Though Mykonos is a famous summer destination, it's unlike any other city you've probably been to before. For one thing, it is its own island, practically living its own world with little to no connection to the outside world. And this applies mostly to public transport. Though some of the standard modes of public transportation are still here, the entire system as a whole is inherently different from those in other cities in Greece and in the rest of Europe. This isn't to say that traveling around Mykonos is borderline impossible, far from it! But it's definitely a unique experience.
How to Get to Mykonos Island
Firstly, you have to go to Mykonos island yourself. And the only way to do that is by boat or by plane. Yep! So if you've never ridden a boat your entire life and you plan to go to Mykonos from a different part of Greece, this will be your first time doing it. There's no other way to go to the island than via a boat. Meanwhile, the island's airport, the Mykonos International Airport, is the most common entry point for both locals and tourists to go to the island. Both are easy, safe, and will get you to Mykonos in no time.
No Metro Here
Mykonos isn't
Paris. Mykonos isn't
New York. Mykonos isn't
London. Mykonos is Mykonos! And having said that, you shouldn't expect that the public transport systems in these other cities would be present on this Greek Island. Most notably, an underground metro system. Mykonos doesn't have any railway system on the island. Though having one would have made traveling around the place that much easier, there's simply none here. Most people who go here just take a taxi, ride the bus, rent a car, or even ride a donkey like you've seen in the movies. Those are the types of public transport to expect here.
Traveling by Bus
With two bus stations in Mykonos Town, one by Fabrika and another by the Old Port, this mode of public transportation is a lot more common on the island. Though the way to do it is slightly more unique than others. Of course, you can still go for the standard by buying your ticket before you board a bus. But here in Mykonos, you can also buy your ticket from the bus driver him/herself as well. The common fare for buses during the day is just € 1.60 and for the night buses, it's € 2.00.
Getting a Taxi
There are also still taxis in Mykonos as well. Though you have to go to the more urban parts of the island to get to them. Since many communities and
neighborhoods in Mykonos are tight and mostly escalated, it's fairly difficult for most taxis to get to many residential areas. They often just stay within the urban areas on the island, and more often than not, they can only go so far to bring you, at the very least, near your destination. Still, you can opt to
use a transportation app to hail one here as well.
Boarding Water Taxis & Buses
Though there's another type of taxi that you can't use a transportation app to hail: the ferries. From the port of Platis Gialos, the boat service here can take you to other parts of the island, including Elia, Agari, and Paranga, among many others. The first ferry departs at 10:20 am in the morning and does so every hour up until 4:20 (16:20) pm in the afternoon. There are also the
Mykonos sea bus, which transports passengers from the Old Port to Delos Island and Paradise Beach.
Vehicle Rentals
Let's stick to land again. If you're not one to ride a cab or sneak yourself into a public bus, you can still rent a car on the island instead. There are various
car rentals in Mykonos that will happily lend you a vehicle during your stay on the island. And in fact, it's one of the most common modes of transportation than some of the others. Locals may even argue that it's just as common to rent a car here as it is to ride a donkey to take you up the hills of Mykonos.
Source: Christoph Ernst
Taking a trip to Mykonos is one thing, but traveling within this island is a totally different matter entirely. Public transport in this part of Greece is unlike any other, both in the rest of the country and the rest of Europe as well. You need to know more about it before you get here!
Apart from public transport, there's also your home in Mykonos to look forward to. And a
luxury rental is the best option you have here!
