Driving in Mykonos: Navigate the Island Like a Local

The first thing you should answer is the question: Do you need a rental car in Mykonos?

Yes, you need if you want to explore the island, have the experience of the ultimate beach-hopping and visit off-the-beaten-path spots.

With car rental in Mykonos, you have:

• Flexibility to see as many beaches as you want, even remote ones.
• Convenience and avoidance of overcrowded public transportation, especially during summer.
• Opportunity to travel easily and conveniently with kids, pets etc. as well as carry equipment for outdoor activities, such as wind-surf and kite-surf, which are popular on the island.
• Exploration of off-the-track-path places that are not accessible by public transportation, such as Agios Sostis, Mersini and Fokos Beach.

The cons of renting a car in Mykonos are:

• Heavy traffic in rush hours around Mykonos Chora.
• Challenging parking
• High travel cost (including car rental, fuel and insurance).

However, keep in mind that Abbycar offers cheap car hire in Mykonos, providing discounts and the best car rental deals to find the most suitable car according to your budget.

Is there public transportation available in Mykonos, and how does it compare to renting a car?

The public transportation options you have in Mykonos are:

• Public buses: Public buses (KTEL) are frequent and cheap in Mykonos. However, they are overcrowded during July and August, and sometimes you have to wait a long time to get on board. Plus, buses go only to some beaches, such as Ornos, Elia, Platis Gialos, Paradise and Super Paradise.
• Taxis: Taxis are very limited and it is highly unlikely that you can find a taxi in Mykonos without pre-booking.
• Motorcycles: Renting a motorcycle or scooter is a popular option. However, you should be very careful with dangerous driving habits, local behavior and drunk drivers.
• Sea taxis: They operate on the southern coast and are ideal for beach-hopping on these beaches, like Platis Gialos, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia.

In conclusion, if you stay in Mykonos Chora and you want to visit only a few beaches, you don’t need a rental car. The same is true also if you stay in a villa or hotel and you are not interested in exploring the island.

But if you want to visit the Mykonian beaches of impeccable beauty, eat in remote restaurants or enjoy the experience of clubbing all night in beach clubs away from the main town, then car hire in Mykonos is the only way.

The cost of car rental in Mykonos depends on various factors, with the most important being the season. During the high-season (July and August), prices are significantly higher than in the mid or low season. 

Another factor affecting car rental costs in Mykonos is the vehicle type, as bigger cars, such as SUVs and family cars, are more expensive than small cars. Keep also in mind that for long rental periods you can find special prices that significantly lower the rental cost.

Rental prices start from 4.37 EUR per day, but as mentioned, you may expect variations in seasonal car rental prices in Mykonos. In the middle season, you can rent a car on average at 20-50€, while during the high season, average prices are 40-70€ for small cars.

Car hire in Mykonos is a simple procedure:

1. Choose from Abbycar’s easy platform or in person in one of our rental locations the car type that meets your criteria according to your needs, travel plan and budget.
2. Provide a valid driving license, passport or ID and credit card.
3. A deposit amount will be blocked in your credit card, but not charged. This deposit will be charged only in case of damage.
4. You take the car after inspecting its situation and take photos to prove the existence of any pre-existing damage. You should also check the mileage and gas mileage.
5. You return the car at the drop-off point.

The required documents you need to rent a car in Mykonos are:

• Driving license (International Driving Permit for non-EU drivers)
• Passport or ID
• Credit card under the main driver’s name.

To drive around Mykonos. you don’t need a long time as the island is small.

To go:

• From North to South (Agios Sostis to Elia Beach), you need 20–25 minutes.
• From East to West (Ano Mera to Agios Ioannis Beach), you need about half an hour.
• To make the whole round road trip of the island, you need about 1 hour.

Of course, this time varies depending on traffic and the stops you make. We fully recommend you make some stops to admire the wild landscape, swim on pristine beaches and take amazing photos!

So, if you rent a car in Mykonos, you will wonder what are the most popular destinations to visit by car in Mykonos?

Unmissable places are:

• Agios Sostis Beach: One of the few untouched beaches in Mykonos without sunbeds, to enjoy the natural side of the island.
• Fokos Beach: The wildest and most remote beach in Mykonos to swim and sunbath with peace and serenity (yes, you can find also that in Mykonos!)
• Mersini Beach: It is located next to Fokos and it is even more isolated. However, the road is dirt, so you need to rent a 4X4.
• Ano Mera: The only traditional village in Mykonos, apart from Chora. It is worth visiting the area around it, which has many luxury resorts and farms to explore the rural life of Mykonos.
• Agios Ioannis Beach: The best spot to enjoy the sunset apart from Little Venice.
• Profitis Ilias: On the hilltop, many small white churches, offering breathtaking panoramic view, give you the possibility of having a glimpse of the true Cycladic nature of Mykonos.

Of course, by car you can also make unforgettable beach-hopping to the most beautiful and famous beaches in Mykonos, such as Lia, Paragka, Super Paradise, Ornos, Kalafatis, Elia, Agrari, Paradise, Ftelia and Psarou.

Regarding the question how safe is Mykonos Greece, the answer is that driving in Mykonos is quite safe, because:

• Distances are short.
• Roads are well-maintained.
• Police check points are frequent.
• Signage is clear and both in Greek and English.

However, there are some safety issues in Mykonos:

• Many roads, especially to the beaches, are narrow with sharp turns.
• There are many tourists that drive motorbikes and ATVs, without having the proper experience.
• During the night, you may deal with drunk drivers.

So, the key to remain safe is to drive cautiously and avoid drinking before driving. Plus, in overcrowded beaches, patience is necessary during rush hours to stay away from aggressive behaviors with locals or travelers.

Are there specific areas in Mykonos where parking is difficult? Parking generally in Mykonos is challenging during the high season. There are some parking places, but availability is limited and, in most cases, paid parking is the only way.

What are the parking regulations in Mykonos, especially near beaches and popular attractions? The things you should remember are:

• Around Chora, there are free parking spaces, such as in the Old Port and the Windmills. However, in the evening and night, it is unlikely that you will find free spot there. But, there are many other private spaces that offer also the highest level of security for your car.
• Near popular beaches, there are also some free parking spaces. If you reach early the beach, then there is a high chance that you will find a place to park for free. Another option is to prefer the paid parking on the beach clubs, but we recommend you to be informed about the price, which may be high.

In conclusion, car rental in Mykonos is the best choice to discover the island, but may be challenging during the high season, which is true for everything you do on the island during July and August.

If you rent a car in Mykonos with Abbycar, you will get profited by top deals, transparent pricing and rental agreements and the most reliable service to enjoy stress-free your vacations.