Ios has no airport, so visitors arrive by ferry into Gialos, the island’s port, which sits about 2 km below Chora, the hilltop capital. From there you can walk, bus, taxi or drive further, though Ios only has a handful of taxis, so knowing your options in advance makes a real difference in high season.
Table of Contents
1. Taxi Services in Ios
How much does a taxi cost in Ios?
Ios is a small island, so most taxi trips are short, and drivers usually quote a flat price rather than running a meter. As a rough guide:
- Gialos port to Chora (about 2 km): approximately EUR 5 to 8
- Chora to Mylopotas beach (about 3 km): approximately EUR 6 to 9
- Chora to Manganari beach (about 20 km, on the southern coast): approximately EUR 30 to 40
- Gialos to Agia Theodoti (about 10 km, northeast coast): approximately EUR 15 to 20
A small night surcharge is common after midnight. Given how few taxis Ios has, fares tend to hold steady through summer rather than swing much with demand.
Booking a taxi in Ios
Ios has only a small number of taxis for the whole island, and in July and August this really shows. Ferries can bring hundreds of passengers into Gialos at once, and there may only be two or three cars to meet them. If you plan to hail one on the spot in peak season, be ready to wait, or to walk or bus into Chora instead, since the hill from the port is steep but the bus runs regularly. For anything time sensitive, an early morning ferry connection or a late flight in Santorini, it is worth booking a taxi in advance through your accommodation.
Book Your Taxi or Transfer in Ios
Taxi from Ios Port to main towns
Gialos to Chora. This short, steep climb takes only a couple of minutes by taxi, though it can be a hot, tiring walk in summer with luggage, which is why so many visitors choose the taxi or the bus for this leg alone.
Chora to Mylopotas beach. A quick run down to Ios’ main sandy beach and its lively beach bars, taking around 5 minutes.
Chora to Manganari beach. This is the longest regular taxi trip on the island, heading south to one of Ios’ quietest and most scenic beaches. It takes around 30 to 40 minutes each way, so most visitors either book a return trip in advance or combine it with a boat trip instead.
Radio taxi & phone numbers in Ios
Ios does not have many taxis, so the busiest spots to find one are the taxi rank at Gialos port and the central bus station area in Chora. Outside these two points, your best bet is to have your accommodation call ahead on your behalf, since they will know which drivers are currently working.
2. Car Rental in Ios
Where to rent a car in Ios
Most car hire offices are clustered around Gialos port and in Chora, with several offering free delivery to your accommodation. Picking up near the port is convenient straight off the ferry, while a Chora pickup suits anyone settling in before deciding whether they need a car at all.
Car rental prices in Ios
A small car is enough for the main road network linking Gialos, Chora and Mylopotas, which is well surfaced. Prices in Ios shift a lot with the season, roughly EUR 25 to 40 a day in the low and shoulder months, climbing to EUR 60 to 90 a day, sometimes more, at the height of summer in late July and August.
Do you need a car in Ios?
If your trip is mostly about Chora and Mylopotas beach, you can get by comfortably on foot, by bus and the odd taxi, since these two spots sit close together and buses run often in season. The picture changes if you want to see more of the island. Ios has some genuinely quiet, beautiful beaches on its southern and eastern coasts, like Manganari and Agia Theodoti, and bus coverage out there thins out fast, especially outside peak summer. Taxi fares to these spots also add up quickly given the distance. If those quieter beaches are on your list, or you simply want to explore beyond the Chora and Mylopotas strip without waiting on a bus timetable, a hire car for a day or two makes sense. For a short stay centred on Chora’s nightlife and the main beach, you likely will not need one.
Local car rental companies in Ios
Ios has several established car and scooter hire firms based around Gialos port and in Chora, generally offering small cars and SUVs alongside two wheeled options. Insert your preferred partners here, along with links to their booking pages where available.
3. Scooter, ATV & Buggy Rental in Ios
A scooter is a popular choice on Ios for getting around between Chora and the beaches nearby, and it is cheap enough that many visitors hire one for just a day or two of their stay.
The roads down to the quieter southern beaches are longer and hillier, so a scooter suits shorter trips around Chora and Mylopotas better than the run out to Manganari. An ATV gives a bit more stability if you plan to explore further afield or venture onto rougher tracks near some of the smaller coves.
Most car rental offices near the port and in Chora also hire scooters and ATVs, so it is worth comparing options in one visit.
How much is a taxi in Ios?
Fares are flat rate rather than metered for most trips. The short run from Gialos port up to Chora typically costs around EUR 5 to 8.
Is there a taxi from Ios port to Chora?
Yes, taxis wait at Gialos port for ferry arrivals when available, though Ios only has a small number of cars on the island, so in peak season you may need to wait or take the bus instead.
Do I need to book a taxi in advance in Ios?
It is a good idea, especially in July and August or if you have a tight connection. With so few taxis serving the whole island, booking through your accommodation ahead of time is more reliable than hoping to hail one on arrival.
Can I rent a car without a credit card in Ios?
Some smaller, family run rental firms on Ios accept a cash deposit instead of a credit card, though policies vary. Check directly with your chosen operator before you travel.
Is it better to rent a car or use taxis in Ios?
If you are staying around Chora and Mylopotas beach, walking, the bus and the occasional taxi will cover you well. If you want to reach quieter beaches like Manganari or Agia Theodoti, a hire car is the more practical and often cheaper option over a few days.
