Santorini and Corfu rental car - parking issues?

[andysgirl360]

Hi there, new to the boards and this is my first post! We are booked on the ms Noordam (Aug 26) and will be visiting Santorini and Corfu. So far the boards have been a great help in deciding how we would like to do the ports - leaning heavily towards DIY in both places.

 

However, with all the mention of renting a car, I have not seen many comments in the way of parking issues. My biggest nightmare is to rent a car and have to waste loads of time trying to find a parking spot - if we find one at all. We would like to go to the beach in both Santorini and Corfu, plus sightsee etc, and the shore excursions currently offered by HAL are not fitting the bill.

 

Any one have issues finding public parking spots in late Aug/early Sept in either of these ports? Please give me the good, bad and the ugly! Thanks :)

[marazul]

Hi there, new to the boards and this is my first post! We are booked on the ms Noordam (Aug 26) and will be visiting Santorini and Corfu. So far the boards have been a great help in deciding how we would like to do the ports - leaning heavily towards DIY in both places.

 

However, with all the mention of renting a car, I have not seen many comments in the way of parking issues. My biggest nightmare is to rent a car and have to waste loads of time trying to find a parking spot - if we find one at all. We would like to go to the beach in both Santorini and Corfu, plus sightsee etc, and the shore excursions currently offered by HAL are not fitting the bill.

 

Any one have issues finding public parking spots in late Aug/early Sept in either of these ports? Please give me the good, bad and the ugly! Thanks :)

 

No parking issues at the beaches. In town, be prepared to drive another block or so to find a spot or parking area. NOT an issue.

[Omega1]

We did the 20 day Noordam cruise in 2009 (July/August) and rented a car in both Corfu and Santorini. I don't recall having any difficulty whatsoever with parking.

[andysgirl360]

Thanks very much, that is good to hear. I have no idea how many other ships will be there at the same time as us, so I picture a tiny island overflowing with people and rental cars :eek:

[Jem 12]

Hi there, new to the boards and this is my first post! We are booked on the ms Noordam (Aug 26) and will be visiting Santorini and Corfu. So far the boards have been a great help in deciding how we would like to do the ports - leaning heavily towards DIY in both places.

 

However, with all the mention of renting a car, I have not seen many comments in the way of parking issues. My biggest nightmare is to rent a car and have to waste loads of time trying to find a parking spot - if we find one at all. We would like to go to the beach in both Santorini and Corfu, plus sightsee etc, and the shore excursions currently offered by HAL are not fitting the bill.

 

Any one have issues finding public parking spots in late Aug/early Sept in either of these ports? Please give me the good, bad and the ugly! Thanks :)

 

 

We paid 3 euros to park in the centre of Oia, but nothing to park at Periisa beach in Santorini. We haven't been to Corfu, but we are hoping to hire a car there in October.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

Most people do not rent cars and I am sure cars are at a minimum on this tiny island. I really can't see parking or driving being much of a problem in Santorini

[vos90405]

We just got back from the Splendour sailing last week and had no issue at all parking in either Corfu or Santorini. As the other response indicated, we too paid 3 Euros to park in Santorini. We also paid 3 Euros to park in Corfu at Galadyar Beach (forget exact name and spellingbut started with a G). In Corfu after we parked, spent some time on the beach and then took a great boat ride to see the caves. Very picturesque and all the boat drivers were extremely pleasant.

[four2fly]

We just got back from the Splendour sailing last week and had no issue at all parking in either Corfu or Santorini. As the other response indicated, we too paid 3 Euros to park in Santorini. We also paid 3 Euros to park in Corfu at Galadyar Beach (forget exact name and spellingbut started with a G). In Corfu after we parked, spent some time on the beach and then took a great boat ride to see the caves. Very picturesque and all the boat drivers were extremely pleasant.

 

 

Hi vos90405, you mentioned you rented a car and the did the caves. Was there a kiosk for the cave tour at the beach in Glyfada, or did you have to drive to another location to do the cave tour? I am traveling on the 17th of July 2012 and this sounds like it would be fun to do with my kids. They are 8 and 11. Was it a difficult tour in the caves or were you in a boat the whole time. Thanks

four2fly

[andysgirl360]

Thanks so much for the input everyone. I feel a lot better about renting a car and doing our own independent tour.