One of the first things I talk about when my friends tell me they are coming to Mykonos is, how are you getting around the island? I understand that most people do not want to busy with a car on vacation, I mean I don’t love driving in a foreign country. Let alone driving in Greece which is very different than driving in the states, for many reasons, one being that driving regulations are not enforced and drivers do as they please on the road. With all that being said, You can’t avoid driving in Mykonos, regardless of where you stay on the island, because there are no sidewalks or walkways for pedestrians. Do people do it? Yes, and it’s very dangerous! I do not recommend it, firstly because of safety. Secondly, you’re limited to experience other areas/beaches of the island that are not in walking distance of your residence.
I started driving at 15 years old, illegally of course, and in NYC with traffic and chaos on the streets. When I first started driving in Mykonos, I was petrified, literally scared for my life, as there are no lanes, traffic lights, or street lamps. But like I mentioned earlier, if you don’t drive in Mykonos it’s as if you don’t have feet. This place is not meant for walking! And like everything else in life, practice makes perfect, I’m now very comfortable with driving on the island and have filtered the best transfer companies who have clean cars/vans and smooth driving skills.
There are a few ways to get around in Mykonos
Car Rental: Renting a car in Mykonos is just like anywhere else. For my fellow Americans, make sure that you rent an automatic transmission and not manual car. I've been stopped and asked if I assist with driving the car because they didn’t realize it was a manual car. P.S - I neither know how to drive manual cars, lol. So be careful when booking a car rental. I do recommend renting a smaller car as the roads are narrow and parking is limited on the island.
ATV/Motor Bike Rental: I absolutely love ATVs, they are fun and easy to get around with. They are however very dangerous! I’ve seen many accidents especially on top of the hills and some were unfortunately fatal. Also For those who feel comfortable with motor bikes and ATVs, this is your best option as it’s cheap (app €30/day) and small enough to park anywhere.
Taxi: I’m not sure what the deal is with taxis on the island but there are less than 50 cars, which means the chances of you finding a taxi are very slim, let alone the cost. Unlike most destinations where you can find a taxi on the street, it doesn’t work that way in Mykonos. In the 7 years I’m on the island, I’ve never been lucky enough to find a taxi. You will occasionally find private drivers who offer rides in between clients but solely relying on them is risky as it’s subject to availability. Uber and Lyft are not a thing here, the Taxi mob has their territory on lockdown so if this is your mode of transportation on the island, just give yourself some extra time to locate a taxi. Most hotels work with private transfer companies and/or offer shuttle service to the major beaches.
Driver Hire: Ideal for groups of 3 or more. Hire a driver for either 8,12, or 16 hours a day and never worry about getting lost, parking, traffic, etc. It's the best thing you can do for your trip. Drivers on the island are sacred, haha, literally they have the best connections and know the ins and outs of the happenings here.
Bus: There is a public bus that stops at major beaches: Ornos, Agios Ioannis, Platis Gialos, Paraga, Agios Stefanos, Super Paradise, Paradise, Elia, Kalo Livadi, and Kalafatis. The main bus stops are Fabrika (Mykonos Town) and Ornos. I do not have experience with public busses in Mykonos but from what I was told it's easy to navigate and punctual. This may be ideal for solo travelers and backpackers. For more information on bus stops and schedule, click here.
If you decide to rent a car in Mykonos, take your time, do not speed, there are many sharp turns and hidden driveways. Also, being that the roads are very narrow, it’s best to stop and wait on the side when there’s a car/truck approaching, otherwise you cause traffic and increase risks for accidents. I thought this was common sense, but I unfortunately encounter this way too often.
Alright peeps, there's my ”Driving in Mykonos 101” crash course. Reach out to me if you assistance with hiring a driver or car rentals.