Renting a buggy in Santorini: prices, where and routes

There is that precise moment, in Santorini, when you realise you will see nothing from a bus. The most beautiful corners are earned behind the wheel. And on this island, one little machine has dethroned the quad in my heart: the buggy.

I tried it one June, the two of us, under an already biting sun. A steering wheel, seatbelts, a roll bar and a roof for shade. The comfort of a mini car, with the thrill of the open air thrown in.

But renting a buggy in Santorini means knowing a thing or two before you book. The price first, steeper than you would imagine. The licence next. And the alleys you should absolutely never turn into. Here is the complete guide, with verified 2026 prices and tried-and-tested routes to back it up. 🛻

• Licence: a category B (car) licence is enough, 21 minimum in most cases.
• Price: count on €90 to €160/day depending on the season for a 2-seater buggy.
• The vehicle: steering wheel, seatbelts, roll bar — more stable and comfortable than a quad.
• For whom: ideal for couples or families, when you want comfort and shade.
• Booking: online and in advance in summer, or you will find everything fully booked.

01Buggy, quad or car: what is the difference in Santorini?

First thing to clear up, because the terminology causes confusion on the island. A buggy, in Santorini, is not a quad. It is what is called a side-by-side (or UTV): two seats side by side, a steering wheel just like in a car, a roll bar and seatbelts. The most common models are Polaris RZR or CFMoto ZForce, automatic and easy to get to grips with.

The quad, on the other hand, is ridden astride, with handlebars. Lighter, narrower, more raw. The scooter is perfect for short trips. The car remains the queen of comfort over long distances.

Here is how I sum up the choice, after trying all three:

• Buggy: the best comfort/adventure compromise. You sit next to each other, you share the view, you have shade. More stable than the quad on the caldera's hairpins.
• Quad: more fun and sporty, cheaper, parks anywhere. But you take the sun full on and carry your luggage on your back. It is all in our complete guide to renting a quad in Santorini.
• Scooter: cheap and agile, for light couples and short distances. See our guide to renting a motorbike or scooter.
• Car: real comfort, air conditioning, a boot. Our guide to renting a car in Santorini covers everything.

If you are still torn between the four, our guide to choosing your vehicle in Santorini compares them all in one place.

What made me switch from quad to buggy? The shade of the roof at 3 pm in the middle of June, and the seatbelt that reassures on the descent to Ammoudi. A comfort detail, on paper. A real change, on the road.

02How much does renting a buggy in Santorini cost?

Let us be direct: the buggy is the most expensive vehicle on the island after the premium car. That is the price of comfort and of the space it takes up. Here are the real ranges recorded across several rental companies in 2026, for a 2-seater buggy.

A few details that make a difference on the bill:

• 4-seater model: expect noticeably more, often €30 to €50 more per day.
• Tapered pricing: most rental companies drop the price from 3 days (up to -40%), sometimes with an extra -10% for prepayment.
• What is included: basic insurance, unlimited mileage, helmets, top case and a road map with the reputable ones.
• Deposit: from €100 to €300 held on a card with some. Others (Freedom Rentals, Fresh Rent, Moto Santorini) take no deposit at all.
• Fuel at your expense: around €2/litre, at stations run by an attendant. A full tank easily lasts two to three days. ⛽

A little traveller's tip on payment. Rental companies often prefer cash, and the deposit goes on your card. To avoid currency-exchange fees on every transaction, I travel with a multi-currency card.

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The price swing between winter and summer can double. To understand when to go and at what rate, take a look at our guide to Santorini weather and seasons.

03Where to rent a buggy in Santorini?

Two options: on site or online. My tried-and-approved advice leans clearly towards booking online. The prices displayed at agencies are often higher than booking in advance, and in summer the buggy stock goes fast.

Rental companies deliver all over the island. You choose your pick-up point:

• Santorini airport: handy the moment you land. See our airport guide.
• The port of Athinios or Vlychada: ideal if you arrive by ferry.
• Fira, Kamari, Oia, Akrotiri: agencies are plentiful there.
• Your hotel: most rental companies deliver for free (or for €10-15).

As for reliable addresses, a few names keep coming up with travellers: Freedom Rentals (Karterados, no deposit), Moto Santorini and Moto Panos (Fira and Mesaria), or ATV GP right in the centre of Fira. The 2026 reviews are good, with a special mention for punctual delivery and the condition of the vehicles.

To compare available models and real-time prices for your dates, the simplest is to go through a comparison site.

Once there, to reach your pick-up point from the airport or the port, our guide to Santorini airport transfers and the one on getting around the island complete the picture.

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04Licence, age and conditions: what to know

Good news, it is simple. Unlike the scooter, which sometimes requires a motorbike licence, the buggy is driven with a standard car licence.

1. 01A category B licence, valid and held for at least one year.
2. 02The physical licence, not a photo on your phone.
3. 03Minimum age: generally 21, sometimes more depending on the rental company.
4. 04A bank card in the driver's name for any deposit.

For a French or European licence, no international permit is required. Travellers from outside the EU, however, often have to present an international permit alongside their national licence.

