Amorgos has no airport, so almost every visitor arrives by ferry, either into Katapola or into Aegiali on the northern side of the island. From either port you have three real options for getting further, the local bus, a taxi, or a hire car. This page covers all three, with honest prices and advice on when you actually need a car and when you do not.
1. Taxi Services in Amorgos
How much does a taxi cost in Amorgos?
Taxi fares on Amorgos are not metered in the way you might expect from a big city. Drivers usually agree a flat price before you set off, based on distance and the time of year. As a rough guide, based on typical Cyclades rates for a similar length of journey:
- Katapola to Chora (about 7 km): approximately EUR 12 to 15
- Katapola to Aegiali (about 21 km): approximately EUR 30 to 35
- Chora to Aegiali (about 15 km): approximately EUR 25 to 30
- Short hops within a village or to a nearby beach: approximately EUR 8 to 12
- A night surcharge often applies after midnight, typically an extra EUR 3 to 5
Prices tend to rise a little in July and August, and drivers may ask for more if the road to your destination is rough or a long way off the main route.
Booking a taxi in Amorgos
Amorgos does not really have one central radio taxi office. Instead, a handful of local drivers cover the whole island, moving between Katapola, Chora and Aegiali depending on ferry times. This works fine outside peak season, when you can often just wait at the port and a taxi will turn up not long after a ferry arrives. In July and August it is a different story. There are only a few cars for the whole island, and if a big ferry comes in, they can all be taken within minutes. If you are travelling in high summer, or if your ferry lands late at night, it is worth asking your accommodation to book a taxi for you in advance, or calling ahead yourself once you have a number confirmed.
Book Your Taxi or Transfer in Amorgos
Taxi from Amorgos Port to main towns
Katapola to Chora. This is the most common taxi run on the island, since most ferries dock at Katapola and Chora is the capital, perched up on the hillside above. The drive takes around 10 to 15 minutes on a road that climbs steadily out of the port.
Katapola to Aegiali. This is a longer trip along the island’s spine, past Chora and down the far side to the northern port. Expect the best part of 40 minutes, since the road twists through the hills rather than running in a straight line.
Chora to Tholaria and Langada. These two villages sit above Aegiali on the northern half of the island. A taxi from Chora takes you most of the way in one run, roughly 30 to 35 minutes, since the road follows the same route as the Aegiali run before branching off.
Aegiali to the beach villages nearby. Taxis are less commonly used for these short local hops, since most visitors staying in Aegiali walk to the beach or take the bus, but a taxi is available if you have luggage or are short on time.
Radio taxi & phone numbers in Amorgos
There is no single taxi company to call on Amorgos. A small number of independent drivers work the island, and the easiest way to reach one is to ask your hotel or apartment to call on your behalf, since they will know who is currently answering their phone and available. You can also ask at the port kiosk or a nearby cafe when you step off the ferry.
2. Car Rental in Amorgos
Where to rent a car in Amorgos
Most car hire firms on Amorgos have a base in Katapola, since it is the main port, with a second office in Aegiali to cover ferries landing there. A few also have a small desk or contact point in Chora. Several companies offer free delivery to whichever port you land at, or even straight to your accommodation, so you rarely need to walk far with your bags to collect a car. [ADD OPERATORS AND EXACT PICKUP LOCATIONS]
Car rental prices in Amorgos
A small car such as a Fiat Panda is the most practical size for the island’s narrow roads. Prices shift a good deal with the season. In low season, from April to mid June and again from mid September into October, a week’s hire typically works out at around EUR 20 to 25 a day. In the shoulder months of late June, early July and early September, expect closer to EUR 25 to 30 a day. In late July and August, when demand is highest, daily rates can climb to EUR 40 to 55. Most local firms include unlimited kilometres and third party insurance in the quoted price, though full or “zero excess” cover is sometimes an extra few euros a day. [PLACEHOLDER: confirm current rates and what is included with your chosen operator]
Do you need a car in Amorgos?
This depends on where you are staying and what you want to see. If you are based in Katapola or Chora and mainly plan to move between the two, the bus covers this route often enough that a car is not essential, and a taxi fills any gaps. The picture changes once you look south or want to reach quieter spots. Amorgos is long and narrow, stretching around 33 kilometres from tip to tip, and the roads twist through hills rather than running flat, so a trip that looks short on a map can easily take twice as long as you expect. The southern part of the island, around villages like Arkesini and the beaches near Kalotaritissa, has very limited bus coverage, sometimes none at all outside peak summer. If seeing that part of Amorgos, or reaching a quiet beach at your own pace, matters to you, a hire car earns its keep. If you are happy sticking to the Katapola, Chora and Aegiali triangle and moving at bus and taxi speed, you can manage comfortably without one.
Local car rental companies in Amorgos
Amorgos has a mix of family run car and moto hire firms, with several long established names operating from both Katapola and Aegiali, some also with a presence in Chora. Most offer similar small and medium cars, mopeds and quad bikes, with unlimited mileage as standard. Insert your preferred partners here, along with links to their booking pages where available.
3. Scooter, ATV & Buggy Rental in Amorgos
A scooter or small ATV is a popular choice for shorter trips around Katapola, Chora or Aegiali, and for reaching beaches just outside the main villages. They cost less than a car and are easy to park, which matters in Chora’s narrow lanes.
That said, Amorgos is hillier and windier than some of the flatter Cyclades islands, so a scooter is best kept to routes you already know, or short daytime trips rather than long cross island runs. The road between Katapola and Aegiali in particular has some steep, exposed stretches that are less forgiving on two wheels, especially if the wind picks up, which it often does here.
Most car rental offices in Katapola and Aegiali also hire scooters and small ATVs, usually alongside their car fleet, so you can compare prices and vehicle types in one visit.
How much is a taxi in Amorgos?
Fares are agreed upfront rather than metered, and depend on distance. A short run within Katapola or Chora typically costs around EUR 8 to 15, while crossing the island between Katapola and Aegiali is closer to EUR 30 to 35.
Is there a taxi from Amorgos port to Chora?
Yes. Taxis regularly meet ferries at Katapola and can take you up to Chora in around 10 to 15 minutes. In high summer it is worth booking ahead, since only a small number of taxis serve the whole island.
Do I need to book a taxi in advance in Amorgos?
In spring and autumn you can usually find a taxi waiting at the port. In July and August, with only a handful of cars covering the island, booking through your accommodation in advance is a safer bet, especially for late ferries.
Can I rent a car without a credit card in Amorgos?
Some smaller, family run operators on Amorgos will accept a cash deposit rather than a credit card, particularly outside the busiest weeks. Policies vary by company, so it is worth checking directly with your chosen operator before you travel.
Is it better to rent a car or use taxis in Amorgos?
If you are staying within the Katapola, Chora and Aegiali triangle and keeping to a simple itinerary, taxis and the bus will cover you well. If you want to explore the quieter south of the island or reach beaches off the main road at your own pace, a hire car makes more sense and works out cheaper over several days than repeated taxi trips.
