule (not the bus's). Any recommendations? IDP needed? Our hotel is in Oia, for reference :) thank you so so much!
Video coming out this weekend !
should include a tips about driving in the smaller villages. for e.g., wanted to visit pyrgos, but then the only drive out on google maps seemed to be thru the village, but oh boy were they some of the narrowest / tight should be one-way lanes, definitely super stressful and wont recommend lol. pro tip as mentioned is to not rely 100% on google maps for navigation. and stick to the main roads as much as u can
So useful, thank you! What is the parking situation in Fira though?
At the 12:18 point, I cannot see United Kingdom listed. Are UK/British licences included?
Nope you dont need an international DL if you're from the UK :-)
@@GreeceExplained Thank you. One more question, if I may? Who do you recommend for buggy and scooter rentals?
Hi, thanks you a lot for your videos on Santorini. That's my next destination for summer holidays. You're playlist on Santorini is very helpful. I just have one question. Is it "safe" to drive through Santorin by night, I mean with that kind of mountain roads...Thanks a lot for your help and good advice with your videos. Regards
If you drive slowly (30-40kph), there's no reason to be afraid.
Hi Seb, I hope everything is well with you. this is truly helpful video, btw How many days you recommend for a tourist needed to stay to explore Santorini? Thank you
ua-cam.com/video/ENghGXAt2X8/v-deo.html
Hi Sebi, Great Content. From Google Maps it looks like there is guard rails in Thira. Do you know if this is true?
Yup correct
Great Video! I’m planning to have a honeymoon in Santorini + Zakynthos in august 24. Do you know when is the best time to book the hotels?
October - November
Very very good videos, and particularly so well explained! I have 1 question, what is the time for buses? I am now in hotel in Kamari, and we want to go by bus to Fira and Oia to see the sunset, but how late the buses come back to kamari? At what time comes the last bus from Oia or Fira to Kamari? Thank you very much for your time!!! 👍😊🙏🏻
ua-cam.com/video/mOq1q6_POVk/v-deo.html
Sebastian, thanks do much for your local insights , can I get your opinion on the hydrofoil from the port to Oia in at around 1:30PM to get there fast I'm trying to decide if starting with OIa the ending back in Fira either by bus or walking to watch sunset at dinner with a view is a good idea? We leave at 11PM. Would you recommend another way to spend the time we have , never been to Santorini?
All the answers in this video : ua-cam.com/video/IcU3n3Efmew/v-deo.html
Hi Sebastian! Planning on visiting Santorini off peak from April 7. Will shops and restaurants be open then?
First half of April is the transition phase between completely dead and completely open. So basically on Apr 7 half the island will be open
Thank you for this information. But I wanted to know if Renting Bike/Scooter is safe especially during night travel for example from oia to Akrotiri
Only if you're a very experienced scooter rider.
We absolutely loved having a scooter in Santorini last week. So easy to get around and find parking. You can scoot around any of the traffic congestion. The Island is small enough to get most anywhere in under 30 minutes. Weather was about 77-87 and perfect.
I’ve got 45 years riding and MX racing experience so I advise you to ride safe, keep alert, and leave your fingers on the brake levers.
@@GreeceExplained Thank you so much
@@timparker533 Thank you so much!! This information will be a lot of help for me as we are visiting next month .
Can you do a video on where to get the ferry from Santorini to Mykonos we are saying in kamari in 2 weeks but going to get the ferry to Mykonos for 2 nights but don’t know where the closest port is from there? Also is it best to book tickets in advance or when there? Thank you
All ferries in Santorini arrive and depart from "Athinios Port" : goo.gl/maps/qHAvH81dWDzKovk97
Yes you should book asap, ferries between Santorini and Mykonos often sell out.
My affiliate link to book ferries is : www.ferryhopper.com/en/?aff_uid=santexpl
Feel free to use it if you wanna support the channel :-)
@@GreeceExplained great thank you I will use your link to book this week also how long should we be at the ferry port before take off I’m reading about an hour before ? Also could you do a video of what to do or places to eat and drink in Kamari? I’ve read it’s more chilled but we have done a list out as we know it’s going to be a more chilled place. 1 day beach day 1 day trip to Faro another day Oia then a sunset cruise we do want a night out but don’t want to be paying 30 euros a drink 😂🤦🏻♂️ Thank You
@@nelsonisere2006 If you dont have a car, I would arrive 30-45min before ferry departure. With a car, 1 hour.
Best restaraurants in Kamari : To Pinakio, Fistikies, Amelia Tavern.
@@GreeceExplained Just booked the ferries now using your link thank you 😀😀 also do you know any restaurants in Karmari that dose the smashing of the plates like a show and a meal etc thank you again
@@nelsonisere2006 Great, thx ! The only place I know in Santorini for plate smashing is Naoussa in Fira. Pretty sure there arent any in Kamari.
15 th to 22 nd april will the private pools be very cold to enjoy ?
If they're not heated, it will be very cold. So you have to ask the hotel if the pool is heated.
@@GreeceExplained thank u
Where is the best place to park if I go to the port to catch a ferry for an IOS day trip?
Here : maps.app.goo.gl/E4zxxHKe23Dksf9g7
For People stay a night in Oia, which parking lot do you recommend?
If you find a spot in one of the 2 free parking lots, go for it. Otherwise, the paid parking.
Is it recommanded to rent a scooter instead of a car ?
ua-cam.com/video/xddagd9x-EQ/v-deo.html
@@GreeceExplained thanks 🙏🏾
Can you not say, "Fill it up?" You made it sound like I have to tell them a specific Euro value. Good to know about people ignoring Stop signs. After this I'm taking Ancient Thera off of my To Do list. As always a great big THANKS.
Thank for the kind words ! Of course you can say "Fill it up", but very often when getting your rental, the car is NOT filled up, and so you wanna bring it back at that same level.
Can we reach all those spots by bus?
No
How can we contact you. Coz we r now in Santorini 😊
Instagram @sebi_the_guide
Do I need a child seat for 2 yr old?
I believe you do, but you can ask this directly to the car rental
@@GreeceExplained Thank you. Your videos are awesome 👍
Oh dear, accommodation is in oia, walking that far with all our luggage eek
Thanks for thia vid- that island sounds like such a shitty place and looks very ghetto- especially when thousands of tourists are trying to take the sun set pics. 😂
I am from Maui so - that's that 😅
I LOVE LOVE LOVE GREECE. Went with my beautiful boy-friend last year. Spent a week in NAXOS, one week in Athens, then another week in NAXOS. Rented a car the second visit to Naxos to get a better look at the country side and oh boy, what a lovely drive. Yes, it's scary. Yes, there are crazy drops 40-50 feet to the ocean. But I LOVE adventure. And I was also on three cups of coffee so I was super alert and let me tell you, it was a BLAST. ON A A SIDE NOTE: sending prayers to ALL OF GREECE due to all the out of control fires. I hope that we (humans) pull our heads out of our butts soon and get the heck away from fossil fuels and go GREEN (SOLAR POWER PLEASE) SOON SOONER SOONEST. I mean, we shut down for COVID and nature totally started healing; just to open back up once vaccines were rolled out. Sigh. Human! Some believe we are the "smartest" creature to ever grace the planet. I think humans are one of the DUMBEST creatures to ever walk the earth but that's JUST MY OPINION. Love and laughter from south Texas, xo