Folegandros Without a Car: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Around

We spent five days exploring Folegandros, Greece, without a car and quickly realized we didn’t need one.

Folegandros wasn’t only one of our favorite Greek islands. It was also one of the easiest islands we visited to get around using buses, boats, and our own two feet.

In this guide, we’ll share exactly how we got around Folegandros without a car, what each option cost us, and when renting a car or ATV might actually be worth it.

Do You Need a Car in Folegandros?

No, you don’t need a car to visit Folegandros! We spent five days on the island without one and were able to see almost everything we wanted to.

Folegandros is a small island with several ways to get around. Public buses connect the main areas, water taxis can take you to some of the more remote beaches, and there are plenty of hiking trails to explore on foot.

That being said, renting a car or ATV will give you more freedom. You’ll be able to explore on your own schedule and reach some of the island’s more remote areas more easily.

For us, though, going without a car worked perfectly.

Getting Around Folegandros by Bus

The public bus was one of the main ways we got around Folegandros without a car. We found it easy to use and surprisingly convenient for such a small island. 

The buses connect Karavostasis, where the ferry port is located, with Chora and other areas around the island. During our visit in July 2026, the bus rides  from Karavostasis to Chora cost around €2.30 per person. We were also able to pay by card, which made things even easier. 

If you’re traveling farther than Chora, expect to pay a little more for your ticket.

One thing that surprised us was the bus schedule. Instead of finding a set schedule online, the current departure times were written on whiteboards at the bus stops. We simply took a photo of the schedule so we could reference it throughout the day.

Bus schedules can change depending on the season, so we wouldn’t plan your trip around times you find online months in advance. Check the schedule when you arrive on Folegandros so you know the current departure times.

For us, the bus worked really well for getting between Karavostasis and Chora and made exploring Folegandros without a rental car much easier.

Getting to Agkali Beach by Bus

Getting to Agkali Beach by bus works a little differently. During our visit in July 2026, we took a private bus operated by Agkali Travel from Chora directly to Agkali Beach.

The ride cost around €4 per person each way. This made visiting Agkali really easy without having our own transportation.

Just like the public buses, we recommend checking the current schedule once you arrive on Folegandros. Times can change throughout the season, so don’t rely on an old schedule you find online.

Once you arrive at Agkali, you can spend the day at the beach or continue on foot to nearby beaches. We hiked about 20 minutes from Agkali to Agios Nikolaos Beach, which was an easy way to explore even more without a car.

You can find more of our favorite beaches and things to do in our complete Folegandros travel guide.

Getting Around Folegandros by Water Taxi

Another great way to get around Folegandros without a car is by water taxi. This is especially helpful for reaching some of the island’s beaches that aren’t accessible by road.

During our visit in July 2026, we used the Folegandros Travel water taxi between Karavostasis and Katergo Beach. A round-trip ticket cost €15 per person, or you could purchase a one-way ticket for €8.

We chose to hike from Karavostasis to Katergo Beach and then take the water taxi back. This ended up being one of our favorite days on the island! We got the adventure and views from the hike without having to make the uphill trek back at the end of the day.

The boat ride itself only took about 10 minutes. During our visit, boats started running around 11:00 AM, with the last return from Katergo around 6:30 PM. Schedules can change, so make sure to check the current times before planning your day.

If you want to visit Katergo, we break down the hike, water taxi, what to bring, and everything else you need to know in our guide to visiting Katergo Beach in Folegandros.

Hiking Around Folegandros

One of our favorite ways to explore Folegandros was actually on foot! The island has plenty of walking and hiking trails that can help you reach beaches and areas that aren’t directly accessible by road.

One of our favorite walks was from Karavostasis to Katergo Beach. The gives you a bird’s eye view of the beach and amazing views of the island.

We also took the bus to Agkali Beach and walked about 20 minutes to Agios Nikolaos Beach. This was an easy hike and a great way to visit another beach without needing a car.

Folegandros can be very exposed with little shade, especially during the summer. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sun protection, and good walking shoes if you plan on exploring the island on foot.

We loved that walking wasn’t just a way to get around Folegandros. It became part of the adventure and allowed us to see more of the island along the way. You can check out AllTrails to find different hiking routes around the island too! Should You Rent a Car or ATV?

Should You Rent a Car or ATV?

The answer really depends on your travel style and how much time you have. If you’re trying to see as much of Folegandros as possible in just a few days, renting a car or ATV might be worth it. You’ll have more freedom and won’t have to plan your day around bus schedules.

A vehicle could also be helpful if you want to get farther off the beaten path and explore some of the island’s more remote areas.

Just be sure to reserve your vehicle early, especially during the high season! We tried to rent an ATV after we arrived on Folegandros, but they were already completely booked.

In the end, it worked out just fine. We explored the island using buses, boats, and our own two feet and never felt like we missed out by not having a vehicle.

Where to Stay in Folegandros Without a Car

If you’re visiting Folegandros without a car, we think Karavostasis and Chora are the two best areas to stay.

We chose to stay in Karavostasis, the small port town where the ferries arrive. We loved this location because we could walk right from the ferry to our accommodation and had easy access to the public bus, water taxi, restaurants, small markets, and several nearby beaches.

We stayed at Eleni’s Studios and really enjoyed having a kitchenette and balcony. Staying in Karavostasis also made our trip to Katergo Beach really easy since we could start the hike directly from town and take the water taxi back.

Chora is another great option if you don’t have a car. It’s the main town on Folegandros and has more restaurants and shops. It’s also well connected by bus, making it easy to get back to Karavostasis and explore other parts of the island.

We loved staying in Karavostasis, but if you want to be closer to more restaurants and the atmosphere of the main town, Chora might be the better choice for you.

Our Experience Visiting Folegandros Without a Car

After spending five days on Folegandros without a car, we can confidently say you don’t need one to enjoy the island.

Between the public buses, water taxis, and walking, we were able to visit almost everywhere we wanted to go. We explored Chora, spent days at different beaches, hiked to Katergo, and never felt like not having a car was holding us back.

We actually loved exploring Folegandros this way. Walking and taking the bus forced us to slow down a little, which fit perfectly with what we loved about the island in the first place.

Would having a car or ATV have given us more freedom? Absolutely. But if we visited Folegandros again, we’d have no problem doing it without one.

If you’re planning your own trip, check out our complete Folegandros travel guide for our favorite beaches, where to stay, and everything else we learned during our five days on the island.