Scooter or Car for Santorini and Naxos Transportation?
 

We will want to explore on Santorini and Naxos either by car or scooters. We have Vespas at home and would love to rent scooters on the islands if it makes sense. Our dates are end of May/first of June.

Will we be able to explore Naxos & Santorini easily on a scooter or is a car necessary due to possible poor road conditions (ruts, bumps, etc)?

Mykonos is a short stay - two days including a visit to Delos - so we'll bypass rentals due to our convenient hotel location (Hotel Leto) and that we have no parking available on premises. Agree?

Hi

I think it is reassuring to know that you are experienced scooter riders. Refer this thread - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...orinicrete.cfm.

Your hotel is in Chora. There is much to see and experience on Mykonos if you love beaches. You can get around by bus or taxi but it's not the same as having the freedom of a bike (only a bike rider could understand :) ). I hired a Fiat Seicento on Mykonos and Santorini. It had a pullback roof and from memory was not alot more than the cost of hiring a couple of bikes. It was great fun! The roads on Mykonos and Santorini are very good although those on Mykonos were narrow and winding. So to answer your question yes I would hire scooters on Mykonos and Santorini. However I reiterate that greek islands are not fun parks. Normal road commonsense applies.

You can certainly rent a scooter on Naxos, there are lots of rental agencies around. Having said that Naxos interior is mountainous with narrow roads blind curves and some switchbacks. If you are experienced scooter riders then you should be Ok. Personally I would prefer to drive a car.

Thanks for the helpful replies!

I posted this reply to the wrong thread so here it is again :

Two years ago we were in Greece on Naxos, Santorini, Milos and Sifnos and rented a quad to share on each island and lived to tell the tale. We went everywhere with it and didnt feel like it was dangerous (except for one time with a bus suddenly coming head on on one side from a curve and a high cliff on the other, that was a bit nerve-wracking). We dont have a license but I think we were allowed up to 50cc without (not absolutely sure on the size). It was a little slow at times with both of us on, and once going up a big hill in Santorini I had to get off and walk, but for the most part it was fine. I am not disputing the fact that it could be dangerous, but I would definitely do a quad again.

kellee21, i am a local and i have seen many accidents happening.... if you don't have a scooter at home, and therefore no experience i would underline that it is absolutely DANGEROUS!!! According to Greek law ( and i think EU direction, correct me on that) you are NOT allowed to drive any scooter regardless if it is less or more than 50cc.
Too many accidents are happening evey summer on the islands, the fact that you escaped to tell means nothing.
If you don't have any scooter or motorcycle experience from home and a license you should stay away and either rent a car or use public transportation !!!

Just wanted to follow up as we just returned from our trip where we rented a car on Naxos and glad we did. The roads outside of town are narrow, with gravel and everything from large tour busses to a bicycle sharing the road. As an experienced scooter rider at home this would have been challenging and definitely no place for a first-time scooter ride! We saw a couple turn their scooter over as they had no idea what they were doing.
They were lucky they weren't on a busy street when it happened.

Thanks for the feedback BeachGirl. Yes that couple were lucky not to be another island statistic.