Guide on Using Santorini Public Buses

** EUR (€) 1 = ~₹ 110 (As of June 2026) **

Greece boasts around 6,000 islands, and Santorini is the most famous of them all. It’s always packed with honeymooners and cruise ship passengers.

Famous for its iconic sunsets, Santorini offers much more like historical ruins and stunning beaches.

Santorini is big enough that you’ll need to travel by taxi or Santorini public buses. Unlike cities with extensive public transportation networks, islands generally have limited public transportation and are without trams or metro. And Santorini is no exception. Santorini public buses are the only reliable option, covering all the major towns.

The Santorini public buses network hits all the hotspots but it is not as frequent as you will find on mainland Greece. Alternatives like renting an ATV/car (minimum €50 / ~₹5,500 per day) or taxis (€35+ / ~₹3,850+) are expensive and can quickly eat up your budget.

ALSO READ: Top Money Saving Tips On Europe Travel

Bus Ticket Prices

Santorini public buses are modern, air-conditioned, and super affordable at €2.2–2.70 (~₹240–300). Routes connect popular spots like Fira (the capital, where all lines start/end), Oia, Kamari, Perissa, Akrotiri, Athinios ferry port, and the airport.

Check latest prices at Santorini Public Buses :: Official Web Site – PRICELIST

Bus Services Frequency in Santorini Public Buses

Frequency varies by season. During peak (June–mid-October), Santorini public buses run every 30–45 minutes on major routes. Off-peak, expect departures every 1–2 hours (or less).

Download the latest timetable from Santorini Public Buses :: Official Web Site – HOME

Popular Bus Routes on Santorini Public Buses

Route	Famous For	Price (€)
Fira – Oia	Majestic sunsets, blue dome churches, Oia castle	2.2
Fira – Kamari	Kamari beach (black pebble beach), Open Air Cinema	2.2
Fira – Perissa	Perissa black sand beach, Ancient Thera, Pyrgos, lost atlantis experience, Heart of Santorini view point	2.2
Fira – Akrotiri	Red beach, lost atlantis experience, Heart of Santorini view point	2.2
Fira – Athinios Port	Ferry port	2.7
Fira – Airport		2.2

Travel Tip: Keep enough cash as payment in Santorini public buses can only be made in cash. It is to be paid directly to the conductor.

Bus Schedule: Athinios Port to Fira

Most tourists arrive by ferry, so Santorini public buses from Athinios Port to Fira are a budget lifesaver. Timings sync with ferries so you’ll usually find a bus waiting upon arrival, or one from Fira before departure.

But that may not always be true if ferry is delayed and land Athinos Port post-midnight. That exactly happened to us. Our ferry was supposed to arrive at 11 PM but but it got delayed by more than 2 hours and there was no bus at station when we arrived. That left passengers like us to the mercy of shuttle operators who charged exorbitant fare of EUR 50 (~INR 5,000) per person to transfer passengers to their hotels in Fira. I believe they charged even more if hotels were in Oia which is northernmost village of Santorini island.

If pre-booked, shuttle charges are not more than EUR 20-25 (~INR 2,000 – 2,500) so you can see the extent of loot from shuttle operators.

I dodged it by booking Uber for €35 (~₹3,850) which was 20 minutes away, but worth the wait over €100 (~₹11,000) for <10 km. The counter guy then offered €50 for two (50% off due to empty seats), but we haggled to €40 (~₹4,400).

Travel Tip: Make arrangements with your hotel for pick-up if arriving by ferry at night. That beats relying on Santorini public buses post-midnight.

If you have travelled in Santorini by public transport, please share your experience in the comments.

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