Santorini island is bigger than you think, and getting around Santorini can be quite a costly experience. Yes, Santorini can be very expensive. Thankfully there is a inexpensive option available, the Santorini bus system. Here is how to catch a bus from Fira to Oia.
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How to Get Around Santorini
Public Bus
The Santorini bus is awesome, and the best way to get around Santorini in our opinion. They only cost around 2 Euros per trip, and the routes reach many popular destinations all over the island. This is the best way to go if you have some time on your hands. Keep in mind they can be exteremly crowded in high season, when peak hour seems to be all day.
Hire Car
A car is a great way to go when exploring Santorini, and you can even pick one up at the airport when you arrive. The only catch is that you will require a valid drivers license – International or Greek.
Depending on where you stay, finding your hotel and finding a car park near the hotel may be an extremely frustrating experience. There are not many cars on Santorini and it’s not a good terrain to park a car. And you will most likely require a personal guide just to find your hotel, let alone to assist with carrying your suitcases down the steep stairs.
Although a car is many times more expensive than catching a public bus, it offers a lot more freedom and is considerably faster than catching a bus. Keep in mind that parking will be a big problem, particularly if you are staying in one of the more popular areas along the caldera cliff.
Taxi
You can get a taxi in Santorini virtually anytime anywhere just by dialling +30 22860 22555. Alternatively, I am sure your hotel would be happy to assist with booking a taxi. The catch is you will be paying 20-30 Euros for the average taxi fare, so it can get very expensive very quickly. It’s probably not too bad if you have 4 people sharing the taxi fare.
Rent a Quad Bike
Let me start by saying that Quad Bikes scare the living daylights out of me. Even if you are familiar with riding motorcycles, quad bikes can be very difficult and are very dangerous. But they are lots of fun.
You see lots of quad bikes on the open road all over Santorini, and they are quite easy to hire. As you walk around you will see many places to hire a quad bike, and your hotel should be able to help out also.
Santorini Tours
If you are only planning to get out and about for one day, then a guided tour may be a good option. Santorini Tours generally cost around 250 Euros for a half day tour, and they can take you anywhere you wish to go on the island. Obviously more people in the car is a good idea to reduce costs.
Why Use the Public Buses
If you are anything like us, you will have splashed out an astronomical amount on your Santorini Accommodation. Why not, it may be a once in a lifetime opportunity in this idyllic location. Consequently, you may be looking for ways to save money to make up for the excessive accommodation costs. Buses can certainly help you to save money.
The main and largest town of Santorini is Fira (a.k.a. Thira). This is also the major bus hub, with buses starting from Fira to go to different points on Santorini Island. The most popular bus route is Fira to Oia. This is the route we took to photograph the famous blue domes in Oia.
You can also go from Fira to 3 of the most popular Santorini beaches (Kamari, Perissa, Akrotiri), the port, or the town of Pyrgos. The bus is also the cheapest option to get from Santorini airport to Fira.
How to Catch the Bus From Fira to Oia
The first thing you should do is access the bus timetable, which you can download on the Santorini Public Buses Website. Generally they run every 20 minutes or so.
Next you will want to go to the Fira bus station, which is the main bus hub for the whole island. It’s quite easy to find the main Fira bus station, just ask anyone and they will point you in the right direction. It’s only 2-3 minutes walk from the main town centre.
When you catch a Santorini bus, make sure you have some loose change (Euros). You don’t pay as you get onto the bus. Instead, a conductor will make his way through the bus whilst it is travelling to collect cash from passengers. After taking your fare the conductor will issue you with a ticket. That’s why you need to have the money ready to pay the fare. It’s normally around 2 Euros, but may be slightly more or less depending on the route you choose to take.
The Journey to Oia
The journey on the Fira to Oia bus is incredibly scenic, taking the road across the top of the mountain. You are treated to breathtaking views of Santorini beaches, coastline, and surrounding countryside for most of the journey, so it pays to have a window seat and a camera.
On the other hand, if you are afraid of mountainous winding roads, perhaps you had better sit closer to the middle aisle so you don’t have to peer out over step mountainous cliffs.
Discounts
The bus company website lists the following discounts available:
- Half price for people having any kind of disability
- Half price for people having many children
- 25% reduction for students
Catching Oia to Fira Bus
Travelling from Oia to Fira is much the same as catching the bus from Fira to Oia. The only difference is that you need to know the location of the Oia bus station. Once again it is quite easy to find, just 3-4 minutes walk directly down the hill from the main town square. Here is a map to assist you.
Catching a Santorini Sunset Bus
Buses generally run up until around midnight, so they’re a great idea to find the perfect location to see the perfect sunset.
We think it’s a perfect option to catch a Santorini Bus from Fira to Oia. Sure they can get a little crowded, but if you overlook this slight inconvenience then the public bus can be a wonderful addition to your Santorini holiday.
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