A word on insurance, because that is where the devil hides. The basic package often covers the minimum, with an excess that can climb high if something goes wrong. Distinguish the TPI (third-party liability, often included) from the CDW or SCDW (excess waiver, sometimes a paid option). Read the contract before signing.

To sleep easy, I always travel with a travel insurance that also covers this kind of mishap behind the wheel.

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05Driving a buggy in Santorini: safety and common sense

The buggy is easy to drive. The real danger in Santorini is not the vehicle: it is the traffic. The roads twist, tourist coaches take up space, and in summer everyone is on the road at once.

A few habits that change everything:

• Buckle your seatbelt. It is mandatory whenever there is one, and the buggy has them.
• Beware of the width. The buggy struggles in the narrowest alleys of Oia or Pyrgos. Park before them and finish on foot.
• Watch out for scorching seats. In full sun, the metal and vinyl heat up fiercely. A towel in the boot saves your thighs.
• Pack an extra layer. The day is mild, but as soon as the sun sets, the air cools quickly behind the wheel.
• Avoid the night. Some back roads are unlit. Head back before nightfall.

”

My only real moment of panic? An impossible U-turn in a sloping alley in Oia, buggy stuck, a line of scooters behind me and a perfectly indifferent cat on a low wall. I learned my lesson: in Santorini, the buggy gets parked, it does not squeeze through.

An honest detail, too: some models are noisy. A couple I met on the island ended up swapping their buggy for a car, simply because the engine was too loud for their liking. It is up to you to decide what you are after. For the rest, our safety in Santorini guide covers the whole question.

063 buggy routes to explore the island 🏝️

The buggy comes into its own when you chart your own route. Here are three itineraries I have ridden, from the photogenic north to the volcanic beaches of the south.

Northern route: Fira, Imerovigli and the Oia sunset 🌅

The great classic, and for good reason. You follow the caldera along the panoramic road, with the sea opening up on your left at every bend.

1. 01Set off from Fira, time for a coffee on a terrace facing the void.
2. 02Head for Imerovigli and the path towards Skaros Rock.
3. 03Arrive in Oia in the late afternoon.
4. 04Descend (on foot) to Ammoudi Bay for grilled fish.

Stay for the Oia sunset, but park the buggy far from the heart of the village. The alleys there are impassable at peak times.

Southern route: black-sand beaches and Akrotiri

My favourite, wilder and far less crowded. The volcanic terrain fully justifies the buggy.

1. 01Vlychada and its white pumice cliffs, an almost lunar setting.
2. 02Perissa and Perivolos, the vast ribbon of black sand for a swim stop.
3. 03Akrotiri, its archaeological site and its wind-battered lighthouse.
4. 04The famous Red Beach, spectacular with its red cliffs.

Village loop: Pyrgos, Emporio and ancient Thera

For those who want to escape the postcard and taste the authentic Santorini.

1. 01Pyrgos and its medieval fortress, a 360° view over the whole island.
2. 02A tasting break at a winery, over a glass of Assyrtiko.
3. 03The winding climb up to the ancient city of Thera, perched on Mesa Vouno.
4. 04Return via Kamari for a final swim.

07Buggy or not? My honest verdict

After several days behind the wheel, here is where I set the cursor.

The buggy is the right choice if you are travelling as a couple or a family with teenagers, you want comfort and shade, and the extra cost does not put you off. It is the vehicle for laid-back days of adventure, where you share the view and the wind.

It is much less so if you are travelling alone on a tight budget. There, the quad is smarter and more fun. And if you are mostly planning long, comfortable distances throughout your stay, an air-conditioned car will be more restful, often for a comparable price.

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The buggy is not for you after all? Compare the options for car rental in Santorini, or start from scratch with our guide to choosing your vehicle on the island.

08FAQ — renting a buggy in Santorini

Do you need a licence to drive a buggy in Santorini?

Yes, a valid category B (car) licence held for at least one year. No motorbike licence is needed. French and European licences are accepted without an international permit. Remember to bring the physical licence.

What is the price of a buggy in Santorini?

Count on roughly €90 to €120/day in low season, and €130 to €160/day in high season, for a 2-seater model. Rates drop noticeably from three days of rental. A 4-seater buggy costs more.

Buggy or quad: which to choose?

The buggy for comfort, safety and shade for two. The quad for fun, budget and ease of parking. The buggy is more stable on the hairpins, the quad more agile in town.

How many people can fit in a buggy?

Two people on the classic models, four on the larger versions. The price climbs with the number of seats, but a 4-seater buggy remains handy for a small group.

Can you go everywhere by buggy in Santorini?

Almost. The buggy handles roads and volcanic tracks well. However, it is too wide for the narrowest alleys of Oia or Pyrgos. You park before them and finish on foot.

The buggy is the freedom to write your own itinerary in Santorini, with a comfort the quad cannot offer. A little more expensive, yes, but what a feeling to ride facing the caldera, hair in the wind and a full-frame view.

Book online, bring your licence, film the vehicle at pick-up, and go for it. The island is only waiting for you. To plan the rest of your stay, dive into our guide on what to do in Santorini and our selection of the island's most beautiful beaches.