I think renting a car for a day in both places is a good idea. When We were young we rented scooters in Myconos. Now I do not trust my abilities. I enjoy the idea of exploring the islands.

have fun. Yipper

Having a car on Santorini and not having to schedule your exploration around a bus schedule makes the best sense. If you're from No. America be sure to go to your local AAA/CAA office to pick up an International Driving Permit.

On Santorini, we rented a car to go to Akrotiri, the Mycenean excavation. I hear it's open again after a roof collapse several years ago.

We didn't bother on Mykonos, just explored the town and one day took a boat to Delos, a great experience.

We rented a car on both islands and explored the area..a wonderful experience and we did delos also.. Would do it again in a heart beat..

On Santorini we rented both cars and ATVs. The ATVS was incredibly fun! Also, the relative cheap expense is well worth exploring on your own time. Plus the wonderful breeze feels incredible while driving through the gorgeous scenery.

No International Drivers Permit is required in Greece if you are from the USA. I've driven in Greece and plan to drive again this fall. Car rental company on Santorini stated that NO addititional license (other than your current driver's license) is required.

I recently went to Santorini with a group of three other women and we rented ATV's at Perissa beach, it was only $15 Euro's for the entire day, insurance and helmet. We all agreed, our ATV day made us feel free and we saw the entire island at our own pace. There are only two main roads, so you are not going to get lost. It was my first time to drive an ATV, so it took a few minutes to get the hang of it, but it was truly one of the best days of our trip.

<<No International Drivers Permit is required in Greece if you are from the USA.>>

This is so not true !!!
Here is the info as stated on the website of the US Embassy in Greece :

"International Driver Permits: Tourists and temporary residents who plan to stay in Greece up to six months, must carry a valid U.S. license as well as an International Driving Permit."

Probably the car rental company told you that it was OK, because you didn't have one....

One more thing
I have been living in both Mykonos and Santorini, and i know what is happening with all the tourists who think that dribving a scooter, ATV etc is saving money ( compared to a car) and it's also fun....

You have no idea how many accidents happen every year, some of them really heavy from people who rented a scooter without any experience. It is absolutely dangerous, and also illegal, if you don't have a special Drivers permit for scooters etc, which is required in Greece !!!!

For your own safety, it would be better to spend a few Euros more and rent a car.

PS : Forgot to add the link : http://athens.usembassy.gov/driving_in_greece.html

Just because a rental agent is willing to rent you a car without presenting an IDP does not make it legal. You definitely need to get the IDP. It's irresponsible and could cost you a ton of money if you get in an accident and don't have one. You will have been driving illegally and your insurance coverage will be invalidated because of that.

Hi

I rented a Fiat 500 with a sun roof on Mykonos and had alot of fun. I rented a small car on Santorini too - unfortunately it wasn't the same sort of car but still worthwhile. Both cars didn't cost much to rent and you see alot of the islands in one day with it.

Do American insurance providers cover you overseas? I too was not asked for anything more than my standard drivers liscense.

Why would a pemit be necessary? Is it not just a translation of that which is already on your drivers license? If they can read English shouldn't the normal DL be fine?

WorminRome

This is an interpretation... if there is no agreement between the EU and the USA, you need the IDP, in addition to your local driver's permit....
Try to explain that to a Greek policeman during a control......

You can rationalize all you want, but the simple fact remains: Greek law requires the IDP. Some rental agents won't rent you a car without it. If you don't have one with you, and if you're asked for it by the police at a routine traffic stop or if you've had an accident, you'll be in serious trouble and your insurance will be invalidated. Simple as that. For $15 it's not worth taking a risk.

Excellent points.

Do American insurance providers cover you overseas?

You need to ask your insurance company that question. If it does cover you overseas, you will have been issued the green International Motor Insurance Card which specifies which countries the policy is valid for. You are unlikely to have this unless you are an American working overseas. I have one, but I'm an American working in England and covered by USAA.

Why would a pemit be necessary? Is it not just a translation of that which is already on your drivers license? If they can read English shouldn't the normal DL be fine?

You are governed by the laws of the country you are in. Not all Greek policemen can read English. I have a British driver's license and am able to drive in Greece without an IDP in accordance with EU agreements. While I still had an American license (Texas) I needed an IDP to drive in Greece.

This is scary! It seems there must be a lot of Americans who have been driving in Greece (and other European countries) without valid license and insurance. If you are one of them, you are very lucky you didn't have an accident or a run in with the law. If you don't believe the US Embassy in Athens (clausar's link) then go ahead and rent a car without an IDP. If you have an accident you are on your own, and the rental agency won't come to your aid.

BTW, all this can be avoided by paying $15 to AAA for an IDP. Why would you not want to do this?

Santorini is very small. When I was there some years ago, a motor bike would suffice to take you to the end of the island. We tried public transportation, but at that time it was not a convenient way to go.

Re. insurance, I would take full coverage from the rental agency. Why worry about what might happen if you have an accident? Even if your insurance over here would offer some coverage, I wonder how problematic it would be working payment after the trip and if you would have to pay cash for the repair while there. I knocked a side mirror off while driving in Ireland, and was I glad I didn't have to worry about coverage.

Mebellarose
Rental agencies in Greece do not offer full coverage usually, i think Avis started with that last year.
Besides NO insurance in Greece would cover damages that were caused by someone who was driving without a valid IDP

I will here repeat something i already mentioned in my previous post.
Are you entitled in driving a motor bike in your own country?
In Greece you need a special stamp on your drivers license that allows you to drive motor bikes, a drivers license for a car doesn't allow you to drive motor bikes....

If you should have an accident with a motor bike, without the drivers permit, you could face serious problems .
In fact many bike rentals have started asking for it, as they should. In order to maximize their profit they usually allow to non Greeks to rent motor bikes, even though they know exactly that it is not legal.

It's been several years, but I still remember an occasion when a tourist wrecked a rental and tried to leave the island before he paid for the damage. They caught him at the ferry port and he was put in jail until his father wired him the money to pay for the vehicle. The vehicle, not just the damage.