Should You Hire a Buggy in Santorini?

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Santorini is a beautiful Greek Island renowned for its stunning landscapes, picturesque villages, and vibrant sunsets, with all that’s to offer, the island begs to be explored. But when it comes to roaming the island, there are plenty of transportation options. One increasingly popular option for tourists is hiring a buggy. But is renting a buggy in Santorini the best choice for your travel style? There are definitely pros and cons! From my personal experience, I’ll share insights on whether this unique way of getting around is right for you and what to consider before booking.

My Experience of Santorini Buggy Hire

Hiring a buggy in Santorini can be a fantastic way to explore the island with a sense of freedom and adventure, so we decided to give it a go during our trip. However, I must admit that it was a bit more frightening than we anticipated!

Coming from the UK, where we drive on the left-hand side of the road, adapting to driving on the right in Greece made us a little anxious. It took some time to get used to the handling and pedal pressure of the buggy, as it was automatic and the steering wheel was stiffer than what we’re used to in normal cars. The right-of-way system in Greece was also a bit confusing, and with a lack of road signs, it was easy to get lost without the help of Google Maps.

Despite these initial challenges, we drove from Kamari to Perissa, visiting the Red Beach along the way. We then took the buggy up to Fira for the evening to catch the sunset. The rental company advised us against taking the buggy to Oia due to heavy traffic and parking difficulties, which turned out to be sound advice.

Why Hiring a Buggy in Santorini Could Be a Great Idea

Convenience and Flexibility Hiring a buggy in Santorini offers unparalleled convenience and flexibility. You can explore the island at your own pace, discovering hidden spots and less accessible areas that you might miss with more conventional transportation.
Scenic Views Santorini’s breathtaking landscapes are best enjoyed with an unobstructed view. A Santorini buggy allows you to soak in the stunning vistas of cliffs, beaches, and iconic white-washed buildings.
Easy Parking Navigating Santorini’s narrow streets and crowded areas can be challenging. Buggies, being smaller than cars, are easier to park, making your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.
A Fun Experience There’s an undeniable sense of adventure when riding a buggy in Santorini. Hiring a buggy in Santorini adds a fun and exhilarating element to your journey, making your trip to Santorini even more memorable.

Considerations Before Hiring a Buggy

Safety Concerns Safety is paramount, and buggies obviously offer less protection compared to cars. Santorini’s roads can be winding and steep. We felt nervous on some of the steeper and winding roads such as the road to Pyrgos (the highest point on the island). We were planning to return there at sunset but changed our plans as we didn’t want to drive these roads in the dark.
Weather Conditions In hot weather, the buggy offers little protection from the sun so the ride could be quite uncomfortable and you will need to wear suncream.
Exposure to Elements The open design means more exposure to noise, dust, and wind, which might detract from the comfort of your ride and mess up your hair!

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Buggy Experience

Choose a Reputable Rental Company: Ensure the company maintains its vehicles well and provides necessary safety gear.
Wear Safety Gear: You can ask the hire company to provide helmets. Make sure you wear a seatbelt. The buggy we used wouldn’t exceed a certain speed limit if the seatbelts were not in use.
Familiarise Yourself with Local Traffic Rules: I’ll be honest, the traffic rules were confusing and at times I wasn’t sure whose right of way it was when at a junction. Make sure you check out the traffic rules in advance.
Get insured I’d recommend paying a bit extra for premium insurance that doesn’t come with any excess.
Don’t pay for a full tank We filled the tank with 20 euros of fuel, drove around all day, and returned it almost half-full
Plan your route I was trying to shout directions at my partner but the buggies are so loud when driven that it was difficult for him to hear
Stick to the roads Offroad driving is not permitted and will invalidate your insurance
Shop around We used the company Motor Inn and paid £90 for 24 hours, whereas some other guests at our hotel paid £160 elsewhere!

Is Hiring a Buggy in Santorini Worth It?

Overall although it was a little nerve-wracking at times, the experience was absolutely worth it. The thrill of driving the buggy, coupled with the stunning views and the sense of adventure, made for an excellent day. If you’re up for a bit of excitement and are prepared for a few challenges, hiring a buggy in Santorini can be a truly memorable way to explore the island but perhaps one to avoid for less confident drivers!