7 Useful Santorini Bus Tips to Get Around the Famous Greek Island

Santorini is a beautiful island with so much to explore. While the draw for many travelers is the famous views of Oia, Santorini is an island full of stunning villages, unique beaches, and more! If you don’t want to pay 50+ Euros a day for a car or 30 for an ATV then hopping on the Santorini bus is the way to go. After utilizing public transportation on our own visit, we are happy to share everything we’ve learned. From the Fira bus station to an island map and tips for the Santorini bus schedule, we got you covered!

7 Tips for Using the Santorini Bus

1. Take the Santorini Bus From the Airport

Whether you arrive by flight or ferry it’s good to know that there are public buses that make the trip to the main Fira bus Station. However, if you are coming at a time the bus starts running then you’ll be out of luck! This is when you’ll need to book a taxi or transfer.

When we landed at the Santorini Airport we went outside to the bus stop and only had to wait 10 minutes before it left. Below are the prices to Fira in Euros at the time of our visit. Just note that they may increase depending on the time of year or what part of the island you are going to.

• Santorini Bus: €1.80 
• Shared Shuttle: €10 
• Island Taxi: €25

2. Stay in the Main Town of Fira

If you plan to use the bus daily to explore different parts of the island then you may want to consider staying near Fira. While there are actually other parts of the island we love, we started our trip at a hotel just 15 minutes walking distance from the Fira bus station. 

The Fira bus station is the start of all Santorini bus routes and therefore easiest to have as your home base. All the buses run through here and the timetables are set coming and going from Fira. Staying in Fira makes it easy because you don’t have to worry about switching Santorini buses.

For example, if your hotel is in Oia you would have to come to Fira then switch buses and continue on to the rest of the island. This may not be a big deal to some travelers. Yet, if you don’t time it right you might be waiting around an hour for the next Santorini bus! 

→ Is Santorini Expensive? Yes… But This is How to Visit on a Budget!

3. Find the Updated Times at the Fira Bus Station

When you first get to the Fira bus station on the right-hand side of the main building are the most recent and updated timetables. Here you’ll find the Santorini bus schedule displayed with every route.

We highly recommend taking a picture of the times and Santorini bus map here. Sometimes the ones listed online can be incorrect! Also, the routes and frequency depend on the season and how many tourists are visiting.

→ 12 Fun Facts That Might Surprise You About Fira Santorini

4. Get on the Santorini Bus Early if You Want a Seat

Planning on jumping on one of the first Santorini buses of the morning from Fira bus station? Know that it will be crowded! If you want a seat just make sure to arrive early.

We last visited in May which is considered low season and our bus to Oia was completely full. We were able to get a seat in the back but there were many travelers who had to stand for the journey.  

5. Have Exact Change if Possible 

When using public transport to get around the island you will buy your Santorini bus tickets onboard. There is the driver and another person who walks up and down the aisle giving tickets and collecting the money. During our trip, tickets ranged from €1.60 – €2 Euros depending on how far it was.

The person collecting the money always made an announcement asking for change and no large bills. If you only have a large 20 or 50 Euro bill try and break it before you get on the bus. This will keep the Santorini bus schedule on time and get you to your destination faster!

6. Get Picked Up from a Different Santorini Bus Line

If you plan your day around the Santorini buses you don’t necessarily have to return to your original bus stop. A great example of this is the day we took the bus to the famous Red Beach. From there we actually walked up to the small mountain village of Akrotiri to explore and have lunch.

We then hopped back on the Santorini bus from Akrotiri and took it to the popular Santos Winery. After some wine tasting, we weren’t ready to head back and walked up to the village of Pyrgos! In Pyrgos, we had dinner and watched the sunset before heading back to the Fira bus station.

As you can see, it’s easy hit so many places on the Santorini bus map! It’s also good to mention that the buses are a great option if you want to visit the best wineries or even the Donkey Brewing company. That way you can enjoy your day without a designated driver.

→ 10 Amazing Things to Know About Pyrgos Village in Santorini Greece

7. Be Patient With the Santorini Buses in the Summer

If you’re going to use the Santorini bus in the peak summer months keep in mind it’s going to be packed. While they do add more buses for July and August it’s still hard to comprehend the millions of tourists descending on the island!

Go with the flow and don’t get upset if you have to wait longer than originally planned. We recommend grabbing a beer or gyro and finding somewhere to relax.

Specifically, the route from Oia back to the Fira bus station is extremely crowded. Don’t be surprised if after sunset in Oia you’re waiting a while for the next bus. This is part of the reason why we go here to watch the sunset instead!

→ How to Visit Oia Santorini: Best Hotels Plus Sunset and Castle Tips

Should You Use the Santorini Bus on Vacation? 

Yes! Overall, we loved using the Santorini bus. It literally saved us hundreds of Euros that we would have had to spend to rent a car for our whole visit. 

We rented a scooter for one day to discover some of the harder-to-reach attractions. Yet, we were impressed by how many places you could get to by using the inexpensive Santorini bus line.

Obviously, there are advantages to renting a vehicle instead of depending on the Santorini bus schedule to get around. For more information on driving a car be sure to read our article below.

→ Is Renting a Car in Santorini Worth it? 2023 Car Rental Guide

Have any questions on the Santorini bus map or want to share your own tips for using the Santorini buses? Leave us a comment below!

Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake

 Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar! 

Where to Stay in Santorini Greece

Here are some hotel recommendations as well as inspiration for different areas of the island. As you can see, there is something for every type of traveler on Santorini!

Oia: Canaves Oia Epitome – Kastro Oia Houses – Allure Breeze Suites – The most iconic village in Santorini Greece with beautiful white-washed buildings & famous island and sunset views.

Fira: Atlantis Hotel – Pantelia Suites – Este Luxury Suites – The capital of Santorini is a great hub with lots of nightlife and shopping. 

Imerovigli: Merovigliosso – Kasimatis by La Perla – Whitedeck Santorini – Traditional village with a laid-back feel. Yet still, with plenty of high-end hotels and restaurants.

*We receive a commission for purchases made through links in this post. This allows us to continue our travels and keep providing great content to our readers! Also, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.