Car rental, Santorini, Katakolon, Kusadasi

[John Bull]

Hi,

we'd appreciate hearing of experiences, good or bad, with car rental companies in these places, for one day port-of-call visits. Full day at each.

 

Santorini we understand best to collect from agency offices in Fira, right?

Or are there better/cheaper ways to explore?

Katakolon - is car hire worthwhile?

Kusadasi - we've been before (Ephesus & V/Mary's house). So we're looking to explore elsewhere - any suggestions?

 

JB :)

[Hlitner]

Santorini - There are quite a few rental car agencies (major and local) within a 15 min walk from the top of the cable car. Since its a very competitive market we just like to shop on the internet and book with whoever has the best rates. Driving on the island is quite easy.

 

Katakolon - We have perviously had good experience with an agency owned by Dionysios Diplas Tourism Enterprises. They have a rental car office about 1 block from the cruise pier (its right on the main street of town). Their website is http://www.rentacarkatakolo.gr and their e-mail is diplasd@rentacarkatakolo.gr

 

Kusadasi - We were just there in April for 2 days and decided that since we had done just about everything else (we had previously been to Kusadasi 4 times) we would rent a car. We used Europcar but we noticed plenty of other agencies (all within walking distance of the port on the main street that fronts the water) such as Avis. We actually drove more then 150 miless since we covered a lot of ground. We first drove up the coast to a small town where they had their weekly market.. Later we reversed course and went all the way to Miletus, Prience and Didyma which are 3 well-known ruin sites. We had previously been to these places about 20 years ago when we hired a taxi for half a day. This time when we returned it was interesting to see how the governement had improved these sites and finally put some fences and security around the ruins. The roads in this part of Turkey are excellent and signage is good....but we really benefited from having our own GPS with us. You should be able to rent a GPS from any of the agencies which is really helpful when you return to Kusadasi..since this is now a pretty large city.

 

Hank

[John Bull]

Thanks, Hank.

 

We've fixed up Katakolon with Dionysios Diplas, as suggested. Probably just for Olympia, but gives us a flexible timetable & we just might drift on our way back.

 

Santorini, we found another thread which mentions a boat to Oia from the tender jetty. If it doesn't happen, it's the cable car or the slog up to Fira & bus or taxi to Oia.

 

We've fixed up a rental car for Kusadasi - might head south to the Nat Park / beaches (if progress is good, we might continue to Didyma)

Or we might head past Selcuk to Sirinice.

We'll see which way the wind blows, but really we're just looking to wander without worrying about any ancient ruins.

 

We fly tomorrow.:)

July too hot in the Mediterranean?

Yep, probably :D

But bring it on, had enough of this unusually abysmal British summer.

 

JB :)