Quad, buggy, car or scooter: which vehicle to rent in Santorini?
It is 7 pm in Fira. The sun is dropping behind the caldera, and in the white alleys there is a constant ballet of quads sputtering along, scooters weaving through and little city cars desperately hunting for a space. Volcanic dust drifts in the warm air. That is mobility in Santorini: noisy, a little chaotic, but tremendously free.
The problem is that the island is poorly served by buses. As soon as you want to get off the beaten track, you need your own vehicle. That leaves the real question: which one? And here, sorry to kill the suspense, but there is no absolute "best" choice. There is your choice, the one that fits your profile, your budget and your way of travelling.
I toured the island by quad for three days, tried the car on a day of howling wind, and watched dozens of travellers struggle with the wrong vehicle. So here is my honest comparison to help you decide.
Quad, buggy, car or scooter: the comparison at a glance
Before getting into the detail, let us lay things out. To rent a vehicle in Santorini without making a mistake, it all comes down to four criteria: the price, the number of seats, the licence required and, above all, the type of traveller each option is aimed at.
| Vehicle | Indicative price / day | Seats | Licence | Ideal for | Avoid if… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quad (ATV) | €25-70 | 2 | B (car) | Couples, budget, secluded beaches | Heavy luggage, bad weather |
| Buggy | from ~€130 | 2 | B (car) | Comfort for two, off-road fun | Tight budget |
| Car | €40-75 | 4-5 | B (car) | Families, luggage, rain | Parking in Oia in August |
| Scooter | ~€30 | 1-2 | B or A depending on engine size | Solo, short trips, agility | Fear of two wheels, steep roads |
This table already points you in a direction. Now let us look at each option in detail, because the devil is in the nuances.
The quad (ATV): freedom on a budget
It is the king of the island, and for good reason. The quad, or ATV, parks anywhere, tackles the hills up to Oia without flinching and is driven with just a category B licence. For a couple, it is often the best freedom-to-price ratio in Santorini.
On 2026 prices, count on €35 to €55/day for a small 150cc, and €30 to €50/day for a 300cc in mid season. In July-August, the bill climbs: €55 to €70/day for a 300cc. Good news, prices taper over several days. Petrol? A 5 to 10-litre tank, a fill-up around €10-20 that easily lasts you two to three days.
The charm of the quad is that feeling of riding with the wind in your hair on the balcony roads, the scent of wild thyme, the freedom to stop at a deserted beach the bus never reaches. But let us be honest about the limits: two of you with luggage, it gets tight. And in the evening, when the wind picks up, you quickly regret not bringing a jacket.
- You are travelling as a pair and money is tight
- You dream of secluded beaches and sleepy villages
- You are going between April and October, in good weather
- You want to park stress-free in the alleys
For detailed prices by rental company, the best routes and the pitfalls to avoid, I have put it all in our complete guide to renting a quad in Santorini.
The buggy: the comfort of adventure
The buggy is the quad all grown up. Wider, more stable, often fitted with roll bars and sometimes a roof, it offers a sense of safety the quad does not have. You climb in as you would a little off-road car, and set off to explore with a smile.
Models vary: a 650cc UTV for the more modest, an 850cc Python with 65 horsepower for the beefier ones. On budget, you have to own it: count on from ~€130/day in mid season for a two-seater model. That is noticeably more expensive than a quad, but you gain in comfort and confidence on the road.
More comfortable than a quad, safer than a scooter, and far more fun than a car for exploring the island. — the feedback I read most often from buggy travellers
So, buggy or quad? It all depends on what you are after.
- Price: the quad wins hands down (sometimes by double)
- Comfort: the buggy, with its proper seats and seated position
- Safety: the buggy, thanks to the roll bars and the seatbelt
- Thrills: a tie, both put a smile on your face
If budget is not your top criterion and you want off-road fun without the discomfort of the exposed quad, the Santorini buggy is an excellent choice for a trip for two.
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The car: the versatile choice (and sometimes essential)
There are situations where the car is not an option but an obvious choice. A family with children, a day of rain or strong wind, suitcases to carry from the airport: in those cases, forget the quad and take four enclosed wheels.
The 2026 prices stay reasonable for a small city car: €40 to €50/day in low season, €55 to €75/day in high season. Two tips really bring the bill down. First, a manual gearbox costs €10 to €15/day less than an automatic (and climbs the hills just as well). Second, booking online in advance works out 20 to 30% cheaper than on site. Prices also taper from three days.
A real on-the-ground tip: book 2 to 3 months ahead in high season. Prices jump 30 to 50% at the last minute, and automatics, rare and in high demand, are the first to go.
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Personally, as soon as my dates are set, I compare on DiscoverCars. The comparison site brings together local and international rental companies, and its optional cover is often far better value than the CDW sold at the counter. I have often found genuinely good deals there.
