Why taxi drivers avoid using Uber in Santorini, plus the alternative transportation options you can safely use – and essential travel tips for a smooth trip.
Last updated: 8 Nov 2025
If you are planning a trip to the island of Santorini, one of the questions you might ask is: “Is there Uber in Santorini?”.
The operation of the ride-hailing platform is not a given in all countries, and Greece is no exception.
As you can read in detail in my guide “Uber In Athens? What’s Really Going On!“, Uber partially suspended its operation in Greece in 2018 after legal disputes with the local taxi driver industry.
As a result, the company operated only in Athens and exclusively with the Uber Taxi service.
However, Greece is a top tourist destination, and Uber was seeking ways to extend its services to other popular locations within the country.
Is There Uber in Santorini?
Fast forward three years to 2021, when Uber reached an agreement with local authorities.
As a result, they began serving the picturesque island of Santorini and also started expanding to other Greek destinations.
Today, Uber in Greece operates in Athens, Thessaloniki, and eight popular islands, among them Santorini.
So, the users of the app can choose between three different transport options:
- Regular Taxi: Operated by licensed local taxi drivers, with fares calculated by taximeter based on distance. Note that if you’re departing from the port or the airport, there’s a small additional fee.
- Comfort: The most affordable option, provided by a company in partnership with Uber in Santorini, offering services at a flat rate.
- Van: Also offered by a private company, ideal for groups or extra luggage, again at a flat rate.
However, keep in mind that during peak hours you might end up waiting quite a long time for a driver to accept your request.
Uber Alternatives in Santorini
1. Pre-booked taxi in Santorini
The last thing you want on your vacation is to be stuck in a queue or having unnecessary stress.
So, if you are arriving after a long journey or need to catch your flight, I strongly recommend using a pre-booked taxi to avoid any hassle.
My choice in such cases, especially for airport and port transfers, is the local startup Welcome Pickups.
They offer excellent service, have expanded to many cities abroad, and work only with top-rated drivers.
Although their flat rate is a bit more expensive, they are totally worth it.
They will meet you at the pre-arranged point, even if your arrival is delayed, and they have numerous positive reviews on TripAdvisor and Trustpilot.
2. Car Rental in Santorini
Renting a car is a second alternative to Uber in Santorini.
This is the best choice if you want complete freedom to explore the entire island.
In this case, make sure you use a price-comparison site with real user reviews
Personally, I use Discovercars.com as they offer competitive prices and collaborate with the most reliable car rental companies.
Book as early as possible for the best deals, and select a trustworthy provider.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that roads during the high season can be very busy, so drive carefully.
Parking spaces are also limited, especially in popular areas.
On my last trip to Santorini, I used a mixed approach.
For transfers from the port to the hotel and back, I booked a taxi in advance.
Additionally, out of my four-day stay, I rented a car only for one day, to visit Perissa Beach and the southern part of the island.
3. Public Transportation in Santorini
If you don’t plan to visit the less touristy parts of the island, local buses are a good budget-friendly choice.
Surprisingly, for its size, Santorini has relatively decent public transport.
Ticket prices are very affordable, starting at 2 euros.
However, remember that during summer, buses may get overcrowded, and road traffic can cause delays.
Moreover, there are usually no direct routes between different parts of the island. All bus routes start from Fira and stop in the villages along the way.
During the high season, local authorities usually add extra routes that provide direct service to the island’s main beaches: Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos.
On the local bus website, you can check the timetable of the routes and ticket prices before you travel.
Why Is It Difficult to Get a Taxi in Santorini?
In Greece, the taxi market is state-regulated.
This regulation permits only a specific number of taxi licenses for each city or island.
However, Santorini, hosting millions of visitors every year, experiences a scarcity of taxis compared to the demand.
This shortage is especially noticeable during the high season, which spans from April to October.
As a result, getting a regular taxi through Uber tends to be quite challenging.
Most drivers prefer to pick up passengers directly from the street, or through phone appointments, avoiding the commission fees charged by the app.
It is exceedingly common for drivers to hand out cards with their phone numbers, to secure direct bookings.
Therefore, even on the street, finding an available taxi can be very difficult, and you might end up waiting for hours before getting a ride.
Do I Need Uber in Santorini?
If you are planning to stay in the bustling capital of the island, Fira, and you’re not particularly interested in swimming, your transportation needs may be limited to getting to and from the airport or port.
In this case, the best solution is to use a pre-booked taxi or Uber to your hotel.
From Fira, you can easily reach nearby locations on foot.
Firostefani, for instance, is just a 15-minute walk.
Imerovigli, on the other hand, is slightly farther. Known as the highest point of the Caldera coast, it’s about 30 minutes away.
At the same time, if you enjoy hiking, a two-hour trek will take you to the beautiful village of Oia.
The route is fairly simple, but make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
However, if you want to explore all that Santorini has to offer, renting a car or using the local buses will give you the most flexibility.
Uber in Other Greek Destinations
I hope this article has helped you better understand how Uber works in Santorini.
If you want to learn more about Uber in other Greek destinations, check out my detailed guides for:
If you’re also planning to visit Athens, don’t miss my step-by-step itineraries.
They have been carefully and clearly designed to suit the number of days at your disposal: Athens in 1 day, Athens in 2 days, Athens in 3 days, Athens in 4 days, and Hidden Gems of Athens.
Finally, if you found this guide useful, consider joining my newsletter using the form below for more travel tips.
Plan Your Trip
Stay: Tripadvisor (best price comparison, easy booking)
Airport: Welcome Pickups (pre-booked, reliable airport transfers)
Drive: Discovercars (compare prices, free cancellation)
Connect: Airalo eSIM (cheap data)
Do: GetYourGuide (unique tours & activities)
Fly: Skyscanner (find the cheapest flights)
Explore: GuruWalk (free walking tours worldwide)
Protect: SafetyWing (affordable travel insurance)
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