For the full step-by-step of booking, the formalities and the best rental companies, head to our guide to renting a car in Santorini. And if it is your first rental abroad, take a look at our tips for renting a car while travelling.
The scooter and motorbike: agile but for the initiated
The scooter is the option for the experienced. Agile, cheap, it weaves through everywhere and parks in a pocket handkerchief. At ~€30/day, it is also the lightest on the wallet. On paper, everything going for it.
In practice, a few nuances. On Santorini's steep roads, a 125cc is the bare minimum: below that, you struggle on the climbs. And watch the licence: unlike the quad, the larger engines often require a category A (motorbike) licence, not just a category B licence. Check carefully before booking.
Above all, the scooter is the most exposed vehicle on the island. Traffic is heavy, the road surface dusty, and the gravel in the bends does not forgive. If you are not already comfortable on two wheels, Santorini is not the place to learn.
Fancy giving it a go anyway? All the details are in our guide to renting a motorbike or scooter in Santorini.
Prices, licence and safety: what to know before booking
The type of vehicle you choose is one thing. The common ground rules are another, and it is best to know them before signing the contract.
How much it really costs (petrol, deposit, delivery)
The advertised price is never the total cost. Several fees add up, and some catch unwary travellers by surprise.
- Petrol: around €2/litre in 2026, about 14% above the European average. Stations are few and run by an attendant (no self-service).
- The deposit: €100 to €300 held on a card for a quad, €200 to €1,000 for a car. Returned on drop-off if there is no damage.
- Delivery: €10 to €15 for delivery to the hotel, port or airport with some rental companies (free with others).
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A little practical tip: many local rental companies prefer cash and sometimes balk at cards. To pay the deposit or fill up without currency-exchange fees, a Wise card remains the smartest solution for travellers.
Which licence for which vehicle?
Good news for most of you: a category B licence covers the essentials. Here is the clear summary.
| Vehicle | Licence required | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| Quad / ATV | B (car) | 21 (sometimes 18 for small engines) |
| Buggy | B (car) | 21 |
| Car | B (car) | 21 |
| Scooter / motorbike | B or A depending on engine size | 21 |
Three points to remember: the licence must have been held for at least one year, you must present the physical licence (not a photo on your phone), and for EU citizens, no international permit is required.
2026 news and road safety
A rule came into force in 2026: the speed is now limited to 30 km/h on single-lane streets. On an island where narrow, winding alleys abound, that is no luxury. The seatbelt is mandatory whenever there is one, and so is the helmet.
The real headache is not the driving itself, but parking in Fira, Oia and Imerovigli in high season. Arm yourself with patience, or set off early in the morning.
For a full overview of all your travel options, including buses and taxis, see our guide to getting around Santorini. And if you have just arrived, here is how to handle transfers from Santorini airport.
So, which vehicle to choose? Our pick by profile
Now for the moment of decision. Rather than leaving you with a vague "it depends", here is my clear recommendation depending on who you are.
- Couple, good weather, craving freedom on a controlled budget → a 300cc quad, no hesitation. The best fun-to-price ratio on the island.
- Couple who prioritise comfort and safety → a buggy, if the budget allows.
- Family, bad weather forecast, or luggage to carry → a car, booked online in advance via DiscoverCars.
- Solo traveller, short trips, already comfortable on two wheels → a 125cc scooter.
My personal choice? The quad, every time, for a trip for two in spring or autumn. That feeling of riding free on the balcony roads, of turning off on a whim towards a deserted cove, no car has ever given it to me. But the day it poured down, believe me, I was very glad to have a city car on hand.
Now that you are mobile, all that is left is to explore. Discover what to do in Santorini and the island's most beautiful beaches to fill your travel journal.
FAQ — renting a vehicle in Santorini
The scooter (~€30/day) and the 300cc quad (€30-50/day in mid season) are the cheapest options for a solo traveller or a couple. KTEL buses remain the most economical option, but their limited network only serves the main routes.
No. A category B (car) licence is enough to drive a quad or a buggy in Santorini. Only some large-engine scooters may require a category A (motorbike) licence.
Between €25 and €70/day depending on the season and engine size. Count on €30-50/day for a 300cc in mid season, and €55-70/day in high season (July-August). Rates taper over several days.
The quad is cheaper, easier to park and more fun for a couple in good weather. The car is the way to go for a family, with luggage or in bad weather.
Most rental companies require a credit card to hold the deposit (€200-1,000 for a car). Some local rental companies accept debit cards, often with a higher deposit.
It is safe if you follow the highway code and wear the helmet provided. The main risk comes from the heavy traffic and the gravel in the bends, not from the vehicle itself.
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